2021 Nissan GT-R

2021 Nissan GT-R NISMO – racing-inspired technology makes ultimate performance available to select drivers

Nissan reaffirms why NISMO + GT-R = exhilarating performance
The Nissan GT-R NISMO has always been the culmination of two of Nissan's most important nameplates: GT-R and NISMO. Entering its 51st season in 2021, the GT-R nameplate represents five decades of history, pedigree, success in racing and a global fan following.
NISMO, its name derived from NISsan MOtorsports International Co., is known worldwide as Nissan's in-house tuning arm that pursues performance at a maniacal level by perfecting the smallest of details. True to its proud heritage, the GT-R NISMO is a more extreme, track-oriented version of the GT-R that has matured through rigorous refinements, becoming sharper and more rewarding as a street car.




For 2021, the numerous changes for the 50th anniversary year continue into GT-R's next decade of automotive excellence.

GT3 turbos for the 600-horsepower VR38DETT V6
Racing improves the breed and that is very much the case with the 2021 GT-R NISMO and its legendary 3.8-liter V6 VR38DETT engine. As with all GT-R models, each GT-R NISMO engine is hand-assembled from beginning to end in a special clean room by meticulously trained technicians, with an aluminum plate added to the front of each engine showing the name of the individual Takumi engine craftsman.

The 2021 GT-R utilizes the same turbochargers developed for the GT3 race car version of the GT-R. They employ a 10-vane turbine wheel (one fewer vane than the 2019 model) and the vanes are 0.3 millimeters thinner. This accounts for a 14.5% reduction in mass, and therefore inertia by 24%, allowing for faster response. To counteract having one less vane, which would normally reduce flow rate, a special backplate was created to prevent exhaust gases from flowing behind the turbine blades, drastically improving flow efficiency. Through the latest fluid and stress analysis, special attention was given to the actual design and profile of the vanes. The new shape optimizes efficiency with exhaust gases to boost flow rate resulting in improved boost response and acceleration as well as in gear 'pickup' in any situation.



The GT-R NISMO's revised 6-speed dual-clutch transmission (versus the 2019 design) features a refined 'R mode' that now shifts gears more aggressively and intuitively, thanks to a new algorithm for the adaptive shift control (ASC). This selects the best gear for any driving scenario and can especially be felt during braking and approach into a corner, where the driveline feels more precise with faster downshift reactions to help reduce understeer on entry. With engine speed kept at a higher rate (thanks to lower gear engagement), acceleration also improves when powering out of a corner.

Aerodynamics, design and hefty dose of carbon fiber
With aerodynamic gains in mind, the design of the GT-R NISMO evolved for the last model year – with the changes completely functional. Cooling was increased for key areas, such as the engine bay and brakes, all without negatively affecting the drag coefficient value of 0.26.

Further setting the most potent and exclusive of all GT-Rs apart from non-NISMO models is the amount of carbon fiber found throughout the car. Most components are lighter compared to the GT-R Premium model. This includes the front and rear bumpers, front fenders (-10 pounds), hood (-4.4 pounds), roof (-8.8 pounds), side sill covers, trunk and rear spoiler3. Each component was been improved to cut weight, increase downforce and enhance aerodynamics.

The most significant piece of carbon fiber application is the roof. New last model year, the carbon fiber roof removes a substantial amount of weight, lowering the car's center of gravity for a crisper, more satisfying handling and feel. The roof panel itself is made by using a world-first technique of combining a Prepreg Compression Molding process with a carbon plate and lightweight hard foam sandwich structure. This gives the carbon structure a tighter and lighter weave, improving sound insulation and a striking appearance. Other changes in the carbon fiber construction are the NACA ducts on the hood, which are now incorporated into the composite structure.

The GT3 GT-R racecar heavily inspired the design of the GT-R NISMO front fenders. Their sport louvers increase front downforce by 15 pound-force without creating additional drag. The wind tunnel-tested vented fenders also help smooth airflow along the rest of the body and avoid creating turbulence at the rear wing, promoting even greater high-speed stability. As a multi-functional feature, they also help funnel hot pressurized air out and away from the engine bay.

Color choices for the 2021 Nissan GT-R NISMO include Solid Red, Jet Black Pearl, Super Silver QuadCoat (premium color) and Pearl White TriCoat (premium color). All color schemes feature black side mirrors that differentiate the car from the GT-R Premium.

Brembo calipers meet carbon ceramic rotors
Nissan collaborated with Italian brake manufacturer Brembo to create a special brake package for the GT-R NISMO. Special large calipers – 16.1 inches in the front and 15.3 inches at the rear – join carbon ceramic rotors.

The six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers are exceptionally rigid. Their construction brings a significant improvement to brake reaction time (versus pre-2020 models). This delivers a more responsive and progressive brake pedal, full of feedback to allow precise modulation of braking force. The result is the ability to shed speed quicker and more effectively while staying resistant to fade.

The biggest advantage comes from the carbon and silicon carbide structure of the rotors themselves. They allow for a 36-pound total drop in unsprung weight. Mounted on floating aluminum billet center bells, the rotor and oversized caliper setup is finished off by specially formulated brake pads that generate higher friction levels across the full operational range. The pads also give a firmer, more reassuring pedal feel.

Front rotor cooling has also been improved by altering the angle in which the air guides are mounted, helping funnel a higher flow of air toward their centers. As a final touch, the calipers are dipped in a heat-resistant yellow paint that is not only able to endure temperatures over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit but is resistant to discoloring from hard use and repeated temperature cycling.

Handling, grip and steering redefined
The 2021 GT-R NISMO's suspension tuning improves cornering stability (lateral G), with enhanced yaw-rate response and smoother ride quality (versus the 2019 model). The steering features better linearity and precision than ever, requiring minimal corrections even at speeds reaching 186 mph.

The exclusive 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum wheels incorporate a nine-spoke design that enhances rigidity. A diamond-cut white-and-red NISMO logo on the rim marks their exclusivity.

The specially designed Dunlop tires feature a rubber compound that helps boost grip by 7%, and a tread pattern with one fewer groove for the fronts, which increases the contact patch by 11% (versus the 2019 model). The tire's shoulder shape is slightly rounder so that when the car leans during cornering, more rubber surface makes contact with the ground, generating more grip. Overall, tire cornering force is up by 5%. This also improves the steering response in terms of straight-line tracking and stability compared with the current model, without impacting rolling resistance performance.

The car's Bilstein DampTronic shocks were carefully retuned in both rebound (20% softer) and compression (5% softer), while the revised spring rates contribute to a more linear steering response and increase in road-holding ability (versus the 2019 model).

Attention to detail continues right down to the chassis and its construction. A special type of bonding between the welds on the chassis and body results in a sturdier-feeling chassis, more composure over imperfections and more precision through all controls when pushing the car hard.

Hip-hugging comfort inside
Inside the cabin, unique to GT-R NISMO are the leather-appointed RECARO® seats with red synthetic suede inserts. Ergonomically sculpted, heated, reclining seats comfortably, yet firmly, support the driver and front-seat passenger. Interior trim features include discreet red stitching on the seats, center console, door trim and steering wheel.

NISMO racers influenced the design of the dark gray with red stripe steering wheel, with three spokes, red center mark and red stitching to give a strong combination of grip, feedback and comfort. A large 8-inch touch-panel monitor featuring large icons on the display screen make it simple to use, while a Display Command control on the carbon fiber center console allows easy operation without having to touch the monitor.

As with the 2021 GT-R Premium model, the GT-R NISMO's instrument panel is dominated by a video game-inspired, multi-function display that was created in collaboration with Polyphony Digital, makers of the Gran Turismo electronic game.

Standard features on the 2021 GT-R NISMO include NissanConnect®, NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM® (subscription required, sold separately), Nissan Navigation System, Apple CarPlay® integration, an 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, voice recognition for navigation and audio, HD Radio, SiriusXM® Radio, SiriusXM® Traffic, SiriusXM® Travel LinkÔ (weather, fuel prices, movie listings, stock info and sports) (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately) and an 11-speaker Bose® audio system.

Also standard are Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® and Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant. A Display Command control on the carbon-fiber center console allows easy operation without having to touch the monitor.

Only one interior color combination is available, NISMO-specific black leather appointments with red accents. The seat inserts are Red Synthetic Suede, and there is Dark Gray Alcantara on the steering wheel, instrument panel and headliner.

The 2021 Nissan GT-R NISMO is offered in one fully equipped model. There are no available options.

Source - Nissan