In terms of #ZeroCompetition – The GT-R’s performance really does stack up amazingly well versus almost any other hypercar.

To have an Audi R8 that can really compete takes the V10 Plus S-tronic AWD – and a $180k price.

Similar story with the Porsche 911 Turbo – which bases for around $150,000, but is easy to spec up to $180k once all is said and done.

The only surprise listing? The Jaguar F-Type V8 S – which is quoted by ChromeData as delivering a cool 495-horsepower in U.S. spec. This bodes well for a 600HP R-S eventually from Jag!

Amazing. Such cool cars.

But in terms of raw performance ability, even the $200,000 competitors all lack either pace or a back seat. AWD really sets the GT-R apart in this rarefied league of supercars, because rear-drive has been most popular for any exotic until very recently.

The GT-R effect?

The new Z06 offers an automatic transmission or an eight-speed manual – but still just sent to those back tires. Therefore, the GT-R almost scoffs at hard-earned performance gains from Aston Martin and all the rest.

One simple extra tweak, and the GT-R appears to be able to keep cutting its 0-60MPH sprint time down to just a blink.

The real threat on the horizon comes from Lamborghini’s Huracan.

So, warp drive has always been a GT-R mainstay – but the goals of the 2014 line are to identify buyer goals better:

— Premium (base model and my choice) – relatively standard components, reliable, durable, affordable to service and do big all-weather miles in.

— Black Edition – detail tweaks to the setup, including tires that shudder at most freezing snow or temps, but some contrast-grey carbon-fiber pieces for thrill-seekers

— Track Edition – this is the Boss302-style stat-maker. Laguna Seca? Mt Fuji? Silverstone?

Yep, this is the GT-R for you.

Have a hunch that exhaust notes for the GT-R NISMO and perhaps even the new 2014 model will be much more vocal. The current blat is not particularly memorable versus the GT-R’s massive G-force range.

In a twenty minute drive last summer, I almost could not believe how great the GT-R felt in my hands. Despite being a large force of mass, the car is so, so extremely rigid on a chassis stiffness basis.

 

Not the suspension, mind you, just the body-in-white. I would love to know the stats. Stronger than the 25,000Mhz twist strength of the 1990’s Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

Based on how it feels, I would say GT-R is probably much more rigid than any luxury or sports car – perhaps at any price.This bodes extra well for the forthcoming 2015 NISMO GT-R.

Chassis bracing is a big part of the NISMO strategy, along with a totally holistic view of how to increase overall performance.

 

 

 

Clarification: In previous articles, I have larely credited NISMO with the amazing R35 GT-R. In fact, the GT-R is primarily handled by Nissan’s smartest engineers.

Until very recently, NISMO has been a small operation focused on… you guessed it… racing. =]

Not a large distinction, but credit where credit is due, right?

Here are the specs of my $108,000 GT-R with Super Silver Special Metallic Paint.

Version	2014 Nissan GT-R® Premium	$99,590
Transmission	Dual Clutch 6-speed with Paddle Shifters	Included
Exterior Color Change	No Preference	–
Interior Color Change	Red Amber Semi-Aniline Leather Appointments	Included
Packages Change	Premium Interior Package View Details Cold Weather Package View Details Super Silver Special Metallic Paint View Details	$4,000 N/C $3,000
Accessories Change	GT-R® Carpeted Floor Mats (2-piece set) View Details Wheel Locks View Details	$285 $44
Other	Destination & Handling	$1,595

My second choice is pearl white, but this Super Special paint does look interesting and colorful via its near-reflective eight coats of paint.

A GTRlife forum member posted these cool photos of his 2009 model in Super Silver, with a big slideshow at this link.

ChromeData – Technical Stats Comparison Excerpt