Automotive News, Media & Press - GTR Unveiled

http://www.motorauthority.com/images/Odds/2007/10/Motor_Trend/motor_trend_cover_dec.jpg

After months of spy shots and drip-fed teasers Nissan’s all new GT-R super-coupe has been revealed with the early release of the December issue of MotorTrend. The tagline on the magazine’s cover claims the car is as fast as the Porsche 911 Turbo and is priced less than $80,000, confirming rumors the new GT-R will set a new standard in bang-for-your-buck comparisons.


Other details include the GT-R’s acceleration time of 3.5 seconds for the 0-60mph and 11.7 seconds for the quarter mile. Top speed is claimed to be a staggering 192mph.

Although we still don’t have any official details about the car’s new drivetrain, most are expecting to see a 3.8L V6 engine fed by a pair of turbochargers and mated to a dual-clutch gearbox with the latest ATESSA all-wheel drive setup. The car should measure in at 4,650mm in length and 1,920mm across. There’s rumored to be three different flavors of the new GT-R, starting with a 450hp entry-level model and ranging up to a 530hp flagship. This latter version is expected to be a stripped out racer with plenty of carbon-fiber and a track-tuned suspension.

Stay tuned for the flood of official details and images once the car is revealed at next week’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Yawn. It's chic chic and way too overrated honestly. The "best bang for your buck" at it's relative lack of leading edge in comparison to better performing for the dollar proves it.

Looks like your typical Asian over designed sports car.

Performance is awesome, but I'd take a ZO6.

Looks like your typical Asian over designed sports car.

Performance is awesome, but I'd take a ZO6.

Both would be better...:D

Wow, an $80K Skyline GT-R. I shit on that car!

For $80k, you could import a slightly used R34 GT-R V-SpecII, spend the remaining 25K on go fast parts, and be WAY FASTER than that ugly POS that doesn't even look like a real Skyline. Don't get me wrong, I think that it would look fantastic if it was a 3000GT re-do, but it's not, and therefore fails at life.

With that said, badass car! The ricer god cometh!

Blah...I'll Take the Ferrari Scuderia mentioned on the cover. 220lbs light than a regular 430, but with 510 hp. :)

Nissan better enjoy this cover, because the moment the ZR1 is unveiled every magazine is going to want it.
-Joel

i agree w/ y2khawk

looks interesting. Id still take a vette instead.

Now im not saying this car is a total piece of shit, it looks like it will perform better than many have expected it to. But its pretty crazy to call something a corvette killer when just a few months away GM will be the unveiling of one of the baddest cars this world has ever seen. That and i guess i will never like any Nissan like the 300ZX Twin Turbo, thats a nissan i would love to have.
-Joel

why is that car so freaking ugly? I commend Nissan on the performance but damn that is ugly

idk maybe it's me yes they are some great numbers, but 11.7 with AWD??? I figured it'd be a lil quicker.

And yes that thing is beyond fugly

11.7 is good for what that thing weighs. Still rather have a Z06.

W

the only skyline i would ever buy would have to be a r34 or r33
that car just doesnt look like a skyline to me.
no other oem vehicle in the world will compare to a SC Corvette from the
showroom. LSx+SC=:takethat: to nissan, ford, etc. and so forth
:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i68e-ciWcY

the only skyline i would ever buy would have to be a r34 or r33
that car just doesnt look like a skyline to me.
no other oem vehicle in the world will compare to a SC Corvette from the
showroom. LSx+SC=:takethat: to nissan, ford, etc. and so forth
:D


Not sure about this one. Although I love the Z06, the interior + the fit and finish, doesnt equal that of what Im seeing.

From what magazines and Wiki have said, is that this car is a detuned race motor that is easily capable of 650hp. Test have also shown, that it makes peak torque around 1700 rpm.

"From what magazines and Wiki have said, is that this car is a detuned race motor that is easily capable of 650hp. Test have also shown, that it makes peak torque around 1700 rpm."

What motor and what car?

W

The motor in the new GTR is a detuned race motor capable of sustaining 650hp with ease.

I highly doubt Nissan would offer anything different, considering the old Skylines are good for 700+hp on stock internals. With better head flow and 1.2 liters of displacement more, this should easily be obtainable. Lets not forget, this car is making 500hp with only 10.2 psi.

Not sure about this one. Although I love the Z06, the interior + the fit and finish, doesnt equal that of what Im seeing.

From what magazines and Wiki have said, is that this car is a detuned race motor that is easily capable of 650hp. Test have also shown, that it makes peak torque around 1700 rpm.

You have seen the new GT-R? An actual production version?

You have seen the new GT-R? An actual production version?

Do not need to. Look at the intricate detail Nissan displayed in the pics. Leather rapped dashboard, Center Screen computer able to display g's, boost, water temp, oil etc.... Basically everything about the car is well proportioned.

"From what magazines and Wiki have said, is that this car is a detuned race motor that is easily capable of 650hp. Test have also shown, that it makes peak torque around 1700 rpm."

What motor and what car?

W


Forgot to add, Cosworth was envolved in building this motor.

The motor in the new GTR is a detuned race motor capable of sustaining 650hp with ease.

I highly doubt Nissan would offer anything different, considering the old Skylines are good for 700+hp on stock internals. With better head flow and 1.2 liters of displacement more, this should easily be obtainable. Lets not forget, this car is making 500hp with only 10.2 psi.

You can say the same thing about the LS7 that it's a detuned race motor capable of sustaining 650hp with ease. Just look at the C5R and C6R. Both motors made well over 600hp and were able to tear apart the worlds best during the Lemans Race series.

Granted, you can't buy the intake manifolds, and there are some super secret stuff surrounding the motors, but the statement still holds true.

Any good race motor has secret shit!!!

W

Just look at the C5R and C6R. Both motors made well over 600hp and were able to tear apart the worlds best during the Lemans Race series.

You left out something here; these engines made that kind of power severely inlet restricted/choked down (in line with ALMS/Le mans rules). I think Katech may have had them on the engine dyno "opened up" and tuned (just to see what they could do) and they were damn close to 1000 hp!!! This is an NA road race/endurance engine people!!!! NO stinking boost needed! :lol: :jest:

You can say the same thing about the LS7 that it's a detuned race motor capable of sustaining 650hp with ease. Just look at the C5R and C6R. Both motors made well over 600hp and were able to tear apart the worlds best during the Lemans Race series.

Granted, you can't buy the intake manifolds, and there are some super secret stuff surrounding the motors, but the statement still holds true.

The C5R made over 600HP but the C6R is actually only making 570HP. Sadly the ALMS is more restrictive and boring then the previous IMSA GT Championship of the 80's and 90's, back then Nissan was able to get their factory VG30DETT in the 300ZX and boost it to over 900HP in their 300ZX race car. Those were the days....cars competing in the ALMS now including the C6R wouldnt hold a candle to the IMSA GT cars back then...

Actually you would be suprised the amount of power the LS7.R could be making without restrictions. The engines are built around the restrictions, so basically without the restrictions the engines will make more power. But if Katech were to build the engine with no restrictions in mind the Corvettes would be laying down some incredible power. Just imagine that last year the Corvettes were made to add weight at certain races to give competitors in their class a chance. God help any race team that is forced to race an un-corked and un-restricted built LS7.R, because they wont have a chance.
-Joel

*By the way that racing 300zx looks awesome*

These folks should be lobbied to stop the restrictions.

W

Here is a vid of it running

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cXKtwWdSink

Do not need to. Look at the intricate detail Nissan displayed in the pics. Leather rapped dashboard, Center Screen computer able to display g's, boost, water temp, oil etc.... Basically everything about the car is well proportioned.

yes there is a need to. Concept car interiors are always much more flashy with lots more cool features that aren't even intended to end up in the production versions

I really wasnt that impressed with its runs .. seemed out of shape on the corners to run with the 911's .. seemed fast down the straight but hell they arent draggin it are they ?

yes there is a need to. Concept car interiors are always much more flashy with lots more cool features that aren't even intended to end up in the production versions


FYI the GTR pics are of the production version.

Super GT GTR


http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_pics/642/gallery/Nissan_GT_R_GT500_001.jpg

http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_pics/642/gallery/Nissan_GT_R_GT500_002.jpg

http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_pics/642/gallery/Nissan_GT_R_GT500_003.jpg

http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_pics/642/gallery/Nissan_GT_R_GT500_004.jpg

http://www.nihoncar.com/en/news_pics/642/gallery/Nissan_GT_R_GT500_005.jpg

Usually I don't like making racial jokes, but I think it's outright hilarious how all of the pit crew for that racing GT-R are barely taller than that SLAMMED car. lol

Then again, I'm like '6"2 so there ya go....

VR38 Engine dyno:
http://www.photodump.org/stored18/VR38dynoConvert.jpg

VR38 Engine block:
http://www.photodump.org/stored18/VR38222.jpg

From a look at the torque curve it appears that the engine managemnet is really limiting the power of this car. Engine also appears to have a nice closed deck design...BRING ON THE BOOST :).

Where'd you get that graph? I can make a graph with Japanese characters and lines and numbers as well. Not doubting the engine's capabilities, but photodump.org doesn't seem to be a very official source.

Where'd you get that graph? I can make a graph with Japanese characters and lines and numbers as well. Not doubting the engine's capabilities, but photodump.org doesn't seem to be a very official source.

Its from Nissans official website. I saved it and blew it up then uploaded it on photodump. Heres you go...gonna have to go through some flash to find it though:

http://www2.nissan.co.jp/GT-R/index.html

If you look aroun through there there is even a video of the engine dyno...a buch of other cool stuff.

Its from Nissans official website. I saved it and blew it up then uploaded it on photodump. Heres you go...gonna have to go through some flash to find it though:

http://www2.nissan.co.jp/GT-R/index.html

If you look aroun through there there is even a video of the engine dyno...a buch of other cool stuff.

It is obviously a very smoothed over graph, but very impressive no matter how you look at it. The fact that it maintains high torque for so long is good, and you always expect good mid range from a properly sized turbo.

I wonder why it drops off so quickly with the torque. That HP number could have been much higher if the torque hung on a but longer and didnt fall off so fast. That is the kind of torque curve you want for a track car, good corner exit acceleration.

Why cant they just stop the game and come out with an english version of the graph, and stop all the specualtion. If the car is really that great, just spill the beans. People will want it anyway.

Perhaps other parts of the world expect us to read their language...like we expect them to read ours.

W

Perhaps other parts of the world expect us to read their language...like we expect them to read ours.

W
Not when they are trying to sell a product. Go to an ATM and see how many languages there are, GM does foreign language ads- even here.

ZO6 killer, and an incredible car. The ZR1 will give it a good fight when it arrives.

Why cant they just stop the game and come out with an english version of the graph, and stop all the specualtion. If the car is really that great, just spill the beans. People will want it anyway.
They will in time, the car just came out in its home market, they come first.
It would actually really be easy to translate the graph to hp/tq. Torque is in blue and measured in NM, and power is in red measured in KW.
1 NM = .74 ft.lbs
1 KW = 1.3410 HP
You can make your own graph with that.

who the fuck needs 2 clutches.

that ugly POS that doesn't even look like a real Skyline.

And it shouldn't! becuase it's not one. :rolleyes:

And it shouldn't! becuase it's not one. :rolleyes:

LOL, that was good.

And it shouldn't! becuase it's not one. :rolleyes:

For some reason nissan thinks it is :eyes:
http://www.gtrnissan.com/index.en.us.html?Site=nissanusa&Area=Promo?intcmp= GTR_Webcast.Promo.Homepage.Home.P2

For some reason nissan thinks it is :eyes:
http://www.gtrnissan.com/index.en.us.html?Site=nissanusa&Area=Promo?intcmp= GTR_Webcast.Promo.Homepage.Home.P2

It's whatever they want to call it... Will it be badged or designated as Skyline on the car or anywhere on paper? I thought it was just GTR.

For some reason nissan thinks it is :eyes:
http://www.gtrnissan.com/index.en.us.html?Site=nissanusa&Area=Promo?intcmp= GTR_Webcast.Promo.Homepage.Home.P2

You do realize that the Skyline and the GT-R are now two different cars right? In the past the GT-R was just a tuned version of the Skyline. If you've noticed, Nissan has now officially dropped the "Skyline" moniker for the GT-R. It is no longer based on the sedan chassis like before.The GT-R has been designed from the ground up, it has a new chassis and has the new VR38DETT engine that is derived from the Nissan R390.

BTW I never once saw the name "Skyline" used to signify the new GTR on the web site. It's possible that I may have missed it though.

One last thing though, Nissan is giving dealerships the option of putting the "Skyline" name on the car for heritage purposes only since people are used to the GTR being a derivative of the Skyline. That however does NOT mean that the GTR is a skyline. It is officially the GT-R with no ties to the Skyline.

That being said the GT-R has grown on me. When the Prototype debuted I didn't like it at all but now it's starting to sink in and I actually think it's a very nice car.

You do realize that the Skyline and the GT-R are now two different cars right? In the past the GT-R was just a tuned version of the Skyline. If you've noticed, Nissan has now officially dropped the "Skyline" moniker for the GT-R. It is no longer based on the sedan chassis like before.The GT-R has been designed from the ground up, it has a new chassis and has the new VR38DETT engine that is derived from the Nissan R390.

BTW I never once saw the name "Skyline" used to signify the new GTR on the web site. It's possible that I may have missed it though.

One last thing though, Nissan is giving dealerships the option of putting the "Skyline" name on the car for heritage purposes only since people are used to the GTR being a derivative of the Skyline. That however does NOT mean that the GTR is a skyline. It is officially the GT-R with no ties to the Skyline.

That being said the GT-R has grown on me. When the Prototype debuted I didn't like it at all but now it's starting to sink in and I actually think it's a very nice car.

OMG.:eyes: Lemme guess, the new Mazda MX-5 ISN'T a Miata, right? It's nothing but a name game. Why on earth would Nissan toss that kind of "heritage" down the drain by ditching the Skyline nameplate? That's almost as stupid as ditching the rest of the cars that were based off the Skyline platform, like the GTS etc. Oh yeah, let's just make this platform as expensive to build and buy parts for as we possibly can! lollerskatescopterssss....And for WHAT? A "Supercar" that costs more than the Z06(both for the consumer and the manufacturer), barely outperforms some of it's rivals, and destroys a half-Century of heritage in one fell swoop.

I swear Ghosn has some screws that came loose in his head over the last couple years...


Sorry guys, it just makes me a little red in the face when automakers act like stupid celebrities with regards to their choices in life....

You do realize that the Skyline and the GT-R are now two different cars right? In the past the GT-R was just a tuned version of the Skyline. If you've noticed, Nissan has now officially dropped the "Skyline" moniker for the GT-R. It is no longer based on the sedan chassis like before.The GT-R has been designed from the ground up, it has a new chassis and has the new VR38DETT engine that is derived from the Nissan R390.

BTW I never once saw the name "Skyline" used to signify the new GTR on the web site. It's possible that I may have missed it though.

One last thing though, Nissan is giving dealerships the option of putting the "Skyline" name on the car for heritage purposes only since people are used to the GTR being a derivative of the Skyline. That however does NOT mean that the GTR is a skyline. It is officially the GT-R with no ties to the Skyline.

That being said the GT-R has grown on me. When the Prototype debuted I didn't like it at all but now it's starting to sink in and I actually think it's a very nice car.


Wrong. The GTRs VR38DETT is derived from nothing. First off the VR engine int he older R390s are V8s...not V6s like this engine. The VR38 has similarities with the current VQ engines but it is NOT a VQ...the block/head/internals are different.

2nd Nissan is NOT giving the option to put the Skyline name on the GTR....it is SOLEY the GTR now.

OMG.:eyes: Lemme guess, the new Mazda MX-5 ISN'T a Miata, right? It's nothing but a name game. Why on earth would Nissan toss that kind of "heritage" down the drain by ditching the Skyline nameplate? That's almost as stupid as ditching the rest of the cars that were based off the Skyline platform, like the GTS etc. Oh yeah, let's just make this platform as expensive to build and buy parts for as we possibly can! lollerskatescopterssss....And for WHAT? A "Supercar" that costs more than the Z06(both for the consumer and the manufacturer), barely outperforms some of it's rivals, and destroys a half-Century of heritage in one fell swoop.

I swear Ghosn has some screws that came loose in his head over the last couple years...


Sorry guys, it just makes me a little red in the face when automakers act like stupid celebrities with regards to their choices in life....


The only heritage the Skyline has was that it was a relativly nice sporty/sedan that has been in production for many decades in japan. The GTR was really the only performance oriented version of it (GTSs were not that impressive....at all). This is also the first time Nissan is offering the car to the world....and as a TRUE super car. Its a step forward....not lateral like you are suggesting. The Skyline is not "dropped" either....its still there selling better then ever in Japan. This way the GTR can fully stretch its legs being designed from the ground up for one purpose....and the Skyline can continue what it always has.

Ghosn is one of the main reasons the GTR is alive again....with out him it likely would of died with the R34 and never have been brought here.

You really need to know Nissans history, what they have done in the past 10 years, and their current standing to fully appreciate what its happening...

In Red.

http://www.photodump.org/stored18/RedGTR.jpg

http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/5043/redgtr000yk5.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3841/redgtr015co8.jpg

The only heritage the Skyline has was that it was a relativly nice sporty/sedan that has been in production for many decades in japan. The GTR was really the only performance oriented version of it (GTSs were not that impressive....at all). This is also the first time Nissan is offering the car to the world....and as a TRUE super car. Its a step forward....not lateral like you are suggesting. The Skyline is not "dropped" either....its still there selling better then ever in Japan. This way the GTR can fully stretch its legs being designed from the ground up for one purpose....and the Skyline can continue what it always has.

Ghosn is one of the main reasons the GTR is alive again....with out him it likely would of died with the R34 and never have been brought here.

You really need to know Nissans history, what they have done in the past 10 years, and their current standing to fully appreciate what its happening...

I wouldn't go as far as to call it a SUPER CAR, no more than I'd call a Corvette one. A fast and capable GT it sure is. Doesn't a super car usually imply something barely within reach due to money, limited availability, or both? Like the Veyron, SLR Mclaren, etc.

Didn't the Nissan R390 have a fully legal production model for the road? Now, that would seem like a supercar to me...

The only heritage the Skyline has was that it was a relativly nice sporty/sedan that has been in production for many decades in japan. The GTR was really the only performance oriented version of it (GTSs were not that impressive....at all). This is also the first time Nissan is offering the car to the world....and as a TRUE super car. Its a step forward....not lateral like you are suggesting. The Skyline is not "dropped" either....its still there selling better then ever in Japan. This way the GTR can fully stretch its legs being designed from the ground up for one purpose....and the Skyline can continue what it always has.

Ghosn is one of the main reasons the GTR is alive again....with out him it likely would of died with the R34 and never have been brought here.

You really need to know Nissans history, what they have done in the past 10 years, and their current standing to fully appreciate what its happening...

I could have sworn the killing of the R34 was his fault. You are right though, they still are making Skylines on the G35 platform, but it is no longer shared with the GT-R. I just believe it is stupid to seperate a money-making platform into one money making platform and a complete loss-producing platform...that might not be entirely true, however, as Nissan IS charging a hefty fee to pick one up...my question is whether Nissan will lower the price of the car to Corvette range once they pay off their new factory?

I wouldn't go as far as to call it a SUPER CAR, no more than I'd call a Corvette one. A fast and capable GT it sure is. Doesn't a super car usually imply something barely within reach due to money, limited availability, or both? Like the Veyron, SLR Mclaren, etc.

Didn't the Nissan R390 have a fully legal production model for the road? Now, that would seem like a supercar to me...

Super car = Super Performance car. Z06 & GTR.
Exotic Car = Exspensive and hard to obtain car. Ferrari/Lambo/Bugatti/etc.

I could have sworn the killing of the R34 was his fault. You are right though, they still are making Skylines on the G35 platform, but it is no longer shared with the GT-R. I just believe it is stupid to seperate a money-making platform into one money making platform and a complete loss-producing platform...that might not be entirely true, however, as Nissan IS charging a hefty fee to pick one up...my question is whether Nissan will lower the price of the car to Corvette range once they pay off their new factory?

It is priced actually cheaper then the Z06 in Japan. A direct conversion has the standard model coming in at $68,000 in Japan. It should cost close to that here...probably a a couple thousand more making it an even $70,000. Still cheaper then a Z06.

I'd love to see this compete head to head with the C6R

http://www.nissangtrproto.com/2007/videos/super-gt-on-the-track/

Super car = Super Performance car. Z06 & GTR.
Exotic Car = Exspensive and hard to obtain car. Ferrari/Lambo/Bugatti/etc.

I had always equated Super and Exotic myself, not because I think I'm right, just out of habit. You can't really define these terms so strictly yourself either, though.

Remember, there is alot of leeway with these words... There is no strict definition, usage varying widely. Here's one example of the definition:

Supercar is a term used for a high-end sports car, typically an exotic or rare one, whose performance is highly superior to that of its contemporaries. The proper application of the term is subjective and disputed, especially among enthusiasts. The use of the term is dependent on the era: a vehicle that is considered to be a supercar at one time may not retain its superiority in the future. The automotive press frequently calls new exotic cars "supercars".

Cars like the Veyron and Ultimate Aero are referred to as "supercars" by many automotive journals on the shelf right now, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are wrong either. You just can't state such usage as "agreed" meaning, or proper meaning, since there is very little agreement as to what a supercar is or isn't. However, most people's (experts' and reputable journalists' too) definition of a super car includes the attribute of $$$. That's why I personally do not see the GTR/Z06/911 as Super Cars though by no means do I state that as fact. In epistemology, to invalidate or vindicate an analytical statement (a statement T/F by definition), there must be a consensus on the lexical value of each word. With these words, there really isn't any right now.

I'd love to see this compete head to head with the C6R

http://www.nissangtrproto.com/2007/videos/super-gt-on-the-track/

They can. They just need to join Le Mans. :)

I had always equated Super and Exotic myself, not because I think I'm right, just out of habit. You can't really define these terms so strictly yourself either, though.

Remember, there is alot of leeway with these words... There is no strict definition, usage varying widely. Here's one example of the definition:



Cars like the Veyron and Ultimate Aero are referred to as "supercars" by many automotive journals on the shelf right now, but it doesn't necessarily mean you are wrong either. You just can't state such usage as "agreed" meaning, or proper meaning, since there is very little agreement as to what a supercar is or isn't. However, most people's (experts' and reputable journalists' too) definition of a super car includes the attribute of $$$. That's why I personally do not see the GTR/Z06/911 as Super Cars though by no means do I state that as fact. In epistemology, to invalidate or vindicate an analytical statement (a statement T/F by definition), there must be a consensus on the lexical value of each word. With these words, there really isn't any right now.

Exotic cars can be super cars as well....the only criteria is super performance. I wouldnt call a rolls royce a super car....because it isn much of a performance car, but its definetly an exotic. And I wouldnt call a Z06 an exotic but its definetly a super car.

Super car = Super Performance car. Z06 & GTR.
Exotic Car = Exspensive and hard to obtain car. Ferrari/Lambo/Bugatti/etc.
I'm going to have to slightly disagree with you on that one. A super car is an extremely high performance vehicle that is also highly refined. Ferrari, Porche (mainly Carrera GT), Bugatti, and Pagani Zonda come to mind. However exotic cars are classified solely because of price. True most super cars are also exotics, but not all exotics are super cars.

See, you guys are trying pin the tail on the donkey... It's not going to happen... Those definitions aren't etched in stone anywhere and they're used VERY LOOSELY for all the cars you guys just mentioned by writers in the industry. :bang:

Trust me please.

I don't know about you guys, but the GT-R looks pretty killer in red there...way better than the metallic tones if you ask me. I don't know, the car just strikes me as more of an M3 competitor than a Corvette competitor...

Actually, from what I understand of it, the Skyline GT-R was always considered something of a Muscle car in Japan until about halfway through the R33 bodystyle. This car really is a monster for them over there where you have Mitsubishi "i"s and Toyota Vitz's as "normal" cars. The Camry is considered a powerful, large full-sizer there if that brings some perspective to things, in fact, anything over 170hp or so is considered fairly brawny....

See, you guys are trying pin the tail on the donkey... It's not going to happen... Those definitions aren't etched in stone anywhere and they're used VERY LOOSELY for all the cars you guys just mentioned by writers in the industry. :bang:

Trust me please.

It's all relative to each of the world markets, really, but here is something of an explaination.

About 95% of Supercars or higher are exotics, but about 30% or so of exotics are supercars. Take for example the 997 Porsche 911 GT3. That's a very exotic car, but hardly what I'd call a supercar.

Well what about the Z06? It's a supercar, but hardly exotic. In fact, the Z06 Corvettes are one of the rare exceptions to the rule of most supercars being exotics.

Then there are the Jaguar XJ220 or McLaren F1 which are very exotic AND supercars. I could go on with examples, but you guys get the picture.

Regarding the GT-R, most of us won't consider it an exotic because of its (supposedly nonexistant) ties with the old Skyline GT-Rs, and the fact that they aren't anything particularly new or exotic around the world. In fact, although the GT-R has a racy body, it doesn't even get my heart going like a NISMO 350Z or 300ZX twin turbo would. It just isn't sexy, squat, and extroverted enough to be a true exotic car. That, combined with the fact that it is a Nissan, a VERY mundane brand historically makes a hard case for exotic status.

Also, and this is purely my opinion, I think that most supercar and exotic car purists find the AWD to be a perceived weakness. If a car cannot put the kind of numbers down the GT-R is with just the rear two wheels, then the front two are nothing but a crutch for a badly designed super car. The GT-R should be able to do the things it does without AWD or it doesn't belong in the Supercar club. This is why Evolution Lancers and STi's don't get supercar status. If Nissan really wanted to prove that the GT-R was hot shit, they would've introduced it as a 2wd with the performance it has now AND THEN add AWD later to make it an even hotter car(ala Porsche, Lamborghini). By using AWD from the get-go, the supercar community kind of shuns the GT-R as a decent performer, but with no room for growth and with nothing left in its bag of tricks. It makes one wonder what an AWD Corvette Z06/ZR1 could do....

I'm not trying to get into any arguments, but I'd like to discuss this further, so no hot tempers!

In fact, although the GT-R has a racy body, it doesn't even get my heart going like a NISMO 350Z or 300ZX twin turbo would.

Ha, we think alike... That's the best car Nissan ever made! Damn they're beautiful.


Concerning the "definition," yours is the closest by far to mine for these kinds of cars I've ever read... I feel the same. Despite what is both our sentiments, however, there are a lot of journalists that differ from us.

It's all relative to each of the world markets, really, but here is something of an explaination.

About 95% of Supercars or higher are exotics, but about 30% or so of exotics are supercars. Take for example the 997 Porsche 911 GT3. That's a very exotic car, but hardly what I'd call a supercar.

Well what about the Z06? It's a supercar, but hardly exotic. In fact, the Z06 Corvettes are one of the rare exceptions to the rule of most supercars being exotics.

Then there are the Jaguar XJ220 or McLaren F1 which are very exotic AND supercars. I could go on with examples, but you guys get the picture.

Regarding the GT-R, most of us won't consider it an exotic because of its (supposedly nonexistant) ties with the old Skyline GT-Rs, and the fact that they aren't anything particularly new or exotic around the world. In fact, although the GT-R has a racy body, it doesn't even get my heart going like a NISMO 350Z or 300ZX twin turbo would. It just isn't sexy, squat, and extroverted enough to be a true exotic car. That, combined with the fact that it is a Nissan, a VERY mundane brand historically makes a hard case for exotic status.

Also, and this is purely my opinion, I think that most supercar and exotic car purists find the AWD to be a perceived weakness. If a car cannot put the kind of numbers down the GT-R is with just the rear two wheels, then the front two are nothing but a crutch for a badly designed super car. The GT-R should be able to do the things it does without AWD or it doesn't belong in the Supercar club. This is why Evolution Lancers and STi's don't get supercar status. If Nissan really wanted to prove that the GT-R was hot shit, they would've introduced it as a 2wd with the performance it has now AND THEN add AWD later to make it an even hotter car(ala Porsche, Lamborghini). By using AWD from the get-go, the supercar community kind of shuns the GT-R as a decent performer, but with no room for growth and with nothing left in its bag of tricks. It makes one wonder what an AWD Corvette Z06/ZR1 could do....

I'm not trying to get into any arguments, but I'd like to discuss this further, so no hot tempers!
I found myself nodding in agreement with everything you just said, especially the AWD bit.

It's all relative to each of the world markets, really, but here is something of an explaination.

About 95% of Supercars or higher are exotics, but about 30% or so of exotics are supercars. Take for example the 997 Porsche 911 GT3. That's a very exotic car, but hardly what I'd call a supercar.

Well what about the Z06? It's a supercar, but hardly exotic. In fact, the Z06 Corvettes are one of the rare exceptions to the rule of most supercars being exotics.

Then there are the Jaguar XJ220 or McLaren F1 which are very exotic AND supercars. I could go on with examples, but you guys get the picture.

Regarding the GT-R, most of us won't consider it an exotic because of its (supposedly nonexistant) ties with the old Skyline GT-Rs, and the fact that they aren't anything particularly new or exotic around the world. In fact, although the GT-R has a racy body, it doesn't even get my heart going like a NISMO 350Z or 300ZX twin turbo would. It just isn't sexy, squat, and extroverted enough to be a true exotic car. That, combined with the fact that it is a Nissan, a VERY mundane brand historically makes a hard case for exotic status.

Also, and this is purely my opinion, I think that most supercar and exotic car purists find the AWD to be a perceived weakness. If a car cannot put the kind of numbers down the GT-R is with just the rear two wheels, then the front two are nothing but a crutch for a badly designed super car. The GT-R should be able to do the things it does without AWD or it doesn't belong in the Supercar club. This is why Evolution Lancers and STi's don't get supercar status. If Nissan really wanted to prove that the GT-R was hot shit, they would've introduced it as a 2wd with the performance it has now AND THEN add AWD later to make it an even hotter car(ala Porsche, Lamborghini). By using AWD from the get-go, the supercar community kind of shuns the GT-R as a decent performer, but with no room for growth and with nothing left in its bag of tricks. It makes one wonder what an AWD Corvette Z06/ZR1 could do....

I'm not trying to get into any arguments, but I'd like to discuss this further, so no hot tempers!

You have some very good points, but I don't agree about the AWD point.

Some examples:
-Lamborghini's current lineup.
-911 Turbo
-Veyron
-959

For a sports car I think I prefer RWD to AWD (probably not for a sporty daily though). But I don't think that AWD means that a car is poorly engineered at all.