Refreshing or Revolting: 2017 Nissan GT-R

We first saw the Nissan GT-R nearly 10 years ago, and since then it has earned a reputation for crushing supercars nearly double its price in terms of performance. The 2017 Nissan GT-R has finally gotten a makeover, moving more upscale with an updated look and increased performance. The automaker has brought its new design language to its halo sports car, but are the changes enough to keep Godzilla looking fresh until the next-gen model arrives?

While the grille retains its hexagonal design, Nissan has updated it to include the corporate V-motion design element. There’s now a chrome outline under the GT-R badge, and the lower grille extends farther. The LED daytime driving lights are now integrated into the air vents for the front wheels, but retain their horizontal design. The headlights themselves feature the same housing design but the lights have been updated to offer a more polished, sharper design.

Not much has changed when looking at the 2017 Nissan GT-R from the side, but the new 20-inch forged aluminum wheels give the profile a more sophisticated appearance. The rear features a new bumper with a more prominent diffuser and functional vents. The taillights retain their rounded appearance, and the rear wing maintains a similar design. It appears that the rear has more sculpting than the outgoing model, seen just above the tailpipes, and the sides of the car.

The exterior cosmetic enhancements seem minimal compared to how much has changed inside. The Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel has been replaced with leather. The dashboard and center stack are all-new, with the instrument cluster wrapped in leather. The infotainment system now features an 8-inch touchscreen that can also be controlled with the Display Command controller on the center console. The abundance of buttons has been dialed back to just 11, and the infotainment interface has been simplified with large icons for easier operation. The paddle shifters have been moved from being mounted on the column to the wheel itself, as Nissan has also implemented a new steering wheel. The controls no longer encompass the rounded center of the steering wheel, but have been condensed to the sides for easier access when driving.

The 2017 Nissan GT-R has been significantly refreshed for the new model year, with the most significant enhancements happening inside the cabin. The exterior changes show off Nissan’s new design language without hindering the aerodynamics. Does the upscale move take away from what made past models so great? Let us know in the comments below.

Last week’s Refreshing or Revolting featured the 2017 Subaru Impreza, and reactions were mixed.

“Don’t know why, but that first picture looks very Volvo….Looks okay, but still just not impressed,” said Adeum.

“A lot of Subaru products look like they were designed in the ’90’s – including this one. No chances taken at all,” said TheClassicCarFactory.

“Refreshing. This vehicle offers all the essentials at a great price. Their aren’t many reasons not to buy this car for a daily driver and I have been in a few situations in which I wished I had AWD,” said Midosan.

“Better looking then the last quirky design,” said Geza Bereczky jr.

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