3 Reasons Why A 'Luxurious' GT-R Would Be A Massive Waste Of Time
In this recent interview with Top Gear, GT-R programme manager Hiroshi Tamura confirmed that the R35 GT-R will be sticking around for a few more years. The reason? Tamara believes that there is still life in the old girl yet.
But instead of developing the performance of the car, he wants to make the GT-R more of a luxury vehicle. In his own words, “not just fancy, but real premium”. We’ve already seen an example of this ethos with the 2009 ‘Egoist’ edition, but Tamura wants to take this a step further, by actually changing handling characteristics and body construction of the vehicle. Here’s why we think that’s a really bad idea…
1. It's called the 'new Godzilla' for a reason
The Nissan GT-R and in fact JDM performance cars in general, have never professed to be the leading light of ‘luxury’ vehicles. Instead they have focused on their unqiue selling points; speed, handling and technology. Unlike BMW’s M-Divison, which has slowly allowed its cars to get fatter and less involving, Nissan has managed to keep the GT-R at the pinnacle of the performance car spectrum.
The company has done this by slowly improving and evolving the original R35. For example, the 2009 SpecV introduced carbon ceramic brakes, the 2012 Track Spec developed the car’s suspension on the ‘Ring (plus added brake cooling ducts), and the 2015 Nismo brought all these elements together to produce the most comprehensive package we’ve seen to date. Which is why a luxury version of the R35 would be quite a serious step backwards for the company.
Ultimately, if buyers want to purchase a more luxurious performance vehicle, then they are spoiled for choice. The fast and capable Bentley Continental GT V8 S is a good option, as is the ballistic BMW M6 Gran Coupe. The same goes for the beautiful Audi RS7. However, these cars are not direct rivals to the R35. Ultimately, if an investment banker wants to buy a luxurious vehicle they won’t choose a Nissan and we can guarantee that a luxury variant will not change matters.
You buy a GT-R for the same reason that you buy a swiss army knife. You have a respect for the brand, it performs a function that no other rivals can offer, and ultimately, it is in a class of its own. There might be more expensive options out there, but it doesn’t really matter. It’s important that Nissan realises that the GT-R’s success is down to its USP - ballistic performance for a reasonable price. Nissan should therefore focus on improving the recipe, not diluting it.
2. We don't want weight gains
Our biggest complaint about the GT-R is that its already impressive driving dynamics could be improved further by removing some weight. The 2015 GT-R weighs a portly 1740kg (3840lb), and once you’ve added in the weight of the driver, a passenger and a full tank of fuel, the Nissan is getting close to two tonnes…
This is one of the main reasons that hardcore special editions like the R33 R400, R34 V spec II Nür and R35 Nismo have been labelled as the cars that the GT-R ‘should have been all along’. Increasing the levels of opulence in the cabin and improving noise vibration and harshness (NVH) levels will only add to this weight, taking the GT-R even further away from the car we wish it could be.
3. Just build the Infiniti already
Not too long ago, Infiniti had its very own, GTR-powered Q50 Eau Rouge. Unveiled at the 2014 Geneva motor show, the Eau Rouge was going to be the model that finally put the company on the map. Powered by Nissan’s monstrous VR38DETT V6 engine, the car would have given the likes of the Mercedes C63 AMG, BMW M3 and Audi RS4 a serious run for their money.
Unfortunately in September, Infiniti announced that the Q50 ER had been canned. After looking at the cost of production, the numbers just didn’t add up, which is a real shame, because it would have been a win for the company and good news for GT-R fans who wanted more doors and greater luxury. Bastardising a GT-R for these purposes, then, is not the way forward.
Comments
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The GT-R is that heavy for a reason when you add the down force a f1 car generates you end up with a weight very similar to the Nissans to light and the handling would be off.
They should make it lighter but how it is its already an amazing nice looking good performing car and that should never change if it becomes a luxury car it will ruin the skyline series☺
To me it sounds like even more weight
I think that this is one awesome idea fast and luxury cars like bmw x5 or m5 and merc c63amg are more expensive and their performance is worst then the gtr.Gtr is cheaper better and it will be one great luxury car.
Having the interior more like the egoist edition or just updating it so it doesn’t look like a mid 2000’s Nissan isn’t a bad thing and won’t necessarily impact its performance; it doesn’t need to have Rolls or Bentley levels of forests and cattle herds… I don’t see anyone saying
“gee i wish my Ferrari/Mclaren/Porsche/Huayra had a crappier interior so it could perform better”
Also disagree with some of the stuff in this article namely:
“slowly allowed its cars to get fatter and less involving”
As if the R35 is not fatter and less involving than its predecessors already..
You see…when most people drop over 100k on a car they usually want it to be made nicer than a mustang or any other budget sports car. Something that may be stagnating sales of the gtr. There is more to life than just lap times, and to be honest if all you’re doing is chasing lap times you can buy a much better vehicle for the money.
But here’s the thing about your argument. Yes you can say this car handles beautifully. That it’s speed is awesome and weight gains are unwanted. All of these come together for the purpose of the idea of you wanting to thrash a car around the track and be faster than any body else. And if you do want to do that, there are plenty of spec R35s out there for you to do that. But the majority of people who do buy these cars are never going to do that. The majority of R35s are used as super car daily drivers for the people who can afford them. They’re most likely never going to see the surface of a track. These are the people a more luxurious GTR would be aimed at. The majority of GTR owners.
Probably Godzilla wanted to ride an S-Class but it’s too big to fit