Nissan Might Make A GT-R That'll Drive Itself Around The 'Ring
You know how the Nissan GT-R’s critics say that it just “drives itself”? It’s usually something said in reference to the sophisticated four-wheel drive system and host of driver aids that keep you on the black stuff, but the next GT-R might actually drive itself.
Topgear.com recently spoke to Richard Candler - Nissan’s Advance Product Strategy head - about the plan for Nissan to produce a total of 10 autonomous vehicles in partnership with Renault by 2020. That’s a lot of cars, so naturally that leads you to wonder if it might include the GT-R. Turns out it might well do.
Part of Candler’s vision for the future involves the prospect of “turning up to the Nürburgring in your GT-R, and being able to select one of the famous laps and the car just taking over…The latest Nismo did 7m08s with Michael Krumm at the wheel; you could just select the Michael Krumm setting, press go and before you know it, you’re launched round the track. Something that most people could never achieve suddenly becomes very accessible.”
I don’t know about you, but I can’t see how this is appealing. In the slightest. You aspire to own a fast car because it’s fun to drive, not because it might be nice to hand the keys over to someone who’s faster than you. Especially if that someone is the damn car itself.
And besides, does it matter that the lap time by Michael Krumm is beyond your reach? I am not a professional racing driver. I am nowhere near as fast as a professional racing driver. And knowing that doesn’t make driving to the best of my (somewhat limited) ability any less enjoyable.
Still, Candler does say a few things we like the sound of a little more, particularly in relation to how the dawn of autonomous cars might fit in with enthusiasts like us, by letting the car deal with the boring aspects of driving. “Take them [the dull parts of driving] away and it allows you to enjoy driving when it is fun. More time to enjoy driving.” The car taking over for the motorway trudge up to your favourite road or track? Sounds good to us.
Topgear.com via Jalopnik
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Who needs this???
I do not agree with that, I think that that is extremely stupid, they should rethink that!
I’ve been questioning Nissan lately ever since the said the next Z car would be a cuv, made the Murano convertible, wouldn’t make the Q50 Eau Rogue, made the pathfinder more of a mall finder, made the new Titan look identical to an F-150 and wouldn’t make a replacement for the Xterra and now this
Everything is wrong with what Nissan wants to do with this, what a shame
Has Nissan become suicidal?
So it follows the exact lap set by a professional driver on a day the track was closed from the public with no other drivers on the track and perfect weather conditions… I think I see a problem
Lets see it set a 7.08 with other drivers in the way and in the rain
I’m sorry, but I see no problem with this. If you want to drive your car around the track yourself, great, do it, nobody is stopping you. But if you would love to see a pro do it and maybe learn the driving line or how hard you could actually push your own car you would normally have to pay a pretty penny for that. Whether or not you are trying to learn from it or just having fun I don’t see the problem with it. Unnecessary and a waste of money? Maybe. Something to get upset over? Nope.
You replied to my comment so I’ll do the same:) absolutely right. Want to go faster on a lap? watch someone who is faster, and learn. Just talk to Melons!
Dont hate me but the Gtr looks old already they need to change it but that wont be for a while
It already does lol