2016 Nissan GT-R

NEW FOR 2016:

- New NISMO high-performance model

Although it’s only been sold on Canadian shores since 2008, Nissan’s GT-R has been slaying giants in the world of performance cars for 45 years. While other markets will receive a special limited-edition gold-hued model, it isn’t being carried in Canada. That said, buyers can console themselves with a new 20-spoke wheel design by RAYS for the Premium trim, and the addition of active noise cancellation and sound enhancement for the standard Bose stereo.

OK, OK, we're holding back. The real news is the new-for-2016 GT-R NISMO, which will go on sale during the early part of 2016. In a range that also includes the Juke and 370Z, this is the ultimate NISMO model. The standard 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 has been boosted to produce a whopping 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque thanks to large-diameter turbos and other engine enhancements. The special carbon-fibre bodykit and rear wing dramatically increase downforce at speed – some 220 lb of weight push the GT-R to the ground at speeds above 300 km/h – yet the overall drag coefficient is no greater than the standard car. Meanwhile, the structure of the GT-R NISMO has been beefed up with more adhesive bonding, while lightweight suspension components and a carbon-fibre trunk lid reduce the car’s bulk. Unique suspension tuning also ensures a completely roll-free driving experience. For its work, the GT-R NISMO has been crowned the world’s quickest production car around the Nurburgring with a lap time of 7.08679.

Even excluding the GT-R NISMO, the standard model is a genuinely impressive piece of engineering. A heavy vehicle at nearly 1,800 kilos, it still manages to out-accelerate and out-corner many of its pricier rivals. Costing $110,000, you’d be hard pressed to find a faster and more capable four-seat vehicle on the road.

The GT-R is offered in three trims, Premium, Black Edition, and NISMO.

Features on the Premium include 20-inch 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels, adaptive dampers, rear spoiler, fender vents, automatic LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED brake lights, dual power folding heated exterior mirrors, UV tinted glass, proximity key with push-button start, Bluetooth, garage door opener, dual-zone climate control, cabin filter, power windows with one-touch driver’s side auto up/down, power door locks, cruise control, tilt and telescoping steering column with integrated gauges, speed-sensitive wipers, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual 12-volt power outlets, leather and suede cloth upholstery, eight-way power driver’s seat, four way power passenger’s seat, heated front seats, leather-wrapped magnesium paddles for manual shifting, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift, and parking brake, aluminum pedals, carbon fibre and aluminum interior trim, 7.0-inch navigation screen, reverse camera, Multi-Function display for vehicle information and performance, 11-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 Bose sound system, USB port, aux-in jack, satellite radio, tire-pressure monitor, active noise cancellation, active sound enhancement, and anti-theft system.

The Premium Interior Package adds Red Amber or Ivory hand-stitched semi-aniline leather front seat and interior treatment.

The Black Edition adds black-painted six-spoke 20-inch forged alloy wheels, red and black Recaro leather-appointed seats, red and black interior trim, dark headliner, and carbon fibre rear spoiler.

The GT-R NISMO builds on the Premium and adds unique suspension tuning, forged lightweight 20-inch RAYS alloy wheels, carbon fibre trunklid, NISMO bodykit, NISMO rear spoiler, Recaro seats, Alcantara-wrapped instrument bin hood, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and unique instruments with red tachometer.