The wait is over. First U.S. Nissan GT-R delivered at 12:01 AM
UPDATED with video from our friends at Streetfire.
After we've had to adore the turbocharged Skyline GT-R from afar for nearly two decades, Nissan is officially selling its game-changing super coupe on U.S. shores for the first time. In a late night ceremony at a Universal City, California dealership, Daryl Alison took delivery of the very first GT-R sold Stateside – by the automaker. The event included all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect, including an appearance by notorious hot-shoe, Steve Millen. Alison, a long-time Nissan fan whose garage has housed a number of sports cars, including several 350Zs, was grinning from ear-to-ear while he got a rundown on this black GT-R in Premium trim. Not surprisingly, Alison paid sticker price ($72,900) for his GT-R, likely to be the first and last to do so as owners begin taking delivery of their own GT-Rs in the following weeks.
Hit the jump for the full press release from Nissan.
First GTR sold in the USA
PRESS RELEASE
LOS ANGELES (July 7, 2008) – Nissan North America, Inc. saved a few fireworks for the morning after the Independence Day holiday, delivering the first Nissan GT-R supercar in the United States at 12:01 a.m. PDT today to a Southern California customer.
The exotic, all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R, long coveted by American buyers who previously could experience the legendary GT-R only through video games, officially goes on sale today at a select number of GT-R Certified Nissan dealers across the country. Daryl Alison of Costa Mesa, Calif., one of the first customers to order a new GT-R through a pre-sale program launched last January, couldn't wait for normal business hours to take possession of his new Black Obsidian GT-R Premium model. Through special arrangement with Universal City Nissan, Los Angeles, Alison was handed the keys by dealer representative Mike Sage moments after midnight.
"I've followed the history of the GT-R since inception and, after years of anticipation, it's great to see the 'Godzilla of supercars' finally coming to the U.S.," said Alison. "I've owned a number of Nissan 350Z sports cars and other exotics and muscle cars, but more than any other vehicle I can't wait to get this new GT-R out on the road. Now it's America's time to get in and play."
More than 1,700 of the exotic 480-horsepower Nissan GT-R supercars, or approximately 70 percent of the first year allocation for the United States market, have already been spoken for, with deliveries of those initial orders expected to continue throughout the coming months.
Joining the midnight delivery ceremony was Steve Millen, long-time Nissan race driver and the winningest driver in IMSA GT race series history. Millen recently participated in high-performance racetrack test sessions in the Nissan GT-R for a leading automotive enthusiast magazine and has assisted with GT-R dealer orientation and training programs.
The GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan dealers that have met a number of strict sales, service and facilities commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service. A searchable listing of the GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available to consumers on nissanusa.com. The 2009 Nissan GT-R has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $69,850 for the GT-R and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model.
The 2009 Nissan GT-R features a 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted, dual clutch sequential 6-speed rear transaxle. It features the use of a world's first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.
The Nissan GT-R's hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum and has a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce. GT-R's four-passenger cabin features a sloping "aero blade canopy" roofline and curved C-pillar "sword edge," as well as GT-R's hallmark four-ring taillights, functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips. Inside, GT-R's interior includes sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and a multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder.
After we've had to adore the turbocharged Skyline GT-R from afar for nearly two decades, Nissan is officially selling its game-changing super coupe on U.S. shores for the first time. In a late night ceremony at a Universal City, California dealership, Daryl Alison took delivery of the very first GT-R sold Stateside – by the automaker. The event included all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect, including an appearance by notorious hot-shoe, Steve Millen. Alison, a long-time Nissan fan whose garage has housed a number of sports cars, including several 350Zs, was grinning from ear-to-ear while he got a rundown on this black GT-R in Premium trim. Not surprisingly, Alison paid sticker price ($72,900) for his GT-R, likely to be the first and last to do so as owners begin taking delivery of their own GT-Rs in the following weeks.
Hit the jump for the full press release from Nissan.
Gallery: Nissan GT-R (US-spec)
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Nissan GT-R
First GTR sold in the USA
PRESS RELEASE
LOS ANGELES (July 7, 2008) – Nissan North America, Inc. saved a few fireworks for the morning after the Independence Day holiday, delivering the first Nissan GT-R supercar in the United States at 12:01 a.m. PDT today to a Southern California customer.
The exotic, all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R, long coveted by American buyers who previously could experience the legendary GT-R only through video games, officially goes on sale today at a select number of GT-R Certified Nissan dealers across the country. Daryl Alison of Costa Mesa, Calif., one of the first customers to order a new GT-R through a pre-sale program launched last January, couldn't wait for normal business hours to take possession of his new Black Obsidian GT-R Premium model. Through special arrangement with Universal City Nissan, Los Angeles, Alison was handed the keys by dealer representative Mike Sage moments after midnight.
"I've followed the history of the GT-R since inception and, after years of anticipation, it's great to see the 'Godzilla of supercars' finally coming to the U.S.," said Alison. "I've owned a number of Nissan 350Z sports cars and other exotics and muscle cars, but more than any other vehicle I can't wait to get this new GT-R out on the road. Now it's America's time to get in and play."
More than 1,700 of the exotic 480-horsepower Nissan GT-R supercars, or approximately 70 percent of the first year allocation for the United States market, have already been spoken for, with deliveries of those initial orders expected to continue throughout the coming months.
Joining the midnight delivery ceremony was Steve Millen, long-time Nissan race driver and the winningest driver in IMSA GT race series history. Millen recently participated in high-performance racetrack test sessions in the Nissan GT-R for a leading automotive enthusiast magazine and has assisted with GT-R dealer orientation and training programs.
The GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan dealers that have met a number of strict sales, service and facilities commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service. A searchable listing of the GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available to consumers on nissanusa.com. The 2009 Nissan GT-R has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $69,850 for the GT-R and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model.
The 2009 Nissan GT-R features a 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted, dual clutch sequential 6-speed rear transaxle. It features the use of a world's first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.
The Nissan GT-R's hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum and has a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce. GT-R's four-passenger cabin features a sloping "aero blade canopy" roofline and curved C-pillar "sword edge," as well as GT-R's hallmark four-ring taillights, functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips. Inside, GT-R's interior includes sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and a multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Johnny 7:04PM (7/07/2008)
Looks good in black.
Reply
Steve 7:11PM (7/07/2008)
I agree black looks good. My two favorite colors for this car are Black and Dark Red. The Cherry color is nice.
Torrent 7:34PM (7/07/2008)
No. It looks best in black.
Magnificen7 6:23AM (7/08/2008)
Oh man, black looks good, but imagine a really expensive multilayered, glossy darker red. I can't think of the technical term now because it's almost 4:30 am. So shut up.
AkulaX1 7:10PM (7/07/2008)
now lets see 40 grands dealer mark ups
Reply
User 1:38AM (7/08/2008)
No way, Jose. I don't think they could get more than $8,000 up.
... Although... Come to think of it... There are some pretty dumb people out there...
Michael 7:17PM (7/07/2008)
This is going to be a long comment section.
Reply
Thedevil 7:18PM (7/07/2008)
lucky b@#tard!
Reply
Franz 9:14PM (7/07/2008)
No kidding. I can't help but hate him. That's his 3rd GT-R.
CrunchyCookie 7:21PM (7/07/2008)
"After adoring the Skyline GT-R from afar for nearly two decades"
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Hasn't it been just over two? If I have things straight, the first GT-R (R32) was launched back in 88 right alongside the first of the great Silvias. Then the next year came the new 300ZX, which was supposedly created by an entirely separate division within Nissan for no good reason. (Maybe if they'd pooled their efforts and resources on the Skyline, we could've gotten it a long time ago?)
Reply
msmith44 7:40PM (7/07/2008)
1969
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Skyline_GT-R#1st_generation_.281969-1972.29
Torrent 8:28PM (7/07/2008)
No need to get technical. It's about the GT-R. Not how much bigger your Wikipedia muscles are.
guy 7:26PM (7/07/2008)
This would probably the only GT-R to go for sale without markups.
Reply
geo.stewart 8:23PM (7/07/2008)
yeah, but the Versa he had to buy was $35K
BlackCanary 7:36PM (7/07/2008)
Nice, I wonder if this will be driven or garaged? Will this have any special value for being the first sold in the US or is it relatively a meaningless feat as far as collectors are concerned? Seems like it should be somewhat of a collectable fact and add to the value.
Looks awesome in black I agree!
Reply
fuzzy 7:38PM (7/07/2008)
He got it for MSRP?! That lucky dude. He could turn around and sell that thing for twice that easy. Especially if it's #1.
But I wouldn't sell it at all. Man... some day that car will be mine.
Reply
2004m3driver 7:39PM (7/07/2008)
Damn I wonder how long it will take him to get rid of that grin off his face. For me I will be grinning until that first 2k tune up after the track. But then I will have my track grin to make up for it. Damn I am jealous.
Reply
Soul Shinobi 7:42AM (7/08/2008)
I believe only the JDM GT-R requires a dealer visit after a track day, triggered by having manually released the speed limiter when you're on a track as recognized by the GPS. The US market cars have a higher speed limiter (156 instead of 111mph) that can't be removed, short of an after market ECU.
Rikki 8:08PM (7/07/2008)
The dealers I have spoken to here in the Phoenix, AZ area have told me that Nissan has told them they are allowed a maximum of $10k markup, or they risk losing any further allotment.
Reply
Bruno V 8:17PM (7/07/2008)
A tech at my local Nissan dealer here in South East Michigan told me they have approximately $50,000 in dealership costs to be allowed to sell a GT-R. They had to send a tech to training, a new alignment machine was needed because the car sits lower than anything else they sell, and some more random pieces of kit had to be added to their facilities. Since they are planning to receive two cars, they plan on splitting the cost of their investment over the two cars, for a $25k mark-up a piece. I wonder if they will loose the rights to sell the car after those two make it off the showroom floor.
Reply