The Nissan GT-R is no longer sold in Australia, but the USA and Japan are set to receive a revised version of the R35 this year.
Following Nissan’s iterative approach to development, the R35 GT-R has received a smattering of updates for 2024 in both standard and Nismo guises. The GT-R has steadily evolved over its sixteen-year lifespan, establishing itself as a performance car icon of the modern era, but changes to Australia’s “ADR 85” side impact design regulations prevent the R35-generation GT-R from returning to sale in Australia. Still, the USA and Japan will be treated to this facelifted version when it goes on sale later this year, sporting a series of performance and refinement upgrades.
The MY24 update will cover three GT-R specifications: Premium, T-spec and Nismo. In each case the R35’s VR38DETT twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine breathes through a titanium exhaust and drives through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission that’s mounted on the rear axle. Power and torque peaks at 410kW and 633Nm for the Premium and T-spec models, with the Nismo boosting these figures to 441kW and 652Nm.
Changes to the GT-R’s suspension calibration are geared towards improving ride quality and reducing the noise and vibration transmitted by the powertrain. The T-spec version introduces gold 20-inch forged wheels, specially tuned chassis electronics and carbon ceramic brakes from the Nismo. A choice of historic colour options, including Millenium Jade and Midnight Purple, and turquoise interior trim are also included.
All base GT-R models feature new bumpers and a reprofiled rear wing that improve downforce while maintaining the old car’s 0.26 drag coefficient. A set of small hexagonal LED daytime running lights and tweaked grilles complete the design makeover, with the T-spec distinguished by its wider front arches.
The GT-R Nismo has its own upgrades, with an even more dramatic change to its aero package. This includes a new rear wing with a 10 per cent larger surface area, which is top-mounted on heavily cantered carbonfibre uprights. The rear bumper is completely new, with a redesigned diffuser section with upright carbonfibre strakes to clean up airflow as it detaches from the body-side at speed. Up front the same new LED running lights are integrated into a black lower section that’s now separate from the upper grille, giving the 2024 model a completely different face.
The fundamental suspension hardware is unchanged, comprising double wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear with three-stage Bilstein dampers at each corner. There have been calibration tweaks, though, while the Nismo features extensive chassis upgrades over the base GT-R that includes a set of bespoke Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres. The Nismo also features a limited-slip differential at the front axle for the first time, along with its usual array of lightweight carbonfibre body panels. Inside there’s a new set of carbonfibre seats from Recaro, but it otherwise remains as before.
For the Japanese market, the GT-R Nismo Special Edition will make a return featuring precision made weight-balanced internals such as the piston rings, connecting rods and crank. These new parts don’t increase power or torque outputs, but instead the tighter tolerances make the engine even more resilient to hard use and further improve response. Signalling the Special Edition outside is a clear-coated carbonfibre bonnet and red stripes on the outer rim of its forged RAYS wheels.
The GT-R’s continued development has kept the 16 year-old R35 generation a compelling sports car, now competing against supercars two or even three generations newer. This only highlights how remarkable the R35 was when it was new back in 2007, and keeps our expectations incredibly high for whatever Nissan has planned to eventually replace it.