2016 Nissan GT-R adds new 20-spoke 20-inch wheel design and a special 45TH anniversary Gold Edition
For 2016, the Nissan GT-R defends its position as one of the most striking supercars in the market today – with the addition of new 20-spoke wheels for the GT-R Premium and a 45th Anniversary Gold Edition featuring a special exterior paint color (limited availability). The 2016 GT-R is again offered in three fully equipped trim levels: GT-R Premium, GT-R Black Edition and the potent GT-R NISMO (limited availability). For full information and specs on the GT-R NISMO, please visit NissanNews.com.
The new 20-spoke RAYS® aluminum-alloy forged wheels with premium dark (near black) finish replace the previous 10-spoke design. The wheels are mounted again with sticky nitrogen-filled Dunlop® Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT ultra high performance run-flat tires, sized 255/40ZRF20 front and 285/35ZRF20 rear.
The new 45th Anniversary Gold Edition commemorates the GT-R’s long heritage of world-class high performance. Built off the GT-R Premium model, the limited edition features a special paint color, a special gold-tone VIN plate located inside the engine compartment and a special commemorative plaque on the interior center console. The paint color itself is the same “Silica Brass” color that marked the 2001 Skyline GT-R M-Spec (R34 Type). Less than 30 of these special GT-Rs are slated for the United States market.
The 2016 Nissan GT-R also carries over the significant enhancements from the last model year (2015), including:
- A recalibrated suspension for a more sophisticated ride and enhanced road holding
- Enhanced exterior appearance with LED headlight technology and distinctive front and rear designs
- A more premium interior feel with enhanced appointments and improved quietness, including a standard Bose® Active Noise Cancellation system (except GT-R NISMO), carbon-style instrument cluster
Outstanding Performance Meets a High Level of Sophistication
The 2016 GT-R’s multi-dimensional performance means drivers can enjoy the full depth of the vehicle’s capabilities whether navigating corners of a winding mountain road, cruising at highway speeds or in an urban environment.
Consistent tire contact is achieved by optimizing control of the shock absorber valves, as well as use of tuned front stabilizer spring rates and bush links, which helps enhance road holding capability, resulting in a poised, confident ride and outstanding traction on rough roads.
The reduction in minute vibrations and road noise helps provide a more relaxing, comfortable ride. An additional benefit is improved straight-line stability, with fewer small steering corrections needed to maintain trajectory during highway driving.
Every 2016 GT-R features a special Bilstein® DampTronic driver adjustable shock absorber system that utilizes multiple vehicle information systems to provide appropriate damping forces and high level of control for a variety of driving situations. The DampTronic system features three driver selectable settings – Normal; Comfort, for maximum suspension compliance; or R. The same three-stage adjustability is also available for the VDC system and transmission shift operation.
The GT-R’s steering is tuned to provide reduced the effort for in-town maneuvers, while maintaining GT-R’s exceptional feedback during highway driving. The steering system is a vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion design with aluminum steering rack, four-point mounting and stiff insulators.
Stopping power is provided by Brembo® monoblock six-piston front- and four-piston rear calipers with 15.35-inch front and 15.0-inch rear Brembo® full-floating, cross-drilled two-piece rotors and low-steel, high-stiffness brake pads that minimize fade and provide intense stopping performance. The calipers utilize race car-style radial mounting to minimize caliper flex during extreme braking.
The GT-R’s rigid forged aluminum 20-inch wheels, manufactured by RAYS®, feature knurling inside the wheels to help keep the tires from slipping around the wheels under heavy acceleration or braking. GT-R Premium models receive a new 20 spoke design for 2016 and feature a premium dark (near black) finish, which provides a high quality, high-performance look. The Black Edition offers a special metallic black six-spoke RAYS® forged lightweight wheel design.
The tires are Dunlop® SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT ultra high performance run-flat nitrogen-filled tires designed to match the suspension characteristics. The tires utilize stiff sidewalls to reduce deformation, improving steering response under hard cornering. Standard tire sizes are 255/40ZRF20 front and 285/35ZRF20 rear. Optional Dunlop® SP 7010 all-season run-flat tires are again offered as part of the Cold Weather Package (Premium model only).
The 2016 GT-R’s exceptional balance of high-speed handling and ride comfort also incorporates optimized insulation and acoustic tuning, even at high speeds, so the occupants can enjoy the sport engine sound. Toward that end, “engine boom” has been reduced through use of the standard Bose® Active Noise Cancelation system (not applied to GT-R NISMO). Additional sound deadening, including application of additional noise insulation under the floor and trunk, in the drive tunnel and on the firewall, helps control both engine and road noise.
Each body part is made of materials selected for optimum performance – starting with the precision-constructed multi-material hybrid body. A combination of steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum are used to realize high stiffness and light weight.
Black Edition models feature a special dry carbon fiber material rear spoiler that is also incredibly strong and contributes to increased aerodynamic downforce. Handmade in a limited monthly production run, a special coating allows the carbon fiber “weave” to be felt by the touch.
An Advanced 545-Horsepower Twin-Turbo V6
While the GT-R NISMO features a range of unique engine modifications that bring its power up to 600 hp, the 2016 GT-R Premium and Black Edition more than hold their own.
They are once again are powered by an advanced VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 rated at 545 hp and at 463 lb-ft of torque. Each engine is hand-assembled from beginning to end in a special clean room by specially trained technicians, a process similar to racing powerplant construction. An aluminum plate is added to the front of each engine showing the name of the “Takumi” engine craftsman.
The engine features innovative plasma-sprayed bores (versus cast iron liners) for reduced friction, lighter weight, enhanced cooling, power output and fuel efficiency; a symmetrical independent intake and exhaust manifold system featuring twin high-performance IHI turbochargers; a secondary air management system for improved cold-start emissions performance; a thermostatically controlled oil-cooling system; an oil scavenger pump to maintain oil flowing to the turbochargers; and a lateral wet and dry sump oiling system. The GT-R’s fuel economy is rated at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
The VR38DETT V6 is backed by an advanced paddle-shifted sequential 6-speed dual clutch transmission, which can be driver selected to shift at race car-like speeds. The sequential-shifting transaxle features separate wet clutches for the odd (1,3,5) and even (2,4,6) gears and pre-selects the next highest and next lowest gear for quick shifts. It also features Hill Start Assist for easy starts on uphill inclines. High performance differential oil, used in GT-R motorsports competition, is standard.
The Nissan GT-R’s unique Premium Midship platform, created expressly for use with the GT-R, enables the use of the world’s first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which optimizes weight distribution and handling capability. The rear drive-biased system can vary torque split from 0:100 to 50:50 depending on speed, lateral acceleration, steering angles, tire slip, road surface and yaw rate. Of note is a special GT-R-specific yaw-rate feedback control, which measures the differences between the target yaw rate calculated from steering angle and actual yaw rate detected by the yaw-rate sensor and G sensor to adjust torque bias.
The Premium Midship Platform layout places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, without the use of traditional torque tubes, allowing the suspension to operate independently and optimizing tire grip at each corner.
Contributing to overall vehicle balance and low center of gravity, the unique offset input and reaction shaft design of the rear transaxle enables a shorter design profile versus a typical manual transmission, moving the concentration of powertrain weight lower in the vehicle.
Dazzling Motion, Even When Standing Still
The 2016 GT-R maintains its position as one of the most striking supercars in the market today. Significant updates to the GT-R’s lights for the last model year enhance its visual impact.
The efficient High Intensity Discharge (HID) multi-LED headlights create a distinctive GT-R “lightning” motif, generating a bold exterior visual signature. The four LED units are configured with LED high beam and three different low beams, including long distance illumination and wide illumination.
At the rear, the GT-R’s distinctive four-ring taillight signature forms coherent circles of illumination, giving the GT-R an equally distinctive rear appearance. Upon start-up, the full lighting signature is illuminated, creating a dramatic start-up procedure.
The 2016 GT-R color palette includes a special Regal Red with special finishing –with a blend of 24-karat gold-coated glass flakes blended into the paint. Other available colors include Deep Blue Pearl, Jet Black, Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White, a limited production 4-stage metallic Super Silver and the limited-production 45th Anniversary Gold. As expected, GT-R’s advanced technology is present even in the vehicle’s paint, which utilizes a durable anti-chip paint and “double clear coat” process.
While the GT-R’s lighting gives it a high performance look coming and going, the overall shape remains both powerful and highly aerodynamic. The body again features a low coefficient of drag of 0.26, achieving high front and rear downforce. GT-R’s front fenders express strength and stability, while the “aero-blades” on the fenders’ edges provide optimum airflow around the tires and along the body. The vents in the fenders’ trailing edges assist in providing front downforce and optimizing side airflow.
GT-R’s four-passenger cabin retains it sloping “aero blade canopy” roofline and curved C-pillar “sword edge,” which expresses the distinctive GT-R identity, as well as facilitating air flow around the rear of the vehicle. Airflow above and below the vehicle is managed by the functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear venting, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips.
Upscale Cabin Appointments
Again in 2016 GT-R includes a choice of three interior color schemes, including standard Black and a Premium Interior Package, with semi-aniline leather appointments with hand-stitching on the front seats, matching accents on the instrument panel, steering wheel, door trim, armrests and shift knob. The Premium Interior Package is available on Premium model GT-Rs only in either Ivory or Red Amber.
The GT-R Black Edition adds a unique red and black interior color treatment and Recaro® leather-appointed seats, along with red steering wheel accents.
These features add to the four-passenger Nissan GT-R’s usability as both a daily driver and a high-performance machine. Sculpted performance bucket seats give the driver and passenger a comfortable driving experience and soft pads are utilized on the dash in front of the passenger and both doors to give an extra level of comfort. The rear transaxle layout of GT-R, with a flat floor and narrow center tunnel, allows GT-R to have an optimal driving position.
The GT-R’s cockpit-style instrument panel surrounds the driver, with all meters and multi-function meter at a uniform height to minimize the driver’s head movement. The meter cluster finisher has a special carbon look.
A large center-mounted tachometer, with gear display on its upper right, as well as the easy-to-read graphics of the display, gives the driver instant detailed information, essential for the performance nature of the GT-R. Each meter features a dial plate design that evokes the idea of engaged gears, as well as a three-dimensional metal-like ring, suggesting the multi-dimensional performance of GT-R. A large, metallic-framed center console features an ergonomically designed shift lever and a red “engine start” button. Carbon fiber interior trim is offered for all models.
The centerpiece of the instrument panel is a video game-inspired, multi-function display that was created in collaboration with Polyphony Digital, makers of the Gran Turismo electronic game.
Fourteen different pages of information are available on this system, including mechanical and driving information, acceleration, brake pedal pressure, steering angle and a recording function with playback.
Additional on-screen information includes a Navigation system and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System. The navigation system includes NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather capabilities (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately).
All GT-R models include a specially designed, 11-speaker Bose® audio system that features two forward-facing woofers in the rear center armrest area. Rigid aluminum die cast panel mounting of all speakers allowed Bose® engineers to perfect the acoustical performance of the GT-R sound system. The Bose® Active Noise Cancellation system (except GT-R NISMO) and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® are standard.
Standard safety equipment includes a Nissan Advanced Air Bag System for driver and front passenger, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags for driver and front-passenger and standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front seat occupant head protection – along with front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and three-point ELR/ALR rear seat belts.
Models and Options
The 2016 Nissan GT-R is available in three models, including the GT-R NISMO. The GT-R Premium model comes fully equipped with a 545-horsepower engine, dual clutch rear transmission, Nissan Navigation System, custom-designed 11-speaker Bose® audio system, premium near-black finish wheels and heated front seats.
The GT-R Black Edition adds special lightweight metallic black aluminum-alloy forged RAYS® wheels, unique red and black interior, Recaro® leather-appointed seats and dry carbon fiber rear spoiler.
Three options are available: a Cold Weather Package, which includes Dunlop® all-season tires and unique coolant/water ratio; the Premium Interior Package, which is offered in Red Amber and Ivory; and the 45th Anniversary Gold Edition. All options are offered with the Premium model only.
Price
Recommended retail price (MSRP) starts from $102,770