2020 Nissan GT-R Nismo in detail: what is the fastest 'Godzilla' in history?

The R35-generation Nissan GT-R has been in production for over a decade now, and while many believe it's time for the Japanese giant to introduce a successor, Nissan has been making the current car better and better every year.

The 2020 Nismo GT-R is the latest and greatest model, which Nissan says is 2.5 seconds faster on the test track than the 2019 model. So, will this $210,000 Nismo GT-R be even better than the Lizard that preceded it? Once again, we asked Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained to talk about what makes the 600-horsepower 2020 Nismo GT-R the fastest "Godzilla" ever built.

The first element is weight reduction: compared to the 2019 model, the 2020 Nismo is nearly 50 kilograms lighter. Most of the weight reduction is in the body: the 2020 model's exterior trim is largely made of carbon fiber. The only panels not made of carbon fiber are the rear fenders and doors.

Second, Nissan has put a lot of effort into improving engine responsiveness. This was achieved by borrowing a turbocharger from the Nissan GT-R race car. This turbocharger features a lighter turbine wheel that spins faster (which reduces turbo lag). According to Nissan, this improvement gives the 2020 Nismo GT-R a half-car advantage of more than five seconds in 55 mph floor maneuvers.

The rest depends on tires and aerodynamics, with emphasis on the former: both rubber compound and tread have been improved for 2020. The amount of rubber in contact with the road has been increased by 11%, resulting in a 7% increase in grip.

Fenske explains how it all combines to make the 2020 Nismo GT-R significantly faster than the 2019 model. Please see.