Skip advert
Advertisement

R35 Nissan GT-R (2009-2022) review – performance and 0-60

An already blisteringly fast car, the 2017 car got more power. The Nismo versions were even faster still.

Evo rating
Price
from £82,525
  • Staggering capability; grip, power and poise that doesn’t come at the expense of engagement
  • A little rough around the edges

With each model year upgrade the GT-R was made faster and faster. The MY17 version had 562bhp, 20bhp up on the previous model, yet despite the extra power Nissan claimed the same 2.7sec 0-62mph time and 196mph top speed as before.

An advanced four-wheel drive system, a quick-shifting twin-clutch gearbox and an electronic launch control system ensure the GT-R accelerated at a staggering pace, no matter what the official figures might be. The GT-R is, as it was when it was new, a phenomenally quick car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Nothing else at this price point – excluding a handful of ultra-lightweight track day cars – offers such impressive performance. You’d need to fork out over £160,000 on a Porsche 911 Turbo S to match the GT-R’s straight line pace, for instance.

Nissan has certainly succeeded in its aim of reducing NVH on standard models over the years, though. On the Autobahn the GT-R still rips up to 150mph with utter disdain, feeling beautifully stable at big speeds. However, there is far less tyre noise encroaching into the cabin and a long journey would be a much more pleasant experience than in the old car.

Nissan claims the GT-R Nismo, even though it has 592bhp (30bhp more), has the same 0-62mph time and top speed of the standard car – which is likely more to do with physics, rather than the powertrain’s actual outputs

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Mandatory speed limiters to be fitted to all new UK cars in 2024
80mph motorway speed limit
News

Mandatory speed limiters to be fitted to all new UK cars in 2024

The use of mandatory speed limiters on all new cars was approved by the European Parliament in 2019, and they're set to come into force later this yea…
8 May 2024
Sustainable fuel v unleaded petrol: we dyno test the impact on car performance
Sustainable fuel v unleaded petrol dyno test
Features

Sustainable fuel v unleaded petrol: we dyno test the impact on car performance

Considering running your car on sustainable fuel? We’ve dyno tested the first publicly available option to see the effect on power, torque and emissio…
5 May 2024
Renault Mégane RS Trophy Fast Fleet test – 13,000 miles in the swansong hot hatch
Renault Megane RS Trophy Fast Fleet test
Long term tests

Renault Mégane RS Trophy Fast Fleet test – 13,000 miles in the swansong hot hatch

Despite initial reservations, the Liquid Yellow hatch won over its keeper after 8 months on the evo Fast Fleet
7 May 2024