JDM Enthusiast : The Super Craze Part 1

Thursday, March 5, 2015

The Super Craze Part 1

The Nissan Skyline GT-R have always been called the "GODZILLA" of the JDM sports world for its super performance. For 3 generations since 1989, there was only one engine and one transmission used by the GT-Rs and the last GT-R R34 rolled out of the Nissan factory in 2002. Little did we know that, that was the last time we saw the RB26DETT appear in any other cars. In 2007, the GT-R name was resurrected after a 5 years hiatus with the launching of a brand new model, the Nissan GT-R R35. Many things have changed since the last GT-R was around and this time, only 3 things are remained from the GT-R's heritage; the GT-R name, chassis code and signature 4 round tail lights.

Godzilla, 1989 - Present (Front)
Signature 4 Round Tail Lights (Rear)

GT-R Badge

First of all, the new GT-R ditches the Skyline name-tag and now is a completely separate model featuring its own design unlike its predecessors that were Skylines on steroids. The engine is replaced with a new 3.8 liters, VR38DETT, Twin Turbo V6 engine that outputs 480 bhp (the highest ever made by a GT-R), coupled with a new 6 speed Dual-Clutch gearbox. Fans had to say bye bye to the well loved Inline-6 engine to welcome a new V6 engine. All is well because it still has 6 cylinders and the twin turbo is here to stay. However, we no longer can find a GT-R with manual gearboxes because technology made gear shifting by hands obsolete and your hands just could not handle the immense power that these big engines are producing. Do you see manual variant made available for Supercars such as Ferrari or Lamborghini or McLaren ?

The Old - RB26DETT, 280 bhp

The New - VR38DETT, 430 bhp (2007), 530 bhp (2012), 600 bhp (Nismo, 2014)

Now with more power and the latest transmission installed, the Nissan GT-R is granted a membership to the Supercar status that have eluded the JDM models except the Honda NSX and Lexus LFA. Soon, enthusiasts around the globe started to compare the R35 with European Supercars and was even featured in Motor Trend's, World's Greatest Drag Race video, where the R35 won against Supercars such as Ferrari Italia, Audi R8 GT, Mercedes Benz SLS AMG and others. It is known that owning a R35 is great because it is the King of JDMs both at being the most expensive model and the most powerful model yet. When put against European brands, it is always a winning situation and I will tell you why. Let's say you win a Ferrari Italia in a drag race, you prove that the R35 is even better a Supercar than the Ferrari with all its history and if you lost, it is ok because the R35 is way, way cheaper than a Ferrari and you would expect to lose. A win would be a bonus. Nissan really did a good job and not bad for a car maker that has never made a Supercar before.