Nissan GT-R Spec-V release confirmed, possible unveiling at NISMO festival
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R Spec-V testing
Reports about the release and pricing of the Nissan GT-R Spec-V have been circulating for months and Nissan HQ has supposedly confirmed the rumors and targeted an on-sale date in Japan in late January or early February.
The GT-R Spec-V is expected to be packing another 100 hp through the use of a new exhaust, more boost and a retuned ECU. Carbon fiber will replace some of the body panels to reduce weight, while new wheels, upgraded brakes and suspension tweaks will round out the mods.
Rumors suggest that Nissan could release the Spec-V at the 12th annual NISMO Festival at Fuji Speedway in Japan later this month. Pricing could be up to 15,000,000 yen – 2,000,000 more than earlier predictions – or around $154,000, more than double the cost of a standard GT-R. If the Spec-V goes on sale in the U.S., expect pricing to be considerably lower.
Gallery: Nissan GT-R Spec-V - spy shots
[Source: GTRblog.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bungle 1:02PM (11/11/2008)
Cue stupid warranty jokes... now.
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MONTE 3:32AM (11/13/2008)
Does just buying the Spec-V void your warranty?
Cue need for standard 6spd transmission.
Michael 1:02PM (11/11/2008)
I hope they don't void their warranty.
Sorry, someone had to.
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zamafir 1:15PM (11/11/2008)
Only if you drive it the way you'd drive any other real sportscar, corvette, et-al.
RJ 2:18PM (11/11/2008)
They could do what BMW did and put a limit on launch controls. Imagine the ad:
0-60 in 3.2 secs, for 40 times. 4.5 secs there-on after.
Honestly though, for this much $$$, the VSpec better beat every car out there, or it won't follow up with their ideaology.
And simply putting DOT R-comps with a treadwear of 15 doesn't count...
why not the LS2LS7? 2:34PM (11/11/2008)
How did that BMW launch limit work out anyway?
The problem is you can't tell how many are left. So when selling the car used, you don't know how many times the original owner used it unless you use another up, and then you still don't know how many are left now.
Seemed like a nightmare for the used market.
aii 1:03PM (1/15/2009)
Vspec, not SpecV. SpecV is a Sentra, which Skyline guys were responsible for naming (they did not want their sacred label applied to something as pathetic as a Sentra).
So why the delay?
Oh, yeah, because the the Vspec will come up far, far short of the ZR1 and ACR. They took a page from Scion and the TC supercharger - "hey if we wait long enough, people will forget about it instead of being disappointed with our meager results!"
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xpolarx 1:54PM (11/11/2008)
See, I think you're wrong. I get the feeling that this will beat the ZR1 and the ACR. But then again, it has to. Because if it doesn't beat them, who would buy one?
Why spend 20, 30 or maybe even 40 grand more for a car that doesn't perform as well? Sure, that works for status cars...but lets be honest, no one is buying a GTR for status (at least not in America).
So it comes down to this: Why would Nissan create a car they knew they couldn't sell?
In this market, I think they're probably smart enough to know that they can't afford to skimp on performance.
Jason 4:04PM (11/11/2008)
Agreed. It is V-Spec until I see a press release from Nissan saying otherwise.
AkulaX1 3:54PM (11/11/2008)
It's ok Nissan will claim that Vspec run 6:25 seconds with 25 hp add on and 1 pound weight reduction and everyone yet again will say Nissan is the greatest and Vspecs will be sold like hot cakes.
BigMcLargeHuge 6:38PM (11/11/2008)
Its pretty much a done deal.
Look at the base Corvette vs. Z06: -100lbs, +70hp
And thats a decent performance improvement, when you consider the 2 cars (not factoring in brakes, lowering, tires)
So lets say the V-spec only loses 100lbs and gains 70hp with the obvious brake, suspension, tire adjustments. Already you're talking a decent step up in performance.
But thats estimating low. -200lbs and +100hp is sounding like the case here. Thats MAJOR improvement.
The delay is due to needing it to be ready for production. They can't just publish the numbers 6+ months ahead of production. Other companies would start benchmarking it before it was even released.
Andre Neves 1:13PM (11/11/2008)
OMG OMG OMG omg omg The BESTEST MACHINE ever made by man just became betterer. (sarcasm)
V Insert Fanboy comments here V
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Affalterbach 2:01PM (11/11/2008)
Retarted, aren't we?
why not the LS2LS7? 1:15PM (11/11/2008)
That's a surprise. I thought this was the one rumor that was most smashed.
So, how much lighter is it?
I have to say the idea of suspension tweaks to be odd. It's only been like 11 months. Are you saying the original suspension could have been better but the price wasn't high enough to pay for the better bits?
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Bungle 1:41PM (11/11/2008)
I don't know if "better" is the right term. Since vehicle design is all about trade-offs, methinks that the base GTR's suspension was designed with a little more compliance - and yes, with a tighter budget in mind. Not everyone who will buy a GTR is after track-bashing performance.
I think it's safe for Nissan to assume that the V-Spec will be sought after by more hardcore enthusiasts, so chances are that it will ride even harsher (hopefully resulting in better handling) than the base GTR. I would also guess that extra gains will be achieved using lighter (i.e. costlier) suspension components, resulting in less unsprung weight.
spdracerut 2:19PM (11/11/2008)
This is the one 'rumor' that was not even really a rumor. The thing was running around the 'Ring half a year ago. The estimates from back then were roughly 250-300 lbs lighter with a power output around 550hp. So this new power estimate is a bit higher.
If you look at the old pics of it testing, it had the carbon ceramic brakes.
Also, Nissan somewhat recently raced a modified GTR in some 24 hour race using what are assumed to be Nismo/V-Spec parts. It was reported that the car had shed ~300lbs, so that should be a good indicator.
Again, no surprise on this variant as it was a common variant on past models. Not to mention, the other supercars with lighter/more powerful versions: F430 Scud, Lambo Superlagga, GT3RS, etc. etc. Please excuse the spelling :)
why not the LS2LS7? 2:36PM (11/11/2008)
It appears you're right. The story was the V-spec was delayed, but looking back at the article now, it was delayed to end of 2008/start of 2009, which is pretty much where we are right now. I guess I remembered wrongly.
Andre Neves 1:25PM (11/11/2008)
I hear this one is going after UK's Thrust SSC and is supposed to have a top speed like that of the SR-71
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Amien 1:28PM (11/11/2008)
Why do you guys insist on calling it the Spec-V? Im seriously asking btw, if there is some source that leads you to this conclusion i'd appreciate it if you could point it out.
OT:
Im going to have to say that $154,000 would be a bit too much. Thats an even bigger jump than the prices between the Z06 and the ZR1, which is already quite a substantial increase(although the ZR1's performance does justfy the tag, but that opinion is sure to differ).
Basically, IF(emphasis) it does cost $150k or so, it had better put down nothing short of , absolutely and utterly stellar performance, im talking big, Nurburgring production vehicle lap record big.
With 100 more hp, weight loss and some tweaks, it definately does look possible, and even then, i see it being priced somewhere close to the ZR1, unless they use some really exotic components(not talking carbon ceramic brakes, those will come standard, im sure).
These supercar battles are getting so ridiculously fun!
2008 and 2009 have been eventfull years indeed. Problems the auto industry has never seen, and performance gems like the GTR, ACR Viper, ZR1... hell even Lamborghini's which used to be all show and no go(when you get to a corner) are keeping up with new GT2's(which have been given enough reasons to become even faster).
Sports car fan's and auto enthusiasts rejoice and enjoy while it lasts! =D
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:44PM (11/11/2008)
I don't think they'll have any trouble moving hundreds at $150K in the US. Even more if it's cheaper.
If I were them, I'd get the price down to where I could sell 1500 (the same number as they sold GT-Rs in 2008 in the US) at the new price and sell the regular GT-R at a lower price (but higher than the 2008 figure) in larger numbers.