7 Facts Even Nissan GTR Enthusiasts Might Not Know

The GTR is a dream car for most sports car enthusiasts. One of a kind — literally only made once as it is customized for the buyer — there is a lot of mystique built in, especially for onlookers. Not many individuals will ever have the means or the luck to own a Nissan GTR, so not much is really known about it except in car circles.

Although a rare car and reserved for a certain niche market, the sales numbers are on the rise. For the previous six years, estimates show that only about 55 GTR vehicles have been sold globally. But this past January, Nissan reported that the model has been quickly increasing in popularity. An advanced design and attention to detail make this a car worth considering amidst the likes of Lamborghini and Porsche. There are several things that set it apart from its competitors.

The GTR debuted in the late 1950s and it was first called the Skyline GT-R. The Skyline cars, however, were made by a different manufacturer called Prince Motors, not by Nissan. From there the manufacturer was purchased by Datsun, another Japanese company, which launched its own version under the “Skyline GT-R” name in 1969. Eventually, the name Datsun was changed to what the car is called today — Nissan.

The GTR is nicknamed “Godzilla” because it had a list of motorsport victories beginning in the 1990s and Australian car makers began calling it the “Godzilla monster made in Japan.” These are seven facts that GTR fans might not know.

1.  The GTR’s V6 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged engine was crafted and assembled by five craftsman who Nissan still calls Takumi. All of the engines are assembled in the dust-free climate-controlled room of the Yokohama Nissan plant to this day. The entire process takes as many as six hours to mount on the engine block and bears the plaque of the original Takumi name.
2. To date, the GTR is the fastest-accelerating four-seater car around the globe. It is the only car, sports or otherwise, that can go from zero to one hundred in just 2.8 seconds flat. That beats out all of its competitors, including the Porsche 911 and the Lamborghini Aventador.
3. Although not as well-known in the sports car world as the signature Porsche and Lamborghini, the GTR is featured in most car video games. It is present in “Gran Turismo” and “Forza.” It’s not just for gaming, either; it is also the car featured in movies like the “Fast and the Furious” series. Paul Walker always drove a GTR when he starred in the “Fast and the Furious” movies.
4. The newest version of the GTR isn’t as much about flashiness and accessories that drivers don’t need. It has become a more practical car that is all about speed. The console has 16 fewer switches so that the driver can find what they need instead of fumbling around. It also has a built-in 8-inch screen, and the comfort of the seats has been improved so that the driver doesn’t feel as much turbulence when traveling at extreme speeds. Also, the car is much safer when drivers do open it up. The tires now use nitrogen so that they can withstand a puncture when the car is driving over 200 miles per hour, if anyone dares.
5. The GTR Nissan was selected as the car to mark India’s 68th Republic Day this year. With the largest outline ever created in the desert, the imprint was so spectacular that it made the Limca Book of Records.
6. The GTR is something outside of the ordinary; there is no denying that. A car that not many people will have the pleasure of even seeing, much less owning, it is a huge feat in automotive design and technology. Giving other high-end sports cars a run for their money, the GTR keeps chugging along and hoping to improve its sales and break the records of other leading car manufacturers with a little tweaking and a whole lot of style.

Although not as well known as the Porsche 911 or the Lamborghini, the GTR delivers the same amazing ride, high-speed adventure, and something super spectacular to look at.