Nissan GT-R recognizes tracks via GPS and removes speed limiter

[trev0006]

Nissan GT-R recognizes tracks via GPS and removes speed limiter
We know that the Nissan GT-R's ECU wizardry is impressive, but this little tidbit left us in awe. According to our friends over at the GTChannel, the GT-R's integrated computer limits the vehicle's speed in Japan to 111 mph (180 km/h), but once the GPS system detects that you've arrived at a domestic circuit, it removes the top speed limiter for all-out track assaults. In the U.S., they've bumped up the electronically-limited top speed to 156 mph (250 km/h), but there's no integration with the GPS here in the States, meaning that anyone that wants to go faster on track has to have the ECU modifed. Nissan has made several overtures that the GT-R's ECU will be a tough nut to crack, but we're sure that enterprising tuners both here and abroad will be able to coax a few extra ponies out of the twin-turbo'd 3.8-liter mill and remove any electronic nannies that go with it.

[Benman]

If that is correct, then that is certainly a trick piece of kit! Great idea.

Ben:addict:

[Leadfoot]

I read about that too, I think it's solely for the Japanese market cars. I wonder what happens to those cars which are imported to other countries.

[Z07]

I read about that too, I think it's solely for the Japanese market cars. I wonder what happens to those cars which are imported to other countries.

You hack the ECU. They're limited to 156mph as standard for UK, Europe and US.

[Leadfoot]

You hack the ECU. They're limited to 156mph as standard for UK, Europe and US.

I meant the Japanese market cars which many an independent UK importers seem to bring in.

[Z07]

I meant the Japanese market cars which many an independent UK importers seem to bring in.
Interesting question. For the UK, newer imports* have to be in mph. So it all depends on how they go about that and how the limiter works. If the limiter receives its cue to beef from the speedometer, as the R32-34s did, then it's simply a matter of replacing the speedometer, which they'll have to do anyway. Either that or they'll have to configure it to read in mph, which means that the car will only limit at 180mph.

*I forget the cut-off date but I think it applies for cars less than 10 years old.

[Leadfoot]

I reckon the UK independent importers market for this car could be quite big and profitable when you consider the price it retails at in Japan.

If it's ride quality had of been better then I might of considered one but Autocar and EVO both reported that it's extremely hard, plus another concern of mine is it's performance but not in the way you would think, it will get to 70mph in 4 seconds flat and you could lose your license in less than 8 seconds flat which is truly crazy.

You may say there is a number of cars capable of this but all the rest are out of my price bracket and don't count. :D

[Z07]

I reckon the UK independent importers market for this car could be quite big and profitable when you consider the price it retails at in Japan.

If it's ride quality had of been better then I might of considered one but Autocar and EVO both reported that it's extremely hard, plus another concern of mine is it's performance but not in the way you would think, it will get to 70mph in 4 seconds flat and you could lose your license in less than 8 seconds flat which is truly crazy.

You may say there is a number of cars capable of this but all the rest are out of my price bracket and don't count. :D
I believe Newera are importing some and selling at around £50k but that's still out of my comfortable price range.

The license concern won't be the 0-XXX times, it'll be the 80-120mph on part throttle in top time, which is always staggering in GTRs.;)