Gran Turismo legend bows out in Australia with the most capable – and expensive – variants of Japan’s supercar rival.
The final run of R35-generation GT-Rs sold in Australia will arrive in a choice of five models culminating in the most expensive Nissan offered in Australia.
Priced from $393,800 plus on-road costs, the fully loaded Nissan GT-R Nismo SV costs more than a Lamborghini Huracan, and almost as much as an opulent Bentley Continental or the latest Ferrari Roma.
A handmade engine, ceramic brakes, extensive carbon fibre bodywork and super-light wheels contribute to the GT-R Nismo’s huge asking price.
Nissan claims the car is a close relative of the GT3 racing car that took a famous victory against European supercars in the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour race.
The GT-R range starts at $193,800 for the GT-R Premium model. Premium Luxury versions with high-quality leather add $6000 to the bill.
Collectors might be drawn toward a new Nissan GT-R T-Spec variant that adds lashings of carbon fibre, race-bred ceramic brakes, a more luxurious cabin and a choice of historic GT-R hues including “midnight purple” and “millennium jade”.
Enthusiasts keen to get hold of one should get in touch with dealers soon, as increasingly strict safety requirements prevent Nissan from importing the coupe after November 1.
The final GT-R is significantly more expensive than the first examples of the current-generation car that launched in 2009 for $148,800.
Since then, power for the GT-R has claimed from 357kW to 419kW in regular variants, or 441kW for the range-topping Nismo.
Nissan’s performance hero made global headlines for promising performance to rival Porsche’s 911 Turbo for less than half the German car’s price.
The GT-R’s future is not clear.
Nissan is rumoured to be working on an electric successor to take on the likes of Tesla and Porsche in the race to build the best battery-powered performance car.
The manufacturer’s managing director in Australia, Adam Paterson said “this isn’t the end of the GT-R story in Australia, but it will mark the closure of this chapter for this generation vehicle”.
Speaking with News.com.au at the 2019 Tokyo motor show, Ivan Espinosa, corporate vice president for Nissan’s product planning, said the GT-R was an icon for the brand and that “we need to be careful” managing its image.
“Is the consumer ready to get a sports car EV? We have debated endlessly about these.
“There are petrolhead buyers who are still 100 per cent not there.”
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