The production lines for the massive GT-R brake systems and new twin-clutch gearboxes are right outside the clean room, and we were allowed to do all but touch these parts. Actually, we did touch them just so that we could say we did. Hopefully that GT-R owner won't be too upset about having our greasy fingerprint on his transmission...After about an hour or so, we left the Yokohama plant so that we could endure the three-Try hour bus ride to Nissan's Tokachi plant. This sprawling campus oversees the final assembly for most of Nissan's larger cars. All your infinitis, Skylines and such are assembled here, as is the new GT-R.
We must have timed things just right, 'cause as soon as we entered the main manufacturing plant, we saw this silver GT-R begin its final assembly process. This car traveled up and down the assembly line, receiving its engine, suspension and interior bits from numerous parts of this one building. Elsewhere on the line, various GT-Rs and infinitis were undergoing quality checks to ensure that their engines worked properly and that the body work was clean and straight. Once given the OK in the plant, Nissan test drivers run the cars on the test course to ensure proper bedding for the brakes and such. And after that? The car gets shipped to a dealer near you and waits patiently for you to buy it.
That New Car Smell
'09 Nissan GT-R
Under The Hood 3.8L twin turbo Dohc V6 VR38DETT
The Power 480 hp @ 6400rpm, 430 lb-ft torque from 3200-5200 rpm
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Gearbox GR6 six-speed dual clutch auto
Stiff Stuff Bilstein DampTronic system
Rollers 20-inch forged aluminum wheels
Stoppers Radial-mount Brembo mono block six-piston (F) and four-piston (R) calipers with full-floating 15 inch, 2-piece, cross-drilled rotors and lowsteel high stiffness brake pads
The Pack corvette Z06, Porsche 911
Deep Thoughts Not only is the GT-R finally coming to America; we get the best one yet, too. This car isn't really tunable, but why mess with perfection?