Godzilla is apt for the GT-R. Take for instance our rain-soaked sojourn at the back of Phelindaba, also apt for the occasion because it’s a former SA government nuclear facility. As we sloped down that 2km valley of tar the digital needle momentarily hit 276km/h. Had we not paused a moment a third of the way down the road and begun our run at the top of the hill that number could have been higher. I’d cautiously be bragging a 300km/h splash for the first time. In fact one Nissan SA tester confessed to achieving that number. And higher…
Forget what could have been, let’s stick to what was. And stick my friend is another apt word. That massive 20-inch spread of Dunlop rubber (R9 500 each) stays glued no matter what, bar an intervention from above. Nothing of that sort fortunately for us, even when the day’s gloomiest threatened to cause tsunami-sort flooding. At one sharp 90-degree turn the GT-R reacquainted itself with the black stuff so cosily they may have been on a honeymoon together. Lesson number two; grip is phenomenal, dry or wet.
“I’m not worried about the car” said the Nissan executive before our run started. She clearly knew something we didn’t. At the time the clouds were gathering apace and fast losing colour. It was quite obvious that the angels would soon drop off gallons in sweat. But this is Africa and rain means good luck, so we reckoned we would need some. Another car would have baulked at the idea; 200km/h-plus in the wet is no play in the mud, not even if your name is Michael “rain master” Schumacher. Not Godzilla. All he said was “how fast and how smooth?” and it was delivered.
Standing by the Nissan GT-R at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show I realised Carlos Ghosn, Chief Engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno and co were on to something. Something phenomenal. It had been 5 years since the last R34 (Skyline GTR) was produced and fans had been begging the company for an R35. Who knows why it took so long, but I suspect the fact that Nissan virtually came from the brink of bankruptcy had something to do with it. They just weren’t ready. Neither was the public truth be told. I’m honestly not sure if the latter is today actually.
See I came straight out of another supercar of German origin before taking temporary ownership of that red GT-R that you see in these pages. I didn’t think Godzilla would stand up to the Hun given the latter’s pedigree of over 100 years standing. Ten minutes was enough to flip the script, change my mind and make me pledge allegiance to the beast from the east. That it shares some parts with other Nissans like the 370 Z and even the Qashqai, or that it rattles somewhat on uneven roads due to the stiff-as-Stallone’s-butt suspension didn’t faze me.
Most motoring media report that this thing has All-Wheel-Drive, which is partly true. Under normal circumstances the AWD system is not even in use; the car is employing Rear-Wheel-Drive instead. What circumstances have to be to turn to the safety comfort of AWD I’m not sure, for even through splashing puddles of standing water, against the backdrop of pissing Gauteng rain, the information display said “0% AWD, 100% AWD”. Yes, the car tells you where exactly the torque split is at any moment, from 100% RWD up to 50% RWD or 100% AWD. It tells you other things as well; how deep the right foot is planted to the floor, the G-forces being pulled at a turn, steering angle, fuel economy and a number of other bits and pieces.
I doubt the majority of GT-R owners in Mzansi – of which there are currently about 48 – have the inclination let alone talent to explore its full capabilities. Nissan even has a decree that owners who switch off the traction control (VDC) and end up in serious trouble because of that, will void their warranties. What’s been said about an instant voidance is untrue. Some leeway is given but jislik you have to know what you’re doing. Multiple off-road champ Hannes Grobler’s exploits behind the wheel are legendary and as one of the first owners it would be hard to dictate to someone like him how to steer his animal. The electronic nanny is not for the likes of him but for others who think the GT-R’s official Nurburgring time of 7 minutes 29 seconds is attainable in their suburban backyard as well. For them and for those trees and street poles we say bravo Nissan SA!
Two special dealerships, Melrose in northern Johannesburg and Hatfield in Pretoria, are fully equipped to sell and service GT-R. You can spot them by the fact that they have to display a GT-R outside their premises. They were fully accredited following months of staff training and capital investment. Apparently technicians authorised to work on the car had to, among others, pass an exam with a mark of at least 90%. You can then walk in a drop off your R120 000 required deposit, choose a colour (everything is standard except special carpets) and wait for four months. A short wait if you ask me, considering that only eight guys in the world assemble the engines in Japan.
IN4RIDE is not on the coveted list of publications carefully selected for an 8-day GT-R test. I had mixed feelings about this at first, but perhaps it’s for the best. Spending R1.175 million on a super mad Nissan is one thing, but having the manhood to reign it in every day of your life is quite another. I for one am not sure if I’m man enough for that.
QUICK STATS
NISSAN GT-R
ENGINE: 3.8-litre twin turbo V6
POWER: 357kW at 6000rpm
TORQUE: 588Nm at 3200rpm
0 – 100KM/H: [untested]
GEARBOX: 6-speed double clutch automatic
TOP SPEED: 310km/h
FUEL AVERAGE: [untested]
PRICE STANDARD: R1 175 000
NATURAL RIVAL: Porsche 911 Turbo Tiptronic
SECONDARY RIVALS: Ferrari F430, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8 V10, Aston Martin DBS
PRICE RIVALS: Audi RS 6, BMW 650i Convertible, BMW 750i, BMW M5 Touring, Jaguar XKR, Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz S500, Porsche 911 Carrera 4 PDK, Porsche Panamera 4S, Range Rover TD V6
No comments:
Post a Comment