NYIAS 2016: A Light Touch Can Get You to the Finish Line in the Nissan 2017 GT-R in No Time Flat

The Nissan 2017 GT-R will be available for actual driving this summer. Photo by V.W.


Half shafts, knock sensor, pent-roof, planetary gears, sump, torque, viscous coupling , yaw … It’s mostly Greek to some of us, which is why when we visit the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) – as was the case on Wednesday and Thursday (23 and 24 March) during the Media Preview Days – we do not concern ourselves with the latest technological advances, bells and whistles, add-ons and whatnots. Instead, we roam the cavernous confines of the Javits Center to see what niftiness we encounter. This year, we discovered it mostly in the virtual reality realm and will bring said niftiness to your attention over the next few days. Should you visit the NYIAS, do have a look. The show is open to the public 25 March – 3 April.

BY V.W.

PULLING instead of pushing will put you on the road to success.

Do note that what is needed is a very gentle tug of the steering wheel to the left or to the right. A robust tug or pushing the steering wheel will cause the car to exit the racetrack for the shoulder or the median. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and deducting time gained for every stop, crash and bang.

Follow this simple instruction, plus accelerate, and you may find yourself at the finish line in around 50 seconds. That was the best time recorded yesterday on the Nissan 2017 GT-R virtual simulator at the 2016 New York International Auto Show. It allows the driver to simulate the experience of being on a racetrack behind the wheel of the automaker’s news sports car.

A quick and easy download of the GT-R app from your mobile phone puts you on the racetrack.

Elsewhere, download another GT-R app, strap on the Virtual Reality Viewer goggles, slide the mobile phone into the viewer compartment and see the GT-R do its thing on some of the world’s most famous tracks, including Le Mans, Circuit of the Americas, Fuji Speedway and Silverstone Circuit.

Meanwhile, the prize for the best time on the GT-R virtual simulator: Bragging rights.

Visit http://www.autoshowNY.com to learn more about the 2016 New York International Auto Show; visit http://www.nissanusa.com/sportscars/2017-gt-r/ to learn more about the Nissan 2017 GT-R.