New 2011 R35 - First Impressions

[Munro]

I recently picked up my new R35 GTR and went for a nice long drive to bring it home.

After doing nearly 20000km in my 2008 JDM model with light mods I got to know that GTR

quite well over the last 2 years and it was a hard decision to sell that car as I really liked it.

I had read all the articles about the changes to the DBA model but was a bit unsure if it would

feel much different in the real world. Wow was I wrong! They may as well have called it the R36

because it is a vastly improved car.

The new GT Blue is an amazing colour. From some angles, and in the shade, it looks like a flat

navy blue - but when the sun hits it the metallic sparkle is awesome and the deepness of the pearl

is brilliant. Under Fluro lights it looks amazing especially around the edges (which this car has

plenty of!) and it does not seem to hide the shape as much as the black colour does.

I love the new wheels and they really show off the slightly bigger brakes. I have never really been

into the LEDs but it does look good at night.

The new interior is a big jump over the older model. The seats seem more comfortable and the overall

finish of the dash with its new carbon panels and MFD is excellent. Its also cool to be able the read

all the buttons and the Sat Nav chick sounds much nicer than the Japanese one that screeched at me before!

The biggest WOW factor for me was the smoothness of this new car. The ride is more forgiving and

somehow feels even more glued to the road without some of the harshness that my JDM had.

My old transmission had the clutch pressures lifted and that may have caused it to feel a bit more

brutal, but the DBA is as smooth as silk. I could really use this as a daily driver where I dont

think I could have put up with the 08 model!

Luckily I found a closed off section of private road and under controlled circumstances I could proceed

to confirm the increased aerodynamics on this model. Ah, yep it is very slippery............

I was also surprised that the power feels similar to my old GTR even though that had midpipe and COBB.

Be very interesting to see how the same mods might affect the new car.

Overall I am hugely impressed with it. Nissan have managed to turn a really good car into a truly great

sports car. It was hard to let go of the old one, but turned out to be the right decision.

I am going to have a great time getting to know this car......... See you all out there..

[Martin Donnon]

Let me look into your future Munro......

I see a titanium midpipe, thats right nice and light with a resonator to reduce drone.

I also see, wait for it, a full Ti exhaust system dropping another 15kg off the weight of the car.

Finally, do you know someone called Cobb? I think he is telling me your engine needs tuning.

I see something blue, a set of AWD Mainline rollers, it has a number, does 400awkw mean anything to you?

[Munro]

You had me at Titanium! Hmmm...400...

Not the number I had in mind, but I'm sure it will do for a while!

[MattR]

hahaha you just can't stop yourself can you. so when are you going to take me for a drive??

[Tangles]

congrats on the new car Munro

enjoy it mate

[fungoolie]

You had me at Titanium! Hmmm...400...

Not the number I had in mind, but I'm sure it will do for a while!

Do it Munro! Busting to see what a nice tune will net on these new ones. And agreed on the colour. You always had a soft spot for blue didn't you.....

[Munro]

Yes, and what a blue it is. Its parked out the front now.

You might see it on your way home!

[fungoolie]

Yes, and what a blue it is. Its parked out the front now.

You might see it on your way home!

You wont believe this. I drove past at exactly 4:08 when you posted this!! My phone log doesn't lie. I almost dropped in but was running late for an appointment....Did look sweet in the late arvo sun..

[Beer Baron]

nice one mate. glad the 08 gave you a taste for these new fangled GTRs and that you've moved on to the new kid.

Very interesting to hear your thoughts on the power. be interesting to see waht a stock 11 makes at the wheels. JDMs seemed to be anywhere from 270kw up to 290kw (few quoted 300kw) stock and I'm guessing with tune and midpipe your old JDM was something north of 320kw?

Good to see they have made incremental improvements in stuff like interior. As they were certainly areas that did have some room for improvement. post some pics mate. I want to see the new colour too. I know you have had a soft spot for the blues.

maybe I will end up back in a 35 one day..... it's getting tempting again as they are getting better and better all the time. and support is now huge.

[Munro]

Hey Richard, yes its amazing how they can improve on what was a

fabulous car already. I took it for my first good drive in the hills

today and I can feel the difference in the car. Its very surefooted

and the smoothness of the ride and the transmission makes it a real

pleasure to drive. We have some great driving roads in the Adelaide

hills and this is certainly an awesome car to enjoy them in.

One thing that strikes me though is how good value the 09/10 cars

will be now. For those that have not driven an R35 before the difference

to the 2011 model wont matter, and as there are still "new" 2010 CBA

models in showrooms which will have to be run out that will mean

some really good deals - particularly now coming up to the end of June.

The dealers will have to consider low offers or they will get stuck

with them.

[eastes]

I need to make a decision. My 09 R35 has only about 6 months warranty remaining. I'm thinking I should sell now to make it easier for the new buyer to make a decision. Also might mean I can ask a little more for it. After reading your post, it sounds like an upgrade might be worth it at some point but I wouldn't buy the new 2011 right away as the extra 70k on top of what I'll likely get for the '09 is too much at the moment. So, it means I'd need to drive around in a Corola or something for a while.

Hmmm. Decisions Decisions.

[Munro]

Finally got around to taking a photo of it!

[Munro]

[Munro]

Face off in the shed! Check out that metallic!

[dkbcleaner]

Looks awesome!

Mate It seems to me the new 2011 gtr's are more photogenic than the older ones.

[Munro]

I saw my new midpipe today, it weighs almost nothing!

Cant wait to get it fitted next week..........

[Munro]

Its always great to compare against other nice cars and yesterday I attended an Aston Martin drive day in the Adelaide hills

to try out the new Vantage S and V12 Virage models that Aston Martin have just released.

Was a very well organised day at a winery and they had mapped out a brilliant 12 kay or so "lap" we could take the cars on.

The first one I drove was the new Vantage S. This new model has got slightly more power from the V8 and has their new

7 speed dual clutch gearbox with paddle shift. I could not believe how shocking it was compared the the R35 transmission!

It was lurching and fussing around and was really Slooooooow on the changes, my brother was driving another one behind

me and he agreed it was terrible compared to the brilliant box in the GTR. The suspension was also much harder than in the

GTR which really surprised me adn my overall impression of the car was quite disappointing. I suppose I expected it to be

smoother. They did say it was like their "GT3" version, but I think an actual GT3 would bea easier to live with.

Did look amazing inside and out though, and open exhaust over 4000rpm sounded great!

Next I drove the V12 Rapide which is the 4 door 2+2 model (an answer to the Porsche Panamera) the V12 engine is really

smooth and I loved the sound of it under full noise. Felt quite big on the road and not really my cup of tea in the look department.

The V12 Virage model really turned me on. The paddle shift automatic put their double clutch gearbox to shame for smoothness

and seemed to change faster as well! Very stong in gear torque and the ceramic brakes are mind blowing - totally awesome

stopping power. The Virage is placed above the DB9 but under the crazy priced DBS models and I can see them selling a few

of these to well heeled types that want class. I loved it. The interior just oozes class and style and you cant fault the shape of this

car from any angle. Was a fantastic day and really glad I went (food was great too!)

Driving home though the hills I realised what an amazing car the GTR is though, and considering it is not even half the price of

an Aston Martin ( and eats them all for breakfast around corners or in a straight line) it goes to show how clever the japs are.

GTR truly is a world beater.

[Munro]

We ran the standard GTR on the rollers today - made 313 awkw!

Add midpipe and custom COBB tuning - up 15% to 361 awkw.

Pretty happy with that! GTR feels amazing to drive now..............

What brilliant machines. Thanks Willalls.

[Martin Donnon]

Data -

[domino_z]

Martin im going to fast track my road trip out to you to get those turbo inlet pipes fitted and dyno tuned lol