Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Introduction

What’s New: The Nissan GT-R is all-new for 2009, and marks the brand’s first attempt at selling a genuine supercar in the U.S. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission that propels this all-wheel-drive supercar to 60 mph in a little over three seconds and a top speed of 193 mph.

Competes With: Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper, Porsche 911 Turbo

What We Think: First, we can’t believe that no speeding tickers were issued over the course of nearly 2,000 miles of testing. Second, we can’t believe that the sticker price is only $70,000 or so. And third, we’re still heartbroken about having to give it back (the whole “it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all” deal).

Nissan GT-R – 2009 Review: It’s always fun to surprise people. Not the “Boo!” or “Look what I got you for your birthday!” kind of surprises. Rather, the “You did that? Really?” kind of surprise that showcases one of your hidden talents, and quite frankly, puts a little more air in your ego. Chances are we all experience this satisfaction at some point in our lives, whether it be when we come off the bench to score a winning touchdown in high school or we’re a quiet junior executive who submits an industry-changing idea. This phenomenon gives credit to the idea that we should expect the unexpected.

Unless you’re a true car geek, you probably didn’t expect the 2009 GT-R to come from Nissan. Sure, this Japanese brand has a long history in the States with its Z cars, it puts out SE-R versions of a few sedans, and it builds some of the sportier pickups available on the market. But a supercar? One that considered a lap around the Nurburgring to be a nice little weekend drive? Nah. Besides, if Nissan did decide to sell one here, they’d surely sell it under the Infiniti umbrella, where there’s a greater sense of luxury and requisite higher prices.

Guess again. Little ol’ Nissan, home to the 350Z as well as Versa compacts and the mid-size Altima Hybrid, has developed an all-wheel-drive, 480-horsepower, twin-turbocharged supercar which spanks Corvettes and Porsches, sprints to 60 mph in about three seconds, and pegs its speedometer at 193 mph. But this is a Nissan, after all, so it does it for the relative bargain price of about $70,000.

Finally, a word to Porsche – there actually is a substitute. Sorry.