Nissan’s Understated GT-R
By Gunnar Heinrich | IMG Found on Carzi.com
JALOPNIK posted an interesting comparative pic.
Captured for your amusement were a Nissan GT-R and Acura NSX parked side by side, both trimmed in polar white finishes. In stature, the tall Nissan dwarfs the low profile Acura; a two door 90s sports car that owed much stylistically to designs originally penned by Giugaro and Pininfarina.
Yours witnessed his first GT-R in person this week. Funny thing was, I almost didn’t notice it.
Jet black, it advanced quietly through traffic (there was no loud exhaust to grab my attention from the opposite lane) the GT-R seemed the ultimate in Japanese discretion.
Not a bad thing, per se. Nissan doesn’t need to make a sports car that shouts its arrival.
The aforementioned NSX borrowed so many Ferrari cues, that it drew most of its attention from pedestrians who thought they just saw a Ferrari. Rival Toyota molded the last generation Supra into a unique shape, but, it wasn’t universal in its stylistic appeal.
The Nissan really doesn’t offend and yet it’s anything but milquetoast. The car appears to have genuine visual character all its own.
But it does blend a little…
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.
tom | Oct 20, 2008 | Reply
I don’t know if I’d call the GT-R “understated” although it certainly doesn’t look like an ultimate sports car. The looks reminds one more of a sports sedan à la M3 and in that respect, any M3 is still way more understated than the GT-R.
But generally, I just think that it’s simply a very ugly car. The lines on the GT-R (especially the roof-line) don’t work for me at all. Then again, I generally have problems understanding Asian design.
The Honda/Acura NSX is an exception though. It still looks somewhat Asian, but this time, not in a bad way. It might look like a Ferrari to the untrained eye, but better to be good at imitating than bad at innovating.
Gunnar | Oct 20, 2008 | Reply
Imitate or innovate or there’s the third way down which Peugeot tends to drive.
Usy | Nov 26, 2008 | Reply
Crazy Gtr, shouldnt be wiv dat acura though, its a thousand times better