The Making of a Mass-Produced Supercar. The GT-R

Porschinator submitted on 01/04/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 4:02 PM
from: www.edmunds.com

[61] user comments | category: Misc News

Tags: Nissan, GT-R, Supercar

Tag Links:

Nissan

GT-R

Supercar

The Making of a Mass-Produced Supercar. The GT-R

2009 Nissan GT-R: Inside Nissan's Tochigi Assembly Plant

Given its limited production numbers and stunning performance, you might think the 2009 Nissan GT-R would get its very own assembly line, a place where a small group of technicians work in near silence, slowly piecing together individual cars like craftsmen in a hot-rod shop.

That thought goes out the window the second you walk into the assembly area at Nissan's assembly plant in Tochigi, Japan, about 60 miles outside Tokyo. There, on various racks and conveyor belts, are GT-Rs all right, but they're mixed in among Infiniti G37 coupes and G35 sedans just like any other Nissan. They're all headed down the same production line and assembled by the same technicians.

So it's not what you might expect, but this doesn't tell the whole story of the 2009 Nissan GT-R's assembly process. There are areas where the GT-R does get special attention from dedicated technicians, but you have to take a few steps back in the build process to find them.

Thought this would be an interesting read and video. Some can knock the looks but the performance can't be denied! Read Article

Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]

EL34 - 1/4/2008 4:53:46 PM

Show Comment -18 Boost

SHOWTIME - 1/4/2008 8:49:58 PM

+6 Boost

Personally, I don't care if they get built on a backyard...as long as it costs cheaper, has good quality, assembled well, and no problems in the future.

NSX was $90K mostly cuz it was hand built and look how it got discontinued.

LexusLion - 1/5/2008 5:35:27 AM

-1 Boost

Jealousy! Ferrari is scared of the GT-R.

Htay7500 - 1/5/2008 8:31:26 AM

+2 Boost

my thoughts exactly showtime.

EL34 - 1/5/2008 11:31:15 AM

-1 Boost

Jealous of that cold - dead - stiff - fish!

You jest!!!

vman1013 - 1/6/2008 4:27:26 AM

+2 Boost

gt-r is a beast. everyone has to play catch up to keep the $100k+ cars competitive. then wait til the tuners get their hands on it. if a 1200hp supra embarasses a Lambo what will a tuned gt-r do??

it will look like a gt-r but make the guy in the Lambo but his girl something to make up for being embarrased.

EL34 - 1/7/2008 11:29:36 AM

-1 Boost

When ever I read someone calling the Nissan GT-R a beast, I have to conclude I agree and it should either be released into the wild or put in a zoo.

BMW4me4ever - 1/4/2008 5:25:56 PMView My AgentSpace

-7 Boost

I find it odd that they are wanting the GTR to be in the same breath as Porsche, BMW M, Ferrari but they build the car in the same production line as other less notable nissan's and infiniti. Part of the allure of getting something that is in " Supercar " territory is that the car is mostly hand built in its own assembly line. It makes the car " unique ", special ... Not only do people pay for athletic prowess but for the idea that they are getting something special. Building this car next to ordinary cars or infiniti's, takes away a bit from the luster.

just my opinion ..

reply to this comment

2004E46 - 1/4/2008 9:41:23 PM

+2 Boost

True...but Nissan's idea is to significantly lower the cost of the vhicle by lowering production costs. This car will be seen as a super high performance car for the masses instead of a specialty car for the very rich.

bluedart - 1/4/2008 10:16:17 PM

-1 Boost

how does it feel to have your must more expensive hand build supercar outperformed by a car that comes out of an assembly line?

Porschinator - 1/4/2008 5:27:42 PM

+4 Boost

True ^ But remember that Ghosn makes the rules and if the car is not profitable then it is OUT. This will help make it profitable.

reply to this comment

528i - 1/4/2008 5:27:55 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

They should'v put an Infiniti badge on it.

reply to this comment

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/4/2008 6:28:02 PM

+1 Boost

I agree, it would have been a great halo car for Infiniti.

1995e34 - 1/4/2008 7:47:12 PM

+3 Boost

they should've put a nissan badge on all their infinitis. nissa is a respectable brand. they stopped hiding behind the datsun name years ago. why hide again?

infunf - 1/6/2008 12:50:29 AM

+1 Boost

because of quota restrictions.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/6/2008 8:52:29 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

1994e34, who's "hiding?" Infiniti is clearly not the same as Nissan. Nissan needs that brand as much as Toyota needs Lexus and Honda needs Acura (?).

Well... Honda might actually be better off without Acura. But you get my point.

STJ88 - 1/4/2008 5:30:43 PM

+3 Boost

@EL34

What do you think the M5, M6 or R8 have thear own factory.

reply to this comment

BMW4me4ever - 1/4/2008 5:58:05 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

But they have their own production line. If this article is correct, the nissan GTR is being built on the same line as every other nissan and infiniti.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/6/2008 8:53:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

The R8 is built alongside the Lamborghini Gallardo and Audi RS4 in the Quattro GmbH factory. So basically, yes.

STJ88 - 1/4/2008 5:32:04 PM

+6 Boost

@They should'v put an Infiniti badge on it.

The GTR has been a nissan for 30 years so why change now, and they don't have infiniti in Japan.

reply to this comment

BMW4me4ever - 1/4/2008 5:56:01 PMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

cause they are calling it a " supercar ". Building it along side other nissan products, helps reduce costs, but it reduces the luster of this car being a supercar. Ex: BMW introduced a Z8 which was a very special and unique car, but you didnt see BMW building it in the same production line as a 3-series ... To me, although it is really fast, it is not a supercar nor should it be in that segment. Do you think Audi builds their R8 in the same production line as the A4? not in this lifetime. Another thing to keep in mind will be how well it holds up over time. Nissan is letting us believe that this car is something special and unique. That it can be talked about in the same breath as Porsche, BMW, ferrari, Audi etc. Then treat it as such. Right now it is just another fast nissan and nothing more.

reply to this comment

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/4/2008 6:31:47 PM

0 Boost

The Z8 aluminum body was a test bed for the new Rolls-Royce, in fact the body for the Rolls is still assembled on that production line.

fastonekiller

Never ever read where the Z8 was terrible to drive, it had poor wind management but far from terrible.

1995e34 - 1/4/2008 7:49:37 PM

+1 Boost

the only issue i heard about the z8 was the strut towers busting.

RealitySmack - 1/5/2008 8:40:20 AM

+1 Boost

Can you please elaborate on the comment...??

"BMW introduced a Z8 which was a very special and unique car..."

What makes a car *very special* and *unique* by building it differently, relative to the case we have here?

Lexus - 1/4/2008 6:43:11 PM

+7 Boost

Nissan built it GT-R in the mass market assembly line and still beat the other Supercar. That is just to Sweet!

1-run around the famous track in 7:38s
2-0-60 in 3.3s or less
3-for $70k
4-beat is beat the Porsche GT2 and turbo
5-beat pretty much every single production supercars on the road.

Period!

reply to this comment

Need4Speed - 1/4/2008 9:28:40 PM

+1 Boost

You are beyond lame.

Porschinator - 1/4/2008 7:27:36 PM

+2 Boost

Lexus...when did GT-R beat the GT2, show me an article.

reply to this comment

EL34 - 1/4/2008 7:34:18 PM

-4 Boost

What does GT-R stand for?

"Git-R-Done"

o_O

reply to this comment

Porschinator - 1/4/2008 7:35:39 PM

+2 Boost

By the way the GT2 did "that" famous track (Nurburgring) in 7:32s. Waiting for article to back your claim Lexus.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 1/4/2008 8:23:12 PM

-1 Boost

you too may be a snob if they cars you liked were emulated.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 1/4/2008 9:05:18 PM

0 Boost

which comment in particular?

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 1/4/2008 9:06:54 PM

+4 Boost

ok...i see your point. theyre really stretching to knock the gt-r.

reply to this comment

enthusiastx11 - 1/5/2008 11:21:05 AM

+1 Boost

"The only thing left now for the European fanboys to hold on to is their insecurity-driven snobbery. It's just sad."

the GTR is a world-class performer. and that's wonderful. but your comment is unnecessarily angry. not to mention naive when it comes to the why people buy super cars. they WANT IT ALL.

the GTR certainly doesn't LOOK like a supercar. it looks like a souped up japanese tuner car. porsche, ferrari, aston, etc have NOTHING to worry about in that department.

the GTR will sell primarily to gear-heads who have little appreciation--if any--for beauty and design.

reply to this comment

Lexus - 1/4/2008 8:26:49 PM

+1 Boost

I sincere apology, the Nissan GT-R did NOT beat the Porche GT2. Not where I get that from, I guess it just friday.

My apology, I think I was mistaken with the Lexus LF-A rumor lap time on the famous track.

reply to this comment

Lexus - 1/4/2008 8:28:02 PM

+1 Boost

correction, I sincerely apologize for the wrong information etc...

reply to this comment

BozzorTheGreat - 1/4/2008 9:58:07 PM

+4 Boost

This is actually an amazing achievement in assembly line production methods. If a car like this can be built on a standard production line, then it says both a lot about the quality of standard Nissans, as well as the remarkable design efficiency that the GT-R represents.

At the end of the day, some people will be willing to pay a premium for having a car handbuilt in small numbers, giving them something few others have. That is fine.

For others, what matters to them is affordability and the raw numbers: 0-100 mph, lateral acceleration, braking, slalom etc etc. The GT-R delivers brilliantly in this regard.

For some, this will not be enough, for others, it's all they need.

reply to this comment

RealitySmack - 1/5/2008 8:42:46 AM

+2 Boost

"The word "supercar" is entirely meaningless, because there is no universal definition of the word. It is just one of those words that fall under the heading of HYPE. Its HYPE I tell, HYPE! THE WORD HAS NO DEFINITION!"

I agree 100%. The term was most likely made by those who wanted to stand out and market their higher end cars.

reply to this comment

EL34 - 1/5/2008 11:43:34 AM

-2 Boost

The person that builds a Ferrari is an artist.

The guy that builds a Nissan is an auto worker.

Duh!!!!!!

reply to this comment

Porschinator - 1/4/2008 10:56:02 PM

0 Boost

No worries Lexus. Just wondering if I was the one that was mis-informed :) As for the LF-A we can wait and see. I can respect you "man-ing" up!

reply to this comment

RealitySmack - 1/5/2008 8:30:35 AM

+2 Boost

How many of you have actually been to an Automotive plant. Or better yet, worked in one?

If you've worked there you'd know that putting a bolt to secure a door or any other part is the same as if you were doing it sitting at home on your couch while watching a super-bowl game! Tightening nuts and bolts doesn't change whether you do it in a separate production line or not as long as you're able to meet quality standards.

Another thing I don't believe is the myth that you can build better cars (i.e. Supercars) if they have their own lines.

reply to this comment

huntr - 1/5/2008 1:53:15 PM

+1 Boost

I have found this exchange of words interesting and I would like to point something out regarding the Alpina Z8 that was bashed by someone. What you have to take into consideration is the fact that the Alpina version and the true Z8 are different cars. The Alpina Z8 does not have the M V8 rather it has a 4.8l V8 which has less horsepower but had more low end grunt which would serve that car well for relaxed in town driving. Also on the Alpina version the suspension is much softer that the normal Z8 and the wheels and tires are different as well and along the same lines the car has an automatic trans. instead of a manual. So to summarize we have a different engine with less power, softer suspension, different wheels and tires and a different transmission. Please do not confuse the perfomance traits of this car to the "real Z8". I do not know if any of you have ever driven a Z8, but I can tell you in my humble opinion that they drive very nice and it is truly a beautiful vehicle!!

reply to this comment

huntr - 1/5/2008 1:55:08 PM

+1 Boost

Ohh and one more thing is I would not consider the Z8 a supercar on the level with a Lambo, but rather a very nice roadster that is gorgeous and fun to drive.

reply to this comment

SupraNeverBack - 1/5/2008 4:14:41 PM

0 Boost

Mass production means high quality. Handbuilding means no quality guarantee.That is why Ferrari and Lambo etc. are garage king and queen.

reply to this comment

RealitySmack - 1/6/2008 12:25:29 PM

+2 Boost

The main reason why Mass production would have a better quality is due to Automation.

I would take a partially hand-built and mostly automated engine over a totally hand made engine.

The reason is simple: Because with automation, you can have a better control over your outcomes and the possibilities of detecting minor variations in the product are better as well. Another advantage is a better consistency with the final product. Maintaining consistency with any human being is costly and unreliable.

Porschinator - 1/5/2008 10:37:49 PM

+1 Boost

Supra^^ lives in a magical world where it rains lollipops and money grows on trees....

reply to this comment

Porschinator - 1/5/2008 10:38:41 PM

+1 Boost

So Supra explain why the GT-Rs engines are HAND BUILT!

reply to this comment

To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

	Porschinator
	View My AgentPage