Nissan GT-R preview in Perth
January 24, 2008 by Karl Peskett
At an event in Perth last night, the new Nissan GT-R was unveiled to a gathering of media, motorsport personalities, and enthusiasts.
This car is the first black GT-R to land in Australia, and was seen recently at the Fremantle docks. Car Advice can now reveal that it was imported by Fabcar, to compete in the upcoming Targa West rally in September.
Car Advice was invited to inspect the new Nissan up close and personal. And we’re pleased to report that it definitely lives up to the hype.
The GT-R is a big car, being very low and wide. An R34 GT-R was on hand to compare, and the R35 is bigger in all respects. The sheer width of the new GT-R makes it an imposing beast, and if it was bearing down on you from behind, you would be changing lanes quick smart.
The 3.8-litre, twin turbo V6 is extremely smooth and quiet. The only indication of any performance intent is a slightly louder exhaust note, but only when revved. At idle, the engine is calm and sedate.
Hopping into the driver’s seat, the chairs are comfortable, and wide enough, however given the performance potential, more side bolstering, or adjustable padding would be ideal.
The wheel itself is leather wrapped, and is perfectly sized, shaped well, and, most importantly, grippy. The instruments are clear and bright, with a huge tachometer sitting in the middle.
However, where the Nissan R35 GT-R has really come into its own, is quality.
The fit and finish is unlike any Nissan you will have ever seen before. The switchgear is bespoke, and everything sits flush with no unsightly joins, or differences in gaps.
The dashboard and doortrims are hand stitched, smooth, soft leather, and using Renault’s expertise in soft-feel plastics, the GT-R has a tactile quality which encourages you to just run your hands over everything. The paddle shifters are also leather backed, and feel much like the Evo X’s controls when pulled.
The silver highlights don’t look like they’re sprayed out of a can, in fact they are class leading, and the doortrim tops are also soft and textured. Audi would have to be worried at how far Nissan has progressed – it’s that good. This was one thing which worried me, based on past Nissans. If you’re paying $160,000, are you getting your money’s worth? The answer is a resounding yes – you most assuredly are.
Fabcar is sponsoring two drivers; noted motorsport personality and host of DriveTime TV, Tolley Challis (right), and leading motorsport driver Steve Jones (middle).
Jones, who will be driving this particular car, spoke to Car Advice about the car.
“On these Bridgestone runflat tyres, the car gets a little understeery, but then don’t forget, it’s only got a few kays under its belt. Once everything’s bedded in, it might be different, ” said Jones.
“But it’s not like anything else you know. With the older Skylines and Evos, you could flick them around in a slalom at 100km/h, and the back end would start sliding all over the place. This GT-R just sits rock solid and changes direction without any fuss. I’m really happy with it, and can’t wait to try it in Targa West.”
Car Advice hopes to bring you a drive impression in the near future.
Print it: 
Nice. Can’t wait to see one in the metal.
Very nice!!
No wonder they had the black coverings around the gates at Autowholesales…. =)
Nice car… but no heigt adjustable steering? Thats prity ordinary, 20 year old cars have that! Fair enough if they have set it to a perfect height… but then again everyone is different, I would have thought height > reach in terms of importance
FUFF AS TUCK!
looks magic in black.
what mods will it need to compete in Targa West?
Great to see it in the flesh, no doubt Steve Jones will bring the heat to Jim Richards in the upcoming Targa West. GO STEVE! GO R35 GT-R!
of all the people, the dude in the middle gets to drive it .. *got no knowledge about him so I’ll go search it up but just from that pic.. umm surely the R35 deserves someone better?
Ok. I’m jealous. You happy? *runs off crying*
Nah looks excellent, can’t wait to see it in the Targa
No sight of Bavarian there. Chaser how the hell can you decide who should drive a car on loks alone. Don’t be a dick mate. Yeh he looks young but he’s probably spent much of his life on the PS2 and knows just how cars handle..Ha Ha
Those lucky bastards saw it in real life! :x
Porsche will be scratching their heads for 3.3 reasons!
haha you’re right actually, Noname,
It’s not fair I tell you :(
I love the way it’s been described..
The sheer width of the new GT-R makes it an imposing beast, and if it was bearing down on you from behind, you would be changing lanes quick smart.
*looks for the euro crowd to come and snob off and brag about prestige .. and BM don’t start with the electronics of the M3 or how many gear settings it has alright – seriously.. just no..
Chaser,
last time i checked, Steve Jones came 4th out right in Targa West 07, driving an Evo 8 MR, behind Jim Richards (1st), Tony Longhurst (2nd), Ross Dunkerton (3rd – former 1st place winner in ‘05 & ‘06).
Maybe you should do some research!!
haha was just joking matey :)
what I \’do\’ wanna see is (as mentioned) the Euros speak now..
A colleague of mine’s mate has just order his for Company Car. Ok he owns the business but that just not fair.
Looks spectacular.
TP> Nice car… but no heigt adjustable steering? Thats prity ordinary, 20 year old cars have that! Fair enough if they have set it to a perfect height… but then again everyone is different, I would have thought height > reach in terms of importance
I forget where I read it – it may very well have been Car (UK) but the steering IS adjustable for height, the reason why I remember that is because it’s actually quite a unique setup, the instrument binnacle is meant to move with the steering column.
CA/Alborz if you could research that and edit the post appropriately that might solve this issue.
Matt
Knew you would come to the rescue Godspeed……….thanks babe!
Chaser……..what? I show respect for it totally,unlike you with Euro stuff apparently!
No point in running the Targa Tasmania this year then cause from what you have just said the \”EURO\” stuff will all fail against it. Show some respect mate!
Porsche racers will be trembling with fear :D
They would need to shed some of the weight from the heavy GT-R. If purely for racing, the speakers and big twin subwoofers at the back seat can go…together with the back seat.
Is there a TV coverage on the Targa West??? Can’t wait to see it in action!!! :)
Can’t wait to see how it does in the GT500 class.
No worries BM, gotta defend the GTR’s honour whether it be its looks or performance or its adjustable steering column! :P
Both Japanese and German performance cars are criticised for their tech obssession. But both this and an E92 M3 would still be wicked fun to drive, no matter how many settings they have.
Antispam word BMW hehe
Matt/Godspeed.
I sat in the car and tried to adjust the height. Maybe the height adjustment is separate to the reach (uses a different latch) but I couldn’t find it.
When we drive it, we’ll know more.
Hey guys, i just got back from a trip to Japan, where we paid a visit to the Nissan Gallery. I can definately confirm the steering is both reach and rake adjustable, there are two latches, right next to each other, but they look like one.
The car is definately an imposing beast, my friend and i went weak at the knees when we saw it!
Thanks for clearing that up Pat.
It was a pretty rushed hop in and out.
Good stuff Pat E, I thought so! No worries Karl, still a top read, can’t wait till you guys get your hands on one proper!
Cheers, Matt
Awesome car, though if the driver has a bad day it won’t be that hard for a Porsche to beat it. ‘Better’ cars do not guarantee a win…
Or any other car for that matter. Or for the GTR to beat the Porsche if its driver has a bad day. Like the VIP Petfoods 997 in Targa NZ
Will be great seeing some of these setting some independent Nurburgring times.
yeh saw steve jones and this car last night at peak lesmurdie!! car was awesome.. couldnt believe my eyes when i saw it.. cant wait to see him race it in the targa west!!
Really Lesmurdie boys………I’m in Kalamunda …5 mins away!
Why was it in a peak? One would think he would have gone down the hill for some Ultimate?
Targa……..yep will be good,especially the ZIG ZAG!
I have just taken delivery of a new Dark Gray GTR R35 in Sydney NSW
as seen on web sits inc photo,s at a shell garage the car is Fantastic to drive Extreemly fast to 120Km but stops at 180 (speed limited)
Have owned a Purple R33 Vspec and a Bayside Blue R34 Vspec modified to 350KW @ all 4 wheels I Currently Own a Pearl V35 (350Gt)Currently spotted with a GTR Badge on the back to fool everyone This car is
Extreemly Modified to 4.15 ltr with a APS Extreem Twin Turbo Kit Cosworth Heads plus a list of othe mods longer than your arm over $50,000 spent Producing a Lazy Wait for it
500.2 KW at the rear wheels at only 18 lb Boost 13Deg advance on standard pump fuel
at 15 deg advance 25lb boost and 100+ octain fuel should produce 600KW
This car is Now for sale with the arrival of my R35 (This car will be a major feature in High performance Imports in the March issue)
PS I’m that middle aged person seen driving the car
So all you would be owners who would Like to own one make sure you have a Spare $160,000+
What a hard act for other marques to follow for the price!
I cant wait to see a review and for it to kick a HSV’s and and an FPI’s ponsey arses!
Oh for the real days of Bathurst when it was a real competition and the Nissans ran rampant over the Fords and Crummydores and anything could enter and have a go!! Hate the Taxicab series! yawn.