2023 Nissan GT-R NISMO Performance

The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood of the GT-R Nismo has been tuned to deliver 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque, with power being directed to all four corners. Nissan's last round of updates - introduced for the 2020 model - claims superior engine responses by up to 20 percent. With the effective launch control system hooked up, the GT-R Nismo will go from 0 to 60 in just 2.5 seconds and continue on to a top speed of 205 mph. This is faster than both the Acura NSX and the Audi R8, putting into perspective what a beast the GT-R Nismo is. However, these two competitors aren't as prone to turbo lag as the Nismo (the Audi is naturally aspirated while the NSX's hybrid powertrain delivers a surge of power throughout the rev range), so on the move, they are more responsive and flexible. The GT-R Nismo is perfectly capable of stunning passengers into silence with the force of its acceleration off the mark, though.

The well-known 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 VR38DETT engine powering the Nismo uses the same turbos found in the GT3 race car variant of the GT-R. Last year, the changes resulted in a 14.5 percent drop in mass and a 24 percent reduction in inertia, which Nissan says contributes to faster responses. Peak outputs are pegged at 600 hp and 481 lb-ft. Paired with this V6 is a six-speed dual-clutch transmission with an R Mode offering more aggressive shifts. Not all Nissan's claims have translated to the real-world driving experience, though, where the GT-R Nismo remains the victim of turbo lag. When the turbos do spool up, the GT-R Nismo will thrill you with its vicious turn of speed, but you'll also spend more time than is ideal waiting for this moment to be realized. Unlike most modern dual-clutches, the GT-R's gearbox isn't as smooth when undertaking stop-go traffic conditions, but it improves when used in anger on the track or when reverting to manual mode and using the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

With EPA-rated figures of 16/22/18 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, the Nissan GT-R Nismo uses as much gas as one would expect considering the towering performance on offer. A fairly large 19.5-gallon gas tank is fitted but this will still limit the range to around 351 miles in mixed driving conditions. In our experience with the GT-R Nismo, it was pretty easy to attain the 18 mpg average. If you prefer your supercar experience blended with a more efficient approach, the Acura NSX will be happy to oblige with superior figures of 21/22/21 mpg. However, the Nismo's consumption is unlikely to deter most people interested in buying one.