2015 Nissan GT-R softened

Nissan Australia has announced the 2015 model year Nissan GT-R will be arriving in local dealerships from early 2015, bringing with it several mechanical tweaks and improvements to ride comfort.

Although Nissan is not admitting its fierce supercar has gone soft, the company is pitching the 2015 model as a more refined beast "with a more mature, civilised attitude".

It's possible that Nissan is softening the GT-R with a view towards the next-generation R36 GT-R model, expected in 2017, which is rumoured to be adopting a hybrid system to meet emissions targets.

The fire-breathing 2015 Nissan GT-R will retain its 3.8-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine, pumping out 404kW/628Nm via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. With its ATESSA all-wheel drive system it scorches from 0-100km/h in just 2.7 seconds.

In our most recent review of the GT-R, last month, we noted that "Noise suppression, never a GT-R
strength, is superior to earlier iterations, however, the combination of
run-flat tyre roar and sheer mechanical noise sees the Nissan lagging
behind European rivals."

Responding to feedback, Nissan has 're-tuned' engine and transmission management systems, in a bid to improve refinement. Nissan says transaxle and driveshaft backlash have been modified to "reduce vibration and noise coming from stepping on and off the accelerator pedal". In other words driveline shunt has been lessened.

Modifications to the bearings inside the flywheel housing also help reduce driveline noise says Nissan and another potentially significant mechanical change to the 2015 GT-R is reworked suspension.

The damping rates of the GT-R's adjustable Bilstein shock absorbers and their computer-controlled management has been modified to "improve cornering stability" says Nissan, which could mean more compliance to better absorb mid-corner bumps.

We'll find out early next year, once we get our hands on the new model, to see how the changes manifest in real-world terms. Nissan says the suspension changes allow the driver "to trace the desired driving line" and "reduce the amount of steering corrections necessary on rough roads", suggesting more compliance has been dialled in – and which would also improve mooted changes to ride comfort.

Other changes made to the updated 2015 GT-R include revised tyres, again designed to improve "stability over uneven road surfaces", tweaked brakes designed to enhance pedal feel and steering adjustments that reduce vibrations at engine idle.

In its bid to deliver higher levels of refinement, Nissan has even employed new carpet in the boot to improve sound insulation. New-look RAYS double-spoke aluminium-alloy wheels will be offered on GT-R Premium Edition models too. Nissan has made no mention of changes to the cabin.

The current 2014 Nissan GT-R starts at $172,000, and Nissan Australia has been contacted regarding any price changes for 2015.