Overview
Among automobile enthusiasts, there are quite a few cars that are known as absolute track monsters. But there is only one named as the king of monsters, Godzilla, and that is the Nissan GTR. The Nissan GTR is high tech, high-performance coupe that has been around for more than 50 years. The first-ever Nissan GT was launched in 1969 in Japan. We, Americans, had to wait until 2008 to lay our hands on this machine. But ironically, ever since then, the Nissan GTR has not gone through a major update. With the competition in the segment skyrocketing, the ‘old’ GTR is having a hard time keeping up with its rivals.
What’s New of 2020?
Those who expected some major upgrades for the 2020 Nissan GTR were disappointed. The 2020 Nissan GTR only features minor updates in the form of the new Anniversary Edition to celebrate its 50 years in the industry. However, the 50th Anniversary Edition mainly consists of interior and exterior updates. The Track Edition gets some performance from the higher NISMO Edition. The 2019 base model was scrapped, increasing the base price of the GTR to $113,500. The price of the Premium GTR (base model) is slightly high when compared to the base price of the Porsche 911 and Mercedes AMG GT with more performance and features.
How well does the GTR perform?
The Nissan GTR is always known to defy physics with its incredible stability and handling while weighing nearly 2 tones. The Nissan GTR Track Edition and NISMO are powered by NISMO-Tunes 3.8L Twin Turbo V6 engines that produce 600 HP. The lower end Premium Edition is powered by the 3.8L V6 engine but with a lower state of tune producing 575 HP. The 2020 Nissan GTR produces insanely quick acceleration from a stop thanks to its powerful engine and all-wheel drivetrain. The multi-link rigid front and rear suspension characteristics make the GTR absolutely fly through the corners. The handling is not as good as the Porsche 911 or Mercedes AMG GT, but still, it will impart a lot of confidence behind the wheels. Check out 2020 Nissan GTR specs to get more details and numbers on the performance of the 2020 Nissan GTR. Over the last few years, a lot of focus from Nissan has been to improve the ride quality of the GTR. However, it still lacks a little behind its rivals in terms of ride quality. The adjustable suspension does help a bit, but even in soft mode, the GTR ride over bad roads leaves you desired for a better ride. The turning radius is very large and even with all-wheel steering, it is still difficult to navigate through tight spots and city traffic. The transmission takes a second to react to the instant demand for power. Overall, the GTR has all the capabilities to hang in there with its rivals on the track. But when it comes to the road, it certainly falls back a long way.
Pricing and which one to buy
The GTR comes with a hefty price tag for something that has not been updated since 2008. However, the value of the Nissan GTR badge and its history is more than enough to convince enthusiasts to invest in the Godzilla. The base price of the 2020 Nissan GTR is $113,5000 and goes all the way up to $211,000 for the NISMO Edition
Premium Edition: $113,500
50th Anniversary Edition: $125,000
Track Edition: $145,500
NISMO Edition: $211,000
The Nissan GTR Track Edition is the one that we would suggest as for that price range it offers the biggest challenge to its rivals. The Track Edition also gets all the fast goodies and NISMO tuned engines. The NISMO edition is overpriced and falls way back than the rivals at a similar price in terms of specs and features.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2020 Nissan GTR is offered much more practicality than the Porsche 911 and Mercedes AMG GT. The GTR is spacious, offers more cargo space, and has better rear seats. But at this price point, practicality is given the least preference just like fuel economy. The 2020 Nissan GTR interiors contain some amount of hard plastics and the quality of the materials is not up to the level of the rivals. The premium GTR heated sports seats at the front row are comfy and well supportive with a good amount of neck and thigh support. Full leather upholstery and Racero seats are available as additional features. The refinement inside the vehicle is very good. The 3 spoke steering wheel is meaty and is nice to hold on it. All models come with dual-zone climate control AC and there is not a lot of storage space in the cabin. The rear visibility is poor due to The GTR’s large wing and thick roof pillars. Other features include proximity keyless entry and push-button start
Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2020 Nissan GTR comes with an 8.0-inch touch screen system with Apple Carplay, satellite radio, HD radio, navigation, and a CD player. It also has an 11 speakers Bose sound system and two USB ports. The system does not have Android Auto and feels a bit outdated for a high-end luxury sports car. The touch screen display shows an array of information such as drive modes, G-force rating, turbocharger boost pressure, and oil and coolant temperature.
Exterior and Body styling
Not many updates in the exterior and body styling other than the added badge and some minor tweaks here and there for the 50th Anniversary Edition. The front reminds you why its nicknamed Godzilla. The large wing and rounded rear lights scream attention. Overall, the design is very attractive and aerodynamic.
Final Verdict
When you compare the 2020 Nissan GTR specs with that of its rivals, you can conclude that the GTR is not a good as a prospect it was 10 years ago. The GTR craves for a generation change and hybrid powertrain. However, the brand value of GTR is very high and that’s one of the main reasons it is still fighting against its younger and more capable rivals.
