Meet The 2017 Nissan GT-R Track Edition
We covered the freshly face lifted and updated 2017 Nissan GT-R back in June, which at launch was only available in the US in one trim version, as the GT-R Premium. Nissan announced last month that they will be adding a performance-oriented Track Edition to the GT-R’s model lineup, slotting roughly halfway between the GT-R Premium and the flagship GT-R NISMO. In Europe, that makes the GT-R Track Edition the fourth different trim level, where it will be marketed above the GT-R Prestige and GT-R Black Edition trims that are not offered in the US currently.
Nissan’s Motorsports division, NISMO, are the team responsible for bringing us both the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition, and its second coming, the 2017 Nissan GT-R Track Edition. It is essentially a very lightly tuned version of the MY2017 GT-R which we first saw at the 2016 New York Motor Show this past April.
The NISMO engineers (and probably most other sane people) believe the 565hp available from the GT-R’s hand-built, 3.8-liter V6 twin-turbo engine make the vehicle fast enough as-is, as evidenced by the absence of any powertrain modifications to the Track Edition. Instead, careful attention has been paid to fine-tune the balance of the car, with a special emphasis on straight-line and cornering stability.
Go-fast goodies include a bespoke, race-tuned Bilstein Damptronic suspension system, a new lightweight anti-roll bar, and NISMO Racing Black forged 20-inch aluminum wheels and tires. The body remains virtually unchanged from the standard GT-R except for a wider front bumper and a carbon-fiber rear spoiler.
Track Edition models in Germany get carbon-backed Recaro seats as standard while the carbon rear spoiler remains an option, whereas those sold in the UK receive black and red Recaro seats from the GT-R Black Edition with the rear spoiler fitted as standard. All Track Editions regardless of end market get a carbon-fiber Track Edition badge on the dashboard.
Nissan GT-R For Sale
This 2017 Track Edition will differ slightly from the first Track Edition we saw back in 2014. It is not expected to be sold in a limited volume like the MY2014 Track Edition, of which only 150 examples were produced for the U.S. market, and it will also retain its rear seats, which the first edition did without for weight savings purposes.
That being said, it looks like this time around Nissan are making the Track Edition GT-R a little less “hardcore,” while still retaining all of its world-class performance — as has been documented at the Nürburgring time and time again. The MY17 Track Edition GT-R enjoys all of the updates that Nissan introduced with the facelifted 2017 GT-R, including a thoroughly re-worked interior. Highlights include a simplified center dashboard layout, an 8-inch touch-panel display, and steering wheel mounted shift paddles, which now offer improved feel and auditory feedback when adjusted or engaged.
The Track Edition will be available in the UK next month for £91,995. Pricing and availability are unknown for the U.S., but based on the 2017 GT-R Premium’s MSRP of $109,990, expect the Track Edition to be between $120,000 and $130,000.
