Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Black Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 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 Turbo 6AM)
Black Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Black Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 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 Turbo 6AM)
Black Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 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 Turbo 6AM)
Black Edition 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Premium 2dr Coupe AWD (3.8L 6cyl Turbo 6AM)
Nissan’s winning formula with the GT-R is to provide a sports car that produces more than 500 horsepower with a price tag that is less than the 100-grand mark.
If you were to closely study Nissan’s product lineup, the GT-R would be the most distinctive car on offer. It is different from the consistent luxurious design elements that Nissan cars are generally made of. Instead, it packs aggressiveness and athleticism into one car. The Nissan GT-R is the kind of sports car we have all dreamt of buying while growing up. The 2012 iteration vaunts economical fuel figures, revised exterior styling, and athletic handling.
Though, there are some flaws that the GT-R suffers from, its supreme build quality, luxurious interiors, and powerful engine adequately make up for it. In the segment, the Nissan GT-R competes directly with the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Audi R8. Nissan’s winning formula with the GT-R is to provide a sports car that produces more than 500 horsepower with a price tag that is less than the 100-grand mark.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R is available in two different variants; a standard Premium trim and a newly introduced Black Edition. As standard, the GT-R uses a 3.8L V6 engine that comes mated to an automatic transmission and is channeled as an all-wheel-drive variant. The base trim, the Premium, costs $89,950 while the Black Edition costs $95,100. Some basic features on the GT-R include a rear spoiler, HID headlights, and cruise control.
Trim |
Premium |
Black Edition |
---|---|---|
MSRP |
$89,950 |
$95,100 |
Key Features |
Rear Spoiler |
Rear Spoiler |
Cruise Control |
Cruise Control |
|
Keyless entry |
Keyless entry |
|
Leather seats |
Leather seats |
|
Navigation system |
Navigation system |
|
Emergency trunk release |
Emergency trunk release |
We Recommend
Both trims of the Nissan GT-R are virtually the same, but we recommend buying the Black Edition for its visual appeal. While the extensive list of features remains the same, the Black Edition makes use of a carbon fiber spoiler and other visual elements that make this sumptuous car all the more alluring. The price difference is marginal, and by paying an extra 5000$, the Black Edition is sure to turn a lot of heads.
For a car in a segment that features the Nissan GT-R, engine output, acceleration timings, and top-speed test are largely important. It is a fact that these cars are not purchased for pleasure but for the thrill. The Nissan GT-R features a standard 3.8L V6 that churns 530hp and 448lb.-ft of torque. It sports a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission which works effectively.
Albeit, the ride quality does seem to be a bit harsh. The car comes channeled with an all-wheel-drivetrain. The Nissan GT-R flies past the 60 MPH in a mesmerizing time of 2.9 seconds and manages to boost through the quarter-mile mark in 11.2 seconds. Its top speed of 191 MPH is an indication of the potency and capacity of its engine.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Black Edition |
Porsche 911 Turbo S |
Jaguar XKR-S |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$95,100 |
$160,700 |
$132,00 |
Engine |
3.8L V6 |
3.8L flat 6 |
5.0L V8 |
Drivetrain |
All-wheel-drive |
All-wheel-drive |
Rear-wheel-drive |
Transmission |
6-speed dual-clutch automatic |
7-speed-automatic transmission |
6-speed-automatic |
Power |
530hp |
530hp |
550hp |
Torque |
448lb.-ft |
516lb.-ft |
502lb.-ft |
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
2.9 seconds |
2.8 seconds |
4.2 seconds |
Quarter mile (mph) |
11.2 seconds |
N/A |
12.5 seconds |
Top speed (mph) |
191 MPH |
N/A |
N/A |
In comparison, the ridiculously high-priced Porsche 911 is the fastest in the segment, being minutely ahead of the Nissan GT-R in the 60 MPH acceleration test managing 2.8 seconds. Its engine produces 530hp and 516lb.-ft of torque. The 550hp Jaguar XKR-S is considerably slow taking 4.2 and 12.5 seconds to the 60 MPH and quarter-mile mark.
The fuel efficiency of athletic and strappy cars like the Nissan GT-R is never the claim to fame. The Nissan GT-R averages a mileage of 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. Combined, the Nissan GT-R manages best-in-class fuel efficiency at 19 MPG, which is decent for a car in its segment. It also features the largest fuel in the segment at 19.5 gallons and coupled with the fuel efficiency, it can cover a total distance of 312 and 448.5 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Black Edition |
Porsche 911 Turbo S |
Jaguar XKR-S |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
16 |
17 |
15 |
MPG (Highway) |
23 |
25 |
22 |
MPG (Combined) |
19 |
19 |
17 |
Fuel Capacity |
19.5 gallons |
17.7 gallons |
16.1 gallons |
Range (City/hwy) |
312/448.5 mi |
300.9/442.5 mi |
241.5/354.2 mi |
The Porsche 911 Turbo S manages similar fuel efficiency as the GT-R averaging a combined mileage of 19 MPG. The Jaguar XKR-S, on the other hand, has the lowest fuel efficiency in the segment at 17 miles per gallon of fuel. It also features the smallest fuel tank in the segment at 16.1 gallons. Consequently, it manages 241.5 and 354.2 miles in the city and on the highway.
The Nissan GT-R’s cabin feels outmoded and old-school yet maintains its plushness. The infotainment sits centrally and feels driver-focused. The use of soft-touch plastics is a practical inclusion and is curated with the perception of technology and performance. The seats feel comfortable and have ample space at the front. But like any other sports car, the rear seats feel cramped and are best suited for kids.
The seats provide a lot of support and are suited even for long drives. Opting for the Black Edition package will increase the overall appeal of the cabin. The Nissan GT-R can seat four passengers and has a total head-, shoulder and legroom of 38.1/54.3/44.6 and 33.5/50/26.4 inches at the front and rear, respectively. It has a total cargo capacity of 8.8 cubic feet, which may seem less, but for cars that are meant to be driven hard, the cargo capacity is never an important factor.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Black Edition |
Porsche 911 Turbo S |
Jaguar XKR-S |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.1/54.3/44.6 |
N/A |
37.4/56.6/43 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
33.5/50/26.4 |
N/A |
30.2/42.4/27.6 |
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
8.8 |
4.8 |
11.7 |
The four-passenger seating capacity is the segment standard. While the data for the 911 is not known, the Jaguar XKR-S is evidently smaller in terms of space with the exception that it has a tad-bit extra leg-room at the rear. The XKR-S has a total head-, shoulder- and legroom of 37.4/56.6/43 and 30.2/42.4/27.6 inches at the front and rear, respectively. In terms of cargo capacity, the Jaguar XKR-S leads the pack with a total capacity of 11.7 cubic feet, followed by the Nissan GT-R at 8.8 cubic feet. The Porsche 911 Turbo S lurks at the bottom of the table with a minuscule cargo capacity of 4.4 cubic feet. Major interior features include-
The infotainment system on the Nissan GT-R is both practical and pragmatic. The touchscreen that sits centrally not only houses the entertainment system but also displays vital information like the G-force and doubles up as a navigation system and the optional rear-view camera.
As standard, the GT-R’s infotainment system features a video monitor, memory card slot, and AM/FM radio. It comes connected to an 11-speaker Bose sound system which works impeccably. Some other salient infotainment features include:
With the latest iteration of the GT-R, Nissan has been able to cohesively unify strappy and muscular design elements with an athletic stance. Upfront, the grille which houses the GT-R badging looks imposing and aggressive with the headlights maintaining the sublime character. At the rear, the spoiler feels like a true sportscar attribute. Choose the Black Edition for your GT-R and the use of carbon fiber through some parts of the body looks stately and outdoorsy.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R has a total length, width, and height of 183.9, 74.6, and 53.9 inches, respectively. The wheelbase is the longest in the segment at 109.3 inches. While the ground clearance is not known, it is evident from its stance and body type that the car will remain lowly placed and passengers will have a hard time over uneven patches and rough terrains.
Model |
Nissan GT-R Black Edition |
Porsche 911 Turbo S |
Jaguar XKR-S |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3829 |
3494 |
3968 |
Length (in.) |
183.9 |
176.3 |
188.7 |
Width (in.) |
74.6 |
72.9 |
74.5 |
Height (in.) |
53.9 |
51.2 |
51.6 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
N/A |
4.3 |
3.9 |
Wheelbase (in.) |
109.4 |
92.5 |
108.3 |
In comparison, the XKR-S is the longest car in the segment at 188.7 inches and has a total wheelbase that stands at 108.3 inches. The Porsche 911, though shorter in height than the Jaguar, has better ground clearance at 4.3 inches as compared to the XKR-S’ 3.9 inches. The curb weight in ascending order starts with the Porsche 911 Turbo S at 3,494 lbs, followed by the Nissan GT-R at 3,829 lbs, and ends with the heaviest car, the Jaguar that has a curb weight of 3,968 lbs. Few major exterior features include-
The Nissan GT-R maintains its dominance over other cars in the segment even when it comes to safety and reliability. While crash test ratings are not available, the Nissan badging is enough to reassure the buyer. Standard safety features on the Nissan GT-R include a tire pressure monitoring system, daytime running lights, and emergency braking assist. Other salient safety features include:
The GT-R is a piece of empirical evidence that more money does not mean a better experience. The Nissan GT-R, despite being the cheapest car in the segment, is the feature laden offering. It has impeccable acceleration capabilities, aplomb and athletic ride quality, and hi-tech and advanced safety and entertainment features. Its V6 engine growls like a beast. However, with its stiff suspension, the ride might feel a bit harsh, but it is a problem you often face in a sports car. But even with its drawbacks, the Nissan GT-R comes out gleaming and receives a big thumbs up from our end.