Autoblog

Nissan GT-R future in doubt?

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Nissan, Luxury

Next up in the "Whoa, what?!" department is a report on Inside Line wondering whether the current Nissan GT-R will be the last Nissan GT-R. The website's sources have learned that Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has yet to sign off on a next-generation car, which suggests the future model hasn't even begun development. And those same sources say they're not sure Ghosn will ever give the green light.

We're only speculating, but perhaps the problem - if there really is a problem and this isn't Ghosn machinating - has to do with this tidbit taken from the IL story: "Ghosn approved the original GT-R only after being assured that it would make money for the company even at low volumes." We wouldn't be suprised if the shade under 6,000 sales in four years is quite a bit lower than the "low volumes" predicted in Nissan's original cost/benefit calculus.

At launch, the 480-horsepower GT-R MSRP was $69,850, or $71,900 if you wanted the Premium model. Peanuts are cheaper, which is probably why the GT-R has cost substantially more every single year: after its first year, the price jumped to $76,840 for the base model and $79,090 for the Premium; the next year brought a price bump to $80,790 or $83,040 for the Premium; the following year, the base model disappeared and the Premium rose by a premium of $1,020 to $84,060; in 2012 the price took another leap to $90,950; and for 2013, it was another gulp-worthy price boost to $96,820. Yes, the 2013 iteration has 55 more horsepower than the original model and a 2.7-second 0-to-60 time, and yes, you'd look a long time for a sub-$100K car to match its performance, but at that price, the GT-R is mixing with the kinds of sexy metal that can bring attributes to the table that the GT-R can't match.

But of course, along with not knowing if Ghosn will approve a followup to the current car, we don't know why he hasn't done it already - maybe he's changed his mind about that Infiniti GT-R after all, or maybe he hopes you'll be satisfied with the Juke-R. If this car is a "one-hit wonder," though, it was certainly a wonder, if perhaps not enough of a sales hit.

Nissan GT-R future in doubt? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Nissan GT-R is the scariest police car ever

Zach Bowman — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Nissan, Police/Emergency, Luxury

An unnamed Northern Virginia police agency has apparently scored itself a Nissan GT-R to use as a pursuit vehicle. Call it the last of the V6 Interceptors.

A company by the name of EVI Corporation spends its days outfitting law enforcement vehicles with all of the necessary electronics to track down baddies, and the company recently released a video showing a GT-R boasting a full range of blue and red flashers as well as the standard strobe treatment for both the headlights and taillights. Now, we've seen agencies snag high-dollar vehicles from drug kingpins and other seedy characters in the past, but this is something different.

According to the word kicking around the web, this GT-R showed up at EVI with a mere 13 miles on the clock, meaning its as fresh as a fallen snow. The only question is; which law-enforcement agency in the area (if any) saved up enough pennies to buy itself a Nissan GT-R for pursuit or public relations duty? EVI isn't saying for obvious reasons, but we're guessing it won't be too long before this machine gets its cover blown. Hit the jump for a video of the car with its lights blazing.

Continue reading 2012 Nissan GT-R is the scariest police car ever

2012 Nissan GT-R is the scariest police car ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Hennessey pits Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon against last year's Nissan GT-R

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Wagon, Cadillac, Nissan, UAW/Unions

Hennessey Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon versus 2011 Nissan GT-R - Click above to watch video after the jump

Hennessey is once again bringing its super station wagon out to the drag strip. The Texas tuner has taken Cadillac's 556-horsepower fast family-hauler and tweaked it so that the 6.2-liter V8 now produces 650 hp. We previously showed you how it fared against an (outdated) Porsche 911 Turbo, and now Hennessey has brought the CTS-V Sport Wagon back to the track, and this time, the opponent in the other line is driving a Nissan GT-R.

A 2011 Nissan GT-R to be more precise. The model that produces 485 horsepower and runs down Hennessey's track in 11.8-seconds. That's a hair slower than the 11.7-second run ripped off by the Sport Wagon - an amazing time for the 4,398-pound American muscle machine.

However, the 2012 Nissan GT-R pumps out 530 horsepower, runs from 0-60 miles per hour in less than three seconds and will cover a quarter-mile in about 11.6 seconds. Now, you can take that to mean Hennessey should've run against the newer GT-R... or that they've built one hell of a station wagon. Click past the jump to watch the two cars run down the strip.

[Source: YouTube via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Video: Hennessey pits Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon against last year's Nissan GT-R

Video: Hennessey pits Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon against last year's Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: German Nissan GT-R guerilla marketing campaign borders on vandalism

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Nissan, Porsche, Humor

The Nissan GT-R marketing team is hunting down Porsche owners - Click above to watch video after the jump

The GT-R is an aggressive car, and Nissan has taken aim at Porsche owners in an aggressive marketing campaign. A team of ladies in Germany driving a brand new GT-R have taken to the streets, targeting parked Porsches. Armed with a removable decal that shows the tail-end of a Nissan GT-R, the ladies affix the "ad" to the front windshield of the Porsche. The Porsche owner returns to his or her car, sits down and sees the GT-R's taillights staring right back.

It sounds funny, but we prefer that people keep their hands off O.P.P (yeah you know me! ... anyone?). Click past the jump to view the clip and let us hear your thoughts in the comments; is this clever marketing or toeing the vandalism line?

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: German Nissan GT-R guerilla marketing campaign borders on vandalism

Video: German Nissan GT-R guerilla marketing campaign borders on vandalism originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mothra! Godzilla creators reportedly taking Honda to court over Odyssey ad [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Honda

Honda has upset Godzilla with this Odyssey commercial - Click above to watch video after the jump

Honda is feeling the heat of Godzilla's wrath at the moment. No, for once we are not talking about the Nissan GT-R, but the actual daikaijū star of nearly 30 films. The Japanese firm that owns the rights to Godzilla and produces the related films is Toho Co. and according to Automotive News, it's not very happy about a recent commercial for the 2011 Honda Odyssey.

The ad entitled "The Van Beckons" shows a man walking out of a grocery store where he is confronted by the 2011 Honda Odyssey. Trying to show that a minivan can be manly, Judas Priest's The Hellion plays while pyrotechnics detonate around the vehicle. The camera moves inside to show off Honda's widescreen monitor, which is displaying an image of a heavy metal band on one side and Godzilla on the other.

That shot of Godzilla is what has Toho Co. a bit angry, because the use of its star lizard was apparently not licensed. Toho Co. has filed an injunction with the Los Angeles Federal District Court stating Honda has infringed on its copyright protected material. For its part, Honda has not issued a comment with regards to the legal aspects of the matter but AN notes that the commercial has yet to be suspended. Click past the jump to watch the spot and see for yourself why Toho Co. is breathing legal fire upon Honda.

[Sources: Automotive News - sub. req., Honda via YouTube]

Continue reading Mothra! Godzilla creators reportedly taking Honda to court over Odyssey ad [w/video]

Mothra! Godzilla creators reportedly taking Honda to court over Odyssey ad [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Nissan GT-R pitted against F3 racer... in the wet

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:16:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Nissan, Racing

Nissan GT-R vs. Formula 3 racer - Click above to watch video after the jump

People love running the Nissan GT-R against anything else they can think of... as long as it has four wheels, it must be compared to the Japanese coupe. We've read countless stories of Godzilla taking on cars far above its power grade and price range, yet the stories and videos keep popping up. To be honest, we would compare the turbocharged Nissan to a Wal-Mart shopping cart if it meant we could score some more heavily-bolstered seat time. Autocar seems to agree with this notion, because they lined up a Nissan GT-R, a Formula 3 racecar and a rain-soaked racetrack.

Steve Sutcliffe of Autocar managed to talk himself behind the wheel of a Red Bull Formula 3 racer, and he ran it for a few laps around a wet track. He set his best time, then jumped into the GT-R. Did he manage to better his time in the purpose-built racer? See for yourself by checking out the video after the jump.

[Source: Autocar via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Nissan GT-R pitted against F3 racer... in the wet

Video: Nissan GT-R pitted against F3 racer... in the wet originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Nissan GT-R Club Track Edition revealed?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Nissan, Racing

Ready for another Nissan GT-R iteration? In April, Nissan said it would be working with third parties to set up a driving club that would offer members track-ready Godzillas, and this is apparently the result: the Track Club Edition GT-R, a product of the minds at Nissan, NISMO, NOVA Engineering in Shizuka and Nordring tuning in Saitama, Japan.

A Japan-only endeavor, the umbrella organization is called The Prestige Club of GT-R, and to run in it will require a cave-full of yen: the car itself is ¥10,479,000 ($120,725 U.S.); membership in The Prestige Club membership is ¥2 million ($23,024 U.S.) and annual dues are a further ¥1 million ($11,513 U.S.). For all of that you get the special GT-R, a race number and inclusion in two race days and an annual gathering.

As for the racer itself, performance upgrades include new ECM, traction control, ABS and VCD programming, two-way adjustable Bilstein dampers and revised upper front links, a front lip spoiler, NACA duct and brake air guides among other things. Inside, there's a four-point harness with a six-point retention system available over a Bride Gardis III seat, automatic fire suppression system and NISMO data logging kit. The twin-turbo motor puts out in excess of 493 horsepower and 434 pound-feet, and the package rides on 20-inch Rays Forged Aluminum wheels from the SpecM shod with Dunlop Direzza Long Life Slicks. If you're going to be in Japan and want in on the series, applications are being accepted until September 20. Check out GT-R World at the links below for more images and information. Thanks to everyone for the tips!

[Source: GT-R World (translated), GT-R World (translated), NAGTROC]

2011 Nissan GT-R Club Track Edition revealed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switzer Performance takes on Godzilla with P800 Nissan GT-R

Noah Joseph — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:55:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

Switzer Nissan GT-R P800 - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you want a Porsche to beat all other Porsches, Switzer Performance is a good place to start. The Ohio-based aftermarket tuner continues to crank out 800-horsepower 911s that would make even 9ff sweat. But what if you don't want to beat a Porsche with your Porsche? What if you want to beat a Porsche with, say... a Nissan GT-R? Not an uncommon pursuit, and Switzer is glad to help there, too.

One GT-R owner turned to the tuning house with a simple mandate: increase the power-to-weight ratio. Switzer answered by reducing the weight while increasing the power at the same time. The P800 package includes new intercoolers, air intakes, turbochargers and exhaust - the latter a ceramic-coated titanium system - plus a new spoiler and sport seats. The result? 200 pounds off the scale and 300 more horsepower, for a total of 800 horses and 700 pound-feet of torque. Yeah, that ought to do the trick. Check out the photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: Switzer Nissan GT-R P800

[Source: GlobalMotors.net]

Switzer Performance takes on Godzilla with P800 Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Nissan offering 2010 "model version up" kit to older JDM GT-R owners

Zach Bowman — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Nissan

2010 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you live in Japan, own a 2007-2009 Nissan GT-R and want all of the goodies the '10 model boasts, you're in luck. Select Nissan dealers in the Land of the Rising Sun will reportedly be more than happy to supply you with a "2010 Model Version Up Kit." For a little scratch, you can get a reworked set of brake calipers, an upgraded navigation system and a Spec V spoiler to help your car keep pace with the new wave of Godzillas hitting the streets.

While the navigation system will get a software update, it will also feature new USB functionality to allow it to be compatible with the NISMO datalogging kit (sold separately). That's cool and all, but not quite so slick as what's going on with those stoppers.

The original equipment calipers were dipped in a gold paint that would turn brown after a few hard laps, and featured brake pad springs that would fatigue over time. The model version up kit will provide owners with a new coat of heat-resistant gold paint, complete with a prominent Brembo logo and a tougher pad spring.

At current exchange rates, the navi upgrade will set you back $7,335. Throw in the brakes, and you're looking at a final tab closer to $8,669. That special carbon-fiber rear spoiler carries a price tag of $6,668, too. Oddly enough, Nissan will sell you the navigation update as a stand alone, but if you want those fancy calipers, you've got to nab the whole package.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R

[Source: GTR Blog]

Report: Nissan offering 2010 "model version up" kit to older JDM GT-R owners originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: If you're going to attempt insurance fraud, you might want to avoid posting on YouTube [w/video]

Chris Shunk — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Nissan

Insurance Fraud GT-R? - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Why is it that people engaged in illegal activities feel compelled to record their indiscretions? It's just a really, really bad idea. And a bad idea becomes an act of outright stupidity when said video is published on YouTube, where any random investigator can easily find evidence that can be used against the guilty party. This just makes sense, right? Obviously not for everyone.

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Jay Chen, the 21 year-old owner of a wrecked Nissan GT-R, apparently now knows this lesson all too late, as the accused street racer allegedly crashed his Ivory Godzilla on a Glendora mountain road in California. The SGVT reports that Chen and his sister Tracey gave insurance investigators conflicting testimony after the March, 2009 accident, sending up red flags. Chen later called the insurance company and informed them that he would pay for the damages himself, only to claim another accident three months later on 60 Freeway in Riverside, CA.

Unfortunately for Chen, during the paperwork processing following that 'second' accident, the body shop informed Chen's insurance company that it had been holding on to the mangled GT-R since March. Investigators then searched YouTube for any evidence of the incident, and apparently they believe that they've found it - the insurer alleges that the footage shown after the jump incident shows damage consistent with that of Chen's GT-R after a mountain run with a Mitsubishi Evolution IX MR goes awry. The actual crash doesn't look all that bad, but the apparent $76,000 repair bill shows that near-supercars can cost a boatload of money to fix.

Regardless of the severity of the accident, as a result of the investigation, Chen has officially been charged with six felony counts of insurance fraud, and his sister has been charged with one count. If you are in your late teens or early 20s and you're wondering why you're paying over $300 per month to insure your battered Honda Civic, hit the jump to see why.

[Sources: San Gabriel Valley Tribune, YouTube]

Continue reading PSA: If you're going to attempt insurance fraud, you might want to avoid posting on YouTube [w/video]

PSA: If you're going to attempt insurance fraud, you might want to avoid posting on YouTube [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan only offering GT-R Premium for 2011, priced from $85,060* - will volume be constrained?

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

2010 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

The illustrious Nissan GT-R is, quite possibly, one of our favorite cars currently in production. Now entering its third year in America, Godzilla receives a few minor tweaks for 2011, including some minor suspension tuning, a double clear coat on its front and rear fascias, new rear cooling ducts and - wait for it - slightly darker wheel center caps than on the 2010 model that is pictured. Additionally, the 2011 GT-R - henceforth only available in Premium trim - gets more standard features, including auto on/off headlamps, speed-sensitive windshield wipers, Bluetooth, a USB iPod interface and XM NavWeather and NavTraffic. All of this can be yours for $85,060 (*including $1000 destination charge), which represents an increase of $1,020 over the 2010 GT-R Premium. Get your pocketbooks out.

Curiously, the folks at Nagtroc.org are reporting that just 315 GT-R units are slated to come to the U.S. during the 2011 model year. That striking us as odd, we talked with Nissan spokesperson Darryll Harrison, and he says that the automaker can't confirm the limited production volume. Hmmm. The 2011 model is just now hitting the nearly 700 GT-R certified Nissan dealers across the country, though if the unit constraint holds up, it's likely that more than half of the approved showrooms will never see one. Either way, hit the jump for the full details in Nissan's press release.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Sources: Nissan, Nagtroc.org]

Continue reading Nissan only offering GT-R Premium for 2011, priced from $85,060* - will volume be constrained?

Nissan only offering GT-R Premium for 2011, priced from $85,060* - will volume be constrained? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Godzilla vs. Super Snake: MT pits Nissan vs. Shelby in amusingly epic battle

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford, Nissan

Super Snake vs. Godzilla - click above to watch the video

Recently, we ran a little poll in which we asked which car would you prefer: A Nissan GT-R or a Ford Shelby Mustang GT500? The results - which aren't too surprising - had just over two thirds of you rooting and tooting for Godzilla. And that's all fine. However, someone pointed out that the contest should have been between Godzilla and the new Shelby Super Snake. Well guess what?

Thankfully, Motor Trend has totally obliged you. In this video, the 412-horsepower and 393 pound-feet of torque (at the wheels, people, at the wheels) Nissan GT-R takes on the 635 hp and 581 lb-ft of torque Shelby GT500 Super Snake do the quarter-mile. The results? We're going to make you jump to find out, but we aren't surprised. At all. But then again, we've driven both cars (in fact, this appears to be the exact 2010 GT-R we drove). We will however say hats off to our buddy Ed Loh at MT for making such a fun video. Click here to watch it. Thanks to Pete for the tip!

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Shelby Super Snake

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading VIDEO: Godzilla vs. Super Snake: MT pits Nissan vs. Shelby in amusingly epic battle

VIDEO: Godzilla vs. Super Snake: MT pits Nissan vs. Shelby in amusingly epic battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche 911 GT3 RS reportedly laps the 'Ring in 7:33

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - click above image for hi-res gallery

Another day, another Nurburgring time report! These posts are fun for a wide variety of reasons, not the last of which is the outpouring of love and understanding showered upon me whenever I link to my pal Jack's fascinating article on what 'Ring records really mean (hint: not much). Still, what is good about Nordschleife times (and the reason why we report on them) is that it gives you a good general idea of how a car performs under the most adverse and challenging conditions possible (barring weather). Green Hell, it's said, is a bitch.

And the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (you know - the funny looking one with the pink lipstick) just lapped it in seven minutes and thirty-three seconds. Very impressive. That's almost a full minutes faster than a Chevy Cobalt SS. Er, it's almost nearly as fast as Godzilla, which can get around the Nurburgring's north track in 7:27. What's most impressive about the GT3 RS's time is the absence of forced induction and AWD. Remember, there's a 3.8-liter flat-six out back producing 450 horsepower and the car weighs very little - especially when compared to the porcine GT-R.

No word on if the record was set with PASM on or off, though we imagine off. Also, and this is going to be of special note to you Porsche fanboys, when the nameless Porsche test engineer ran the 7:33, he did it in light traffic. Meaning that Porsche feels the theoretical best for the GT3 RS is right around 7:30, whatever that means.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

[Source: EVO]

Porsche 911 GT3 RS reportedly laps the 'Ring in 7:33 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Godzilla Refined - Nissan shows revised GT-R

Chris Paukert — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:04:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan

2010 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Without much fanfare (okay - zero fanfare), Nissan has rolled a tweaked version of its home-market GT-R onto the show floor here at the Tokyo Motor Show.

While you're not likely to notice any exterior differences, JDM buyers should appreciate that Nissan has fettled the suspension, fitted higher-flow cats to the exhaust system for improved low- and mid-range response (as if this were a problem before), and they've also added a next-generation hard-drive based navi system that includes iPod connectivity.

On the suspension end of things, the rear suspension radius rod bushings have come in for a stiffening, and the front shocks and springs have been tweaked for increased "accuracy" (no, we're not entirely sure what that means either).

Perhaps the only modification that will be visible to passers-by is the inclusion of rear diffuser cooling ducts across the range - previously these were only fitted to the SpecV model.

Speaking of SpecV, the higher-performance model also gets new rear shock settings and standard Dunlop tires - Bridgestone loyalists, fear not - those shoes are also still available by request.

The updated GT-R hits JDM dealers on December 7, but Godzilla-crazed performance fans in the rest of the world will have to wait until spring to get one of their very own. Check out our galleries below and the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: 2010 Nissan GT-R

Gallery: Nissan GT-R "New Spec"

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Godzilla Refined - Nissan shows revised GT-R

Tokyo 2009: Godzilla Refined - Nissan shows revised GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan GT-R reportedly set to receive suspension and aero upgrades, SpecM confirmed

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Nissan, Rumormill

2010 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

The GT-R is already one of the most devastatingly fast cars on the market, but the speed-hungry record-breakers at Nissan aren't about to rest on their finely calibrated laurels. According to a report from British car site PistonHeads, upon their visit to the Japanese automaker's testing facility at the Nürburgring, they learned that yet another batch of updates are planned for Godzilla in a bid to keep it even further ahead of the competition.

Among those updates reportedly revealed by GT-R project chief Kazutoshi Mizuno are an upgraded suspension, rear diffuser and air intakes. The suspension tweaks promise to be mild, with slightly stiffer dampers and springs at the front and stiffer counterparts at the rear. A pair of NACA ducts, like those on the hood, will reportedly be placed on the car's flanks, while the rear diffuser from the exclusive SpecV model is to be adopted to the standard version as well. Finally, NISMO will be offering a new data system with a PC interface.

A few more details on the rumored SpecM model also came out: while the luxurious GT-R won't be in Tokyo, according to Mizuno, when it does show up some time next year, it will feature extra equipment for a more exclusive feeling and not, as some suggested, dilute any of the supercar's capabilities.

[Source: PistonHeads]

Nissan GT-R reportedly set to receive suspension and aero upgrades, SpecM confirmed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas tuner developing turbocharged V6 Camaro to take on GT-R's 'Ring record

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

2010 Chevrolet Camaro RS -- click above image for high-res gallery

Must. Beat. Godzilla. For some reason. Here's the skinny. A tuner company called East Texas Muscle Cars is fitting a couple of turbos to a 2010 V6 Camaro in order to "beat" the 'Ring time laid down by none other than the Nissan GT-R. That leaves us with two questions then: how and why?

Lots of folks are going to buy V6 Camaros, grok the 304 hp V6, scratch their heads and say, "More power." In other words, there's a market. ETMC will rip the guts come out of the 3.6-liter LLT and throw in forged rods, crank and pistons. And then, of course, you get the two Squires Turbo Systems turbos. These are remote-mounted turbos that bolt up under the car near the exhaust. With such a system, you're basically trading a bit of lag for increased cooling and no need to mess around with new headers. East Texas thinks they can wring 500 horses out of the system no problem.

Then there's the matter of dealing with the stock Camaro's "tremendous understeer and cradle walk." That's pretty necessary if you want to do battle with a R35, which neither understeers nor cradle walks nor really does anything bad or sloppy. East Texas Muscle Cars will be addressing those issues via harder bushings and Pedders coil-overs, along with a Baer big brake kit and lightweight forged 20-inch wheels.

Then there's the question: Why? Why go after Godzilla, such a high profile target? Unless you're building Clubber Lang, why call out Rocky? Publicity, obviously. Would we even be writing about a bolt-on turbo kit for a V6 Camaro unless they publicly challenged one of the production car 'Ring masters? Probably not. But there is one part of their scheme that we do like. Once the Camaro is finished, ETMC will be flying it and a friend's stock GT-R out to Germany to run 'em both simultaneously. Since that's the case, no need to even mention the inherent fallacy of Nurburgring lap records. Good luck boys.

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Camaro

[Source: Inside Line]

Texas tuner developing turbocharged V6 Camaro to take on GT-R's 'Ring record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nürburgring Rapid Response Nissan GT-R: World's fastest fire engine

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Japan, Nissan, Police/Emergency

Nürburgring Rapid Response Nissan GT-R - click above for high-res gallery

If there's one performance metric that's pure marketing hype, it has to be a vehicle's Nürburgring time. Our good pal Jack Baruth brilliantly debunked this ever-growing myth. In case you missed Jack's article, here's the gist:

"Sorry. There's no "Nürburgring lap time record" for a simple reason: Real lap time records are set by real race cars, using real timing and scoring equipment, during actual competition or sanctioned practice sessions. They aren't "self-reported" for the same reason the World's Strongest Man Contest isn't held by having everyone mail in their "results" because people can, and do, lie and cheat."

All that truth spoken to power, it's still accurate to say that certain cars generally tend to get around Green Hell faster than others. The big players lately have been the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Dodge Viper ACR, Porsche GT2 and Godzilla, better known as the Nissan GT-R. All four of these cars can scoot around the Nürburgring in 7:30, maybe a squidge faster. Again - it really doesn't matter. But one of the reasons why automakers play up these 'Ring times so much is that the Nürburgring is regarded as one of the most difficult and challenging strips of macadam anywhere - for both car and driver. To rephrase that, there are lots of accidents.

Meet the Nürburgring Rapid Response GT-R. The back seat has been removed to make way for a tank full of fire-retarding foam. The firehose itself is in the trunk, along with other flame-fightin' gear. And because the Rapid Response GT-R will be hustling round the 'Ring nearly as fast as Toshio Suzuki would flog it, there's a roll cage and carbon fiber Recaro race seats. Almost makes us wish we were German firemen. Almost.

Gallery: Nurburgring Rapid Response GT-R

[Source: Nissan Sportz via GT-R Blog]

Nürburgring Rapid Response Nissan GT-R: World's fastest fire engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Japan, Nissan, Australia

1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Long before Michael Jackson named two of his sons Prince, there was a Japanese manufacturer that went by that name. Actually, they were initially called Tachikawa Aircraft Company (builder of the Pearl Harbor-attacking Zeros) but then changed their name to Prince before changing it again to Fuji Precision Industries before finally switching it back to Prince in 1961, just in time to merge with Nissan in 1966. Stick with us, we're getting somewhere with all of this.

None of that would be important to non-WW2 buffs except for one Prince car - the Skyline. We were lucky enough to drive the latest and greatest Skyline (now known as the Nissan GT-R) the other day and noted how it reminded us of a Porsche 959. At that time, we were talking about the two cars' ground breaking technology and performance - but there's another similarity. Both supercars come from humble bloodlines. After all, the Porsche descended from a Volkswagen Beetle. Godzilla's ancestor is the Prince Skyline.

The second-generation S54 Nissan Prince Skyline is a particularly historic car, as it is the first time an inline-6 wound up under the hood. In fact, Nissan had to graft eight inches onto the front of the Skyline (all in front of the firewall) just to shoehorn in the 2.0-liter inline-six from the larger Gloria S40. The 1.5-liter inline-fours went into stumpier cars.

The car above is the S57 Skyline, slightly tweaked for 1967. Called the GT A200 in New Zealand - where this car hails from - the S57 is usually known as the 2000GT and came with three Weber carbs, a limited-slip diff and a five-speed manual transmission. Pretty sweet stuff for 1967... now you see where Godzilla gets it. The only drawback we can see is the 17-hour flight to Aukland.

Gallery: Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: 1967 Nissan Prince Skyline 2000GT originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 2010 Nissan GT-R makes supercar friends

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Videos, Nissan

Supercar parade - Click above to watch the videos after the jump

It's Godzillapalooza time boys and girls! More precisely, the day before the 2010 Nissan GT-R had to go back, my buddy Steve asked if I could give him a ride in the Skyline. Well, he'd actually been calling since two weeks before the car showed up, but anyhow, Steve is a filmmaker and he showed up camera in hand. Our plan, quite honestly, was just a quick blast across some empty freeways and nothing more. But then we saw the exit for Angeles Crest Highway and even though it was amateur day (Sundays = dozens of motorcycles riding off sheer cliffs in front of cops) we figured Steve should see Godzilla eat a canyon. Plus, after you get a few miles up you can turn left off Angeles Crest onto Angeles Highway, a much less congested (and some would argue better) road.

What happened next is one of the many reasons I'm never leaving Southern California. Stuck behind a pickup truck is a veritable supercar parade. From front to back: Ferrari F355 Spyder, Ferrari F430 Spyder, ~~Mothra~~ BMW M6, Dodge Viper SRT10, Ferrari F430 Spyder. I can't say for certain, but I think Godzilla was smiling. Eventually the truck pulled over and it was on. Well, OK, we got stuck behind the slow Ferrari, but it was still quite fun.

We all stopped for lunch where we asked the drivers if the matching Ferrari shirts add 5 horsepower. Then we hopped back in the cars, but not before I announced that the Nissan would be running mid-pack. The Viper driver yelled, "Try to keep up!" Little did he know I was wearing my high performance flip-flops. Thanks to Steve for filming and cutting the video: follow the jump to watch it.

Continue reading VIDEO: 2010 Nissan GT-R makes supercar friends

VIDEO: 2010 Nissan GT-R makes supercar friends originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R - Does Godzilla Have A Soul?

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Nissan, New Car Reviews

2010 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Being an automotive journalist is like being a male porn star. We're little more than Piloti-shoed buffers between the reader and the objects of their lust, and really, no one cares about us. Still, you only get one chance to make an initial impression, so my first review here on Autoblog had to be big. As luck/fate would have it, I got a phone call a few weeks back that went a little something like this: "How'd you like to drive the first 2010 Nissan GT-R on the West Coast, before the buff books get it?" Needless to say, the answer was obvious. But what to do with the brand-new R35, one of the most heavily and relentlessly covered car-stories of the past year? This takes us right back to that porno metaphor: How do I give the people what they want?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R

Continue reading Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R - Does Godzilla Have A Soul?

Review: 2010 Nissan GT-R - Does Godzilla Have A Soul? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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