Some of the issues that Nissan took into consideration when designing the Nissan GT-R were: to get a stabilized ground load on all four wheels, an optimized load distribution, a balanced combination of powertrain cooling performance and aerodynamics and a reduced wind noise and powertrain vibration.
The Nissan GT-R is powered by a VR38DETT engine which was specially developed for it. The VR38DETT engine is a 3.8-liter unit that uses twin IHI turbochargers and has a maximum power output of 480 PS (353 kW) at 6400 rpm.
From Nissan's press release:
Package
<<1. Package of Nissan GT-R >>
The Nissan GT-R package balances this power with practicability - two contradicting factors - to realize a new dimensional multiperformance supercar with ultimate performance for " anyone, anywhere, anytime" . Offering the acceleration performance of a supercar, the Nissan GT-R holds a higher dimension of 'cornering and braking'.
<<2. Premium Midship Package>>
The Nissan GT-R adopts a newly developed Premium Midship package, a furtherly advanced form of the FM (Front Midship) package.
" Force of the Earth" - Utilizing natural forces to the maximum –
Returning to the fundamental principle of what an automobile should be, the vehicle is designed to convert inertia force, generated by the earth's natural forces (gravity) and the vehicle in movement, into tire grip, and change airflow into a stabilizing force.
As a result, Nissan developed a drive system especially and exclusively for the new Nissan GT-R called Independent Transaxle 4WD (Nissan patent). This independent transaxle 4WD was unified with the rear final drive unit, and the front and rear were integrated by a carbon propeller shaft, after moving the clutch, transmission, and transfer to the rear of the vehicle for the first time in world.
2-1. Stabilized ground load on all four wheels
On conventional vehicles, there was a tendency for front wheels to loose adhesion from meeting resistance of an invisible wall of air, causing load to slip. The load shifts to the rear as drive force is applied, causing the front wheels to lift, lighter steering. Especially in rainy weather when air density rises, the front wheels lift further, creating a higher possibility for a hydroplane phenomenon to occur.
In order to stabilize load-distribution on all four wheels, the basic elements for packaging were reconsidered, to create a package that fully utilizes natural forces of the earth.
Discussion on load distribution of conventional
