2009 Nissan GT-R - Night Kids

If anything could have used some adjustment, it was the electronic Bilstein suspension. On the street, the setup felt about as comfortable as an Evo or S2000, not harsh, but pretty firm and taut. In 'R' mode, the R35 would pick up more bumps and imperfections in the road. On track, though, R mode felt over-damped. Damping over apex curbing wasn't as soft as I would have expected, given the spring stiffness, and the car seemed to have some instability wiggles as the suspension unloaded over the backside of bumps under full throttle.

The final verdict? The R35 GT-R is fast, really fast. So fast that, even if you don't know what you're doing, chances are you'll set the quickest time of the day at an open track session. All-wheel drive, traction control and vehicle stability translate into a car that can do things you wouldn't think possible. The only problem is, those same systems largely remove you from the driving equation. The R35 is a bit Gran Turismo-ish in a way-with buttons, switches and paddles-but a strange, almost out-of-body driving experience. Think of it as the Lancer Evolution syndrome, times 10. It's the polar opposite of being in a Honda S2000, but that's a driver preference issue.

The R35 is at its best when attempting to harness all those electronic systems and drive the car hard-really hard-and try to cross the border from bravery to insanity. You'll find yourself giving the car more hard steering input than you'd think necessary, and the brakes and gas require a heavy foot with lots of prodding. The car will dial itself in easily and handle whatever is thrown at it. If you're a novice driver, you'll look like Senna reborn; if you're a pro driver, start making some space in that trophy cabinet.-JL