Nissan GT-R SpecV unveiled!
by Damon Lavrinc on Jan 7th 2009 at 9:16PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R SpecV
After nearly a year of speculation and spy shots, it's official: the Nissan GT-R SpecV has arrived. The limited edition GT-R is a subtle evolution of the super coupe that's set the world on fire after its introduction last year, and Nissan claims that it offers race car-levels of performance in a street-legal vehicle.
The body mods consist of a carbon fiber rear spoiler, grille and brake ducts, along with an exclusive Ultimate Black Opal paint job. On the inside, a set of carbon fiber Recaro buckets are fitted up front, while the rear seats have been nixed to save a few pounds. Carbon fiber also adorns the center storage box, instrument panel and replaces the majority of the interior trim.
The only substantive engine modification is a new high gear boost controller that increases the amount of compressed oxygen entering the twin-turbo'd 3.8-liter V6 to deliver more torque in mid- to high-range revs. A titanium-coated exhaust and a reworked suspension is fitted underneath, and carbon ceramic brakes hide behind 20-inch NISMO wheels that conspire to reduce unsprung mass and improve braking performance.
Sales begin in Japan at seven pre-selected dealers, with pricing set at 15,750,000 yen. There's no word on whether the GT-R SpecV will make the trek across the Pacific, but we're not holding our breath just yet.
UPDATE: 30 more images added to the gallery below.
Gallery: Nissan GT-R SpecV
PRESS RELEASE
Nissan Announces New GT-R SpecV Model
TOKYO (Jan. 8, 2009) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a new limited-production Nissan GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale at seven specially selected Nissan dealers throughout Japan on February 2, 2009. The GT-R SpecV is targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a street-legal vehicle.
NISSAN GT-R SpecV
NISSAN GT-R SpecV
Developed around the multi-dimensional Nissan GT-R sports car, which was introduced just more than one year ago to universal global acclaim, the new SpecV model builds on the original's "ultimate supercar that anyone can enjoy driving anywhere, at anytime" philosophy - taking it to an entirely new level of "oneness between man and machine." The SpecV model includes unique body, interior and performance equipment and modifications, raising the GT-R's unmatched performance to even higher levels.
The GT-R SpecV's new exterior features include a carbon fiber rear spoiler, a carbon fiber grille, and carbon fiber brake ducts. The SpecV is available exclusively in Ultimate Black Opal (RP) body color. Inside, the SpecV's unique two-seat interior (non-SpecV GT-R models also include a two-place rear seat) offers special Recaro carbon fiber bucket seats, while carbon fiber insets embellish the rear center storage box, instrument panel and other trim areas.
Performance is enhanced with a new high gear boost control device, which momentarily increases boost of the engine's twin turbochargers for greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed ranges to provide a more powerful feeling of acceleration, while also allowing the engine to operate at a lower speed for improved fuel economy. Other modifications include a titanium-coated exhaust system and carbon-ceramic brakes that provide powerful stopping performance.
The GT-R SpecV is also equipped with lightweight, racing-style forged aluminum wheels that were developed for this model and have been sold by Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) since September 2008. The lighter unsprung weight provided by the new wheels, together with the enhanced braking capability, an exclusive suspension and high-grip tires, combine to deliver the SpecV's exceptional performance.
The SpecV will be sold at the following seven dealer outlets, each of which is staffed by mechanics with special GT-R SpecV training and who are knowledgeable of racing circuit driving.
Dealer outlets selling the SpecV
Ibaraki Nissan Sales Co., Ltd. Mito Sennami Outlet
Nissan Prince Tokyo Sales Co., Ltd. Kamedo Outlet
Nissan Prince Nagoya Sales Co., Ltd. Fukiage Outlet
Nissan Prince Osaka Sales Co., Ltd. Horie Kawaguchi Outlet
Nissan Prince Hyogo Sales Co., Ltd. Nada Outlet
Nissan Prince Kagawa Sales Co., Ltd. Takamatsu Outlet
Yamaguchi Nissan Sales Co., Ltd. Ogori Interchange Outlet
Suggested nationwide retail price (including consumption tax) 15,750,000 yen
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Hike15 9:19PM (1/07/2009)
i cant wait to hear performance number with the lost weight
it wont be very good on the road i bet knowing how bumpy the base model can be
Reply
hashiryu 9:41PM (1/07/2009)
I can't wait to hear where the weight reduction is. A CF spoiler and brake ducts? are you serious Nissan?
Where are the CF fenders, hood, trunk, doors.......maybe even roof?
Nice touch on the removal of the back seat though, and I'm glad that the exterior mods are subtle.
IK 10:32PM (1/07/2009)
to be honest, it doesn't make too much sense for the V-spec to be too extreme, since you could always go the aftermarket route for stuff like that. (especially with the amount of support/offerings the GTR has available)
ideally, v-spec should have a moderately higher level of performance, while still maintaining the 'factory refined-ness' the base model has.
that said, replacing the stock seats to CF framed ones should save a decent amount of weight. them deleting the back seats should have helped a lot too.
and I'm excited about the ceramic brakes :D
Temple 10:48PM (1/07/2009)
It supposedly doesn't have any significant increase in hp. Just more boost in the mid-range.
The rumor is that the spec V is primarily designed for racing. Carbon-ceramic brakes, lots of CF parts, and little increase in hp, but twice the price. Its doesn't seem Nissan is planning on moving a lot of these. Maybe as a ready-to-race GT3 vehicle.
Proud Japanese 7:17AM (1/08/2009)
This will destroy any American car on the road today. FACT.
moyoi 10:29AM (1/08/2009)
@ Proud
Apparently you don't know how the ZR1 is cammed. It still has more hp and torque and rolling boost management to allow the power on the bottom and top end. Seriously, get a grip.
REDBLIND 1:18PM (1/08/2009)
@moyoi - Don't feed the troll!
@hashiryu - I agree. I would expect more CF, since the M3 has a CF roof.
happy_penguin 2:49PM (1/08/2009)
FACT: When someone on teh internets says "FACT" you can bet that it isn't.
XGM 8:52PM (1/08/2009)
@Proud
Corvette ZR1, Viper ACR, Ford GT, SSC Ultimate Aero, Saleen S7 Twin Turbo... No doubt its a great car, in fact I love everything about the GT-R, even the looks. But to say its better then any American car... Gah why bother with the trolls.
On subject now, im really looking to seeing a ring run with this. Porsche will be real pleased to hear that it paces even faster then the normal GT-R.
Kumail 9:19PM (1/07/2009)
as much as i like this, a normal gt-r would do for me. but this would be icing on a cake.
as said before by a fellow autoblogger, i hate being poor.
Reply
Chubaka 9:54PM (1/07/2009)
I actually prefer the current GT-R. I'm all for better performance numbers, but at that price and sacrificing 2 rear seats? I guess that "supercar for anyone, any time, any place" mantra doesn't apply to the specV. Since it looks pretty much the same, the justification for purchasing this model is further diminished. I still think it's a wonderful piece of motorsports engineering, but sorry if I'm not THAT much of a fan...
nighttime__ 12:41AM (1/08/2009)
15 million yen sounds like so much!
Also, Spec V? is it really called that?
Spec Victory, doesn't sound right.
at least it's not as bad as the FORD RACING FORD MUSTANG COBRA JET COBRA JET.
Mobius_1 7:14AM (1/08/2009)
a normal GT-R would indeed do. Heck, two normal GT-Rs would certainly do.
Sandeep 9:20PM (1/07/2009)
That's a 170k USD!! I mean, I love me some GT-R, but not for 170k...
Reply
Hike15 9:23PM (1/07/2009)
it better be 1000 pounds lighter for that kind of price jump
tankd0g 9:28PM (1/07/2009)
Not sure that is going to translate directly with the currencys so out o whack. Depends how many yen the regular GT-R is now.
tragedy 10:27PM (1/07/2009)
It's 170K for you, yank, because the dollar (when compared to Japanese yen) is worth less than the paper it is printed on.
Mr. Luke 12:28AM (1/08/2009)
Yeah after that there are some cars that have the same performance or better for the same price or less. That was the GTR's thing was the 90K price and the 250K performance. Break one and both are gone. Personally I won't spend 170K on a nissan that breaks and looks ass.
Franz 1:11AM (1/08/2009)
When will you guys learn to stop making direct currency conversions when it comes to cars? The Corvette ZR1 costs almost £110000 in the UK... that's almost $170k USD. Last time I heard, the same ZR1 is gonna cost over $210k USD when it goes on sale in Japan. $170k USD for the V-Spec in Japan does not equal to the same price anywhere else. And even at $170k, it's still a bargain compared to it's peers.
protomech 11:58AM (1/08/2009)
Base GTR price is 7.7 million yen, works out to $85k USD.
Official MSRP is I believe $77k for the current model, so if the spec-v found its way here it might be "only" $160k.