Nissan is looking to get as much mileage out of the current, R35-generation GT-R as it can. At the 2016 New York Auto Show, the 2017 GT-R debuted as the most significant update of the model since it first appeared about a decade ago. Now, Nissan is giving the hotter GT-R NISMO version the same treatment.
The 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO debuted at the Nürburgring motor sports complex in Germany, where its predecessor achieved lap times to match much more exotic supercars, and also where significant development work on both generations of NISMO was done. The outgoing NISMO was a range-topping model focused solely on performance (NISMO stands for “Nissan Motorsports,” after all), but with the 2017 GT-R, Nissan is emphasizing luxury. So what kind of animal will the new NISMO be?
From the outside, at least, the 2017 NISMO resembles the “standard” 2017 GT-R. The grille incorporates Nissan’s familial “V-motion” shape, and the hood has some new bulges. Unlike other GT-R models, the NISMO gets a front bumper made from carbon fiber, along with more aggressive aerodynamic aids like a jutting front spoiler and massive rear wing. Unfortunately, the overall look isn’t quite as handsome as the more elegant 2016 GT-R NISMO. Nissan says the changes produce more downforce, at least.
Read more: Watch a 1,380 hp Nissan GT-R go 189 mph… sideways
Under the hood, the new NISMO is the same as the old NISMO. The 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 still produces 600 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque. As in other GT-R models, that power is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. The NISMO still boasts significantly more power than the standard GT-R’s 565hp and 467 lb-ft, even though that model got a power boost for 2017.
Interior design was never a priority in the old GT-R NISMO, but the new model tries to balance driver-focused simplicity with some of the upgrades bestowed on the rest of the 2017 GT-R lineup. It gets the same redesigned steering wheel and dashboard, covered in alcantara. As in the standard GT-R, the number of switches is cut from 27 to 11, and the driver gets a new 8-inch display screen to play with. The NISMO also has special leather Recaro bucket seats with red synthetic suede inserts.
Expect the 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO to go on sale some time after the rest of the 2017 GT-R lineup, which hits showrooms this summer. We can’t wait to find out if it lives up to the NISMO name.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.