Supercar Is Here

This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

The New York Sun

Ever hear the reasoning behind the belief that you’re better off winning the bronze medal than the silver one?

It goes something like this: While the silver medalist will always be frustrated that he didn’t come away with the gold, the bronze medalist is content that he’s even on the podium in the first place.

Japan’s version of the Big Three automakers is a good example of this phenomenon. Although Honda and Toyota have battled for supremacy (and national bragging rights) over the past half-century, third place has always gone to a happy and contented Nissan.

Until now. Not unlike the youngest child in a family dominated by overachieving older siblings and resolved not to take it anymore, Nissan is exuding a newfound confidence and determination to go head-to-head with its rivals. When you want to flex your muscle in such a bid for family — or, more correctly, industry — domination, you build what’s popularly known as a supercar. Nissan’s entry is the GT-R coupe, which was unveiled a couple of weeks ago at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Tokyo Motor Show is the best such show for seeing really interesting, creatively wrought concept cars. The Japanese automakers have long had the most accurate read on what consumers around the world hope to be driving someday.

The GT-R looks like it could be a sports coupe concept, except that it’s in production right now. A glorious discrepancy like that is a sure indication that a car is going to be a winner.

Nissan realizes this, and is touting the futuristic GT-R by throwing around some fun catchphrases. One sample zinger: “Basic vehicle dynamics and integration with the driver have also been examined, resulting in new componentry and creating a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) never seen before in the marketplace.” Whatever that means, it sure sounds cool. Right out of “Star Trek.”

Then there’s the fact that this supercar minimizes “effects of climatic, road condition, or driving technique limitations.” That is to say, even if you’re a lousy driver and you’re caught in a torrential downpour, this car is so well engineered that you’ll look like Jackie Stewart.

Any resemblance to Mr. Stewart is aided by the fact that under the hood, the GT-R features an all-new 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with a special twin-turbo exhaust manifold system.

A secondary air management system means the engine produces just enough torque during ordinary, low-rev driving, which gives an optimum air-fuel ratio for non-racetrack jaunts.

The GT-R goes on sale in Japan next month, but Americans will have to wait until next summer when the Nissans arrive in dealerships here. Base price: $69,850. In the meantime, here’s what to think about:

A supercar doesn’t have to cost upward of $200,000; it can be the price of a high-end Nissan. A supercar looks and feels aggressive, and often catches the glance of those driving much pricier models.

Most important to remember as the summer of 2008 begins to draw near is that a supercar never, ever comes in third.


The New York Sun

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