2012 Nissan GT-R Overviews

That the 2012 Nissan GT-R costs less than $100,000 while achieving performance that usually costs at least twice that boggles the mind — and being able to drive it so easily blew my mind.

For 2012, the GT-R has received a number of updates, both performance and cosmetic. Nissan has created a performance machine that is stunning for two significant reasons.

The first is the car's sheer ability. Handy display screens show acceleration, braking and cornering forces.Luckily, the massive 15.4-inch brake rotors up front and 15-inch rotors in the rear slow the GT-R down precisely.

There's a switch labeled "comfort" placed amid settings that can adjust the transmission and stability control system. Which you might do if she's riding shotgun in the GT-R.
I generally prefer a good mix of performance and comfort, as you'll never wring out the abilities of a car like the GT-R on anything but a track.

There isn't anything I desired south of $200,000, except maybe an Audi R8 GT, and that car is nearly $50,000 more than the GT-R. Fuel economy is rated 16/23 mpg city/highway, which is rather impressive when you consider this car's performance. For 2012, the GT-R gets a revised nose and tail with daytime LED running lights, larger air intakes up front and, yes, even-larger exhaust pipes out back. The overall look is pure sports car. Nissan sells around 100 GT-Rs a month, so it's a rarity to see one on the road.

The GT-R has not been crash-tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2012 Nissan GT-R gains more power, supplemented by a few styling and aerodynamic changes to the exterior and a few revisions to the interior. A new GT-R Black Edition debuts.

Where high technology meets high performance, you find some serious automobiles. As an example, look no further than the 2012 Nissan GT-R. As the representative of Nissan's latest technology, the GT-R packs some pretty serious hardware, including a fire-breathing twin-turbo V6, a dual-clutch automated manual transmission, an advanced all-wheel-drive system and a sport-focused suspension with adaptive dampers. The GT-R's performance numbers push it into supercar category, yet the Nissan maintains a significantly lower price point.

This year the Nissan GT-R expands its performance envelope even farther. The GT-R's appearance gets a mild freshening that goes beyond just a few cosmetic tweaks. The 2012 Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sport coupe with a 2+2 seating layout that is offered only in the Premium trim level.

Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires, automatic xenon headlights, LED running lights, Brembo brakes, an electronically adjustable suspension, leather/faux-suede upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control and an 11-speaker Bose CD/MP3 audio system with two subwoofers, satellite radio, iPod connectivity and Bluetooth phone and streaming audio. A new GT-R Black Edition adds lightweight black wheels, a unique black and red interior and leather Recaro seats.

Powertrains and Performance
The 2012 Nissan GT-R is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine that generates 530 hp and 488 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission routes this power to the ground via an advanced AWD system.

Standard safety features on the GT-R include antilock Brembo brakes, stability control and traction control. Front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are also included. In Edmunds brake testing of a previous GT-R, we've recorded a best 60-0-mph stopping distance of 98 feet, which ranks among the shortest distances we've ever seen.

Interior Design and Special Features
The rather austere cabin of the 2012 Nissan GT-R is meant to convey an impression of performance and technology. Entering and exiting the GT-R takes no more gymnastic aptitude than that required by more conventional cars -- a rarity among high-performance exotics.

Driving Impressions
The 2012 Nissan GT-R achieves an impressive level of performance by utilizing technology rather than brute force. When the road is open, the GT-R regains its composure, and the transmission shifts quickly and positively in automatic mode. Road noise can be intrusive at times, but we think it's a small price to pay for the 2012 Nissan GT-R's otherworldly performance.

Nissan's supercar--yes, supercar, not wannabe--has beautifully balanced handling and dumbfounding levels of grip, courtesy of some 20-inch meathooks for tires, brainiac all-wheel drive and a computer-controlled suspension, and an automated manual transmission with awesome reflexes.

Last year's 473 horsepower were never enough, even when they delivered 60-mph runs of 3.3 seconds and top speeds of 193 mph. Net-net, the GT-R thumps out 530 horsepower and 448 pound-feet of torque, slingshots to 60 mph in about 3.0 seconds, all while whistling and hustling around nimbly, shuffling power front to back and side to side as it sees fit. Pulling together the GT-R's very Japanese take on performance and styling is a big LCD screen wedged into the dash.