10 Reasons the 2016 Nissan GT-R Wins Autobytel Buyer's Choice Best Coupe Award

2016 Nissan GT R 45 anniversary gold profile ・ Photo by Nissan

A high-performance supercar—the 2016 Nissan GT-R—has been named Best Coupe in the 2017 Autobytel Buyer's Choice Awards. It’s a fitting way for the GT-R to cap off a milestone year, too, since the 2016 edition also celebrated the 45th anniversary of the car’s original debut.

#10: A premium soundtrack

Audiophiles will love the 2016 Nissan GT-R’s sound system, which was created by BOSE specifically for the car’s cabin: Each of the setup’s 11 speakers was carefully placed for superior acoustics, even the forward-facing woofers that are mounted near the rear center armrest. Active Noise Cancellation also is on board, both to mask unwanted sounds and enhance the engine note.

Photo by Nissan

#9: New infotainment resources

The 2016 Nissan GT-R upsizes its capacitive touchscreen—from 7 inches to eight—and drastically reduces the number of physical controls, for simpler, easier use. Now, with integrated controls for audio and navigation, drivers can manage all the systems functions with just 11 switches. That’s down from 27 last year.

Photo by Nissan

#8: The NISMO edition

The 2016 Nissan GT-R NISMO model is called the “extreme” variant of the brand’s iconic sports car. Needless to say, it lives up to that reputation with NISMO-tuned suspension upgrades and aero enhancements, Recaro racing seats, and extra output—which rises to 600 horsepower and 481 lb.-ft. of torque.

Photo by Nissan

#7: The 45th Anniversary edition

Naturally, the 2016 Nissan GT-R is marking its previously mentioned milestone with a commemorative model. The 45th Anniversary Gold Edition is based on the GT-R Premium, but wraps that package in an eye-catching “Silica Brass” exterior finish, the same as used on the legendary 2001 Skyline GT-R M-Spec.

Photo by Nissan

#6: Fantastic finishes

The 2016 Nissan GT-R accentuates its sleek exterior with eight color choices, including Deep Blue Pearl, Jet Black, Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and three premium finishes: A four-stage metallic paint called Super Silver, the 45th Anniversary Silica Brass, and Regal Red—blended with glass flakes coated in 24-karat gold.

Photo by Nissan

#5: Hot handling

Drivers of the 2016 Nissan GT-R also need a suspension capable of handling the car’s outsized engine output. With that in mind, the standard setup leverages driver-adjustable Bilstein DampTronic shock absorbers. The system has three modes—normal, comfort and the sportiest “R” setting—and it complements the multi-mode drive and steering technologies.

Photo by Nissan

#4: High-performance design

The 2016 Nissan GT-R has a wind-cheating exterior for optimum aerodynamics, with a rakish profile that’s accented by a rear spoiler, prominent venting, quad exhaust tips, and LED-enhanced front lighting with a lightning-bolt shape. The GT-R also welcomed new 20-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels for the 2016 model year, from RAYS.

Photo by Nissan

#3: Brembo brakes

Meanwhile, the 2016 Nissan GT-R partners with Brembo, one of the biggest names in braking, to rein in all those horses. Key details here include cross-drilled rotors along with six- and four-piston front and rear calipers. Those, per Nissan, “utilize race car-style radial mounting to minimize caliper flex during extreme braking.”

Photo by Nissan

#2: A driver’s cockpit

Standard racing-style front seats—and available Recaros—highlight a cabin that’s strongly focused on the driver’s needs. For example, engineers have mounted all of the GT-R’s meters at the same height, so it’s easier for drivers to find them, and the car additionally boasts a multi-function display designed with help from the team behind the Gran Turismo videogame series.

Photo by Nissan

#1: A potent powerplant

Hand-assembled by master technicians in a specially designed “clean room,” the engine of the 2016 Nissan GT-R is a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 that turns out 545 horsepower and 463 lb.-ft. of torque. A paddle-shifting dual-clutch transmission then delivers that output through a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system to enable all-around performance.

Read about the 17 Most Wanted Vehicles of 2016 for the full list of the 2017 Autobytel Car Buyer's Choice Award recipients.

Photo by Nissan