The interior convinces with excellent ergonomics, although the materials look cheaper than on newer models. The instruments on the other hand are comprehensive, with additional front-torque and oil-temperature gauges in the centre console, which are quite useful for track-use.
The sporty layout of the car is supported by well sculpted bucket seats, which are a bit short on lumbar support, though, and a leather steering-wheel without an airbag. But the R32 GT-R is not all track-specced. A digital climate control and the common powerpack make this car well useable as a daily commuter. If you plan to transport someone on the rear-seats, though, make sure they are children, because the R32 offers the least headroom of all GT-R's in the back. Still, even with its small trunk, Godzilla is quite practical for the dynamic car it is.
Engine
The R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R uses the newly introduced RB26DETT engine, a DOHC inline-6 with 24-valves and a six-throttle inlet manifold. A bore of 86mm in connection with a stroke of 73.7mm make for an overall displacement of 2,568 cc. A compression ratio of 8.5:1, twin T28 Garrett turbochargers, and a large front-mounted intercooler help the RB26DETT produce 280 hp at 6,800 rpm and 260 lb-ft (353Nm) of torque at 4,400rpm.
This engine was directly designed for use in Japanese Group A racing, and modified derivatives have proven to reliably run with over 550hp without needing any internal changes. Please have a look at the modified cars-section to really see what this engine is capable of.
Nomenclature: |
RB |
- Engine series |
26 |
- Displacement (2.6-liter) |
D |
- Valvetrain (DOHC) |
E |
- Electronic Multiport Fuel Injection |
TT |
- Twin Turbo |
Transmission
The power is deployed to the wheels via a 5-speed gearbox which is coupled to the Skyline's all-wheel-drive system ATTESA-ETS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All - Electronic Torque Split).
ATTESA-ETS
The GT-R uses an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system (similar to the Porsche 959). A 16-bit microprocessor monitors the car's movements a 10 times per second (V-Spec II: 100 times per second), including wheel rotation and lateral as well as longitudinal acceleration. When slip is detected at a driving wheel, the system electronically distributes torque from this spinning wheel to one without slip.
In this setup the electronic AWD-system offers the advantage that actions are enacted much faster than by a viscous-coupling-system (we're speaking of hundredths of a second here). In standard setup, ATTESA-ETS distributes the torque to the rear-wheels, but when slip is detected on one of those rear-wheels, it can distribute up to 50% of the torque to the front wheels, i.e. it can adjust the front/rear torque-split from anything between 0:100 to 50:50. Among the rear-wheels, an active LSD can further distribute the torque from one wheel to the other if necessary. Due to this setup, the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R can even drift, although it is an AWD car.
Suspension
The R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R uses a multi-link suspension front and rear. Road-holding and especially the steering is further improved by the Skyline's all-wheel-steering system Super HICAS.
Super HICAS
The Skyline's all-wheel-steering enables the rear-wheels to steer the car with a maximum of one degree. A very complex system compares the car's movements with the driver's input at the steering-wheel and adjusts the angle of the steering wheel according to the direction the driver intends to go. The result is a steering that makes the GT-R feel much more nimble than its size suggests.
V-Spec Version
The Victory Specification (V-Spec) version is the performance version of the Skyline GT-R lineup. It uses a stiffer suspension and a revised all-wheel-drive system. Additionally, its performance is improved by bigger 17-inch 225/50 tires and four-pot Brembo brakes with ventilated 12.8 in. (324 mm) discs up front and two pot 11.8 in. (300 mm) Brembo brakes in the back.