Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance grand tourer that first arrived for the 2009 model year, succeeding the legendary Skyline GT-R lineage. Its hand-assembled 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6, advanced ATTESA ET-S all-wheel-drive system, and six-speed dual-clutch transmission delivered supercar-slaying performance at a fraction of the cost of European rivals. The nickname Godzilla, earned during the R32 GT-R's dominance of Australian touring car racing, stuck because the car consistently outperformed far more expensive machinery. Over its long production run, the R35 generation received multiple updates, including power bumps, aerodynamic refinements, and interior improvements, culminating in the 2024 final edition.

Chief design director Shiro Nakamura drew inspiration from the giant robots of the Gundam anime series, giving the GT-R a distinct Japanese identity rather than mimicking European supercar design. The aero blade front fenders, blackened A-pillars, and sloping roofline were deliberate nods to that aesthetic. Nissan's American designers sculpted the rear three-quarters, while European designers handled the roofline, creating a truly global collaboration. The engine is assembled by master craftsmen known as Takumi artisans, each engine bearing a plaque with the builder's name.

The 2024 model year marks the end of R35 production, with Nissan confirming the sunset in their press kit: Sunsets always come before a new dawn approaches. The final lineup includes the Premium, Skyline Edition, T-spec, and NISMO variants, with prices ranging from $121,090 to $221,090. Total global sales across the R35 generation exceed approximately 40,000 units, with North American sales peaking at 3,158 in 2009 and declining to 270 by 2023. Despite its aging platform, the GT-R remains a formidable performer, achieving 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds and a Nürburgring lap time of 7:18.60 in its 2013-2016 specification. [edit]