2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO Revealed, Packing More Downforce than Any Nissan Ever

Carmaker reveals new super-Godzilla at the Nurburgring. (Hint, hint.)

byWill Sabel Courtney|
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The "regular" 2017 Nissan GT-R is on the verge of landing in showrooms, but Nissan isn't letting up on the gas when it comes to the nine-year-old super sports car. Earlier today, the company revealed the angriest Godzilla to stalk the world yet: the 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO. And in case anyone was wondering exactly what Nissan is hoping the NISMO can do, the carmaker unveiled the hotted-up GT-R in a ceremony at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The new NISMO benefits from all the 2017 model year upgrades Nissan announced at this year's New York Auto Show, but also picks up a few tweaks of its own. The whole suspension has been retuned to work in concert with the 2017 model's stiffer body, which helps improve handling when compared to the previous GT-R NISMO. (Nissan claims slalom times and cornering grip are up nearly two percent!) The car's aerodynamics have been also altered, to crank up the grip; thanks in part to a Boeing-spec wing mounted to the trunk and the canards mounted ahead of the front wheels, Nissan says the new GT-R NISMO makes more downforce than any production car in the company's history.

The dark chrome grille has been enlarged, providing the dual benefits of helping the NISMO breathe and making the car look extra-badass. The hood has been given a dose of Viagra, stiffening up to prevent it from deforming at triple-digit speeds. And inside, NISMO-exclusive Recaro buckets with red faux-suede inserts grip the occupants' butts with the tenacity of an Eastern European masseuse.

Sadly, there's no more power out of the engine, but the NISMO changes should make those 600 horses more accessible on the track. The previous GT-R NISMO ripped around the Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 8.68 seconds in 7 minutes and 8.16 seconds; considering the 2017 version has extra go and extra grip alike, it ought to knock at least a few ticks off that time. Whether it'll be fast enough to set the production car record...well, slide that question into the "wait-and-see" category.

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