All I Want for Christmas is My Nissan GT-R
All I want for Christmas is the 2009 Nissan GT-R pictured at left.
It’s not too much to ask considering it comes with a twin-turbocharged (one per cylinder bank) 3.8-liter V6 putting out 480 hp @ 6,400 rpm. (Given the GT-R’s history a laptop would boost that to well over 600 hp with little problem)
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with independent rear-mounted transaxle integrating transmission, differential and AWD transfer case. 6-speed Dual Clutch Transmission featuring fully automatic shifting or full sequential manual control via gearshift or steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
And more, much more.
It’s not too much to ask for is it? Especially if one of you suckers, um… er, readers springs for cash to fill my garage for Christmas. (Well… the invoice will do, it doesn’t go on sale ’til June, and as you may know it’s the thought that counts not the price tag)
Anyway, now that I have shaken the Sugar Plum Fairies from my skull, back to reality.
All this is an introduction to a shocking development in the racing community.
Jalopnik is reporting that Nissan is pulling out of all North American motorsports for the 2008 season.
Scott Vazin, Director of Product Communications for Nissan, confirmed an earlier rumor reported by Jalopnik they were abandoning North America although he did say “we’ll keep a presence around the world.”
Vazin denied company finances held play in the decision, it was just a “pause” from racing while the marketing bigwigs decided the best way forward. With the GT-R going on sale in June Vazin did say the company would be considering whether they would go racing with it and if so what series would be the best fit.
“Best fit” is probably the key. Japan’s most successful series is the Super GT Series and Nissan has always had strong teams via the Nismo and Calsonic Impul Z outfits so the question is not whether they want to race, but where.
With Nissan’s road racing/sports car background the obvious landing spot for the new GT-R is either Grand Am (Nissan competes in the GS Class) or American Le Mans (GT2?).
The other side of the “where will Nissan be” question is where won’t they be?
Championship Off Road Racing Series is the most obvious. You have to wonder what this means for one of the series’ hottest drivers, Carl Renezeder (59 Career CORR Wins), who competes in both Pro 4 and Pro 1 classes for Nissan. Does he sit out the year, move to another brand or retire?
At this point everything is left to wait and see. Except…
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Jesus, Mary, Joseph & the donkey!! That’s just over 350kW …AND all wheel drive.
Get Jimmy Richards/Skaife & that Nissan, & pack them all off to Bathurst the next time it rains!!
Seriously though, in the wrong hands (like my clumsy paws) that car could get a driver into a world of hurt. The all-wheel-drive would lift confidence well above ability. One fast, downhill, sweeper would be all it takes for a novice to have the thing leaving the road backwards.
Peter:
Ok, your wish is my command!
Now, about my GT-R. And don’t forget the 105 dollar GT-R T-shirt
I’ll spring for the import fees, you cover the rest.
And BTW, during my time in Japan I had a chance to spend a lot of time in and drive both a ‘98 and ‘99 GT-R. The last thing they will do is go off the road backwards. Sideways or headon is always the case. The only exception is when the all-wheel drive is tuned to a large rear wheel bias, but that is usually only done by the gays and gals that are using them for drifting.
I’ll contribute to your purchase of the Nissan GT-R only if you buy me a Porsche GT2-RS. Deal?
Deal, send me the invoice and your check will be “in the mail!”
Awh shcucks, my local Porsche dealer doesn’t have a GT2-RS in stock. You’ll have to wait until I locate one.