GT-R

carexpert.com.au | 14 SEP 2021 NISSAN GT-R: GODZILLA’S REIGN ENDING IN AUSTRALIA

THE 2022 NISSAN GT-R IS DRIVING OFF INTO THE SUNSET, AS NEW AUSTRALIAN RULES ABOUT SIDE-IMPACT CRASHES SPELL ITS DEMISE.

SCOTT COLLIE

NISSAN AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN

forced to slay Godzilla.

Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for side impact collisions mean the Nissan GT-R can’t be imported to Australia from October 31, 2021.

That spells the end of the R35 GT-R in Australia after more than a decade on sale.

A statement from Nissan Australia is published in full at the end of this story.

The culprit? New ADR 85 side-impact regulations. They came into force for new vehicles introduced to Australia in 2017, but will apply to all passenger cars from later in 2021.

The GT-R doesn’t meet the new rules, and Nissan isn’t going to make structural changes to its low-volume halo for a market as small as Australia. It’s not clear if the GT-R structure could actually be changed to meet the rules at all.

Just 937 cars have been sold since it launched in 2009, an average of less than 100 per year.

Nissan Australia hasn’t confirmed how it will send off the R35 GT-R, but it has confirmed the 2022 model revealed today in Japan will make it Down Under in some form.

It’s likely a variation of the GT-R T-Spec will be imported prior to November 1 in limited numbers.

Revealed today in Japan, T-Spec is another update for the GT-R initially revealed in 2007, and debuted in Australia during 2009.

It’s not clear when the current R35 GT-R will be replaced with an all-new model, although reports from Japan suggest an R36 is will succeed it at some point.

In Japan, Midnight Purple and Millennium Jade are being

added to the colour palette on the T-Spec.

Both are throwbacks sure to make enthusiasts excited. Nissan says it considered doing new grey or blue colours, before committing to something more exciting.

The Premium Edition T-Spec rides on bronze Rays forged alloy wheels, and rides on a tweaked suspension designed to make the most of the car’s lower unsprung weight.

Meanwhile, the T-Spec Track Edition gets a carbon fibre roof and boot lid, and rides on black wheels instead of the bronze Premium Edition units.

In Japan, just 100 examples of each will be offered through a lottery in Japan.

Power comes from the VR38DETT twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine, and is sent to all four wheels through a sixspeed dual-clutch transmission and sophisticated all-wheel drive system.

Nissan hasn’t confirmed outputs for the T-Spec, but the current GT-R has 419kW of power and 632Nm of torque.

The track-oriented GT-R Nismo ups those outputs to 441kW and 652Nm. N

drive.com.au | 4 NOV 2021 NISSAN GT-R SALES SURGE AS IT REACHES THE END OF THE LINE IN AUSTRALIA

THE ICONIC NISSAN GT-R HAS HAD ONE OF ITS BIGGEST SALES MONTHS IN AUSTRALIA AS VEHICLES ARE REGISTERED AHEAD OF A COMPLIANCE DEADLINE.

JOSHUA DOWLING

THE NISSAN GT-R – BETTER known as “Godzilla” due to its giant-killing performance – has posted one of its strongest sales months since this generation went on sale in 2009.

New-car sales data for October 2021 shows 31 examples of the Nissan GT-R were reported as sold, making it the strongest result for the nameplate in more than a decade.

Drive understands there is only a handful of the latest batch of 50 limited-edition Nissan GT-Rs yet to be delivered to Australian customers.

While the Nissan GT-R had to be complied to meet new Australian side impact regulations by the end of October 2021, dealers have until the end of June 2022 to register and deliver the vehicles.

It seems Nissan GT-R fans are keen to get behind the wheel sooner rather than later, with the majority of the final batch already accounted for.

Last month was the fifth-best result on record for the R35 Nissan GT-R in Australia, compared to 66 deliveries in its first month on sale (April 2009), 45 in May 2009, 40 in June 2009, and 34 in July 2009.

Over its lifetime, Nissan has sold just shy of 1000 examples of the GT-R in Australia.

The model remains on sale overseas.

The next generation may have hybrid or electric power but is some years away from being revealed globally or for Australia. N

news.com.au | 21 SEP 2021 FULL DETAILS: NISSAN’S FINAL GT-R SUPERCAR

ONE OF THE MOST DESIRED SUPERCARS ON THE PLANET IS ENDING ITS LONG STINT IN AUSTRALIA WITH ITS MOST OVER THE TOP VARIANT YET.

DAVID MCCOWEN

NISSAN HAS REVEALED FULL prices and specifications for its ageing supercar after shocking car lovers with news the GT-R will end its run in Australia this year.

The final run of R35-generation GT-Rs sold in Australia will arrive in a choice of five models culminating in the most expensive Nissan offered in Australia.

Priced from $393,800 plus on-road costs, the fully loaded Nissan GT-R Nismo SV costs more than a Lamborghini Huracan, and almost as much as an opulent Bentley Continental or the latest Ferrari Roma.

A handmade engine, ceramic brakes, extensive carbon fibre bodywork and super-light wheels contribute to the GT-R Nismo’s huge asking price.

Nissan claims the car is a close relative of the GT3 racing car that took a famous victory against European supercars in the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour race.

The GT-R range starts at $193,800 for the GT-R Premium model. Premium Luxury versions with highquality leather add $6000 to the bill.

Collectors might be drawn toward a new Nissan GT-R T-Spec variant that adds lashings of carbon fibre, racebred ceramic brakes, a more luxurious cabin and a choice of historic GT-R hues including “midnight purple” and “millennium jade”.

Enthusiasts keen to get hold of one should get in touch with dealers soon, as increasingly strict safety requirements prevent Nissan from importing the coupe after November 1.

The final GT-R is significantly more expensive than the first examples of the current-generation car that launched in 2009 for $148,800.

Since then, power for the GT-R has claimed from 357kW to 419kW in regular variants, or 441kW for the range-topping Nismo.

Nissan’s performance hero made global headlines for promising performance to rival Porsche’s 911 Turbo for less than half the German car’s price.

The GT-R’s future is not clear.

Nissan is rumoured to be working on an electric successor to take on the likes of Tesla and Porsche in the race to build the best batterypowered performance car.

The manufacturer’s managing director in Australia, Adam Paterson said “this isn’t the end of the GT-R story in Australia, but it will mark the closure of this chapter for this generation vehicle”.

Speaking with News.com.au at the 2019 Tokyo motor show, Ivan Espinosa, corporate vice president for Nissan’s product planning, said the GT-R was an icon for the brand and that “we need to be careful” managing its image.

“Is the consumer ready to get a sports car EV? We have debated endlessly about these.

“There are petrolhead buyers who are still 100 per cent not there.” N

whichcar.com.au | 25 OCT 2021 A BRIEF HISTORY OF NISSAN’S ZED IN AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA BOASTS A LONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE Z, SO TAKE A LOOK BACK AT THE VARIOUS GENERATIONS THAT FORGED AN ICON.

ALEX AFFAT

THE DATSUN 240Z WAS a watershed model that redefined buyer perceptions towards the brand around the world, and kicked off one of Nissan’s most enduring nameplates.

Famously aimed at the US market, Australia also represented a key right-hand drive export market for the fledgling Yokohama brand, receiving some of the earliest Zed builds. On local soil, the original Zed had a profound effect on owners, with its iconic lineage still bolstered by legions of enthusiasts around the nation to this day.

In anticipation of the 2022 Nissan Z, expected mid-year 2022, we thought we’d take the chance to give you an A-Z look at Zeds in Australia.

FIRST GENERATION: DATSUN S30 240Z AND 260Z – 1969-1978

The genesis of Z dates back to a 1964 open-top concept car penned by famed designer Albrecht Goertz. The German industrial designer already had BMW’s 503 and 507 Roadster to his name, and consulted with Nissan throughout the 60s. He is credited with further contributions to the original CSP311 Silvia and a defunct sports car joint-project with Yamaha that eventuated in Toyota’s 2000GT.

Launched locally in September 1970, the 240Z was a genuine 200km/h car in its day and, at $4567, was priced in line with the Triumph TR6 – a car it could comfortably outperform. Australia was the prime right-hand drive export market, receiving 2358 units in total, accounting for the third largest 240Z market in the world, behind USA and Canada.

The original shipment of 319 cars in 1970 included some of the earliest RHD builds in existence. This snippet from Modern Motor’s road test from April 1971 features chassis #4.

Some Zed specialists argue that early production for the Australian market also streamlined development for other RHD export

markets. Subsequently, some assert that, without Australia, the 240Z’s global reach and impact would have been significantly diminished.

Despite its reputation as a democratic champion of affordable performance, in the heyday of 1970, the Zed was a costly machine, exceeding the as-new list price of local heroes like the XW Phase I Falcon, Torana XU-1, and Chrysler E38 Charger.

Globally, the 240Z was a hit, becoming the world’s fastest selling sports coupe within three years of production.

Tightening US emissions regulations throughout the 70s forced an update in the form of the Datsun 260Z.

Again, aimed at the US market, the 260Z’s engine was bored out to 2565cc with a 2+2 variant introduced with an elongated notched roofline and an extra 302mm of wheelbase.

Launched locally in mid-1974, in the midst of fears of global fuel shortages and new US safety regulations, just 1123 260Zs were sent Down Under.

The final iteration of the Zed’s first generation was a US-only 280Z, released from 1975. As the name suggests, it housed a larger 2.8-litre inline-six and introduced fuel-injection to the existing body shape. Australia continued selling the 260Z until 1978.

SECOND GENERATION: DATSUN S130 280ZX – 1978-1983

The second-generation Zed, the 280ZX, appeared on the local market in 1978 and marked the slow departure from the badge’s sporting roots to a more rounded grand tourer.

The 103kW drawn from the familiar SOHC L28 didn’t make headlines but it was deemed a smooth and strong unit, and delivered respectable performance from the 1265kg coupe. The speedometer could still reach north of 190km/h, and local road testers celebrated its outstanding fuel economy. An 80-litre fuel tank yielded great cruising range and seemed well suited to Australia, too.

Strides were made in regards to interior materials and amenities, introducing power windows and mirrors, air-conditioning, comfier seats and an automatic gearbox. Officially, Australia only received the 2+2 long-wheelbase body however some Japanese-spec HS130 coupes have been imported over the years.

February 1980 saw the brand badge switch from Datsun to Nissan, and also introduced the optional pop-out targa roof panels.

THIRD GENERATION: NISSAN Z31 300ZX – 1983-1989

The Z31 300ZX boasted a modern new face but remained largely based on the preceding 280ZX, albeit with a new 3.0-litre VG30 V6, new suspension and a wider stance. It continued to market itself on its American boulevardier image.

Again, Australia’s comparatively small market received just one body option: the 2+2 Targa top. Initially, Australian buyers were solely offered the naturally aspirated V6 yielding a modest 124kW.

From 1986, however, buyers were treated to the 155kW turbocharged version sans adjustable shocks which featured in overseas markets.

At almost $28,000 new, the 300ZX was a costly machine, offered in just one spec with the only options including climate control and a digital instrument cluster.

Australia uniquely offered the “Californian” special edition, to commemorate the final 200 units of Series III cars sold in Australia.

FOURTH GENERATION: NISSAN Z32 300ZX – 1990-1996

1989 represented a bumper year for the Yokohama brand, perhaps most famously marking the debut of the game-changing Skyline R32 GT-R. The same year also saw the release of the all-new Z32 300ZX, bolstering Nissan’s multi-pronged attack on the Japanese sports car market.

Locally, the radically new 300ZX launched in early 1990 and represented a welcome return to sporting form.

Like the GT-R, the clean-sheet 300ZX also borrowed heavily from the developments learned Nissan

learned from its Mid4 concept, and housed all-new multi-link suspension, rack-and-pinion steering, a viscous differential and antilock brakes. Nissan had a genuine Porsche (928) beater on its hands.

The VG30 V6 was now fitted with dual-overhead cams and variable valve timing, and produced 166kW in naturally aspirated form. Again, the Australian market was only offered the 2+2 LWB variant in naturally aspirated configuration.

A local 25th anniversary edition gained a bespoke body kit, 17-inch AVS alloy wheels and Steve Millen-designed suspension. It’s believed 122 25th anniversary editions were sold to the tune of $92,995 when new. Sales were slow at less than 100 cars per annum. Nissan withdrew the Z32 300ZX from sale in 1996, opening the floodgates for JDM-spec 224kW twin-turbo grey-imports.

FIFTH GENERATION: NISSAN Z33 350Z – 2002-2009

Following the Z32, Zed enthusiasts would have to wait another six years for the follow-up. Nissan USA, in late-90s, attempted to maintain the buzz by selling 37 ‘new’ fastidiously restored examples of the original 240Z, for US$27,000 with a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.

The Z Concept was revealed in 1999 but the economic climate was vastly different, and it was ultimately deemed ‘too backward’ for a company in desperate need of financial security.

The Z33 350Z arrived midway through 2002, and was deemed by former CEO Carlos Ghosn as a car that would assist the company’s recovery into the future.

A modern interpretation of the iconic long bonnet and short rear deck silhouette, the 350Z was a dynamic delight, sneaking into fourth place at MOTOR’s 2004 PCOTY. Like many Zs before it, the Z33 found favour with various tuners and modifiers around the world, and makes a compelling case for an affordable ‘future classic’.

SIXTH GENERATION: NISSAN Z34 370Z – 2009-2020

The Nissan 370Z represented a significant facelift of Nissan’s millennial star. The visual links are clear, however, look closer and you’ll notice that the car is shorter and wider with almost every panel redesigned.

More extensive use of aluminium throughout panels, engine cradle and subframes yielded a weight saving of 110kgs with a significant improvement to torsional stiffness.

The VQ V6 now measured 3.7-litres in displacement and produced 261kW, making the 370Z the fastest Z-car yet.

Nissan’s SynchroRev Match which featured in manual cars

from launch, represented the first auto-blip function ever fitted to a production car. Over 4500 have been sold since its introduction locally in 2009.

Despite its age, the driving experience still stands up today.

SEVENTH GENERATION: NISSAN Z34 Z – 2021

The enduring Z legacy is set to continue, as the hotly-anticipated 2022 Nissan Z readies to launch midway through next year.

Gone is the old VQ37 V6, instead transplanting the thumping twinturbo 3.0-litre VR30DDTT from the bombastic Infiniti Q60 Red Sport. On paper, it sounds like a winner: a sub-$100k sports car, almost 300kW, rear-driven with the choice of a manual gearbox.

Final details including local pricing are yet to be confirmed, however Nissan has confirmed that Australia will receive a single-spec range, plus a Z Proto Spec launch edition, with some basic specs already revealed.

We love the way it looks, and will ultimately hold judgement until we finally get our hands on it, but the 2022 Nissan Z is already one of the cars we’re most eager to drive next year. As the car industry continues its march towards a greener future, the 2022 Nissan Z might be the last of its kind we ever see, and it could very well emerge as a car that the motoring fraternity will miss long after it’s gone. N

performancedrive.com.au | 6 OCT 2021 ALL-NEW 2023 NISSAN Z COUPE CONFIRMED FOR AUSTRALIA MID-2022

BRETT DAVIS

IT’S TIME TO GET excited. Nissan Australia has today confirmed the all-new Z car will go on sale locally in mid-2022.

Up until this point the name of the new model was unclear. But now it seems it will simply be called the “Z coupe”. In Australia anyway. Just one variant will be offered here, however, Nissan says it will be offering a limited edition Proto Spec model in strict limited numbers.

Some of the features for the special edition include bespoke 19-inch bronze forged wheels, unique yellow-painted brake calipers, along with a black interior package with contrasting yellow stitching and highlights. The problem is, Nissan didn’t provide an official 0-100km/h figure for the 370Z – the best we got from a manual 2020 model was 6.20, using a GPS Vbox Sport.

Inside, passengers are treated to sports seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The cluster can be arranged in three different display themes, including Normal, Enhanced, and Sport.

The new model will also come packed with Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility safety suite, which bundles in the latest safety gear including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot and lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, among other things.

Prices are yet to be confirmed for Australia, but as mentioned the Nissan Z coupe is scheduled to launch during the middle of 2022. N

Nissan hasn’t mentioned specific build numbers for the special edition, but says “limited numbers will be available” at launch. The local arm describes it as the ultimate expression of the new generation model.

As standard, the new Z coupe comes powered by a 3.0- litre twinturbo V6, developing 298kW and 475Nm. Buyers will have the choice of a six-speed manual with a highperformance clutch from Exedy, or a fast-shifting nine-speed auto. A mechanical limited-slip differential and carbon fibre composite tailshaft are also included.

Although a 0-100km/h figure is yet to be announced, Nissan does say the new model is around 15 per cent quicker than the predecessor.

* Overseas model depicted

whichcar.com.au | 6 OCT 2021 2023 NISSAN Z: AUSTRALIAN LAUNCH MID-2022

NISSAN’S NEW Z CAR WILL BE OFFERED AS A SINGLE VARIANT IN AUSTRALIA, BUT A LAUNCH EDITION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN LIMITED NUMBERS.

BEN ZACHARIAH

THE 2023 NISSAN Z coupe will arrive into Australian dealerships in the middle of 2022, with a launch edition available in limited numbers.

While a single variant of the Z sports car will join the Nissan range locally, a limited-edition Z Proto Spec is to be offered with a number of unique features.

Borrowing its powertrain from Infiniti models in the US, the new Z will use a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 298kW and 475Nm, powering the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox with an Exedy high-performance clutch and rev-matching.

A nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission is also available as an option, featuring aluminium paddle shifters.

Leather-accented seats, a 12.3inch digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, active cabin noise cancellation, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, radar cruise control, and launch control are all standard.

Those who opt for the limitededition Z Proto Spec launch edition will also get a two-tone yellow with black roof paint job, yellow brake callipers, yellow contrast stitching and interior highlights, and 19-inch bronze forged alloy wheels.

The 2023 Nissan Z will arrive in Australia in mid-2022, with local pricing and specifications to be announced closer to launch. N

* Overseas model depicted