The GT-Rs display frightening speed and incredible composure. The R34 Skyline has easily the most horsepower, but the huge HKS turbos need more room to be wound out than can be had on these tight roads. The R34 falls out of its narrow powerband too easily. When the boost finally hits, it spikes with a surge so sudden, it's difficult to contain in such a narrow space. In contrast, the R35 has abundant torque seemingly everywhere and an all-wheel torque distribution system that is light years ahead of its predecessors. The R35 has the power and the grip, inspires confidence and, most importantly, is very forgiving. If there's any car you want on your side over a twisty road, it's this one.
The R35 never puts a wheel wrong and is so easy to drive-yet still so fast that it's downright scary. Never before has technology been so well integrated into a car that the electronic aids are helpful rather than obtrusive. So helpful that some purists might complain that the R35 is robotic, detached and too easy to drive when compared to something more raw, like a Lotus Elise.
Japanese R35 GT-Rs are electronically limited to 180kph (111.85mph), measured by GPS satellite. The limiter is removed remotely only when visiting a select number of 'Nissan-approved' circuits and an expensive service visit is mandatory after hitting the track. Nissan is serious about this machine. Alison reports that his JDM-spec model has its speed limiter in full effect in the US (and speaks toll booth warnings in Japanese at random moments). Because there are no approved Japanese tracks in the decidedly un-JDM US, the car is stuck at that top speed. You'd be a madman to even think of attempting a kiss above 110mph in the mountain, but once we reach the bottom and follow the coastline back toward Los Angeles, there's more temptation.
Mercedes-Benzes, BMWs and the random Aston Martin litter the streets of money- and fame-hungry Hollywood, but nothing is slowing traffic quite like the pack of GT-Rs. As we go our separate ways and watch three Godzillas scream off in unison, we can't help but recall a video game-inspired Gran Turismo moment. There's something undeniably cool about seeing three different GT-Rs blast through a freeway tunnel together. Led away by the latest and greatest hot-shot R35, the cars streak home to gather more stares on another day.
The amazingly quick Nissan GT-R will soon be available for sale in dealerships across the US, ready to be released onto the streets and into tuning hands. We can't wait until the first 700 wheel-hp R35 GT-R debuts. Our radar gun will be ready.
Driving The R35 On Track
Nt long after we got this story together, Nissan called and asked if I would be interested in putting the R35 GT-R through its paces on track. Of course, I said yes and was soon on my way to Reno-Fernley Raceway, deep in the heart of Nevada's wild, wild west.
A relatively short configuration was used, only about 1.4 miles in total, but the GT-R still had the corner exit speed and power to push into fourth gear on the straights. The VR38DETT never missed a beat, pushing about 12 to 13psi of boost (according to the in-car LCD display) through the V6 and rocketed at every opportunity. There's minimal lag and the boost threshold is low, but once the engine builds to full boil, the R35 pulls away with force. The car was producing an impressive amount of thrust, but I could swear it was making more than 480bhp-because if this tank weighs 3800 pounds, it scoots far faster than its power-to-weight ratio should let it.