Car of the Day - Nissan Nismo GT-R GT1

Car of the Day - Nissan Nismo GT-R GT1


Nissan has put forward its challenger for the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship with the new Nissan Nismo GT-R GT1. While this may look like a GT-R in race trim, Nissan have had to change the whole dna of the car to meet the new regulations. What you see here is a GT-R shell and little else of the ground breaking road car.

Replacing the twin-turbo 3.5 litre V6 is a 5.5 litre V8 which develops 600 bhp and 650 Nm of torque. Rear wheel drive replaces the awd running gear and a 6-speed sequential gearbox is now mounted in unit with the single diff. New regulations restrict changes to the basic unitary shell to try to keep development costs in check, but the aero package gives no doubt to the intent of the car. The front suspension utilises McPherson struts and at the rear are double wishbones. Stopping the GT1 is naturally via carbon ceramic discs.

Nissan ran the car at four rounds of the 2009 season for testing and development purposes, which has not gone smoothly. Fielding the required four cars for 2010 Nissan will work with Sumo Power GT and Swiss Racing Team who will field two cars each to hopefully deliver a competitive car to take on the burgeoning field desirable exotic race cars.

Rod Halligan