pistonheads
2010 NISSAN GT-R UPGRADES REVEALED
Stiffer suspension, NACA ducts and data-logging will be next year's highlights
2010 model year upgrades for Nissan's GT-R will include the adoption of the Spec-V's rear diffuser plus new side NACA ducts, suspension tweaks, and an optional NISMO data-logging facility that will let drivers share and compare data via their PCs.
The changes were revealed to PistonHeads yesterday by GT-R project chief Kazutoshi Mizuno, who was our host yesterday at the company's Nurburgring technical centre where elements of the 2010 upgrade package - and European Spec-V models - are undergoing their final evaluation.
According to Mizuno-san, the suspension tweaks are minor but include marginally stiffer front spring and damper rates, and stiffer bushing for the rear torsion control arms. The aim is to further increase the driver appeal - or to paraphrase the enigmatic chief engineer 'to make the driver's buttocks feel even closer to the rear wheels during sporty driving'.
The NISMO data-logging system will be part of an upgraded sat-nav option. As we understand it, owners will be able to download data using a USB memory stick, load it onto their PC for analysis, and even share their numbers with other GT-R drivers online.
The adoption of the Spec-V rear diffuser and new NACA ducts next to the rear wheels are there to improve airflow and brake cooling, says Mizuno. The 2010 cars have also been tweaked to meet Euro 5 emissions regs, and an ECU modification improves low-speed tractability in low temperatures when the transmission fluid is still cold.
Mizuno and Nissan senior vice president Andy Palmer (who was co-incidentally visiting the Nurburgring GT-R test team on the same day) also gave us some insights into the new Spec-M model that has been rumoured for some time. Contrary to the suggestion in our story yesterday, it won't be at the Tokyo motor show next month, but will emerge sometime next year instead.
We shouldn't get too distracted by the 'comfort' tag, they say, as the core package will be largely undiluted. Instead, think of a GT-R 'plus' with extra luxury fittings like a high-end sound system, expensive interior fittings and a more 'bespoke' feel.
Like the Spec-V, the idea of the Spec-M is to increase exclusivity, not improve accessibility, so although the suspension may be set up for a little more comfort we're not expecting the driving experience to feel very different from the standard car.
Meanwhile the 2010 model year GT-R should be available in the UK early next year, around the same time as the Spec-V edition.
DA Autoblog.it:
Il Model Year 2011 della Nissan GT-R introdurrà modifiche al sistema di telemetria e all’estrattore, affinato con origine Spec-V. Già basterebbe, ma i tecnici – in particolare il capo-progetto Kazutoshi Mizuno – hanno deciso di intervenire anche sulle sospensioni, cambiando geometrie e rigidezza dei braccetti. «Nessuno stravolgimento – conferma Mizuno –, ma il conducente avrà la sensazione di poggiare le natiche (letteralmente, nda) sulle ruote posteriori».
La dirigenza Nissan ha poi fornito qualche conferma relativa alla Spec-M, che non verrà esposta – smentendo le indiscrezioni – al salone di Tokyo: la sua vocazione al confort è smentita dalle immutate caratteristiche tecniche, ma non mancheranno accessori secondari come l’impianto audio più raffinato ed i nuovi e più esclusivi pellami. La presenza di un assetto meno estremo è la diretta conseguenza. Anche per lei il debutto è previsto nel corso del prossimo anno.