Image: Nissan
Image: Nissan
Image: Nissan
Image: Nissan
Just when the automotive world had assumed that the 15 year old Nissan GT-R would finally be put to rest, the iconic Godzilla made a miraculous return! This is the 2023 model year Nissan coupe and it lives to fight another day – for now at least.
To the dismay of the automotive community at large, the Nissan GT-R skipped the 2022 model year and was rumoured to be put to rest but Nissan has ended the speculation in the best way possible by announcing the GT-R for 2023. Introduced in 2007, the R35 GT-R set a new benchmark for affordable performance vehicles and has garnered a reputation of humbling supercars with a price tag twice as large.
Image: Nissan
The R35 Godzilla has always been an underdog and a rare breed in the car community. It may receive some flak for its build quality in comparison to its adversaries but the criticism ends on the topic of performance. Over the years, Nissan has continually tinkered with their halo car to improve it on and off the track and the 2023 model continues this trend.
The 2023 R35 GT-R is far from a brand-new model with its underpinnings dating back 15 years. On the outside, things look similar to the 2020-21 model years, however, the latest derivative of Godzilla will be available in two trim levels, Premium and Nismo. Both will receive the venerable 3,8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, an engine capable of generating 415 kW of power and 633 N.m of torque on the Premium level trim. If that is insufficient, buyers can opt for the Nismo model which pushes figures up to 447 kW and 652 N.m. The ATTESA ET-S all-wheel-drive system remains the same with the existing six-speed dual-clutch transmission delivering the power from the motor.
Image: Nissan
On the base model, standard features include a titanium exhaust system, adjustable Bilstein dampers, 20-inch Rays wheels, Brembo brakes with 6-piston callipers at the front and 4-piston callipers at the rear, a Bose audio system and Nappa leather trim.
Upgrade to the Nismo trim level, and the derivative adds carbon-fibre body panels on the front and rear fascias, front fenders, hood, roof, side skirts and rear spoiler. A stiffer suspension setup, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and a turbocharger matching the design used on the GT-R Nismo GT3 race car, which is the reason behind the bump in power.
Image: Nissan
The Nissan GT-R has been the Japanese automaker’s halo car for 15 years, harnessing more power from the VR38DETT with each new iteration and the 2023 model year does exactly the same.
Keyword: Nissan GT-R Godzilla, alive and kicking for the 2023 model year