The 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO was put to the test

In its 50-years of existence, the GT-R garnered its success in the field of racing. Today, it has gone through its maturity phase with rewarding refinements – the result is the 2020 GT-R NISMO. A more extreme, track-oriented version of the Nissan GT-R which was recently put to the test at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in order to experience its precision engineering.

NISMO or formally known as Nissan Motorsports International Co. has long been responsible for building up the performance portfolio of the brand. Just recently, its lineup was expanded with two new additions, the 370Z and Juke NISMO, which showcase their sport-oriented styling and dynamic performance.

The 2020 GT-R NISMO delivers dynamic performance in a balanced manner, achieved through its race-proven turbochargers and an improved gearbox shift control. It also carries several light components which reduces the overall weight of the vehicle.

Upgrades are also available, including the 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum wheels, a new set of Dunlop tires featuring a new rubber compound, and a new brake package by Brembo. Components that improve its overall handling delivers a 2.5-second reduction in lap time around Nissan’s development track. Notably, the GT-R’s composure at speeds has also improved, achieving inherent high-speed stability even at 300 kph.

“Kaizen,” the Japanese equivalent of “improvement” is at the heart of the GT-R NISMO. The mentioned improvements were addressed with such curiosity, mainly revolving around the “what if?” principle when examining every single detail of the vehicle.

The GT-R’s VR38DETT engine is hand-assembled with passion and precision from beginning until the end in a special clean room by master technicians known as takumi. What’s new for the engine components are the turbochargers which happen to be the same ones currently used on the GT3 race car version of the GT-R, employing a 10-vane turbine wheel that is actually one fewer vane than its current model.

The new shape of the vanes also optimizes efficiency with exhaust gases, which boosts its flow rate. There’s also better response delivery and better acceleration with the improved 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts gears more aggressively and intuitively especially when engaged in R-mode.

As sporty as it is, the 2020 GT-R NISMO still delivers insanely mean aesthetics through the reinforcement of lighter materials, including its carbon-fiber roof that removes a substantial amount of weight. Its new front fenders, on the other hand, were heavily inspired by the GT3 GT-R race car – wind tunnel-tested vented fenders that help the vehicle achieve smooth airflow through the rest of the body and avoid creating turbulence at the rear wing.

Inside, the cabin is treated with enhanced Recaro front seats. Only one color palette for the interior is made available: a NISMO-specific black leather with red synthetic suede for the seats. Meanwhile, dark gray alcantara accentuates the steering wheel, dashboard and roof liner.

The small improvements of the 2020 GT-R NISMO may not matter in isolation, but in the Kaizen mindset, what truly matters is the overall substance itself or rather the combined elements altogether wherein its difference becomes perceptible. Then again, the 2020 GT-R NISMO still delivers that dynamic sportiness on the track in a rather improved approach.