2018 Nissan GT-R Track Edition – Refreshed Look. 2018 Nissan GT-R Track Edition – Drive, Interior and Exterior. Subscribe.
The GT-R Track Edition utilizes Nissan’s award-winning 3.8-liter V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine – each unit handcrafted by its own specially trained technician known as Takumi. The engine delivers 565 horsepower at 6800 rpm and 467 lb-ft of torque.
The changes result in improved acceleration in the mid-range (3200 rpm and above) with maximum torque output available across a wider range of the powerband. Like the GT-R NISMO, by more precisely controlling ignition timing at each cylinder, engine knock is significantly reduced while concurrently enhancing environmental performance through a cleaner, more efficient fuel burn.
Dubbed the “VR38DETT,” the engine features plasma-sprayed bores (versus cast iron liners) for reduced friction and weight, enhanced cooling, superior power output and increased fuel efficiency. It also boasts a symmetrical independent intake and exhaust manifold system with twin high-performance turbochargers; a secondary air management system for improved cold-start emissions performance; a thermostatically controlled oil-cooling system; an oil scavenger pump to maintain oil flowing to the turbochargers; and a lateral wet and dry sump oiling system.
Each engine is hand-assembled from beginning to end in a special clean room by highly skilled technicians. An aluminum plate is added to the front of each engine showing the name of the Takumi engine craftsman.
The GT-R Track Edition features a standard titanium exhaust system that better manages the high temperatures of the exhaust gases from the engine versus a non-titanium design. The system includes a duct on the vehicle’s undertray just forward of the muffler, which guides air into the rear diffuser section to help cool the muffler and evacuate hot air.
Engine power is transferred to all four of the GT-R’s wheels via an independent rear transaxle, the ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system. During normal driving, the GT-R behaves like a rear-drive vehicle, with the torque split set at 0:100, but it can be automatically diverted up to 50:50 depending on speed, lateral acceleration, steering angle, tire slip, road surface and yaw rate. A special GT-R-specific yaw-rate feedback control measures the differences between the target yaw rate calculated from the steering angle and actual yaw rate detected by the yaw-rate sensor and G sensor, and adjusts the torque bias accordingly.
The GT-R’s Premium Midship Platform layout places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, without the use of traditional torque tubes, allowing the suspension to operate independently while optimizing weight distribution and maximizing tire grip at each corner.
The GT-R Track Edition’s NISMO-tuned suspension provides stunning agility, road holding and handling finesse, without compromising refinement. The springs and custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers in the front and rear suspension are specially tuned to deliver exceptional grip levels and progressive handling response at the limit. Three suspension modes can be selected: Comfort, Normal and R, for circuit applications. Specially developed links fitted to the front double wishbone suspension increase castor trail to optimize wheel position during high-G cornering and improve straight-line and cornering stability.
Additionally, large high-rigidity bolts are used to increase stiffness of the wheel-hub attachment area. To minimize body-roll during cornering and changes of direction, the GT-R Track Edition features a 17.3 mm hollow rear anti-roll bar (versus 15.9 mm for Pure and Premium models), which raises roll stiffness while reducing weight.
Like the GT-R NISMO, the GT-R Track Edition offers additional rigidity in the body shell (versus the GT-R Pure and Premium) – achieved through using adhesive bonding in addition to spot welding, leading to precise suspension response under extreme load – another NISMO “factory tuned” enhancement.
The GT-R Track Edition’s DampTronic system features three driver selectable settings: Normal; Comfort, for maximum suspension compliance; or R. The same three-stage adjustability is also available for the VDC system and transmission shift operation.
Stopping power is provided by Brembo® monoblock six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers with 15.35-inch front and 15.0-inch rear Brembo® full-floating, cross-drilled two-piece rotors and low-steel, high-stiffness brake pads that minimize fade and help provide intense stopping performance. The calipers utilize race car-style radial mounting to minimize caliper flex during extreme braking.
