Godzilla Returns: Inside the Impressive 2023 Nissan GT-R

The Skyline heritage continues strong and true in the present R35 version of the Nissan GT-R. This incredible sports car is still one of the most fun to drive.

Nicknamed Godzilla and offered with amazing power and historical significance, the GT-R continues to be an amazing choice in the Nissan lineup. This sports car is due for a facelift in 2024 with a new trim and upgrades to the Nismo package. Thes upgrades aside, there are many reasons why the 2023 GT-R can be the right performance car for you to drive.

Here are seven reasons you’ll want to get behind the wheel of the current Nissan GT-R.

This GT-R has never been a Skyline

The R35 version of the GT-R is the first of this car to shed the Skyline name and simply be known as the GT-R. The generation began in 2007, five years after ending production of the R34 mode. The current Nissan sports car hit the market with an impressive V6 engine that delivers 473 horsepower and 432 lb-ft of torque, which is enough power to rocket this car to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds.

Continued improvements and developments

The 2023 Nissan GT-R is the 16th year of this current generation, which makes it one of the longest-running cars in the market. That said, Nissan didn’t forget to develop more power and performance for this sports car. The latest version uses a strong 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivers 565 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. This is more than enough power to rocket the car to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds for anyone willing to get behind the wheel.

The Nismo package adds more power and performance

The Nismo package brings the turbocharger o the GT3 model to increase output to 600 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque. This package also adds carbon fiber trim features to make it lighter and quicker on any track. The GT-R Nismo hits 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds, making it one of the fastest production sports cars in the market.

This car is also tunable, which is a historically significant aspect of the Skyline. Litchfield UK added a stage 5 package that increased the power to 775 horsepower for this incredible Nissan sports car.

Simplicity in the Nissan lineup

Nissan continually builds sports cars with simplicity in their lineups. The Nisan GT-R only comes in two trim levels, similar to the new Nissan Z. The trims are Premium and Nismo. The Premium trim has a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, a titanium exhaust system, and Brembo brakes. This base trim also includes heated Recaro seats with Nappa leather upholstery, smartphone connectivity, a Bose surround-sound system, and the ATTESA ETS four-wheel drive system. Moving to the Nismo means more fun on the track with its special package of performance upgrades.

It came back for 2023

The GT-R wasn’t available in the United States in 2022, but it returned in 2023. This car was also deleted from European markets due to noise regulations becoming much stricter in many European nations. The R35 model is currently being upgraded and could be improved or 2024, but a new R36 generation should be on the horizon soon. The GT-R isn’t expected to fit into a box, which could be why it continues to be such a controversial car.

The Nissan GT-R is still impressively competitive

Although the R35 model dates back to 2007, the current GT-R is extremely competitive. Sure, the Tesla Model S Plaid and Porsche Taycan are both incredibly fast EVs; the GT-R hits 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, which is pretty quick. This car has more power than the Mercedes-AMG GT R and the Aston Martin Vantage, which says a lot. The competitive nature of Godzilla proves just how amazing the Nissan V6 engines and tuning can be when packaged right.

2024 could be a banner year for the GT-R

The 2024 Nissan GT-R will wear a fresh face with new front and rear fascias, giving this impressive sports car a brand-new look. The Nismo will include a new front limited-slip differential, which improves the handling capabilities. We’ll also see the return of the T-Spec model with the retro Millennium Jade and Midnight Purple color schemes. The Nismo appearance package adds a new wing and improved downforce while continuing to offer an impressive drag coefficient of 0.26.

The 2023 Nissan GT-R is an amazing high-performance sports car that continues the Skyline heritage without wearing the name. Although we don’t know what the R36 generation has in store for us, an upgraded R35 model hits the market in 2024, and the current version delivers amazing figures to continue the driving dynamics we expect in this Nissan.