2017 Nissan GT-R Nismo unveiled

Nissan's GT-R Nismo has made its debut ahead of the Nürburgring 24hr endurance race. The ultimate performance version of Nissan’s flagship super sportscar has received a facelift as part of the company’s 2017 model year update for the GT-R model family.

Key changes on the new GT-R Nismo as compared to the 2014 model year version include a stiffened body structure, retuned track-ready suspension and a more aerodynamic body with even greater downforce. Rays 20-inch forged alloy wheels are fitted to the car as standard.

The car gets most of the styling updates seen on the new 2017 GT-R, among them is an enlarged radiator grille making for better cooling for the car’s 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine, and a more deeply sculpted and rigid bonnet that contributes to greater high-speed downforce at the front wheels. The enlarged ‘canard’ planes just ahead of the front wheels have been designed to create downforce upfront and improve the car’s coefficient of drag.

The V6 engine powering the new GT-R Nismo continues to produce 600.21hp and 652.14Nm of torque. The front and rear bumpers, bootlid spoiler and sill extensions are made of lightweight carbonfibre. However, the car’s kerb weight remains unchanged at a claimed 1,720kg.

Inside, the facelifted GT-R Nismo features Alcantara upholstery on the steering wheel, dashboard and centre armrest. The bucket seats are carbonfibre-backed. The car also gets the decluttered carbonfibre-clad centre console and upgraded infotainment system featured in the standard 2017 GT-R.

With a 2 to 6 percent increase in local torsional rigidity, the standard GT-R’s revised body provides a more effective platform for Nismo’s engineers to tune the halo GT-R's stiffened coil springs, adaptive Bilstein DampTronic dampers and beefed-up anti-roll bars. As a result Nissan claims the GT-R Nismo is 2 percent quicker than the 2014 version through a benchmark slalom handling test, and is said to develop a similar amount more peak lateral grip.

The facelifted GT-R Nismo is set to go on sale in international markets next week. Meanwhile, the standard 2017 Nissan GT-R is expected to launch in India by the end of the year.