Video: Driving Northwest: Nissan's GT-R is the stuff of legends

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Bravado rules in the automotive business. There are no ads crowing "nearly as fast as a Corvette Z06 and only $10,000 more." No, we are bombarded with puffed-up claims, budget brands crowing they're on par with luxury Euro marks. While my wallet wishes it were true a quick check finds Audi, Mercedes, Porsche and BMW doing quite well, thank you very much. This week a true competitor steps forward, Nissan's GT-R. At 76K as tested, the Premium model certainly isn't cheap, but in the performance car world it is a bargain.

The buff books have done their comparison tests and the Nissan, which in some cases is over half the price of the competition, generally ends up the victor. This is not a "me too" car eager to copy existing benchmarks. The "form follows function" body was apparently inspired by Japanese science fiction Gundam robots. Customizable gauges on an LCD screen are from the same video game team that developed Gran Turismo. Its engine is built in a clean room similar to the ones computer processors are manufactured in. But all these bragging points mean little if the marketing division has picked a challenge that the nitrogen-filled run-flat Bridgestone performance tires can't back up. After three days with the GT-R I have to believe that the competition is furrowing their collective brows.

A little history: This car has been available on and off since 1969 as the Skyline GT-R and its performance is the stuff of legends. American enthusiasts have gazed across the Pacific with puppy dog eyes hoping that Nissan would see fit to send it to our shores but alas, the only way to drive one in the states has been in video games. Fittingly, the current GT-R, the first version to ditch the Skyline name, made its debut in Grand Turismo 5 Prologue. 

With a structure enhanced with die-cast aluminum and carbon fiber, enthusiasts will be tempted to raid the retirement fund for this road rocket. Built on an all-new Premium Midship platform, GT-R isn't a hotted up 350Z as some folks figure. This platform employs a rear transaxle with independent suspension, the first ever to be used in an AWD car (called the ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system by Nissan). Its low profile design helps to achieve a lower center of gravity, always important when cornering very, very fast.

That sophisticated 3.8-liter V6 mentioned earlier has two turbochargers. Car nerds will appreciate these numbers - 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque on tap between 3,200 and 5,200 rpm. Environmentalists with a speed jones will be happy to know that GT-R meets ultra-low emission vehicle standards. About that 480 hp figure - many think Nissan is lying, that the car's performance indicates it has closer to 510. Hmmm, lying is such a strong word. Let's go with modest. Nissan explains that engineers worked hard to reduce drivetrain friction loss and that the AWD system reacts much more quickly than other systems. One last thing for engine geeks - plasma-sprayed bores replace cast iron cylinder liners. Nissan claims reduced friction, lighter weight, enhanced cooling, power output and better fuel efficiency, but there's the added bonus that "plasma-sprayed" sounds super cool to tech heads.

Gear changes are handled by a 6-speed twin clutch tranny with lightning fast shifts. Let the computer do the shifting for you or enjoy the pleasure of manual control with paddle shifters. All-wheel drive that can send as much as 100 percent of its power to the rear axle matches power delivery to driving style and weather conditions. On a tight twisty course occupants will hear this system in the background doing it thing to keep control at a maximum. The suspension is independent at all four corners and its firmness is adjustable. So is the electronic stability control.

Personally, I'm a little cool towards the Mr. Roboto lines. In its press material even Nissan calls the styling "function over form." It's coefficient of drag is 0.27 (among the best) and the shape creates the proper high front and rear downforce that is much appreciated at its 193 top speed. This rig could look like a blender and few would care; the beauty here is in the performance. A fast car goes from 0-60 in 5 seconds. GT-R does it in 3.5. Add in physics, defying handling plus Brembo disc brakes so powerful the seatbelts will knock the wind out of you and it's clear GT-R is more than a car, it's a personal amusement park. Supercar driving dynamics not enough entertainment for you, Mr. Fun Hog? Those video game inspired gauges that graph acceleration, cornering and braking forces along with other performance data will keep you away from your Playstation 3 for good.

Driving 70 miles an hour feels like 30. Even at license-revoking speeds, the ultra capable GT-R is calm, collected and willing to go faster. You might explain this to the officer when trying to negotiate a reduction on that ticket that's inevitable, but my guess is you'll be calling your lawyer. Remember kids, safety first. To even begin to explore the limits of the GT-R, a race track is mandatory. Overall, I'm seeing a 17 miles per gallon average on required premium. Not bad considering my foot hasn't been exactly feather-like on the throttle.

Many high performance cars are high strung and twitchy. The GT-R? No so much. Hardly a Lexus LS460, this Nissan is tolerable as a daily driver when the suspension is set for comfort. The hair on the back of my neck tells me the BMW M3 has more soul but that quality is very elusive and hard to quantify. Road noise is on the higher side; good thing the Bose sound system is powerful (not that it was listened to much). 

The cabin trimmed with aluminum and hand-stitched materials is well appointed though not luxurious. Performance oriented seats will hold everyone tightly in the corners, but side bolsters are modest enough to allow easy entry and exit. GT-R gets the prize for "most creative jack and toolkit" location with its compartment in the front passenger's floor. Adults sitting in the two well-defined rear seats will appreciate the speed of this car because they won't want to spend much time back there. My head hits the glass. At least there's a cupholder.

For those who think GT-R is too cool to endure the Costco Toilet Paper Test, skip to the next paragraph. Hey, it's a standardized test! The narrow opening allows four packs to fit. That's good enough for a couple of full-sized golf bags or a couple's luggage for a very long road trip. 

In Japan, Nissan's GT-R has been given the name Godzilla. Its scorching lap time of 7:38 around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife track is one of the fastest ever by a production-spec vehicle (though competitors claim the tires weren't street rubber). Considering the dozens of cell phone camera salutes I've witnessed its clear the word is out. The bravado is not false. Available in limited numbers, GT-R is worth the price and the wait.