Nissan GT-R T-Spec 2022 Review

‘Godzilla’ is on a final rampage across Australia in its current form and has proven yet again to be a smash hit, with all 30 examples of the swansong 2022 Nissan GT-R T-Spec selling out in record time.

It’s still a tremendously capable supercar to drive at full tilt on the racetrack – even if it’s nigh-on 14 years old – and the VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 is still a breathtaking feat of automotive engineering, generating fearsome thrust.

Priced at $256,700 plus on-road costs, those quick enough to snag a 2022 Nissan GT-R T-Spec get the same hand-assembled 3.8-litre biturbo six-cylinder engine as other R35 GT-R models, but extras like the sought-after T-Spec badges front and rear, upgraded carbon-ceramic brakes and two unique exterior paint colours – Millennium Jade and Midnight Purple – add to its desirability.

The improved thermal dynamics of the braking system – borrowed from the Nissan GT-R NISMO – bring improved track readiness with 410mm front and 390mm rear ceramic rotors replacing 390/380mm front/rear steel discs.

New gold forged 20-inch alloy wheels are part of the T-Spec offering, as is a carbon-fibre rear spoiler.

While the visual changes aren’t significant, there’s definitely a heightened sense of occasion.

Interior highlights include unique dark green leather upholstery for the steering wheel, shift lever, seat trim and parts of the dashboard. There’s also diamond-patterned Alcantara roof lining, suede A-pillar coverings and special door sills.

Despite the extra bits, the interior feels fairly low-key – which isn’t a bad thing – but it shows the GT-R in its current generation has been around a long time. Since 2007.

All Nissan GT-R models sold in Australia are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

While the price of the GT-R T-Spec looks steep given the circa-$57,000 increase over its donor car, the GT-R Premium, buyers are already on-selling the vehicle with almost 400 per cent mark-ups.

Its collectability has skyrocketed due to this being the last-ever R35-generation Nissan GT-R imported to Australia ex-factory, which is the result of the sports car failing to comply with new safety regulations that recently came into force.

So now we’ve got a situation where some buyers who paid the $256,700 asking price (plus the on-road costs) are now selling the GT-R T-Spec on carsales.com.au for up to $1 million.

Is the car worth a million bucks? Perhaps not in a performance sense as you could probably lap faster in a Ferrari SF90 Stradale (from $846,888).

But in terms of collectability, it’s certainly up there, which is also partly due to its Aussie provenance.

In the early 1990s the R32 GT-R romped through the Aussie Group A touring car series and in 1991 took out the most famous motorsport race in Australia, the Bathurst 1000.

So dominant was the GT-R on Aussie racetracks, the rules were changed to exclude turbo all-wheel drive vehicles shortly after its resounding successes.

Indeed, it was nicknamed ‘Godzilla’ in Australia for its crushing motorsport performances.

GT-R safety systems haven’t changed much in its almost 14-year tenure, so while you get the basics like six airbags, traction and stability controls and anti-lock brakes, there’s not much else in the 2022 Nissan GT-R T-Spec.

Adaptive cruise control? Nope. Lane keep assist? Forget it. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? No dice.

There’s no ANCAP crash test rating, which is not surprising for a sports car of this calibre, but the fact that the GT-R doesn’t comply with new side-impact regulations now in force in Australia is an obvious point to make.

That said, the handling prowess and massive braking performance means the GT-R T-Spec also rates highly in our eyes for ‘active’ safety, which helps avoid a collision occurring in the first place.

The heart and soul of the 2022 Nissan GT-R T-Spec remains the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, which smashes out 419kW of power at 6800rpm and 632Nm of torque at 3300rpm to 5800rpm.

In theory that creates a rather handy powerband spanning 3500rpm, and in practice the GT-R is an absolute weapon.

If facts and figures are not your thing, let’s just say it generates a lot of mechanical muscle, enough to pin your torso into the snug bucket seats with nonchalant ease under full throttle.

Despite having to propel a significant amount of mass (1760kg), the hand-assembled engine makes the GT-R feel ludicrously responsive.

On the front straight at the Sandown circuit in Melbourne the T-Spec had no problem pushing 240km/h, and the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission does a splendid job punching through the gears and keeping the engine on song.

The V6 delivers a visceral experience, mostly due to its savage power delivery but also via the induction roar and exhaust note emanating from the blue-tinged titanium exhaust pipes.

It’s gravelly battle cry as the tacho needle nears the 7000rpm redline is barbaric.

Nissan doesn’t quote 0-100km/h times any more, but once upon a time (when the engine developed less power!) the car-maker claimed 2.7 seconds. Real-world times are more likely to be around 3.3sec, but whichever way you slice and dice it, the big GT-R can boogie.

After strapping in with Bathurst 1000 winner and carsales contributor Luke Youlden for a couple of brain-melting at-the-limit laps around Sandown, he jumps out of the driver’s seat.

“Have fun Feanngio,” he grins as he wanders off into the pits. Then it’s just driver, car and racetrack, exploring a short and sharp relationship that is best described – in hindsight – as intense and euphoric.

True love? Not quite. The 2022 Nissan GT-R T-Spec is no spring chicken, neither is she small nor lightweight. But there’s something very satisfying and uncomplicated about the experience.

As the hot Aussie sun heats up the air to more than 30 degrees centigrade – the track getting even hotter – I trundle out of pit lane and ease into the car gently, the first lap undertaken at around 7/10ths of my driving capability – fast-ish, but risk averse.

Then the front straight approaches for lap two and it’s go time – foot to the floor exiting the final corner and the GT-R blasts forward in brutal fashion, pinning me into the seat with extraordinary force.

There’s definitely life left in the engine, that’s for sure.

Leaning on the brakes hard, if a little early into turn one, the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx high-performance tyres shod to the showy gold rims provide loads of traction under deceleration and there’s no doubt the bigger, more durable carbon-ceramic brakes are a good choice for those who plan to track the car rather than garage it.

The aluminium one-piece (monobloc) callipers are supplied by Brembo, six-piston front and four-piston rear, and feature carbon brake pads. The ventilated, cross-drilled rotors are some of the largest carbon-ceramic discs that Brembo produces.

Lap after lap the brakes cop a real beating, and while I’m not hitting them with as much brutality as Youlden, they stand up to repeated abuse.

That said, a colleague later in the day noted the pedal did begin to lose a bit of feel after repeated punishment by several journos.

Apart from the stronger, more robust braking system borrowed from the steroidal GT-R NISMO, there’s no other mechanical changes, but it highlights just how good the base car is when pushed to the ragged edge.

Despite its corpulent mass, the Nissan GT-R T-Spec still dances like a ballerina, tipping into and tracking through corners with confident precision.

The front-end has real bite thanks in part to the NISMO-tuned double-wishbone suspension, Bilstein ‘DampTronic’ shockers and hollow anti-roll bar, and in partnership with the well-weighted steering, high-speed driving feels instinctive and rewarding.

Together with an all-wheel drive system purpose-built for high-intensity workouts, the GT-R can still hold its own against much newer and arguably more expensive and exotic rivals.

Is the 2022 Nissan GT-R T-Spec worth a million dollars? Perhaps to some buyers. What about $256,700?

That question is rhetorical given the current market value and its sold-out status.

Ultimately, it’s a bittersweet moment for Aussie fans of the Japanese supercar, especially as the rest of the world will probably get a legitimate R35 Final Edition.

Factory supply of the GT-R might have dried up in Australia for now, but you can bet your bottom dollar the new-generation R36 will be back with a high-tech – and electrified – vengeance.

How much does the 2022 Nissan GT-R T-Spec cost?
Price: $256,700 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Sold out
Engine: 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol
Output: 419kW/632Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 12.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 281g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested