With 4675mm of length and 1360mm of height, the R33 is not only longer and higher than the R32, but with 1780mm also wider than the latter. And it looks that - the R33 has a much wider stance, and in all looks much more impressive than its predecessor. It is rounder, too,

with a design that appears more balanced and beautiful than the previous one's.

The side and rear enhance this impr-ession. Apart from the rear wing, additional side sills and slightly wider wheel-housings for the 245/45 ZR17 tires, there is not much to distinguish the GT-R from the standard coupe. These applications don't disturb the design, though, but support the GT-R's sportive appearance.

The interior on the other hand, is less sporty, with bland looking materials and shapes. The extra gauges for oil-temperature and torque distribution etc. and the bucket seats partly make up for it, but generally it has to be said the R33 rather reminds you of a normal coupe than a pure sports car - it even has airbags now. Additionally, it is the spaciest of the GT-R's, a fact that especially taller driver's will appreciate. There is more leg-room than on the R32 now and trunk-space has grown, as well.

The R33 keeps the RB26DETT engine from the R32 GT-R. The power is still the same with an official 280hp (206kw) at 6800rpm, although inofficially it is ass-umed to be around 302hp. Increased peak turbo-boost of 0.84bar, an improved intercooler and changed computer control parameters make for a higher torque of 375Nm (271 lb-ft) at 4400rpm. As usual, power is deployed via the 5-speed Getrag gearbox and ATTESA-ETS to all four wheels.

The rear-suspension's travel is increased and the suspension anchor points have been stiffened all around. Cornering is further improved by Super-HICAS which now also features front and rear yaw rate control.

The Brakes

All versions now get the Brembo brakes already known from the R32 GT-R V-Spec.

The Aerodynamics

The stiff one-piece rear-wing of the R32 has been dropped in favor of a dual-piece one on the R33. The new wing is adjust-able in four different angles (0°, 6°, 12° and 18°) which equal four levels of downforce. Additionally, aero-dynamic efficiency has been improved to a regular Cd figure of 0.35, which naturally worsens to a figure of 0.39 with the rear wing at an angle of 18°.

The V-Spec Version

The R33 V-Spec gets the Pro version of ATTESA-ETS with revised torque proportioning, a stiffer and 10mm lower suspension and other mechanical changes.

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