LEDs add flash factor to supercar

The 2011 GT-R is reprofiled to be more aerodynamic. Photo / Supplied

Nissan has upgraded its GT-R, promising to keep the all-wheel-drive supercar at the top of its game.

The carmaker showed off the facelift at the Paris motor show but placed it behind a glass screen in an effort to foil photographers before this week's first official press pictures and next year's global launch.

The GT-R will be available in New Zealand early next year. The 2011 model comes with chassis, cosmetic, aerodynamic and equipment improvements. The standout feature is the addition of LED daytime running lights installed in the ribbed lower corners of the front bumper.

The front end gets an entirely new fascia with reprofiled upper and lower air intakes.

The changes are said to improve the aerodynamics, shaving the co-efficient of drag (Cd) figure from 0.272 to 0.268.

At the rear is a new and more aggressive diffuser that is apparently taken from the current SpecM version and generates 10 per cent more downforce.

It is located below a revised rear bumper that incorporates a mandatory EU foglight, which also employs LED technology.

Peak power from the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine rises by 33kW, from 357kW to 390kW at the same 6400rpm. Maximum torque is up by 24Nm, from the current model's 588kW at 5200rpm to a beefier 612Nm between 3200 and 6000rpm.

The GT-R engine benefits from more turbo boost, valve timing revisions, changes to the air-fuel ratio, a larger air intake pipe diameter and a larger section of exhaust pipe to reduce both inlet and outlet air resistance.

Nissan says the GT-R's zero to 100km/h sprint time remains at 3.5sec, but its town-and-around fuel consumption falls from 12.5 litres/100km to 12 litres.

Lower emissions are also achieved by adopting an ultra-low precious metal catalyst and an ECU with higher-capacity microprocessor, while a new "save" driving mode is fitted to "optimise" torque output and modify the gearshift schedule within the six-speed dual-clutch rear transaxle to "improve actual fuel economy when driving [on] highways or open roads".

The GT-R's controversial launch control - or, as Nissan calls it, "starting performance" - function in R mode has also been upgraded, as has its VDC-R stability/traction control system. There's also a new feature that temporarily switches the GT-R into two-wheel drive mode when the steering wheel is turned more than halfway while travelling at less than 10km/h.

The upgraded, 10kg-lighter 2011 chassis scores a rigid, lightweight front suspension strut brace made from carbon-aluminium honeycomb composite to enhance "the vehicle body's responsiveness to driving operation".

There's an additional support member in the passenger side of the instrument panel, which now connects more rigidly with the engine bay, while Nissan says the fitment of body panels is more accurate and "a higher-precision G sensor is utilised in checking the instrument panel during the vibration testing of each vehicle body".

Changes to the front suspension include retuned springs, dampers and the anti-roll bar to "improve the vertical load response of the tyres", while the front caster angle is increased from five to six degrees to improve both turn-in grip and straight-line stability.

At the rear, toe performance is modified by lowering the roll centre height to improve cornering grip and increase road feel, while an aluminium free-piston shock absorber is adopted to increase damping force while reducing friction.

Upgraded Nissan-developed brake rotors now measure 390mm in diameter (up 10mm) and are claimed to improve braking force, fade resistance and pedal control while extending brake rotor life.

There are lighter and more rigid 20-inch forged alloy Rays wheels with a five-layer Hyper Blue Black Chrome gloss finish, wrapped with stickier-compound Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT tyres with improved sidewall rigidity and a tread pattern that Nissan says enhances straight-line stability.

Pricing for the 2011 GT-R is yet to be confirmed for New Zealand, but the improvements are expected to add to the current car's price of upwards of $170,000.