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Such is the depth of information supplied on Nissan's all-new GT-R (and the interest in those details) we've taken the step of publishing a series of Technical Features spotlighting the GT-R. Here's the first -- Nissan's own overview of the GT-R's design inside and out...

According to Nissan: The GT-R's design bears a close resemblance to the GT-R Proto shown at the 2005 Tokyo Show and, in turn, has much in common stylistically with the 2001 GT-R Concept.

"We wanted to design a car that looked uniquely Japanese -- it is very definitely not a European or American fast car," says senior vice president of design Shiro Nakamura.

"We also wanted to highlight the functionality of the car -- it is a car that is easy to use and easy to drive -- and continue the proud heritage of the GT-R."

Nissan describes the GT-R as "a muscular, distinctive looking car. Chunky, edgy, wide shouldered, ground-hugging and flat-sided, it is also one of the most aerodynamic cars in the world (Cd 0.27) as well as being one of the most distinctive."

It differs from the GT-R Proto mainly in due to "superior crash test protection" says the carmaker.

Unlike previous generations, the GT-R is not based on a mass-market Nissan model. Nissan says this gave design director, Shiro Nakamura, product chief designer Hiroshi Hasegawa and their team "a great deal of freedom to create Japan's ultimate supercar". 
 
According to Nakamura: "The mission was to achieve a distinctive car, a supercar, but not a normal fast car -- it's chunkier, more practical and more muscular.

"The element of functionality is core to the GT-R. It's not too low; it's easy to get in and out of, has good visibility and is easy to drive. That functionality is reflected in the design.

"It is unmistakably Japanese. It is very mechanical, almost like an animated robot -- it is obviously made from metal, has big shoulders and looks strong and muscular. The previous R34 GT-R had the same image. Almost like you could be playing this car on a video game," Nakamura opined.

According to the Nissan Design Director: "We didn't want a nice elegant shape -- we wanted an original shape. Some people who buy this car will also have a Ferrari and a Porsche. This car must be different from all others.

"I see it as a car influenced not by feminine beauty, like Italian cars, but by masculine beauty -- it is strong, well toned, well muscled."

Nakamura says the car has "overt functional touches". These include the kink in the C-pillar which is both distinctive and helps airflow, says the design chief.

Nissan says side front fender inlets improve the car's aerodynamic performance by improving airflow around the tyres.

"Designing a car is always a balance between engineering and aesthetics. But with the Nissan GT-R we had very little conflict," Nakamura says.

"We knew this car had to be Nissan's technological showcase. Our designers worked very closely with the aerodynamicists to ensure excellent air flow and good downforce."

Nissan says the new GT-R continues "the proud GT-R design lineage". To this end the carmaker highlights A-pillars that are "quite upright, emphasizing that this is not an impractical low-slung supercar."

Signature GT-R cues include the four round tail lamps which have 'overflowed' to matching quad exhausts below. Other specific styling cues include "the edgy boxy shape of the PGC10 GT-R of 1969 and the long thin slit grille opening of the R34 GT-R of 1999" the maker says.

THE INSIDE STORY
As is the case with the exterior design, Nissan emphasizes the GT-R's cabin is unique, "sharing no major components or design features with any other Nissan model."

The carmaker describes the circular analogue instruments as "large, clear and simple, all directly in front of the driver for maximum legibility". A tachometer, redlined at 7000rpm takes pride of place and includes a gearshift position display.

In the centre of the dash the GT-R features a multi-function display that can deliver not only "a detailed log of your driving behavior -- speed, g-force, fuel economy, etc -- but also gives details of the car's mechanical information (turbo boost, water and engine oil pressure, transmission oil, front/rear drive distribution etc) plus steering angles, braking and acceleration pressure, and also optimal gearshift mapping for best fuel economy."

The design of the MFD, which also includes the satnav and audio controls, is the handiwork of the designer of the Gran Turismo series of PlayStation games, Polyphony Digital Inc.

Under the MFD the centre stack is angled towards the driver and mates to the centre console which "sweeps through the middle of the cabin". The conventional gearshift lever is used to select Park, Reverse, Neutral, Automatic or Manual with manual shifts via wheel-mounted paddles.

Nissan says the seats were specifically designed for the GT-R and feature heavy side bolstering for "maximum lateral support and comfort". Attention has been paid to ensure the seats are comfortable on long trips, it says.

Despite the GT-R's supercar aspirations, Nissan claims access to front or rear seats is "easy and visibility is excellent."

"It is a also a very 'normal' car in many ways, not so different from an everyday sedan... It is much more practical and user friendly than other cars in this performance bracket," the company says.

Nissan also claims the GT-R has the greatest range of seat adjustment of any supercar, "to ensure that virtually all drivers can get comfortable behind the wheel." It says drivers from 144-190cm can be accommodated.

The rear seats (divided by the continuation of the centre console) are however more "occasional" than "full-size". Boot space is measured at 315 litres -- "easily big enough for two sets of golf bags or for substantial holiday luggage," says Nissan.

GT-R Technical Features
Introduction (more here)
Design (see above)
Packaging (coming soon)
Engine (coming soon)
Transmission and all-wheel-drive system (coming soon)
Suspension and brakes (coming soon)

Visit the Carsales Network again for our GT-R launch review and drive impression early next month

GT-R standard features (note: Japanese domestic model)
 
Exterior
• Wide-beam headlights with High Intensity Discharge (HID) low beams.
• LED taillights and brake lights.
• Dual heated power mirrors.
• Flush-mounted aluminum door handles.
• Body-color rear spoiler with integrated center high-mounted stop light.
• UV-reducing tinted glass.

Audio/Navigation/Performance Monitor
• Digital Bose audio system with AM/FM/in-dash 6-CD changer and 11 speakers including dual subwoofers.
• HDD Music Box system, including hard drive with 9.4 GB for audio storage.
• MP3, WMA and DVD audio capable. In-dash Compact Flash card reader.
• HDD-based GPS navigation with touch screen.
• Driver-configurable performance monitor, developed with Sony® Polyphony, with graphical readouts of vehicle data and driving data displayed on a total of 11 screens.
• 7-inch WVGA high-resolution color-LCD display for audio, navigation and performance monitor.

Interior
• Automatic Temperature Control (ATC).
• Electronic analog instrument cluster with multi-function trip computer and digital gear indicator.
• Power front windows with one-touch auto-up/down feature.
• Intelligent Key system with pushbutton start. Power door locks.
• Cruise control.
• Tilt/telescoping steering column.
• Bluetooth Hands-free phone system with voice recognition.

Seating/Appointments
• Leather upholstered front seats with perforated Alcantara inserts.
• 8-way power front seats with entry/exit switch for rear-seat passengers.
• Driver-shaped bucket seat.
• Dual individual rear seats.
• Heated front seats.
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
• Drilled aluminum pedals.

Safety/Security
• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags, seat belt sensors and occupant-classification sensor.
• Driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags.
• Front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.
• Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System.
• Vehicle Security System.

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