While it isn’t a complete redesign, Nissan made a variety of changes to the 2013 GTR. Notable additions include the increased engine output and improved suspension tuning. The most exciting addition is the recent inclusion of the rearview camera as a standard feature for every model.
Overview of the Nissan GTR
High-powered performance cars are well known for combining elite technology with unparalleled performance. While it is not the most beautiful high performance car entering the market, it also doesn’t have the high price tag associated with type of power. The Premium model starts at nearly $97,000 and the Black Edition is just over $106,000.
Nissan is known for making incremental improvements to the GTR on a yearly basis and 2013 is no exception. The first noticeable difference is the power. The 2013 Nissan GTR has an added 15 horsepower over previous models as well as an additional 15-pound/foot of torque. Around the industry, this was a necessary addition as the GTR continually competes with other performance cars, especially the 500+ horsepower “supercars”. This year, the GTR clocks in with 545 horsepower. Additional improvements have also been made to the suspension and transmission.
Purchasing Options
The 2013 Nissan GTR has a 2+2 seating layout and two trim levels – Premium and Black Edition.
- Premium
There are a bevy of impressive standard features included in the Premium edition. Stand features include 20-inch alloy wheels (and high performance tires), LED running lights, rearview camera, electronically adjustable suspension, keyless ignition, automatic Xenon headlights, and a comprehensive Bose audio system. There are a variety of additional standard features as well.
- Black Edition
In addition to all of the Premium standard features, the Black Edition includes a host of additional standard features as well. Some of the more notable additions include carbon-fiber rear wing, lightweight black wheels, and leather Recaro seats. There are a variety of additional options including a Cold Weather package and “Super Silver” paint job.
Performance
The 2013 Nissan GTR has a twin-turbocharged 3.8 liter V6 engine. It can pump out 545 horsepower and 463 lb-ft of torque. The automated manual transmission is a dual-clutch six-speed. There is also an impressive all-wheel-drive system which has been designed for high-performance handling.
Through current tests, the Nissan GTR has put up some impressive number, especially consider how much less expensive it than comparable high-performance cars. It can reach 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. The quarter mile time is 11.1 seconds. Considering the power, the fuel economy is solid. It features 16 mph in the city and 23 mph on the highway.
Safety
Every year the Nissan GTR adds new safety features and this year is no different. Some of the standard safety features include:
- 4 Wheel ABS
- Child seat anchors
- Remote anti-theft alarm system
- Daytime running lights
- Emergency brake assist
- Auto delay off headlamps
- Xenon high intensity discharge headlamp
- Stability control
- Traction control
- Electronic brake-force distribution
- And automatic tire pressure monitoring
Interior
The interior characteristic which immediately stands out is how easy it is to enter and exit the vehicle. This is a rare feat in the high-performance car class. While the rear seats are noticeably smaller and sometimes hard to get to, they are large enough for child-sized passengers. There is also 8.8 cubic feet of cargo-trunk space.
The front seats are highlighted by bolsters and faux-suede inserts which are essential to hold occupants in during high-G driving. At the same time, the Nissan GTR is still fairly comfortable for longer drives. Overall the interior is well-designed and comfortable while still keeping a “technological” feel. The unique navigation screen can display a variety of statistics including G force while cornering, lap time, gear position, and the steering input.
Notable Benefits
With a car of this caliber, it shouldn’t be surprising that most of the notable benefits are performance related. While performance is definitely the focal point of the design, it is also extremely easy and comfortable to drive over longer distances. This is rarely the case with other cars in its class. The interior is also better than most others in this class. Not only is it sporty, but it is also extremely comfortable.
- Amazing Acceleration
- Extremely High Handling Limits
- Easy to Drive
- Excellent Interior
- Great Price
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
There is a lot to like about the 2013 Nissan GTR but no car is perfect. There are some potential drawbacks to consider. While the suspension has definitely been improved, the blockier design makes the ride feel a little stiff. There are also potential transmission-related issues in heavy traffic. While the transmission has been improved, heavy traffic still creates a bit of noise when driving at extremely low speeds.
- The Ride is a Little Stiff
- Traditional Manual Transmission Not Available
- Transmission Isn’t Always Smooth in Traffic
- Comparatively Large and Bulky
Overall Review
In its class, it would be a mistake to overlook the 2013 Nissan GTR. Some people are hesitant to consider it as a legitimate option because the price is so much lower than the rest of the competition. While it may not be quite as sexy from the outside, there is no denying the power, speed, handling, and level of comfort it provides. While there are some potential drawbacks to consider, the 2013 Nissan GTR is definitely worthy of being considered as a viable high-performance supercar.