Nissan GT-R NISMO slaughters Viper SRT-10 and is the fastest supercar for the price

Not only has Nissan finally unveiled information on the much-anticipated GT-R NISMO supercar, but they've also released its official Nurburgring track record, which slaughters the Viper, Porsche 911, and its old non-NISMO GT-R speed.

The race-oriented consumer model of the now-famous Nissan GT-R has been very much anticipated by those waiting for a factory tuned version of the already awesome supercar. The NISMO package adds more precise handling, enhanced aerodynamics, improved performance and a new Nurburgring time to shatter old records. All in a signature NISMO aesthetics package that bespokes the supercoupe's obvious racing heritage.

The Nissan GT-R NISMO will be available in Japan in February and then the U.S. and Europe shortly after that. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn cites this as the fastest GT-R ever made.

Blistering the Nurburgring, besting the Viper SRT
When a six-cylinder car can beat a V10 on the track, you know you have something. The GT-R NISMO's new time as a factory-made, production vehicle was 7:08.679, which sped well past the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR's time of 7:12, the Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package's time of 7:14, and far beyond the Porsche 911 GT2 RS' time of 7:18. It also killed the GT-R's former best of 7:19, proving that the NISMO packaging is more than just good looks.

This proves that the Nissan GT-R NISMO is not only a functional race car, straight off the factory floor, but that the added track options that are available give it even more pavement superiority.

The Mechanics of the GT-R NISMO
At the heart of all of this performance is the 3.8-liter V6 VR38DETT engine that is hand-built by Nissan craftsmen and tuned by the experts at NISMO who've made the GT-R a legend on the racing circuit. The engine in this NISMO tune outputs 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque. A lot of this is thanks to new high-flow, large diameter turbochargers straight from the GT3 racing shelf to improve breathing. Individual ignition timing control and an upgraded fuel pump add to this performance.

That powerful engine sits atop a newly-tuned chassis that improves on the already impressive dynamics of the standard GT-R to give more agility and road-hold thanks to the experience of the NISMO team on the track. Custom-developed Bilstein DampTronic dampers in front and rear are tuned specifically for each car to improve grip levels and handling response on a progressive scale. Three suspension modes can be selected thanks to this system, depending on the driver's needs. Comfort and Normal are good for highway and everyday driving while R tightens up for circuit running.

Links fitted to the front double wishbone suspension were specially developed to enhance castor trail to allow optimal wheel position during high-G cornering while holding high stability at both cornering and straight line speeds. Large, high-rigidity bolts are used to increase the stiffness of the wheel-hub attachment to further improve these characteristics. A hollow rear anti-roll bar raises roll stiffness while reducing weight, minimizing body-roll in the corners as a result.

All of this exists to keep the exclusive NISMO tires from Dunlop on the pavement. The front sports 255/40 ZRF20s while the rear holds 285/34 ZRF20s. These are formulated for grip and handling.

Exterior Design for the GT-R NISMO
Before a spec of paint hits the GT-R's new NISMO body, that structure is first reinforced with rigidity-adding spot welding and adhesive bonding to improve suspension response under extreme loads. This NISMO factory tuning was learned from experience on the racing circuit. Exterior design and style are then added to complete the NISMO-inspired look and give the GT-R NISMO its +100kg of downforce at speed.

Using Computation Fluid Dynamic simulation techniques to analyze airflow, NISMO developed an aero package based off of their track cars to improve road hold, minimize negative drag, and add a more menacing appearance. The front bumper, engine undercover strake, and carbon rear spoiler add an additional 100 kilograms of downforce to the car at 300 km/h over its standard factory GT-R brothers. The downforce is tuned for equal spread across the car, enhancing its all-wheel drive track performance. Yet coefficient of drag is held at just 0.26.

Five body colors are available for the 2014 Nissan GT-R NISMO: four factory colors for the standard GT-R, which include Brilliant White Pearl, Meteor Flake Pearl Black, Ultimate Metallic Silver and Vibrant Red; and one NISMO exclusive color, a Dark Matte Grey to accentuate muscularity.

The black, six-spoke wheels are exclusive to the NISMO package and are inspired by the legendary Nissan GT500 racer.

Inside the GT-R NISMO
The interior of the new supercar optimizes driving position and feel. Ergonomically-sculpted, carbon fiber-backed RECARO seats support the driver and front passenger firmly in all driving conditions. The three-spoke steering wheel is dressed in Alcantara with NISMO's signature red leather stripe at the noon position and red stitching along the edges to improve grip and comfort.

Behind the steering column sits the combi meter in carbon-like finish with its red tachometer whose hood is dressed in Alcantara as well.

Discreet red stitching on the seats, center console, door trim, and steering wheel offset the black leather interior overall.

Truly a beautiful car, the GT-R NISMO is not just a refined sports car, but is a supercar in every way, with a race-ready platform that will not disappoint on the road or track. Pricing has yet to be announced, but is expected to be in the $150,000 realm.