ANTHONY KARR wrote:Nissan is getting ready for the next season in the Japanese Super GT series and has introduced the latest version of its GT-R Nismo GT500 challenger.
After winning the title in 2014 and 2015, the manufacturer wants to fight for the crown next year with this strongly revised car. Unveiled at Twin Ring Motegi, the GT-R Nismo GT500 has received improved endurance and reliability, as well as a small increase in the power output.
Starting from 2017, manufacturers in the racing series will have to cut downforce by 25 percent, which means the new GT-R Nismo GT500 actually features a toned down aerodynamic package compared to its predecessor. Still, it features a massive rear wing, wide wheel arches, additional gills on the front bumper, and special side sills with aero tunels. According to Nissan, the car’s dynamics have also been improved through a lowered center of gravity and an optimization of weight distribution.
“We will make further development improvements during off-season tests and aim to create a race car that will shine brilliantly within the history of motorsports,” Takao Katagiri, president and CEO of Nismo, commented. “We hope to thrill fans with a fast, more appealing GT-R that will excite fans as it lines up on the grid for the opening round competing against the new Lexus and Honda machines.”
The last season of the GT500 Series finished on November 11 at Twin Ring Motegi, where Lexus and Honda also revealed their new challengers for 2017. Former Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen with Lexus won the final race, and clinched his first championship title in the series, leaving behind Kazuya Oshima and Tsugio Matsuda. Lexus Team Sard took the constructors’ title, followed by another Lexus team – the Lexus Team Lemans Wako’s. Nismo finished third 20 points behind the champions.
