Father of Nissan GT-R launches hardcore Track Pack edition in Middle East

The GT-R Track Pack has been developed to deliver the ultimate in performance: it's lighter, faster and boasts a track-tuned chassis with enhanced braking performance. The result is the most focused GT-R yet, the ultimate track day star.

With input from GT-R development driver - and former Grand Prix and Le Mans racer - Toshio Suzuki, changes to the GT-R's four-wheel drive chassis include uprated springs and adjustable shock absorbers specially created for the car.

Speaking at the Dubai Autodrome, Kazutochi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer, known as the 'Godfather of GT-R', said: "The GT-R is rightly recognized as a remarkable car. It has re-written the supercar rule book, promising exceptional performance in a car that can be driven skillfully by just about anybody in just about any road condition. GT-R Track Pack, however, is aimed at drivers who want that extra edge, a car that's been fine tuned for the ultimate race track performance, yet which can still be used on the open road. GT-R Track Pack is a serious, hardcore machine."

Developed by Nissan in collaboration with Bilstein and NordRing Corp, the tuning company owned by Toshio Suzuki, the Track Pack suspension setup transforms the GT-R into a stiffly sprung supercar ready for the racetrack. With virtually all compliance dialed out of the suspension, the GT-R corners as flat as a race car and allows the nitrogen-filled 20-inch Dunlop SP MAXX GT600 DSST CTT run-flat tyres to maintain optimum contact with the track at all times thus providing maximum grip under all conditions.

Other track-focused features include the unique six-spoke lightweight RAYS alloy wheels, which are finished in a special black quartz chrome colour, and additional brake cooling ducts and air guides which help reduce brake temperatures by around 50 degrees during track use.

Cooling air is directed onto the front brakes via a special duct on the carbon front splitter while air guides behind the back wheels direct cooling air onto the rear discs. The hugely powerful Brembo braking system, which features drilled discs and opposed monoblock calipers, remains otherwise standard.

The interior has also come in for the Track Pack treatment, most noticeably with the removal of the rear seats. Along with the lighter RAYS alloy wheels, the lack of back seats means the GT-R Track Pack weighs in some 14kg lighter than the GT-R Premium model.

The part-leather front race seats, meanwhile, have a special covering for extra grip under hard cornering. Affectionately known as 'magic cloth' by Kazutoshi Mizuno, the creator of the GT-R, the high friction fabric covers the face of both seats and 'sticks' to the clothes worn by the driver and passenger to hold them in place under track driving conditions. Mizuno-san first used the material when coaching Group C sports car racers in Japan and reckoned it instantly helped lap-times.

But although the GT-R Track Pack has been created to lap circuits such as the Nürburgring as quickly as possible, the car remains fully road legal. To allow customers to enjoy the GT-R on road and track, the dampers can be adjusted to a softer setting at the flick of a switch ensuring the GT-R Track Pack can be used every day.

Not only that, but it enjoys the same warranty cover as the standard car and requires the same regular maintenance, unless the option pack is specified.

This pack - the only option available on the GT-R Track Pack - comprises a distinctive boot-mounted carbon rear spoiler and an exhaust silencer made from titanium. The latter not only saves yet more weight, but also delivers superb performance at high temperatures. The titanium exhaust, however, does require special maintenance before and after track use.

The GT-R Track Pack also benefits from upgrades recently introduced on the MY2013 GT-R. Changes to the hand-built 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 have seen power rise to 550 PS at 6,400 rpm and maximum torque rise to 64.5kg-m (632Nm), which is available between 3,200 to 5,800 rpm. When using the standard R-Start mode, standing start performance is breathtaking with 0-100 km/h taking just 2.7 seconds under ideal track conditions.

Changes to the shock absorbers and springs aside, the chassis retains the standard GT-R double wishbone front/multi-link rear suspension with Nissan's ATTESA four-wheel drive chassis.

The system features a rear mounted independent transaxle which packages the transmission, transfer case and limited slip rear differential in one compact assembly independently mounted on rubber bushes. Moving the transmission to the rear in this way gives the GT-R a superb weight balance.

It uses twin driveshafts, one of which - made from a carbon composite - takes the drive from the engine to the transaxle while the other transfers drive forwards from the transaxle to the front wheels. The four-wheel drive system continually adjusts torque between front and rear based on dynamic demands and road conditions; in normal conditions 100% of torque is directed to the rear axle, with up to 50% of torque fed to the front wheels to improve traction when necessary - in slippery conditions and to improve cornering performance.

The six-speed auto dual clutch transmission has improved shift feel and is quieter in use. Gear shifts can either be made by the conventional centrally mounted lever or by magnesium paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.

Despite its focused performance, GT-R Track Pack retains a number of creature comforts. These include eight-way power control for the driver's seat, a 30GB hard drive HDD Music Box sound system, satellite navigation and rear-view camera.

And, of course, it has the GT-R's 7-inch LCD multi-function central display, developed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital Inc, designer of the Gran Turismo series for Sony PlayStation. This gives the driver access to a wide range of vehicle telemetry including lateral and transverse g-forces, accelerator opening and steering angle as well as mechanical data including oil temperature and pressure and turbo boost.

2013 Nissan GT-R Track Pack edition goes on sale across the Middle East from March2013 onwards at a manufacturer's recommend retail price.