You’re probably reading this and thinking that 1,703 kilos doesn’t sound particularly light, but when you consider the GT-R has a large footprint, four seats, and carries around a chunky four-wheel drive system, you begin to realise how hard Nissan has worked to keep the heft down. When you drive it, any preconceived ideas of weight quickly vanish because it feels at least 200kg lighter than what the spec sheet says. Key to this is the reduced unsprung mass from the brakes and wheels, and the lower centre of gravity provided by the carbon roof, but hydraulic steering and specially developed Dunlop tyres also play their part. The tyres feature a new rubber compound which increases grip by 7% and the tread pattern has one fewer groove to help increase the contact patch by 11%. Cleverly, the tyre shoulder is slightly rounded so when the outside wheel is loaded up during cornering, more of the rubber stays in contact with the road. Nissan says this alone improves cornering grip by 5%, and out on the road when you really lean in to a turn, you can feel the extra contact patch biting in to the tarmac and pulling you round. Couple that with the most detailed steering feel this side of a McLaren, and what you have is a road car turned track weapon that makes an absolute mockery of B-roads.

On a country road, the GT-R Nismo feels like a laser-guided missile. You point the wheel, the nose goes exactly where you ask it, and then the natural grip hauls you round the corner with negligible roll from the chassis. But never does it feel like you’re playing a video game. It’s more connected than that. It feels raw, visceral, uncompromised, and alive in a way that modern performance cars rarely do. Your fingertips and backside feel as though they’re strapped to the tarmac beneath you, such is the Nismo’s ability to communicate what’s happening underneath. That said, it never feels like a track car pared back for the public road thanks to some welcome compliance from the suspension. There aren’t any driving modes per se, but you can make individual adjustments to the powertrain, suspension, and traction control. The best set up for road use is the powertrain in R mode, the suspension in comfort and the ESC left alone. The extra compliance offered by the comfort setting ensures the Nismo’s tyres stay in contact with the road instead of being deflected by bumps, which helps you build confidence behind the wheel. The ESC in its standard setting offers enough slip, particularly in damp conditions, but there is a more aggressive R mode and there’s the option to disable it entirely should you feel brave enough. Despite the four-wheel drive system and clever torque vectoring, the Nismo predominantly feels rear driven, but on occasion you can feel it throwing some torque forwards to help you round corners. It won’t play the hooligan, but on the other hand it doesn’t offer the safe, unrelenting traction of an Audi R8. It’s got more attitude than that.