2009 Nissan GT-R

By Benjamin Cyr

0-100 km/h in ...

Ok, I will not make you linger no longer. The fastest time I recorded was 3.6 seconds!!! I will repeat: 3.6 seconds. Once more: 3.6 seconds. I am still under choc. One must take the time to realize this time is faster than those of the Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari F430, Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper, Audi R8, and more. The irony with this GT-R is that, contrary to most exotic cars out there, it does not require the presence of a world class driver to record jaw dropping accelerations.

The driver has three options during a standstill start. First option is to simply place the lever into D, press hard on the accelerator and let the automatic tranny do all the work. Second option is to place the lever to D but to give a little push to the right. This will place the transmission into manual mode. The driver can then change gears using the wheel mounted paddle shifters. When using these two methods, the driver can sense a very short lag time from the two turbo. No matter, with my mom behind the wheel, the GT-R would reach 100 km/h and stop the watch at a lighting fast 4.1 seconds. This feast is quite impressive. Real summum of sensation happens when the driver activates « Launch control » mode. I told my mom it was really complex because I didn’t want to take the chance she could record a better time then I could do… but in reality, this mode is activated very easily. All the driver needs to do is calibrate the suspensions and differentials to Race mode, and to finally disengage traction control. The next step is the press the brake and accelerator pedals to the floor. Rpm’s will quickly reach and stabilize to 4500. Et voilà, all you have to do is to release the brake. You will need to press the paddle shifter to reach 100 but the insane acceleration could leave you dreamy for a second has your blood is located in the back for your head. The Nissan just leaps out like a projectile out of a gun. The sensation is hard to describe. My kids told me that they had butterflies in their stomach due to the sheer force of acceleration! One has to live it in order to fully describe the experience. The All Wheel Drive system only allows for a few squeeks from the tires on launch. The 20 inch tires bit the asphalt with authority. The tranny makes for very, very quick gear changes.

Thrust is not only felt to 100 km/h. Speed picks up at the rate your hearth picks up: 160 km/h is reached in an incredible 8.5 seconds. The GT-R can propel you all the way to 310 km/h. It’s true that some sports exotics who boost more than 600hp can reach 200 km/h faster than the GT-R but at this rate, my wallet can cope.

Road-test likes:

• Low base price of CDN $81 900 for such a performer;
• Phenomenal performance : braking, acceleration, handling;
• Grip amount, the GT-R breaks the 1.0G barrier;
• Braking power of the huge discs and calipers;
• Nissan delivers a technologically advanced car;
• Acceleration is plainly unimaginable unless you live it;
• The numerous electronic adjustments enabling any type of driving in various conditions;
• Surprisingly roomy boot.

Road-test dislikes:

• Exhaust sound is much too common : a simple 350Z sounds better;
• Interior noise level is very high. The cabin does not filtrate much of road, wind or mechanical sounds;
• The automatic mode of the transmission lacks refinement, jerks are often felt upon gear changes;
• Fuel consumption is directly linked to the high level performance;
• Very few Nissan dealers are authorised for maintenance on this vehicle.