Automotive News - May 5, 2008 - (Page 49)

MAY 5, 2008 • 49 Sure, Nissan GT-R is impractical — but what a rush Lindsay Chappell lchappell@crain.com Power play Here’s how the Nissan GT-R compares with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. NISSAN GT-R CORVETTE Z06 RENO, Nev. — For almost a decade, Nissan has been playing catch-up to provide American consumers with practical vehicles: big pickups, big family sedans, small cars and compact crossovers. Now put those products on one side of the page and draw a line down the middle. On the other side of the line, write “GT-R.” Forget practical. Nissan created the 480-hp GT-R for outrageous fun. It rockets from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds, the same as a $497,000 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. The basics: Americans may have heard of the GT-R, also known as the Skyline. But until now, it has been a Japan-only racer and a darling of adventure cartoons and video games such as Gran Turismo, with a brief history representing Nissan in Grand Prix and Le Mans racing. But when Nissan killed its track programs earlier in this decade, its racing engineers were given the mission of creating a commercial version of the old nameplate to be sold worldwide. The GT-R reaches the United States in June. And it does so with a price that is off the register for the Nissan brand. It starts at $69,850, excluding shipping, which has not been set. A Premium Edition, with a higher-grade audio system, heated front seats and side curtain airbags, will come in at $71,900. Notable features: Little about the GT-R is typical. The body panels are aluminum, and they are stamped three times to enhance thinness and strength. The car receives three layers of clear-coat paint for greater chip resistance. Its beefy 3,814 pounds of curb weight is deceptively balanced beneath the skin, thanks to a novel powertrain design. The GT-R’s 3.8-liter Wheelbase Length Width Height Base engine Horsepower Torque, in lbs.-ft. 0-60 time Base price Nissan’s GT-R: After a slew of practical vehicles, Nissan delivers a dose of high performance. turbo V-6 sits above the front axle, while its sixspeed dual-clutch transmission rests above the rear axle. A specially created carbon-composite propeller shaft reaches most of the length of its wheelbase to connect the two. In another oddity for a high-performance sports car, the GT-R has a back seat. Presumably, the kids won’t be sitting back there as Dad tries for the 193-mph notch the car hit racing at Germany’s Nurburgring track last year. But a back seat is there for someone or something. Rear seats reflect the thinking of CEO Carlos Ghosn, who insisted that the GT-R be a vehicle that functions for normal uses, not just the track. The all-wheel-drive transmission offers a “comfort” setting for drivers who don’t take embankment curves at 180 mph. It also offers a “snow” setting for owners who just need to get to work through 6 inches of snow and ice in Sheboygan, Wis. — with 480 hp under foot. Design: The front wheel wells jut out boldly, * Excludes shipping 109.5 in. 183.3 in. 74.6 in. 53.9 in. 3.8-liter V-6 480 @ 6,400 rpm 430 @ 3,200 rpm 3.5 seconds $69,850* 105.7 in. 175.6 in. 75.9 in. 49.0 in. 7.0-liter V-8 505 @ 6,300 rpm 470 @ 4,800 rpm 3.7 seconds $72,125 backed with air vents to cool the brakes and tires. Pronounced surface angles run down the metal sides of the car, from its bulging and vented hood to its backward-sloping coupe roof. Compromises and shortcomings: Servicing this creature is going to take some forethought. Many of the components have been created exclusively for the GT-R, including the tires, which means they will be in limited stock. Only 676 of Nissan’s U.S. dealers have elected to retail and service the car. And among those, Nissan will only let a certified GT-R master technician work on the car. That means an owner who needs a quick repair, such as a flat-tire replacement, on the other side of town might spell customer dissatisfaction. What Nissan says: Potential GT-R owners likely already understand the car’s value, says Peter Bedrosian, senior product planning manager for sports cars at Nissan North America Inc. But the thrill of the car will also electrify on- lookers and even Nissan employees. “The GT-R will help us attract young engineers and new talent into our company,” Bedrosian said at a press event in Reno, Nev. The market: Nissan doesn’t need many potential owners to crown the car a success. It only expects to sell about 1,500 a year in the United States. Since advance sales began in February, Nissan North America has sold half of its first-year allotment. The company can manufacture only 12,000 a year, and those must be shared around the world. Nissan is serious about planting its flag into a tiny but prestigious corner of a market that is dominated by European performance icons such as Porsche, Audi and (seriously) Ferrari. The skinny: The GT-R allows Nissan to say that its otherwise sensible brand can outrun a Porsche Carrera GT or Dodge Viper — with a price that is $15,000 to $50,000 cheaper and a back seat thrown into the bargain. c - http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://www.Pick-n-ClickAds.com

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Automotive News - May 5, 2008 Dodge dealers battle to bust Ram logjam Used-car price slump slams luxury makes INDUSTRY IN DISTRESS Tesla opens first dealership in L.A. Los Angeles Top auto execs to talk marketing at seminar Nader and the Corvair: GM edition tells whole story Dealers take Tundra to the people UAW official expects American Axle buyouts Ford plans more UAW buyouts at 2 plants Honda to some dealers: Upgrade or else Hyundai: Powertrains will take us halfway to mpg target Diesel dynamo Daimler cuts Chrysler value, again Ford domestic dealer count dips below 4,000 Seems like old times: More cash on the hood Toyota sister car poses a challenge for Subaru Suzuki to offer standard navigation in $16,000 car Mpg plan fuels states-rights battle Kerkorian interest buoys Ford stock Henderson: GM will keep tight rein on inventory Is it real, or is it just temporary? Ford Motor must stay focused on recovery 'Have you lost your mind?' Dealers are victims of Axle strike Federal oversight? Good heavens, no Geoff Polites: A salute Save a board seat for the UAW A car for everyone or cut, cut, cut, cut? Think of Buick as part of B-P-G Costs up in China, but bargains still abound Mexico sales fall 17% in March Obituary Hyundai reworks Sonata sooner rather than later Nissan's Dominique gets to the big dance Dana seeks new business with Japanese companies ZF will supply Nissan Certified Tool closes a plant German engineering company plans Ala. factory Dealers A Lexus colossus Used-vehicle leasing boosts showroom traffic Certified buyers opt for extended service contracts Repossessed vehicles offer dealers a profit opening Prepaid plans spark service visits beyond oil changes Key to managing floorplan costs: Be realistic Long-term loans: Convenience or bad deal? Dealers hunt upside-down buyers with leases, incentives and long-term loans Where have all the investors gone? Dealer rebounds from contract mess Dealers must choose: Reynolds, GM — or start over AutoTrader.com makes big pitch to bump up new-vehicle sales CAW, Ford reach extensive early labor deal Infiniti asks: Do you smell something? Sure, Nissan GT-R is impractical — but what a rush Faurecia: We'll break even in N.A. Suppliers join carmakers' charge into Russia Chrysler small cars, Jeep crossovers are hot A dreary April in Detroit Penske earnings rise in 1st quarter Lithia posts $1.9 million loss GM makes 2nd ethanol deal Group 1's earnings slip Magna profits down; sales rise AIADA picks dealer of the year Vox(wagen) populi — plus a sales pitch Wagoner's pension shift: More earlier, less overall COMMENT: Bargaining barbs will sting for a long time Bugging the boss: Who's listening to Porsche CEO? New models from the post office Critics have kind words for Pontiac's G8 Ford can't picture kids at design studio

Automotive News - May 5, 2008

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