Nissan GT-R (R35)

We couldn't wait to drive the real R35 Nissan GT-R, so months ago we picked up Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which has a virtual GT-R. Unlike the in-game car, whose engine sounds hopelessly generic, the real GT-R's sound is dominated by its turbos. The 3.8-litre V6 isn't particularly loud or throaty, but when you give it some gas, the twin turbochargers whirr up like turbines. We tapped the gas while getting on a freeway, and by the time we had a chance to glance at the speedometer we were already doing 100km/h. The GT-R reaches 60 mph (96km/h) in 3.5 seconds

Handling wise the GT-R is truly phenomenal. To get the GT-R out of sorts, it takes the kind of driving you can only do in a controlled environment. We threw it into one particularly good corner with some speed, and felt the grip loosen for a fraction of a second, then get taken up by the all-wheel drive.

The GT-R uses a six-speed double-clutch manual transmission. There is no clutch pedal, as the dual clutches are controlled by computer. You can set it for either automatic shifting or manual, using the column-mounted paddle shifters to change gears. The car's automatic mode is designed for economy, rapidly shifting up to sixth gear even when you are only going 55km/h. In manual mode, the GT-R's shifts are visceral and solid. You can feel each one through the car as you push the left paddle for down or the right paddle for up.

Step inside the cabin and you'll notice the many race car touches, like the deep front seats that embrace you. The flat, metallic spokes of the GT-R's sterring wheel handle mundane functions, like the cruise control and audio system. Our U.S.-spec GT-R was kitted with a 11 speaker Bose system, which sounded very good but it has a lot of road noise to conquer. The system didn't flinch at heavy bass and reproduced highs nicely, although the sound was slightly compressed.

Nissan Sees Trouble In US Car Market

Ever since he lost out on a bid to take control of GM (GM), Carlos Ghosn has seemed a bit punchy. His golden touch at Nissan and Renault have failed him. The companies are no longer considered paragons of the turnaround art. Ghosn has become ordinary.

He was especially ordinary in his recent assessment of the US car market. According to Reuters, "If we take the trend of the market in May and June it looks like we are going to be much below 15 million. Now I'm not sure if this is going to continue for the rest of year," Ghosn said. "We are preparing ourselves for the worst."

All of that seems fairly obvious.

What is less clear is what it means when a car company which makes mostly small sedans is becoming more worried. Big US vehicle manufacturers depend, to a large extent, on SUV and pick-up sales. Gas prices have destroyed that market. The consumer move has been toward lighter cars which get 30 mpg or better.

Ghosn is sending a signal that even tiny cars are not selling well. The US consumer is willing to keep his old vehicle. He does not want to take on more debt, or his buggy is worth less than the balance of his car loan.