In a bulletin sent out to dealers today, Nissan outlined its plan for transmission changes in all unsold 2009 GT-Rs as well as the upcoming 2010 GT-R. The changes are the first official response to reports of transaxle failure as a result of using the much-hyped launch control system.
We sifted through all the official wording and it boils down to this:
- There are no hardware changes.
- Dealers will reprogram the car's ECU to alter the transmission characteristics during hard launches.
- Launch Control remains, but the maximum allowable engine speed with the VDC system switched off will be reduced from the current 4,500 rpm to between 3,000 and 3,500 rpm. The clutch engagement program will also change to reduce driveline stress, e.g., less abrupt engagement on launch.
- When launching with the VDC on, the new programming will allow for higher engine speeds and a more aggressive clutch engagement than the current setup.
- Nissan reiterated that launching the GT-R with the VDC off is not covered by the warranty.
- A revised customer disclosure form will be issued and required for GT-R sales going forward.
- All GT-Rs worldwide will receive the revised programming.
Text of the dealer bulletin after the jump.
Nissan has enhanced the Model Year (MY) 2009 GT-R by incorporating new MY 2010 programming that will optimize clutch engagement control for improved drivability. This upgrade also improves vehicle acceleration with the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) ON/activated.
Nissan will provide this MY 2010 specification upgrade to MY 2009 GT-R owners at no additional cost. Nissan has already incorporated this programming into the GT-R vehicles in its U.S. inventory and will resume shipping of those vehicles to dealers. We will advise you soon on how to install this new program into all MY 2009 GT-Rs (see below).
The GT-R will continue to offer supercar characteristics of exceptional handling, maneuvering and overall driving experience. This upgrade provides the consumer improved drivability and enhanced acceleration performance with VDC ON (as required by the warranty). Standing acceleration capability with VDC ON (VDC-R mode) will improve compared to the original model year 2009 performance while such acceleration with VDC OFF will be moderated. Customers should be reminded to drive safely and obey all traffic laws. [Please note independent media reports of 0-60 drive times with VDC OFF (or what the media call "Launch Control") on closed courses with professional drivers will likely increase after this change.]
The GT-R Owner's Manual expressly warns against driving with the VDC OFF (except to free the vehicle when stuck in mud or snow) to avoid damage. Repeated acceleration launches with VDC OFF have resulted in some reported instances of damage to the transaxle. Repairs for damage caused by driving with VDC OFF are expressly excluded under the terms of the Nissan GT-R New Car Limited Warranty. Except when stuck, there is no reason to drive with VDC OFF.
This change was initially implemented with the start of MY 2010 GT-R production and has been completed for all 2009 GT-Rs still in NNA inventory... In a few weeks, you will receive the Technical Service Bulletin explaining how to implement this specification change for all remaining 2009 GT-Rs...
Attached is a REVISED Customer Disclosure Form With Modification Notice, which must be used with all customers who buy or take delivery of a MY 2009 GT-R.
arm51 says:
12:30 PM, 01/29/09
I feel that this is a cop-out on Nissan's part. Especially when they note in the bulletin "Please note independent media reports of 0-60 drive times with VDC OFF (or what the media call "Launch Control") on closed courses with professional drivers will likely increase after this change" and then turn right around and state that "Repairs for damage caused by driving with VDC OFF are expressly excluded under the terms of the Nissan GT-R New Car Limited Warranty. Except when stuck, there is no reason to drive with VDC OFF."
These statements pretty much allow them to post the best 0-60 times via the media and then cut the customer short when the car is purchased.
C'mon Nissan; if you can't engineer a transaxle properly, don't allow customers to turn the traction control off.
subytrojan says:
01:06 PM, 01/29/09
So even for track use, people are supposed to leave VDC on?
F41L Nissan!
Magrath looks pleased. NOT
kurtamaxxxguy says:
01:12 PM, 01/29/09
If Nissan only publishes 0-60 and/or quarter mile MPH for VDC _off_, then the figures are meaningless for real world drivers.
How many car manufacturers actually warranty vehicles which are subjected to "Launch Control"?
Will GM for the G8? Audi for the R8?
Perhaps Nissan can arrange for some performance company to re-engineer the GT-R transmission to withstand "Launch Control"? Will customers be willing to pay for it?
desmolicious says:
02:05 PM, 01/29/09
I love how Nissan spins this by claiming the changes will improve acceleration times! Maybe compared to a GTR with a broken transaxle...
redliner says:
02:18 PM, 01/29/09
When reports of Nissn transmissions not withstanding launch control first came out, i gave Nissan the benefit of the doubt, but not anymore. Not anymore.
brn says:
03:56 PM, 01/29/09
I was going to give Nissan a kudos for coming up with a compromise, until I read that it'll still violate your warranty. Bad Nissan. No kudos for you.
dodo2 says:
01:01 PM, 01/30/09
"Nissan reiterated that launching the GT-R with the VDC off is not covered by the warranty."
It is not LAUNCHING, it is DRIVING the GT-R with the VDC off.
Nissan continues to put the spin on it to appear that problem is caused when launched (abused), but it's not the case.