2009 Nissan GT-R Base Coupe Review

All-new performance car instant hit in America.
The Nissan GT-R boasts performance of far more expensive cars. Its super slick, all-wheel-drive dutifully and invisibly channels the engine's 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque to whichever tires offer the most grip. This is most remarkable when enlisted in the Launch Control algorithm, which lets drivers make like Michael Schumacher in their own Stop Light Grands Prix. A twin-clutch, sequential-shifting, six-speed manumatic transaxle is competitive with the best prancing horse logoed car's and the equal of or better than the best of either Stuttgart or Munich.

This car is so good, so much fun to drive, whether slogging and, when the opportunity presents, darting through rush hour traffic or blurring telephone poles on empty back roads.

The GT-R comes with every comfort and convenience a driver and passenger need, and most of what a driver and passenger could want. The sports car-like cabin is climate controlled. The navigation system responds to voice commands. Behind the navigation system's LCD lie 11 pages of data, graphs and virtual gauges that tell the tale on more of the car's dynamics than most drivers can, or want to, be bothered knowing. All this makes even the infernal red start/stop button that takes the place of a perfectly functional key tolerable. At least, most of the time.


The Nissan GT-R comes in one body style, a two-door, 2+2 quasi-coupe. There's also but one powertrain offered, a twin-turbocharged, 3.6-liter V6 driving all four wheels through a six-speed, twin-clutch, sequential-shifting, automated-manual transaxle. Shifts are managed either by computer or by steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters.

The 2009 Nissan GT-R comes in two trim levels. The standard GT-R ($69,850) doesn't lack for much: Dual-zone, automatic climate control, cruise control, power mirrors, windows and locks, eight-way adjustable driver's seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat, AM/FM/XM/CD stereo with MP3 and WMA playback and six speakers, 30GB hard disk that supports voice recognition, seven-inch color-LCD, GPS-based navigation system with 9.3 GB for personalized audio tracks, dash-mounted Compact Flash card reader, Bluetooth phone system for hands-free operation. Run-flat summer compound Dunlop tires wrap around high-luster, smoke-gray, aluminum alloy wheels.


The GT-R Premium model ($71,900) adds heated front seats, a Bose audio system with 11 speakers, including two subwoofers stacked vertically in a panel separating the rear seats, and run-flat summer Bridgestones.

2009 Nissan GT-R Base Coupe Specs

Vehicle Category - Sports Cars
Editor - Tom Lankard
Model Lineup - Nissan GT-R ($69,850); Premium ($71,900)
Engines (standard) - 3.8-liter, dohc, 24-valve, twin-turbocharged V6
Engines (optional) - 480-hp 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V6
Transmissions (standard) - 6-speed, dual-clutch, sequential-shifting, automated-manual transaxle
Transmissions (optional)- 6-speed, dual-clutch, sequential-shifting, automated-manual transaxle
Safety Equipment (standard) - dual-stage frontal airbags; front seat-mounted, side-impact airbags (Premium only); roof-mounted, side air curtains (Premium only); electronic stability and traction control; ABS; EBD; brake assist; tire pressure monitoring system; child safety seat anchors (LATCH)
Safety Equipment (optional) - Basic Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled In - Tochigi, Japan
Manufacturer Phone - 800-647-7261
Manufacturer URL - www.nissanusa.com/gt-r/
Base Price MSRP - 69850