Bespoke Motoring By Nissan
Hype tailored to a justified height.Nissan is the smallest of Japan’s Big Three. And considering quality, fit, finish, name appeal, and North American sales, Toyota and Honda both have the Paris-Tokyo axis clocked.
Fundamentals aside, it doesn’t take a mind like Carlos Ghosn’s to appreciate how Nissan has managed to inject soul into its entire line in a way that the company’s larger competitors rarely accomplish.
It’s relatively easy to understand the “brand” (insipid word) extension that Nissan is reaching for with the M.Y. 2009 GT-R that starts at $69,850. Easier still, to appreciate the excitement that the GT-R stirs in the hearts (and right legs) of old Datsun communities.
Both Toyota and Honda’s Acura enjoyed their time in the sun with their Supra and NSX, respectively. Why not Nissan?
Nissan’s special-to-model website states that the GT-R will be sold in standard and premium versions. The $2050 difference with the premium package being that Nissan’s put a premium on safety – with curtain and side impact airbags (were they deployed, I doubt they could be replaced as cheaply).
Luckily, for the penny pincher turbocharged V6 that pumps out 420 horsepower comes standard.
That said, penny pinching really doesn’t factor in with the GT-R. This R8-esque halo machine isn’t meant for the Altima or Murano customer. This is bespoke motoring by Nissan. Mass market be damned.
Hear that Toyota? Honda?
Tap the link > Nissan
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
Anonymous | Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
Toyota already heard that and its called Lexus. Providing far better service than Nissan and Infiniti ever could.
Why this didn’t wear a Infiniti badge in North America is very ridiculous. The car didn’t have an impression to justify a following that HAD TO HAVE A CAR with a Nissan badge. And the only people who know about a GTR are the “ricers”, who aren’t really in the market to buy one. So why not start fresh with a new Infiniti?
There isn’t going to be a Toyota Supra for the same reason there is going to be a Lexus LF-S.
Anonymous | Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
Kudos to Nissan for the GT-R…
Toyota should bring back the Supra!!! But it seems they are going to reserve their sporty cars for Lexus…if the LF-A is built.
AutoWeek just ran a comparo of the Nissan GT-R vs. the Lexus IS-F…both cars seem pretty interesting.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/FREE/292134040/1023/LATESTNEWS
Gunnar Heinrich | Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
Anon1 > Lexus is as mass market as luxury car makers get.
Anon2 > Toyota should bring back the Supra – and drop the LF-A.
steane | Apr 17, 2008 | Reply
Its only in America where you dont know about the GT-R anonymous.
Australians and Europeans (those in the UK in particular) have been aware of the legend, owned the legend, raced the legend and loved the legend for decades.
Just be grateful that you are getting it this time around, that it wears a Nissan badge is of little consequence.
The GT-R will sell like hotcakes and have owners of the latest Stangs and vettes questioning their 60′s technology -cart sprung suspension, pushrod V8…
Infiniti | Apr 20, 2008 | Reply
Gunnar I think anon1 is right here. What Steane said about no one knowing about the GTR in North America, that’s exactly what should have been exploited -by making the GTR an Infiniti.
Lexus is as mass market as you can get, yes, but that’s a good thing. Don’t tell me BMW or Merc don’t want to emulate Lexus’s success. Every automaker wants to be Lexus but their fans and themselves shrug them off as too ‘mass market’. What do you call the 1 series? What do you call the GLK? They are far from niche products or something you would associate with BMW or Merc.
Lexus more recently have driven the brand upmarket by making the LS600hL and not making anything lower than the current IS model, their F series models (GS-F on the way) and the upcoming LF-A sportscar. This is a brand that’s on the roll and don’t confuse success as being too ‘mass market’.