The first 'super car' available on the mainstream market

THE arrival of Nissan's GTR was greeted with great applause, the recent unveiling which was more trendy cocktail lounge setting than super car launch saw people from a whole variety of industries in Brunei. Teachers, businessmen, administrators, retired army officers, even sales staff from other major car manufacturers were there.

The Nissan GTR is one of the fastest production cars ever to arrive and go on sale on the mainstream here in Brunei.

The new GTR follows a long tradition, its forebears wearing the "skyline" badge and were the fastest cars in their segment. The R32 Skyline GTR, as it was known back then had to effectively be banned from the Touring Car races, simply because no one could catch it. So far ahead of the game was the car, that the rules had to be drastically modified so that it could not compete.

The R33 was nicknamed "Godzilla", because like the large reptillian monster, it hails from Japan and had monstrous power. The M1 RB26DETT engine block could handle up to 1000 horsepower, with several rare examples here in Brunei in various states of tune.

The R34 which garnered more fame after starring in the "Fast and Furious" movies is also a legend in its own right, only one ever came to Brunei and at one point it was also capable of putting 1000 horsepower to the ground. The theme continues with the latest R35, this time however the "skyline" tag was dropped, so that it becomes a brandname of its own accord.

The GTR is Nissan's first real foray into the "super car" market, aimed at dislodging Porsche and scaring Ferrari with its effort; and on the surface, it certainly succeeds in doing so. Despite being almost two tonnes, the GTR will sprint to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds after nailing the throttle. "It feels like you're being pulled along and the feeling hits you in the chest," said one passenger who did not wished to be named. For the people who like to buy their cars purely on the merit of speed this acceleration time tops the latest Porsche 911 Turbo and pitches it amongst the pantheon of super car greats.

In fact, to memory, the only cars here in Brunei that could even beat that time is the Lamborghini Murcielago SV, The McLaren's SLR 722 and the McLaren F1. Since it manages to fleece the 911 and many others of the super car aristocracy in a straight line is part of its star attraction. Yet it does more, the GTR can take corners in an alarming manner.

The technological advancements that Nissan have made in developing this car from the ground up mean that it is capable of handling turns too. In fact, the Nurburgring is where this car was honed, and its PR quip of facing up to any challenge, any place, anytime is something that has been gathering dust so to speak, because none have actually challenged the GTR's supremacy of late.

The GTR is clear cut in its reason for being. It isn't there to be pretty, it isn't manufactured to accommodate the masses, this car was made to satisfy certain urges with much less cost. It's such a basic urge, that it appeals to so many people on many different levels.

In its latest form, with a twin-turbocharged 3.8 litre V6 engine, 473bhp produced at 6400rpm achieving 432lbs of torque from 3200rpm through to 5200rpm, at least that is what is claimed. A car purchased in North America was taken straight away to a Dynometer to measure the output straight from the showroom floor. The calculations that were made shows that the car is capable of producing over 500bhp, thanks most probably to the "over engineering" of Nissan's GTR team, who builds the engines by hand.

"The car should be looked after by the staff trained and qualified to be at our Nissan High Performance Centre," said a representative at the launch. While this may raise a few eyebrows after demand of the GTR outstripped supply, the fact of the matter is, the GTR is different from its predecessors. It is not a tuner-friendly car, nor was it ever meant to be. The GTR, regardless of whether it lives up to expectations, is the first real super car available in Brunei's mainstream market. And for that, it will always be a favourite. The Brunei Times