Are GTRs AWD? | RWD And AWD Model List

Yes, most modern Nissan GT-Rs (R32, R33, R34, and R35) use the ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system, though early vintage models were rear-wheel drive.

The Nissan GT-R earned the nickname “Godzilla” for a reason. It wasn’t just horsepower that allowed it to dominate Group A racing in the early 90s; it was the way it put that power to the ground. For car enthusiasts, understanding the drivetrain is necessary to understanding the legend.

Most people assume every car wearing the GT-R badge drives all four wheels. That is mostly true for the cars we see on the road today, but history paints a slightly different picture. The lineage includes strict rear-wheel-drive origins, highly advanced computer-controlled AWD systems, and even some race-specific exceptions that might surprise you.

The Short Answer: Are GTRs AWD?

If you are looking at a Nissan GT-R produced after 1989, the answer is almost certainly yes. Nissan revolutionized the sports car market by introducing a specific type of all-wheel drive that favored rear-wheel dynamics while offering four-wheel grip.

This system allows the car to launch hard off the line without burning up tires. It also helps the car exit corners with immense speed. However, unlike Subaru or Audi systems that often feel “planted” but prone to understeer, the GT-R system allows the rear end to step out before the front wheels pull the car straight.

The confusion usually stems from two places. First, the non-GTR Skyline models (like the GTS-T or GTT) are rear-wheel drive. Second, the very first generations of the Skyline GT-R from the 1970s were strictly rear-wheel drive.

Quick Drivetrain Breakdown

• Vintage (1969–1973): Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
• Modern Classics (1989–2002): All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
• Current Gen (2007–Present): All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
• GT3 Race Cars: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) due to regulations

How The ATTESA E-TS AWD System Works

To understand why the GT-R drives the way it does, you have to look at the ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain). This is not your standard SUV AWD system.

Most AWD cars operate with a permanent split, sending power to all wheels constantly. The GT-R system operates primarily as a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. In normal driving conditions, 100 percent of the engine’s torque goes to the rear wheels. This preserves the steering feel and handling characteristics of a pure sports car.

The system wakes up when it detects slip. Sensors monitor wheel speed rotation (using the ABS sensors), throttle position, and lateral G-forces. If the rear tires lose traction, the system engages a transfer case with wet multi-plate clutches.

Torque Split Capabilities

Once slip is detected, the system diverts torque to the front wheels. It can send anywhere from 1 percent up to 50 percent of the total power to the front axle. This variability is what makes the car so fast on a track.

Corner entry: The car remains largely RWD to help the nose tuck in.

Mid-corner: As you apply throttle, the system analyzes grip.

Corner exit: If the rear steps out, torque flows front instantly, pulling the car out of the slide and down the straight.

Which Generations Of The Nissan GT-R Are AWD?

The GT-R badge has existed since the late 60s. The drivetrain technology shifted drastically between the “classic” era and the “modern” era.

First Generation (C10 “Hakosuka”)

The original Skyline GT-R, known as the “Hakosuka,” launched in 1969. This car used a 2.0L inline-six engine (the S20) sending power strictly to the rear wheels. It was a homologation special for touring car racing, but it did not have AWD technology.

Second Generation (C110 “Kenmeri”)

The 1973 “Kenmeri” GT-R followed the same formula. It was RWD only. Only 197 units were built before the oil crisis killed production. These rare collectibles rely entirely on rear grip.

Third Generation (R32) – The Game Changer

After a 16-year hiatus, the GT-R returned in 1989. This is where the legend begins. The R32 debuted the ATTESA E-TS system. Nissan aimed to beat the Porsche 959, which also featured advanced AWD.

The R32 used a 16-bit computer to monitor wheel slip 10 times per second. This was revolutionary for the time and allowed the R32 to dominate Australian Touring Car racing so thoroughly that the rules were eventually changed to ban it.

Fourth Generation (R33)

The R33 (1995–1998) kept the AWD layout but improved the computer logic. The V-Spec models introduced “Pro” versions of the system, which included an Active Limited Slip Differential (A-LSD) at the rear. This managed power between the left and right rear wheels, not just front-to-back.

Fifth Generation (R34)

The R34 (1999–2002) sharpened the system further. The computer was faster, and the display on the dashboard (the MFD) allowed the driver to see the front torque split in real-time. This generation is often considered the peak of the manual-transmission AWD Skylines.

The R35 Transaxle Innovation

The R35 GT-R (2007–Present) dropped the “Skyline” name but kept the AWD philosophy. However, Nissan completely re-engineered the layout. In the previous R32-R34 models, the transmission sat directly behind the engine.

In the R35, the transmission is located at the rear of the car (a transaxle) to balance weight distribution. This creates a unique mechanical challenge: getting power from the front engine to the rear transmission, and then back to the front wheels.

Two driveshafts: The R35 utilizes two distinct driveshafts running the length of the car. One carbon composite shaft sends engine power back to the transaxle. A second, smaller shaft runs from the transaxle forward to power the front wheels.

This “Premium Midship” platform allows the R35 to act like an AWD car while maintaining near-perfect weight balance, something front-heavy AWD cars often struggle with.

When Is A GT-R Not AWD?

Exceptions exist in the racing world. While the street cars are famous for AWD grip, specific motorsport regulations often ban four-wheel drive systems to level the playing field.

GT3 Race Cars

The Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 competes in FIA GT3 championships globally. Rules for this class require rear-wheel drive. Nissan removes the front driveshafts, transfer case, and front differential for these race cars. They are strictly RWD, making them significantly lighter but trickier to manage in the rain.

The LM Nismo Le Mans Failure

In 2015, Nissan entered Le Mans with the GT-R LM Nismo. This was a bizarre engineering experiment. It was a front-engine, front-wheel-drive hybrid prototype. It was technically AWD via a hybrid harvest system intended for the rear wheels, but the system failed during the race, leaving the car essentially FWD. It serves as a strange footnote in history.

Comparison: GT-R AWD vs. The Competition

So, are GTRs AWD in the same way a Subaru is? Not exactly. Understanding the difference helps you drive them correctly.

System	Bias	Driving Feel
Nissan ATTESA E-TS	Rear-Biased (0:100 to 50:50)	Playful rear end, corrects with throttle.
Subaru Symmetrical	Balanced (50:50 or 40:60)	Stable, planted, prone to understeer.
Audi Quattro (Haldex)	Front-Biased	Safe, predictable, pulls from the front.

The GT-R system is designed for lap times, not just weather safety. While it handles snow and rain competently, its primary goal is using the front tires to claw out of corners faster than a RWD car could permit.

Living With The GT-R AWD System

Owning a high-performance AWD vehicle requires strict maintenance discipline. The ATTESA system is robust, but it is sensitive to neglect.

Tire Matching Is Mandatory

You cannot mix and match tires on a GT-R. The rolling diameter of all four tires must be nearly identical. If the rear tires are worn down significantly more than the fronts, the computer perceives this difference in rotation speed as wheel slip.

This causes the system to constantly engage the AWD clutch packs, trying to “fix” the slip. This creates excessive heat and will eventually burn out the transfer case clutches. Owners must replace all four tires simultaneously.

Fluid Changes

The R35 transaxle fluid is notoriously expensive but necessary. The fluid handles both the dual-clutch transmission gear sets and the AWD transfer mechanisms. Nissan recommends specific intervals, and ignoring them can lead to a five-figure repair bill. For the older Skyline models (R32-R34), the transfer case uses separate fluid (usually ATF) from the manual transmission.

Common Misconceptions About GT-R Handling

Because the car is AWD, novice drivers often believe it is invincible. They assume they can mash the throttle mid-corner and the car will sort it out. This often leads to crashes.

The GT-R behaves like a RWD car first. If you apply too much power with the steering wheel turned, the rear will slide. The AWD system reacts after the slide begins. While the reaction is incredibly fast (milliseconds), physics still applies. You must respect the weight transfer.

Another myth is that the AWD makes the car boring. Critics used to claim the computer did all the driving. In reality, the rear bias requires the driver to actively manage oversteer. The system merely expands the limit of adhesion; it does not drive the car for you.

Key Takeaways: Are GTRs AWD?

➤ R32, R33, R34, and R35 models are AWD; early vintage models are RWD.

➤ The system is rear-biased, sending power front only when slip occurs.

➤ GT3 racing versions are converted to RWD to meet federation rules.

➤ Tire diameters must match perfectly to avoid destroying the AWD clutch.

➤ The R35 uses a unique dual-driveshaft layout for better weight balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you disable the AWD on a GT-R?

Yes, on older Skyline models (R32/R33), owners often pull the AWD fuse to disable the front torque split for dyno testing or burnouts. On the R35, doing this is complex and generally triggers error codes, as the systems are deeply integrated.

Is the GT-R good in the snow?

With proper winter tires, the GT-R is excellent in snow. The AWD system detects low traction instantly and locks up to a 50:50 torque split. However, the low ground clearance turns the front bumper into a snowplow in deep powder.

Do all Nissan Skylines have AWD?

No. Most Nissan Skylines produced (like the GT-S, 25GT-T, or 350GT) are rear-wheel drive. The AWD system was generally reserved for the top-tier GT-R trims and the GTS-4 variations.

Does the AWD make the GT-R heavy?

Yes. The transfer case, front differential, and driveshafts add significant weight. An R35 weighs over 3,800 lbs, which is heavy for a supercar. However, the traction advantage usually offsets the weight penalty on a track.

What is the ATTESA E-TS Pro?

The “Pro” version, found on V-Spec models (R33/R34), adds an active limited-slip differential at the rear. It talks to the AWD computer to manage traction between the two rear wheels individually, improving cornering precision further.

Wrapping It Up – Are GTRs AWD?

The answer is a definitive yes for the cars that built the global reputation. The R32, R33, R34, and the current R35 are all defined by their ability to send power to all four wheels. It is the secret sauce that allows a heavy coupe to embarrass purebred Italian supercars on a circuit.

While the earliest ancestors were rear-drive, and the dedicated race cars are stripped back to RWD, the street icons you see at car meets rely on the ATTESA system. It provides a unique driving experience that blends the safety of AWD with the thrill of RWD, securing the GT-R’s place in automotive history.