Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Black Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Black Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
The makers of the GT-R brag in front of the world with their high-tech engineering, which produces heart-stopping performance. And that’s not all, Nissan manages to do all of that by staying in line with their true affordability philosophy and prices.
Unlike most supercar makers who employ large powerful engines to create a stir in the performance car market, the makers of the GT-R brag in front of the world with their high-tech engineering, which produces heart-stopping performance. And that’s not all, Nissan manages to do all of that by staying in line with their true affordability philosophy and prices it way below what the Ferraris and the Lamborghinis of the world charge.
To avoid making it feel any cheap, which by the way it is not, Nissan has decided to eliminate the base trim and has also updated the standard and optional fitment list for the 2011 model year. There are a few aesthetic changes as well, and the suspension has been retuned to make it stand strong against the likes of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and the Jaguar XK coupe with an MSRP of $85,060.
Nissan has decided to remove the base trim of the GT-R from the 2011 model lineup, and it is now available only in single fully-loaded Premium trim at $85,060. It offers all the bells and whistles that Nissan has to offer, and then there are a few more as well in the name of add-on packages that add more convenience and luxury to the otherwise sporty car.
Trims |
Premium |
---|---|
MSRP |
$85,060 |
Key Features |
Center And Rear Limited Slip Differential |
Emergency Braking Assist |
|
11-speaker Bose Premium Stereo System |
|
Satellite Radio W/Real Time Traffic |
|
Dual Zone Front Climate Control |
|
Alloy And Leather Interior Trim |
|
Powered Heated Front Sport Seats |
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Though there are no trims to choose from, Nissan does offer a long list of optional equipment features that can be used to align the car to each one’s personal taste and preferences. But the prices do tend to get a bit high and it is better to keep an eye on it. If we have to give a piece of advice, it would be to keep the GT-R as it is to steer clear of steep price hikes which come with optional features.
The Nissan GT-R makes use of some clever engineering, which helps the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine to produce a whopping 485 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque.
The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, and all this power is sent to all four wheels as standard. With this thunderous power under its hood, the GT-R speeds to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds from standstill, whereas the quarter-mile drag strip is covered in a breathtaking 11.9 seconds only.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Coupe |
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 |
Jaguar XK Coupe |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$85,060 |
$85,050 |
$83,875 |
Engine |
3.8L, Naturally Aspirated V6 |
3.6L, Naturally Aspirated Flat-6 |
5.0L, Naturally Aspirated V8 |
Drivetrain |
AWD |
AWD |
RWD |
Transmission |
6-speed automatic |
6-speed manual |
6-speed automatic |
Power |
485 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
345 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
385 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
Torque |
434 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm |
288 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
380 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
0-60 mph (sec) |
3.6 |
4.8 |
4.7 |
Quarter-mile (sec) |
11.9 |
13.1 |
13.2 |
Top Speed (mph) |
180 |
175 |
155 |
Although the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 has an identical price tag, it lacks power considerably, which is why it takes 1.2 seconds more to reach 60 mph and to complete the quarter-mile sprint as well. The Jaguar XK, on the other hand, has a bit more power and torque than the Porsche, but it offers a performance similar to that of the 911. The Porsche offers only a manual transmission, whereas the Jaguar is available with only an RWD setup.
High-performance engines are synonymous with high fuel consumption, and the GT-R is not much of an exception in this aspect as well. The 2011 GT-R is rated by the EPA for 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg out on the highway, whereas the combined city and highway driving is rated for 17 mpg. The large 19.5-gallon gas tank does give a respite from frequent visits to the gas station, but the driving range is still limited to over 300 miles of combined city and highway driving.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Coupe |
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 |
Jaguar XK Coupe |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
15 |
18 |
16 |
MPG (Highway) |
21 |
24 |
24 |
MPG (Combined) |
17 |
21 |
19 |
Fuel Capacity (gal) |
19.5 |
17.7 |
16.1 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
293 / 410 / 332 |
319 / 425 / 372 |
258 / 386 / 306 |
Porsche is known to build fuel-efficient motors, and the higher fuel economy ratings of the 911 Carrera 4 is a testimony to that as it offers 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The Jaguar XK too is more efficient than the Nissan, but both of them do not even come close to the power output and performance of the GT-R, so it’s an unfair comparison, to be honest.
The cabin of the GT-R is thoughtfully designed as it offers a blend of technology, comfort, and performance, more like the whole car in general. The seats have ample cushioning and bolstering to keep you in place when you choose to have some fun in the car, but they are equally comfortable as well for those long cruising rides.
The materials used are of high quality, and the build quality is top-notch too, exactly what one would expect from a car of this price and segment. The 8.8 cu-ft of trunk capacity is also pretty usable for the segment, and one can use it for grocery shopping as well, provided the high fuel prices aren’t a concern to you.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Coupe |
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 |
Jaguar XK Coupe |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
38.1 / 54.3 / 44.6 |
NA |
37.3 / 54.6 / 43.0 |
Rear Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
33.5 / 50.0 / 26.4 |
NA |
30.2 / 42.4 / 27.6 |
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
8.8 |
4.4 |
11.7 |
All three cars are rated to seat four passengers only, but the rear seats in all the coupes are cramped and are best suited for kids only. The Jaguar XK lacks a bit in terms of headroom too and is not at all suitable for an adult. The Porsche on the other hand has a very tiny boot, which is half the capacity of the GT-R, while the Jaguar has a much larger trunk, which is actually pretty large for the segment. Major interior features include-
The 7-inch infotainment screen is a multifunction one that also displays various performance parameters of the car alongside acting as navigation and other control systems for the car. The interface displays all the information in a game-like simulation as it was developed by developers of the popular “Gran Turismo” series of games.
There is also a thumping Bose sound system on offer alongside all the latest technology and connectivity that we have come to see in recent times. Few key infotainment features include-
The exterior design of the car is a very handsome and appealing one, to say the least. The car does look bold and butch but also features smooth curves and lines for superior airflow at high speeds.
The large wing spoiler at the back does look the part of the car and does not seem like an unnecessary addition to the car. The low slung profile, coupe roofline, large air dams, and front, rear and side splitters, all look functional as they actually are.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Coupe |
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 |
Jaguar XK Coupe |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,829 |
3,421 |
3,651 |
Length (in) |
183.1 |
175.8 |
188.7 |
Width (in) |
74.9 |
72.9 |
74.5 |
Height (in) |
54.0 |
51.6 |
52.0 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
4.3 |
3.7 |
4.7 |
Wheelbase (in) |
109.4 |
92.5 |
108.3 |
Porsche, being true to its philosophy, is compact and lightweight as compared to the other two cars. The Jaguar XK is the largest car and yet weighs lesser than the GT-R. The GT-R has a much longer wheelbase and provides a decent ground clearance, something the 911 Carrera 4 lacks. Major exterior highlights of the GT-R are-
There are hardly any performance sports cars that have been crash-tested by a testing agency here in America, and the Nissan GT-R makes no exception either. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the vehicle and will probably never do that as well, citing low sales figures and the high value of the car. But Nissan does not intend to compromise in this aspect and has loaded the car with various active safety and driver assistance features to provide for a safe haven. Few salient safety features include-
The Godzilla of automobiles has very little going against it even in its first generation. There is a humongous surge of power, which is at least 100 hp more than the rivals, superior performance, great comfortable ride, and is also feature-loaded, all at a price tag similar to the rivals. Thus, if you have a sub-100k dollar budget and want to have a taste of a true sports car, the 2011 Nissan GT-R is the best buy you can bet on.