NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Nissan GT-R anniversary model unveiled

It’s not only the Nissan Z that’s celebrating a 50th anniversary in 2019. A golden anniversary edition of the iconic Nissan GT-R has been revealed and is set to star alongside the 50th Anniversary Nissan 370Z at tomorrow’s New York Auto Show.

The Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition celebrates 50 years of the Nissan turbo tearaway nameplate. And like an upgraded GT-R NISMO model, it’s expected to arrive Down Under in the second half of 2019.

Nissan says to celebrate the half-century of the GT-R, its engineers “challenged themselves to find undiscovered performance potential while still making sure the car can be enjoyed by drivers at any level”.

“A GT-R is about total balance management,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist for the GT-R.

“It is not about chasing a power figures, but creating a new GT-R, where no aspect has been overlooked. This is appropriate to celebrate the GT-R 50th anniversary.”

The company will offer the MY2020 Nissan GT-R in three trim levels in most markets: GT-R Premium, GT-R Track Edition and GT-R NISMO. In “select regions”, there will also be the Pure, Prestige and Black models. Nissan Australia is still to finalise its model year 2020 GT-R line-up.

The 50th Anniversary Edition will arrive, however, offering three “heritage-era, two-tone exterior color combinations”. The schemes are designed to reprise the liveries used in the series the GT-R was created to race in -- the Japan GP series.

One livery resurrects Wangan Blue, the hero colour of the R34 series GT-Rs. The blue car also features blue accents on the wheel spokes.

Pearl White with red stripes and Super Silver with white stripes are the other 50th Anniversary model paint colour choices.

There are also tweaks to the interior including “unique steering wheel and shift knob trim, special seat embossing, an Alcantara headliner with unique stitching, Alcantara-wrapped sunvisors, and more,” says Nissan.

Best of all there has also been updates under the hood. The hand-built VR-series 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 has been optimised via the use of new turbochargers which Nissan says improve low rpm response and deliver a five per cent increase in efficiency.

Although peak power has not changed, Nissan promises “even sharper engine response in and out of corners”.

The V6’s exhaust manifolds have optimised turbo flange attachment points, which allows for easier servicing and tuning. There’s been a change to the exhaust system further downs stream also – a new titanium muffler, featuring titanium finishers with burnished blue tips, promises more fruity tunes.

The Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition’s six-speed dual-clutch transmission gets a refined ‘R mode’ which promises “more aggressive downshifts to better anticipate swift cornering exits, with gear selection happening during ABS [anti-lock] engagement, resulting in reduced understeer and a more driver-intuitive feeling”.

Finally, the GT-R’s electronically controlled suspension and steering has also been updated to “provide better cornering stability and a smoother ride”.

Nissan says the steering is more linear and precise, while a new brake booster “increases the initial braking response by engaging with less pedal stroke, resulting in enhanced stopping power and feel”.

Nissan has also upgraded the 2020 model year GT-R flagship, the GT-R NISMO.

“Absolute street and track performance” is the mantra the company is espousing for the update, which includes weight reduction measures, suspension and aero changes and many of the tweaks built into the standard GT-R and 50Th Anniversary Edition.

Nissan claims around 30kg of savings when the NISMO is compared to its standard counterparts.

Changes include revised front fenders which now resemble those on the GT3 GT-R racecar and work to better cool the engine bay and provide downforce.

The 2020 GT-R NISMO’s exclusive 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum wheels are lighter than before and incorporate a nine-spoke design that Nissan claims enhances their rigidity.

Newly designed Dunlop tyres, with a wider tread and fewer grooves, increase the contact patch by 11 per cent.

Under the bonnet, the 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO has seen Nissan squeeze the lemon further and the engine and drivetrain have benefited from a host of small optimisations.

Also standard on the 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO are Brembo carbon ceramic brakes: 410mm up front and 390 mm at the rear.

“We have built the 2020 GT-R NISMO for our customers to be the ultimate track and street vehicle,” Tamura said.

“The new NISMO has been brought to a new level, with enhanced engine, handling, braking and aerodynamics,” the GT-R program chief stated.

Check out full New York Show gallery at motoring.com.au