What Does This Button Do?

At the mercy of the button is the GT-R’s dual-clutch transmission. The fancy six-speed-automatic is at the rear of the car for optimum weight distribution, further explaining the image choice. Using the toggle switch tailors the transmission’s shifting patterns, engine rev limiter, top speed and power delivery for different driving conditions, in both automatic and paddle-shift manual modes. Long-distance, snowy and slippery conditions are best left to Safe mode, while track performance is handled by R mode. A Normal mode takes care of all the in-betweens. 
 
Using this switch is key to activating the GT-R’s “R mode start function,” more commonly known as launch control. When you want to use launch control, switching on the transmission’s R Mode feels less like entering a specialized transmission setting and more like arming a missile. Riding a missile is a suitable illustration for what R Mode start feels like, as the all-wheel-drive GT-R launches at 4,000 rpm from a standing start up to 60 mph in about 3 seconds.