Nissan Might Make A GT-R That'll Drive Itself Around The 'Ring

You know how the Nissan GT-R’s critics say that it just “drives itself”? It’s usually something said in reference to the sophisticated four-wheel drive system and host of driver aids that keep you on the black stuff, but the next GT-R might actually drive itself.

Topgear.com recently spoke to Richard Candler - Nissan’s Advance Product Strategy head - about the plan for Nissan to produce a total of 10 autonomous vehicles in partnership with Renault by 2020. That’s a lot of cars, so naturally that leads you to wonder if it might include the GT-R. Turns out it might well do.

Part of Candler’s vision for the future involves the prospect of “turning up to the Nürburgring in your GT-R, and being able to select one of the famous laps and the car just taking over…The latest Nismo did 7m08s with Michael Krumm at the wheel; you could just select the Michael Krumm setting, press go and before you know it, you’re launched round the track. Something that most people could never achieve suddenly becomes very accessible.”

I don’t know about you, but I can’t see how this is appealing. In the slightest. You aspire to own a fast car because it’s fun to drive, not because it might be nice to hand the keys over to someone who’s faster than you. Especially if that someone is the damn car itself.

And besides, does it matter that the lap time by Michael Krumm is beyond your reach? I am not a professional racing driver. I am nowhere near as fast as a professional racing driver. And knowing that doesn’t make driving to the best of my (somewhat limited) ability any less enjoyable.

Still, Candler does say a few things we like the sound of a little more, particularly in relation to how the dawn of autonomous cars might fit in with enthusiasts like us, by letting the car deal with the boring aspects of driving. “Take them [the dull parts of driving] away and it allows you to enjoy driving when it is fun. More time to enjoy driving.” The car taking over for the motorway trudge up to your favourite road or track? Sounds good to us.

Topgear.com via Jalopnik