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Actually, it's not the Eau Rouge that puts the driver of the 570 hp Godzilla on the test. It is Stavelot and Blanchimont who examine your partner. Out of the Stavelot stamp? A right curve that is only just opening, which then closes again in the direction of Blanchimont. How did Ron say when I ran out of space with smooth three-digit speedometers and Godzilla set out to ride his butt over the artificial turf? "You were not committed". And if Ron says that, then he's right. The curve that Nissan GT-R 2017, its 570 hp and full load - I hadn't given my “commitment” for this brutally fast right-hand drive. Twitched the foot of the gas. Usually such “fear sugars” are punished with a twist on the accelerator, a take-off is on the Ardennes rollercoaster not as big a problem as at the Nürburgring - but seriously, firstly, an impact in Belgium also damages the paint surface and secondly, the ego also suffers, even if you don't hurt yourself. But Godzilla may look angry in his new model year 2017. Roughly carved the radiator and further shaped its aerodynamics, but he doesn’t mess around. He will help you with your “commitment” for the next round.
Decision in the Ardennes - Nissan GT-R 2016 in Spa-Francorchamp
First gear, out on the track, directly into the La Source curve at the end of the start / finish. From here on it goes off in the direction of the world-famous Eau Rouge, a curve vertex in a depression. The speedometer of the GT-R storms down here more lighthearted and faster than he already makes in everyday life. The Dunlop sports tires have just been adjusted once again in air pressure, around 2.5 around. 160, 230, the numbers are buzzing over the cockpit display. That the GT-R at speed position 9 clock already has left lane speed, you get used to it.
The pressure of the revised engine is confusing and scary. Turbo lag? Anyone who is attentive to the ambush can find it - everyone else leans their heads on the headrest and enjoys the G-forces that result from this performance. With a snap, the 3.8 liter V6 overcomes its turbo power and turns into a fighter above 4.000 revolutions.
Pressure and revving
To make the 2017 model year perform better, Nissan has used a trick. A shift in the ignition timing of the two front cylinders in the late direction optimizes the temperature balance and allows greater filling. The different lengths of the intake manifold and exhaust manifold lengths support the effect of the ignition timing shift - as a result, this fine tuning of the engine management allows a slightly higher pressure, more boost pressure, more cylinder charge equals more power. And boost-boost performance has never been a stupid idea.
The hardware for the engine has not been changed and the 6-speed dual clutch transmission remains unchanged. And yet - the GT-R has matured quite a bit in its 2017 model year.
GT with R
It's quieter. Yes. It's quieter. The transmission no longer plays the attention whore and says goodbye to her role as drama queen. But the gearbox was neither re-stored, nor was insulation material packed around the gearbox. The Nissan technician on site calls his colleague in Japan on the evening of the test drive and gives me the phone. Software adaptations are responsible for the completely new manners of the transmission. Where previously the ratchet gears had agreed to meet with a punch, the shift fork now moves the pinions more slowly and with less pressure through the mechanism. The gearbox was programmed to “be good” without mutating into a softie. A Godzilla in a flower dress.
Other insulation materials? No. The windshield got a new plastic between the glass layers and the A-pillar was stiffened in its anchor. Likewise, the frame around the windshield. Around 6 kilograms have been added to the stiffening in the area of the A-pillars. Likewise, the area of the C-pillar was stiffened. Progress under the sheet metal, with the aim of minimizing body vibrations even at the roughest treatment.
In addition, the interior was paved with new leather, high-quality plastic and fewer buttons - all of this contributes to the value of the GT-R. The multimedia and entertainment system is known from the Infiniti and Nissan models of the modern era, but the game console graphics with boost pressure and feel-good chronographs for the pressures and temperatures of the vehicle are still available. If you are bored with cruise control, yes, something like that, a GT-R, Belgian highways with limited speed, you have an eye for it - but whoever invites Godzilla to the boost pressure party and goes to Spa-Franchorchamps to find the line has no eye for the new value of the 2017 Nissan GT-R. More GT, more Gran Turismo, because Racer?
[=” ” ](By the way, an Active Noise Canceling System is responsible for the new quietness in the interior of the GT-R..)
The right line for Eau Rouge
Once hardcore, always hardcore. Even with the anti-noise system, civilly trimmed transmission control and structural improvements to the chassis, the GT-R remains what it has always been: a “tough creature”. The tremendous performance paired with the all-wheel drive and the dual-clutch transmission installed on the rear axle for the purpose of weight distribution is not sacred to any sports idol. Less than 3 seconds to 100. Depending on the weight of the driver and the condition of the road. The fact that you can play the acceleration game up to a tempo of 315 should also make friends at the regulars' table.
The truth, however, is not at the regulars' table. The truth can be found in Spa Franchorchamps. The roughly 7 kilometers long race track in the Belgian Ardennes will catch you and your vehicle. Weaknesses are found mercilessly. The Eau Rouge is the measure of the size of your mind and the skill of your tool.
“To get to Eau Rouge you have to stroke the old pit wall with your right mirror” - Ron's announcement is clear, but the distance between the Nippon athlete, who costs at least € 99.900, and the boxing bulwark remains too great. Brake hard into the depression, hit a virtual apex on the right, look towards the sky in third gear. The next vertex is on the left. The compression compresses you hard. Want to press the GT-R on the block of its Bilstein damper, nothing there. Ron determines the turning point with a shouted command. You see the sky over the Ardennes. And you make a clear decision: keep on the gas, keep the complex all-wheel drive system of the Nissan GT-R on the train, on the summit you will find the next vertex, Raidillon calls, everything is going well here. Let the GT-R be gently subjected to gravity, drift out onto the Kemmel-Straight, turn off every gear - a good 240 are at the end of the longest straight - at the 200 meter shield from the gas, said Ron - at 100 meters the kinetic energy of the 1.75 Turn tons of athletes into heat with the help of the 6-piston brake calipers and 390 discs. The Les Combes is a tight right / left, a tight line at the exit gives you the opportunity to take the 637 Nm of the puffing monster under this hood decorated with NACA air openings tightly by the reins and push it out of Malmedy with pressure. The approach to the Rivage is tricky, a tight, almost 180 ° left - the sweet nectar of power oversteering beckons you at the exit of the bend. You have to resist it. Godzilla almost falls down the downhill approach to Pouhon, the thrust is just always there. Always. But the wide double links requires a clean and clear line. You can feel the newly adapted steering, lighter for everyday use, lighter for the new GT feeling - but still clear enough in the feedback to feel the limits of the 255 on the front axle.
Full commitment to Blanchimont
If you are pushing yourself to the limit, if you have a pro like Ron simons next to you, you can also ride Godzilla through the Ardennes. Deciding whether or not to steer towards Blanchimont with just under 200 is quite deliberate. The three power distribution buttons, the ESP and the dampers are red, on RACE.
Nissan GT-R 2017 - Godzilla becomes a GT athlete and everyone like this: YEAH!
The 2017 model year has gained a lot of sophistication and maturity and travel quality. Sounds strange to a racer, but it is true. And it's a good thing. Because the increased travel comfort of the GT-R is once again getting closer to the everyday qualities of a Porsche Turbo S - without mimicking the weakling on the racetrack. And if you are looking for a track tool because you are more on the racetrack than on the highway, Nissan has it for you NISMO variant of the GT-R on offer.
All photos: Stefan Bischoff / addictedtolight.com
Second and last day with the GT-R. #nissangtr #omgtr