Nissan

GT-R

It’s not cheap and it doesn’t deserve to be for the GT-R is the sort of car that the rich and famous should be attracted to. It boasts blistering performance figures and is a car you simply can’t take your eyes off.

The good

Guaranteed to turn heads and look at those performance stats

The bad

Not to cheap to buy or run

Tech Specs

Price from

£78,030

Combined Fuel up to

23.9mpg

0-62 from

2.7 seconds

max speed up to

196mph

co2 from

275g/km

Test Drive

Nissan GT-R 3.8 V6 Twin Turbo

Boasting a top speed of 196mph and 0-62mph stats of just three seconds, Nissan’s supercar – the GT-R – can be summed up in two words – lightening quick.

But it’s not just about incredible speed and exhilarating performance as the GT-R is one of the best looking supercars on our roads today with drop dead gorgeous lines complimented by amazing aerodynamics and an engine that purrs and growls in anticipation at the slightest pressure on the accelerator pedal.

And when you do put the car’s automatic transmission into drive and push down gently on the throttle it is comparable to being fired from a canon as the GT-R races away from a standing start. This car, which is the fastest four-seater in the world – really should carry a Government health warning as you will be oohing and ahhing for a long time after the ride is over!

The latest 2011 model has quite a few advancements on its predecessor such as nine per cent more power, four per cent more torque, improved emissions and fuel economy, better responsiveness, a sportier interior and better aerodynamics. But what that all adds up to in reality is a brilliant sports car that delivers the ride of your life, but is packed with quality specifications to help make every journey a memorable one.

Despite the race car thrills, the GT-R also boasts plenty of creature comforts such as full leather seats that can be heated and are electrically adjustable (eight ways for the driver and four for the passenger), a digital Bose sound system with 11 speakers and connectivity to every possible media device, an HDD music box system with 30GB hard drive, sat nav with voice recognition, cruise control, dual zone automatic climate control and so much more.

The interior is just as classy in design as the outside with a beautiful fascia and dashboard housing the controls which are perfectly angled to face the driver.

The test model was priced at £72,807 which included a couple of optional extras like a rear view camera and carpet mats, and although it’s not cheap, the GT-R compares very favourably with any other competitor both in pricing and performance.

And performance really is the name of the game with this car. With its 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the power at your disposal is immense and the blistering acceleration will leave virtually everything in its wake.

Admittedly, the ride can be a little bouncy even on the car’s “comfort” setting, but that’s a very small price to pay when the all-round package is taken into consideration.

The fully automatic transmission is incredibly responsive and there is the option of manual control via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The road-holding is exceptionally good even in dampish conditions and although the engine noise can be quite loud, that 11-speaker sound system really helps combat that issue.

The GT-R is a four seater and there is room for two little ‘uns in the back, but a couple of fully-grown adults might find it a bit of a squeeze.

The boot is pretty well-sized too with a lot of depth to it.

But that’s not all as the GT-R boasts one of the most advanced four-wheel-drive systems ever developed in a production car, which offers unmatched traction and handling security.

Nissan has piled plenty of safety features into the GT-R, including a body construction with front and rear crumple zones, a tyre pressure monitoring system, state-of-the-art braking systems, nitrogen filled run-flat tyres, highly advance stability features and a whole lot more besides.

All in all, the GT-R is a supercar that actually lives up to its big build up and although it’s not within everyone’s budget, it is an amazing package for the asking price.