2008 Nissan GT-R unveiled on cover of Motor Trend
by Alex Nunez on Oct 16th 2007 at 9:12AM 
UPDATE: We've spoken with Angus MacKenzie, Editor in Chief of Motor Trend, who claims that the December issue has not been released yet and is either still at the printer's or on its way to the mailing house. The sole commenter on Motor Authority's post, however, claims he spotted the issue on a newsstand in Toronto. Who to believe? Motor Authority, meanwhile, obtained the image of the cover at right from a press release announcing the Mazda CX-9 as MT's SUV of the Year. Angus told us the cover being released was an error, which we imagine will result in one less employed person by the end of the day.Today is October 16, but Motor Authority reports that the December issue of Motor Trend has begun arriving in some subscribers' mailboxes. What those readers will find on the cover is the first unmasked photo of the 2008 Nissan GT-R. According to MT's headline, the GT-R boasts a 0-60 of 3.5 seconds, an 11.7-second quarter mile, a 192 mph top speed, and a sub-$80K price. Motor Authority had no additional info, but we expect to see that explode onto the web in the immediate future as other outlets sitting on long-lead info react to the Motor Trend release. As for the car, it looks good to us. It essentially retains the GT-R Proto's appearance minus the Alice Cooper makeup under the headlamps. We'll wait for the information/photo avalanche to comment further, as we'd like to hear the final engine specs, too. Stay tuned for more. As you know already, we'll be in Japan next week to see the big reveal in person.
We're curious to know if any readers have actually received their copy of the December issue of Motor Trend, as Motor Authority doesn't make it clear if it actually has a copy in hand. The cover you see to the right is not a scan, but appears to be an image made from an actual PDF that Motor Trend staff would use to proof read the issue. In the enlarged version you can still see the cut markers where the page would be trimmed by the printer. We're not sure where Motor Authority got the image, but have already emailed Angus MacKenzie at MT to find out what's up.
[Source: Motor Trend via Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
isrltrkfn 9:16AM (10/16/2007)
Wah-Hoo, looks like we have a winner!
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Ryan C. 9:18AM (10/16/2007)
Nissan wins!
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Vivek 9:18AM (10/16/2007)
I never get my copy of MT before the 25th of each month. The november issue actually arrived in the first week of October for the first time.
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Philometalist 9:19AM (10/16/2007)
It looks like a Celica lol
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Mehdi Cheddadi 10:30AM (10/16/2007)
Yeah that's exactly what I thought...it does look a loot like a celica :/
Philometalist 10:47AM (10/16/2007)
I know it's a huge bummer. My sis drives a Celica, so I would recognize those headlights anywhere... I wouldn't be surprised if they were off the shelf Toyota head lamps. Even the intake cutout looks like a wider version of the Celica's, just painted matte black. Can't believe they made the Skyline a chick mobile. Sucks!
500 12:58PM (10/16/2007)
My thoughts exactly about the 2000 Celica headlights; glad I'm not the only one.
Who wants to bet that we'll soon see tons of ricer-special faux GT-R bodykits on aging Celicas?
500 1:07PM (10/16/2007)
Actually, the more I look at it, the more I'm convinced it's only a rendering. It just looks too fake. Angus Mackenzie's just being coy, pretending it's real and that the release was an error.
I seriously doubt this will result in "one less employed person." MT probably leaked it to create a buzz.
Philometalist 1:13PM (10/16/2007)
The last GTR was back in what 2002 right? From 02 to the end of 07 all they can do is slap a glorified Vette backend and a Celica frontend onto a street racer frame?? It's just pathetic, this car should have been slick and sharp, it should have screamed DANGER! Instead it weeps, asking why it got dumped through its shower of tears.
Somebody make a full bodykit for it NOW!
Flat out disappointment on the styling, and as far performance goes it better set fire to the road on it's way up to 88 or I call a flat out BOO!
John R 8:35PM (10/16/2007)
@Philomentalist
umm...The Skyline GT-R has had that taillight configuration for nearly 40 years.
Philometalist 9:13PM (10/16/2007)
I'm aware thank you. But the distress of the lights surrounded by the body plastic, plus the smaller difference in size of both lights, unlike the more pronounced sizing on the 02, it looks more like a Vette backend now than a skyline backend. At least to me.
Plus, if they obviously intended on changing the entire car and making it look more like a 350z, a Celica, or a Honda S2000 as they clearly have why not get equally as creative with the backend?
Just a thought.
Menice 9:24AM (10/16/2007)
i miss the mask : (
can you buy it as an accessory?
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Mehdi Cheddadi 9:51AM (10/16/2007)
Yeah that's exactly what I thought...it does look a loot like a celica :/
Jeff 9:26AM (10/16/2007)
Great performance numbers, but that car doesn't do it for me in the looks department. I'd take a Z06 or a Viper before the GT-R.
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FThorn 9:28AM (10/16/2007)
yeah both Z06 and Viper are manlier, at least. But, hey, girls and metro-guys need...oh, what am I saying? :)
Jeff 9:38AM (10/16/2007)
This is what i have been waiting for!!!
www.nagtroc.com
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Johnny Rotten 9:41AM (10/16/2007)
If I can fit in it better than I do a z06, I just may have to eat ramen for a few years.
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Atomicbri 9:48AM (10/16/2007)
three letters.... OMG! This is Nissan's ultimate halo car! Go NIssan!
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nissanfreak87 9:48AM (10/16/2007)
That car looks amazing, I'd love to see some drag radials thrown on it and see what it did in the 1/4 then. The car looks pretty good, true to the Skyline, more mean than pretty. I hope the rear end looks good, because that's about the only part of it most of us will ever see.
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HotRodzNKustoms 9:57AM (10/16/2007)
I liked the concept, but I want the mask back on now. But when they say it's fast like a 911 Turbo Priced like a Z06 I hope they do realize they are saying it's still slower than a Z06. Never the less it's a car whos performance still demands some respect, but please please put the mask back on it.
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