Nissan GT-R Track Pack
We take to a very wet Silverstone to push the even more focused version of the Nissan GT-R supercar to its limits
As the name suggests, the GT-R Track Pack is at its best on a racing circuit, where the stiffer suspension, uprated brakes and lighter overall weight make it an even more impressive driver’s car. But if you spend most of your time on the road, the standard model has all the performance you need for £10,000 less.
The Nissan GT-R has never exactly lacked performance, but customers still want more. So we now have this Track Pack – the most focused version yet, with suspension and brake upgrades.
Engine output is the same as in the standard car, with 542bhp and 632Nm of torque, which punches the GT-R from 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds and on to 196mph. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 could do with a more dramatic soundtrack, but there are no complaints about its acceleration.
Instead, Nissan’s engineers have turned their attention to improving the GT-R’s ability to stop and go around corners at high speeds. Previous versions struggled with repeated heavy braking – particularly on race circuits – so although Nissan has not changed the brakes, it has fitted new cooling ducts. The result, the company claims, is lower disc temperatures and better resistance to fade.
We experienced the new car at a very wet Silverstone GP track, so keeping the brakes cool was not an issue. And yet even after numerous high-speed laps, the pedal remained positive and the brakes never felt tired.
Combined with the superb grip offered by the four-wheel-drive system, it made for a confidence-inspiring session on a very slippery circuit.
The stiffer suspension of the Track Pack means the 1,720kg GT-R now hides its bulk even better than before. Responses to steering inputs remain very sharp and it’s quite difficult to detect any real body roll unless you change direction extremely aggressively.
Yet despite this poise, the GT-R always feels like a big car. Although we couldn’t test it on the road, the Track Pack is likely to have an even more punishing ride than the standard model.
Inside, Nissan has removed the rear seats in order to save weight. Along with new six-spoke forged alloy wheels – which save around 10kg – this makes the Track Pack 20kg lighter than a regular GT-R. Other changes include high-grip seat fabrics to better hold you in place.
The Track Pack is only available in the UK and Japan, priced at £10,000 more than the regular car.
