2009 Nissan GT-R: From Steel to Supercar Feature Video

2009 Nissan GT-R: From Steel to Supercar Feature Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Oct 26, 2009

2:16 min

GT-R Factory Tour It’s not often that a high volume car company like Nissan sets out to build a low-volume supercar like the GT-R.   To get an idea how Nissan does it, we went to the assembly plants where the GT-R comes together.   Our first stop was Nissan’s engine plant in Yokohama. It’s here that Nissan built a dedicated clean room specifically for the construction of the GT-R’s twin turbo V6.   Each engine is hand assembled by a single technician from start to finish. It only takes about 200 minutes per engine even though the pace of assembly is rarely rushed.   From there, the engines are taken to a separate dyno room to verify their horsepower and torque.   All the final assembly of the GT-R takes place at Nissan’s Tochigi plant. Although there are areas where the GT-R shares space with Infiniti sedans and coupes, some assembly of the GT-R is done away from the main line.   In one area, the rear suspension is put on a laser alignment rack after the six-speed transaxle is installed. Nissan says this procedure help assure the GT-R’s stability at high speeds.   Further down the line, the GT-R gets the rest of its major suspension components along with the engine and final interior and exterior trim.   Toward the end of the line, every GT-R is given a test run and then inspected under lights for minor imperfections.   From there, it’s on to the Tochigi test track where every GT-R is put through a precise break-in procedure by a dedicated team of test drivers.   So, the GT-R isn’t quite hand built like an Italian supercar, but it’s not quite mass produced either. Nissan is efficient where it can be, and takes its time when absolutely necessary.   The result is a world-class sportscar with a $70,000 price tag. Try that Ferrari.