10 WHAT’S NEW
VehicleDynamicsInternational.com • November/December 2019
See the light
Kerb weight
Front: 940kg (2,072 lbs)
Rear: 780kg (1,720 lbs)
Total: 1,720kg (3,792 lbs)
Weight distribution: Front/rear 54/46%
GVWR: 2,200kg (PTW) (4,850 lbs)
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 2,780mm
Overall length:: 4,690mm
Overall width: 1,895mm
Overall height: 1,370mm
Track width: Front/rear 1,600/1,600mm
Coefficient of drag (Cd): 0.26
body have been replaced with tweaked
versions in lighter weight carbon fi bre,
with increased downforce and enhanced
aerodynamics. The Nismo front and rear
bumpers, and front fenders save 4.5kg,
the bonnet (hood) 2kg (partly through
adding NACA ducts, incorporated into
the composite structure), the roof 4kg,
with further incremental savings found
in the side sill covers, boot (trunk)
and rear spoiler. That combined 10.5kg
weight saving in the exterior parts adds
to the nearly 20kg reduction the team
also found in various other upgrades
and new components – proof that
kaizen works.
Major work went into the carbon fi bre
roof, which as well as saving 4kg, lowers
the centre of gravity. The roof panel
itself is made by using what Nissan says
is a world-fi rst technique of combining
a prepreg compression moulding process
with a carbon plate and lightweight
hard foam sandwich structure, to
create a tighter and lighter weave,
with improved sound insulation.
Handling, grip and steering
The electronically controlled suspension
of the ‘standard’ MY2020 GT-R has
already been tuned for improved
cornering stability and ride quality,
with more linear and precise steering. It
also features Nissan’s ATTESA (advanced
total traction engineering system for
all-terrain) four-wheel drive system and
a 1.5-way mechanical LSD.
That setup made the kaizen task
challenging, but the Nismo team tuned
the suspension for improved cornering
stability (lateral G), with enhanced
yaw-rate response and smoother ride
quality. The speed-sensitive power rackand
pinion steering system features
an aluminium rack and four-point
mounting, and features even better
linearity and precision.
The GT-R’s Bilstein DampTronic
dampers were retuned in both rebound
(20% softer) and compression (5%
softer) to take into account the overall
near 30kg reduction in weight. The
revised spring rates contribute to an
increase in road-holding ability, and
more linear steering response that
requires only minimal corrections,
even at speeds reaching 186mph
(300km/h).
The team also focused on the
construction of the chassis itself,
applying a special type of bonding
between the welds on the chassis
and body that has resulted in a
sturdier feel, more composure over
imperfections, and a greater feeling
of precision through all controls.
That Nismo price premium also
includes a rather impressive brake
package, designed in collaboration
with Brembo. The fl oating, vented
and drilled carbon ceramic rotors are
the largest ever fi tted to a Japanese
performance car, at 410mm x 38mm
ABOVE: The Nismo
being evaluated at
the EuroSpeedway
Lausitz track in
Germany
/VehicleDynamicsInternational.com