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First drive: Nissan GT-R Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.

First drive: Nissan GT-R Track Pack
Nissan makes its giant-slaying GT-R even more track-focused.

   



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| First Drive | Silverstone, England | Nissan GT-R Track Pack |

Overall rating: 4 4 4 4 4

If the regular Nissan GT-R isn't hardcore enough (and with the number of 'tuned' examples around these days, it might not be), then this new Track Pack car is the official way to go. Lighter and with more circuit-focused touches, including better braking and stiffer springs, it's nothing short of spectacular on the track. However, the regular car is pretty handy as well, and that is this model's biggest problem.

Key Facts

Model tested: Nissan GT-R Track Pack
Pricing: £84,480
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol
Transmission: six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Body style: two-door coupé
Rivals: Audi R8 V8, Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche 911
CO2 emissions: 275g/km
Combined economy: 24.0mpg
Top speed: 196mph
0-62mph: 2.8 seconds
Power: 550hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 632Nm at 5,800rpm

In the Metal: 5 5 5 5 5

Not much has changed here - there's still that mix of sharp lines and flowing curves that always made the Nissan GT-R such a purposeful machine, bursting with aggression. The Track Pack does bring with it some new six-spoke RAYs alloy wheels, which may be a little bling, but help lower the car's kerb weight.

The most noticeable change to the cabin is the lack of rear seats - another weight-saving measure - and the new fabric covering of the fronts specially designed to grip occupants harder in high G situations. Oh, there's a dinky little plaque on the dash as well, to remind occupants they're sitting in a more focused GT-R than the norm.

Driving it: 5 5 5 5 5

First of all we have to say we've not driven this Track Pack GT-R on the road, so can't comment on its real-world street ability. Suffice to say, we did try the car on track - Silverstone's National Circuit to be precise - but as the weather was typically British we spent as much time dodging rivers across the track as we did assessing the vehicle's dynamics.

So the limits of grip were much lower than normal, with plenty of opportunity to get it wrong and end our day early. Nevertheless, like every other GT-R we have driven this Track Pack model blew us away with its sheer ability and tendency to defy physics. Even in standing water the grip is astounding, and if ever there was a car to flatter this is it.

Straight-line speed is equally thrilling, the twin turbos forcing more air into the 3.8-litre V6 engine as the car lunges down the straights - all 550hp being deployed in an explosion towards the horizon. It's not long before the corners arrive and we're relying on the big brakes to haul us back down to a sensible pace. Repeatedly slowing the old car from high speed was one of its few weaknesses, but the Track Pack GT-R benefits from new cooling ducts - Nissan says they can reduce disc temperatures by up to 100 degrees C in these circumstances.

It was too wet and cold to really try this out for ourselves, but no matter how many times we leaned on the brakes they felt strong and fade-free. Braking ability and weight saving measures aside (it's only around 15kg lighter than the standard model) though, the GT-R still feels relatively heavy, especially as weight and balance are shifted through a bend. The springs are stiffer, but without experiencing the car on the road it's hard to say how this really affects the car's handling. The four-wheel drive system works wonders though, allowing even driving novices to feel like hero helmsman.

What you get for your Money: 4 4 4 4 4

When the Nissan GT-R was launched it was meant to have a list price of just over £50,000 - and as such orders went through the roof, it being the performance bargain of the decade. Nissan soon saw sense though and upped the price to a still competitive £74,450 - though this Track Pack adds £10,000 to that figure.

It's a lot of extra cash (you could have new Porsche 911 3.8 Carrera S instead), and one we're not really sure is worth the extra. The standard car has such a high level of ability, and one that most will not be able to get near, that this version can only really be for hardcore track drivers with plenty of experience. For most, the standard car with some budget for driver training would yield better on-track results.

Worth Noting

This isn't the first time Nissan has made a more focused GT-R; in 2009 it released the GT-R SpecV. Like the Track Pack there was no change in power, though through a series of modifications like the titanium exhaust, carbon ceramic brakes, NISMO wheels and carbon fibre parts the weight was decreased - in that instance by around 60kg. It's no longer available though, so those looking for a hardcore GT-R will have to stick with this Track Pack equipped car.

Summary

There's a lot to like with this Nissan GT-R. It looks good, is incredibly fast, flatters drivers and works exceedingly well on track. However, its biggest problem is the regular GT-R, which is also all of the above. Sure, this one is fractionally sharper round an apex, and many will be lured by the pub-bragging rights of this hardcore model, but we're just not sure its £10,000 better than the standard car.


Graeme Lambert. Photography by Dominic Fraser. - 27 Apr 2012



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2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.



2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 

2012 Nissan GT-R with Track Pack. Image by Dominic Fraser.
 






 

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