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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Fire danger rises to 'extreme' on Tuesday ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Fire danger rises to 'extreme' on Tuesday ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan GT-R Comment By Neal White More Content Now MailTribune.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 8:27 AM By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 8:27 AM » Social News I couldn’t even begin to count how many cellphone “selfies” have been taken by this week’s test vehicle. I just know there has been a steady flow of folks pulling in the parking lot to check out the 2015 Nissan GT-R supercar, and all of them have taken out their phone to take pictures. It has certainly drawn the most attention of any car I’ve evaluated in recent years. The GT-R is a 545 horsepower, all-wheel drive high-performance vehicle with a price tag starting around $101,000. The list price of this week’s test vehicle came in at $106,650, which included a $3,000 premium paint job with 24-karat-gold-coated glass flakes. The first thing I noticed when I climbed into the cockpit is the speedometer goes up to 220 mph. And then when I pushed the ignition button to start the engine, I saw the multi-function display capable of displaying 14 different pages of information, such as acceleration, brake pedal pressure, steering angle and a recording function with playback. As I scrolled through the pages on the display, one came up displaying the turbo boost functions for the 3.8-liter twin turbo V-6 that produces 463 lbs.-ft. torque to along with its 545 horsepower. Everything about the GT-R is designed for performance, including the paddle-shift sequential 6-speed dual clutch transmission, which can be driver selected to shift at race car-like speeds. It even has an adjustable shock absorber system that uses multiple vehicle information systems to provide appropriate damping forces for enhanced control in a variety of driving situations. And, the 20-inch high performance, run-flat, nitrogen-filled tires feature a new compound and revised tread pattern designed to match the suspension characteristics for improved handling during hard cornering. The GT-R has a midship platform layout that places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, providing excellent balance. I also have to mention the specially designed, 11-speaker Bose audio system with active noise cancellation. For those wanting even more power, Nissan recently introduced the 600 horsepower GT-R NISMO, which has a sticker price starting at $149,990. Without question, the GT-R is a fun car to drive, especially if you have access to a track. You really can’t experience the beauty of its engineering until reaching speeds of about 70 mph — that’s when it really starts to shine. While suitable for everyday driving, unless you have frequent access to a track and $100,000 burning a hole in your pocket, I recommend buying a Nissan Z Coupe or Z Roadster. You will still have a lot of fun, and your wallet will thank you. If, however, you have the cash and a place to let this supercar run free, I highly recommend taking a test drive in the new Nissan GT-R. Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years, and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association. The Nuts and Bolts MODEL: 2015 Nissan GT-R 4-seat high-performance coupe All-wheel drive Trim packages: GT-R Premium, GT-R Black Edition, GT-R NISMO PRICE RANGE: $101,000-$150,000 (Specifications below for GT-R Premium/Black Edition only) ENGINE: 3.8L twin turbo V-6 (545 hp/463 torque) TRANSMISSION: Dual clutch sequential six-speed with paddle shifters EPA: 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway FUEL: Premium unleaded BRAKES: ABS LENGTH: 183.8 inches WHEELBASE: 109.4 inches WIDTH: 74.6 inches HEIGHT: 53.9 inches WEIGHT: 3,851-3,831 pounds TRACK: 62.6/63 (front/rear) FUEL TANK: 19.5 gallons TIRES: 120-inch CARGO: 8.8 cubic feet By Neal White More Content Now MailTribune.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Feb. 16, 2015 at 8:27 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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