When the new Nissan GT-R was unveiled in 2007, chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno promised that the car would never rest on past achievements, and that the GT-R would constantly be improved. His team set the benchmark by lapping the Nürburgring in 7:38.54, besting the previous record for fastest production car held by Porsche. Mizuno was a man of his word, and each production change to the GT-R resulted in subtle improvements to Nürburgring lap times. By 2009, the GT-R was lapping the ‘Ring in 7:26.70, an improvement of nearly twelve seconds in just two years.
Fast forward to September of 2010, when Nissan once again returned to the Nürburgring to test the 2012 GT-R. The new car boasted a 45 horsepower improvement over previous models, yet returned greater fuel efficiency. Already one of the most aerodynamic production cars, Nissan managed to drop the Cd from .27 to .26, increasing downforce by 10% in the process. The chassis was stiffened, and shock tuning was improved to aid both ride comfort and handling. Larger front rotors were added, and brake ventilation was improved to aid fade resistance. Even the wheels were lightened to reduce unsprung weight and improve handling. On an early test session, the car turned a lap time of 7:24.22, nearly 2.5 seconds quicker than the 2009 model. Further tuning should have produced an even more impressive lap time, but by how much? Check out the video below to see what happened.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
