GT-R Handcrafted Performance
Mastery from start to finish
To see the pure passion, the true Japanese DNA of the Nissan GT-R, simply lift the hood. Only five master craftsmen in the world are allowed to hand-assemble the GT-R’s engine. They are known as Takumi – a Japanese term used to describe a master craftsman who has perfected his skills over years of painstaking work and dedication.
Each engine is assembled by a single craftsman – and proudly bears a plaque carrying his signature. Each Takumi inspects every piece for quality and to guarantee precision. But it’s more than just exceptional skill – as one of the Takumi says, “We put our souls into each engine, hoping to deliver that excitement to customers.”
The GT-R’s titanium exhaust is lightweight and exceptionally good at handling high temperatures. Because titanium is notably difficult to work with, each exhaust must be hand-shaped and custom-fit by a master craftsman for each individual GT-R.
When it comes to the Nürburgring, the challenges are so extreme that development is entrusted to drivers with thousands of laps under their belt – respectfully called “Ringmeisters” by those in the know.
To create a vehicle that excels beyond the racetrack, in many kinds of weather, as rewarding to a novice driver as a seasoned professional, we brought together the AS Class drivers – the top development drivers at Nissan.[1]
Each driver specializes in a unique key part of development. The Autobahn expert drives at speeds exceeding 186 mph, while on the “Marketability Course,” another driver tests the GT-R’s refinement as it encounters real-world bumps, potholes, and manhole covers.

It shifts the world of transmissions

GT-R Transmission
For maximum acceleration, the paddle-shifted 6-speed
sequential dual-clutch transmission can snap off
lightning-quick gear changes when in R-Mode.
Two clutches. No clutch pedal
The Nissan GT-R®’s 6-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts incredibly quickly. How? Inside the transmission, there are separate clutches for the odd (1st, 3rd, 5th) and even (2nd, 4th, 6th) gears. When the car is in an odd-numbered gear, the adjacent even numbered gear is “pre-selected” – ready to make the shift immediately.


The transmission is so smart, it even “blips” the throttle on downshifts to match rpm. So even though your left leg may not get much exercise, you’ll have tremendous fun shifting the GT-R.
To break records, first break with convention
GT-R Midship Platform
When building the Nissan GT-R, we followed a philosophy that says nothing is sacred. A perfect example: the Premium Midship Platform. By moving the engine farther back in the chassis, it reduces weight over the nose for better handling. In traditional layouts, however, this would place the transmission rearward, intruding into the passenger cabin.
The solution: separate the transmission from the engine, and mount it with the transfer case in the rear of the vehicle, creating an independent rear transaxle. By putting greater weight over the rear axle, traction and braking are improved. It even creates less heat between engine and transmission, allowing both to run cooler and more efficiently. A brilliant innovation in pursuit of handling perfection.
565 horses all running
in the same direction
GT-R Handling
One key to the quickness of the GT-R is the All-Wheel Drive’s ability to put the power down sooner in a corner. In contrast, many powerful Rear-Wheel Drive cars require the driver to wait before applying power until the exit of the corner to avoid upsetting the handling of the car.
Another rule rewritten – a 55 front/45 rear static ratio is actually ideal for handling. As the driver accelerates out of a corner’s apex, the weight distribution shifts rearward, becoming an approximate 50/50 balance, for better acceleration, quicker turns, and a handling feel that’s uniquely GT-R.
The secret of speed is much
more than horsepower
GT-R Braking
Look beyond the sheer size of the 15.35" front and 15.0" rear brake
rotors, and you’ll see that Nissan GT-R employs some of the biggest
ideas in racing.[2]
  • 6-piston front / 4-piston rear calipers provide stronger, more even clamping power
  • Machined from a one-piece “monoblock” of aluminum, the caliper is extremely rigid and light weight
  • Cross-drilled rotors feature ingenious, diamond-shaped ventilation ribs to pull away heat
  • Full-floating rotor allows the outer disc to expand away from the hub, helping reduce the tendency of the rotor to warp
Obsessive detail shows up in the design of the GT-R’s Dunlop® SP Sport MAXX® GT 600 DSST CTT high-performance run-flat tires. A tiny block was added to one of the treads to combat tread squirm, and help give a more confident and precise feel at the wheel.[3]
29 million square miles of snow per year
– one supercar to enjoy them
GT-R All-Wheel Drive
When most supercars stay in the garage or make a hasty retreat, the Nissan GT-R powers through. One of the most advanced All-Wheel Drive systems ever used in a road car helps provide control of power to all four wheels. Combined with an equally advanced stability control system, the result is a superior sense of confidence.
Biased performance. Instead of the traditional 50/50 torque split between front and rear axles, the Nissan GT-R’s electronically controlled All-Wheel Drive system can send up to 50% of torque to the front wheels as needed or provide nearly 100% of available torque to the rear wheels. This provides the steering feel and response of a Rear-Wheel Drive vehicle – the preferred choice of racecar drivers and serious enthusiasts – while still giving the added confidence and controllability that only All-Wheel Drive can offer.