As thrilling a time I had in the 2015 GT-R last week, Nissan is going to make its performance flagship even more exhilarating. It’s not going to charge any more for that bonus compared to last year’s prices, either.
Granted, that bonus is only an extra five horsepower for the non-NISMO GT-Rs. The $101,770 Premium, new $102,770 45th Anniversary Gold Edition, and $111,510 Black Edition models all make 550 horsepower from their 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6s. Torque remains unchanged at 463 lb.-ft., as does the $149,990 NISMO’s output of 600 horsepower and 481 lb.-ft.
According to Nissan, “The GT-R Premium’s new 20-spoke RAYS® aluminum-alloy forged wheels with premium dark (near black) finish replace the previous 10-spoke design. The wheels are mounted with sticky nitrogen-filled Dunlop® Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT ultra high performance run-flat tires, sized 255/40ZRF20 front and 285/35ZRF20 rear.”
Nissan will offer three interior color schemes on the 2016 GT-R, including a Premium Interior Package (in Ivory or Red Amber) that features semi-aniline leather with hand-stitching on the front seats, as well as accents on the IP, steering wheel, doors, armrests, and shifter.
The 45th Anniversary Gold Edition, based on the GT-R Premium, comes covered in “Silica Brass” paint – a throwback to the 2001 Skyline GT-R M-Spec. Under its hood, there’s a unique gold-colored VIN plate. In the cabin, there’s a commemorative plaque on the center console. If you want a golden Godzilla, you’d better get on the phone with your dealer ASAP. Fewer than 30 of them will be coming to the United States.
Black Edition GT-Rs are equipped with lightweight forged aluminum wheels, a special red and black cockpit, Recaro seats, and a dry carbon fiber spoiler.
The GT-R NISMO carries on with its lightweight and stiffened suspension, GT3 racing-esque turbos, Alcantara-swathed interior, and high-downforce/low-drag bodywork. It’ll be available in Solid Red, Jet Black, Super Silver, and Pearl White.
*prices exclude $1,595 destination and handling fee
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
