Nissan sees red with new GT-R Premium Edition

NISSAN’S blistering GT-R sports coupe will get a hand-stitched red leather interior option when the faster and more refined 2013 model goes on sale in Australia in February.

The swanky GT-R Premium Edition will command a $4800 premium over the standard black-leather version, which will incur a $1200 price increase to $172,000 (plus on-road costs) when the improved MY13 model rolls into showrooms.

The Premium Edition’s red leather is called Amber Red – a colour described as red with a touch of orange.

In all other respects, that model is the same as the latest 2013 version of the all-wheel-drive GT-R which is not only faster than the 2012 edition, covering the sprint from zero to 100km/h in racecar-like 2.7 seconds – 0.1 seconds better – but importantly more user friendly.

In developing the latest model, Nissan engineers paid special attention to the ride and handling of the tweaked model, which sliced 2.4 seconds from its best Nurburgring lap time, circling the legendary German track in just seven minutes 18 seconds.



Nissan says it meticulously measured the roll centre of the GT-R in motion, leading to a lowering of the roll centre for better stability.

The dampers and front stabiliser bar have also been modified, aiding handling while also helping to improve the ride that has a reputation for bone-jarring rigidity.

Although the turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine’s power and torque figures remain the same, at 404kW and 628Nm, new high-output injectors have improved mid-and-high rev range response and acceleration at higher revs.

The injectors achieve this by more precisely controlling the fuel flow.

As well, a new relief valve on the turbo bypass helps to maintain forced induction pressure for more sustained high-rev acceleration.

A new baffle plate in the oil pan helps to stabilise oil pressure and reduce friction during high speed cornering.

Body rigidity was improved with reinforcements through the dashboard area, resulting in improved suspension performance.

Nissan Australia premiered the 2013 GT-R – nicknamed Godzilla in this market – at the Australian International Motor Show in October.

So far this year, Nissan Australia has sold 68 GT-Rs, a decline of 9.3 per cent over the same period of 2011.

Nissan GT-R pricing*

GT-R	$172,000
GT-R Premium Edition	$177,000

*Plus on-road costs