Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Videos, Nissan, Design/Style

We've been hearing about automobiles being inspired by jets for decades. Saab even used it as a slogan for a number of years. But what exactly does it mean? Nissan recently paid a visit to the United States Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron training facility to get a feel for the fighter jets they fly as well as how the pilots interact with their machines.

The result? Well, we still don't know what it means for a car to be inspired by jets... Nissan says its "personnel returned with a number of creative ideas and actionable items from both a design and product development standpoint," but the Japanese automaker declines to get more specific. Maybe the next GT-R will come with an ejector seat, or perhaps a joystick in lieu of a steering wheel. But probably not.

Even if we don't quite get it, that doesn't mean nothing good came from the exercise. Blue Angels airframe structural mechanic Eric Vandamme (who has the second best name ever) got the chance to drive a new Nissan GT-R, and he came away predictably impressed: "If I had the keys to the jet, I would trade you," he says. We know a GT-R doesn't come cheap, but we suspect Nissan would make out quite well in that fantasy transaction.

Want to watch a video produced by Nissan about the Blue Angels and how its engineers were inspired? Of course you do. Scroll below for the news broadcast-style story, where you'll also find a related press release.

Continue reading Nissan designers consult Blue Angels for inspiration, photo op [w/video]

Nissan designers consult Blue Angels for inspiration, photo op [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Permalink | Email this | Comments

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Still looks blah to me. Love the F18s though!

Maybe they R plannin to raise the car, so you need a ladder to get in? Blue Angel's rock!

Makes me wonder if this was for the eventual R36 Skyline...as if the R35 GT-R wasn't already a stout, supercar killer.