Autoblog

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.


[Source: GTRblog.com]

We're just over a week away from the official unveiling of the Nissan 370Z, but a factory brochure of the NISMO S-Tune Z34 has leaked out from Japan, showing the two in-house tuned models buyers abroad can choose from when the new Z goes on sale later this year.

The first package is the NISMO S-Tune Aero Package that reduces lift and provides increased downforce through the use of a new nose, front lip spoiler, side skirts and rear spoiler. Also included in the package is a set of "fender protectors" – essentially mud flaps – and a set of NISMO-badged floor mats.

The NISMO S-Tune Performance Package is more our style, and includes a stainless steel exhaust, NISMO LMZ5 wheels – featuring five spokes and sized 19-inches – an S-Tune suspension, upgraded brakes and the obligatory floor mats. Pricing in Japan is outlined in the spec sheet, and you can check the gallery for a handful of images detailing what may (or may not) be offered in the U.S. later next year.


[Source: GTRBlog]

It appears that the current NISMO Fairlady Z S-Tune GT might have a replacement waiting in the wings when the new Z car (370Z here in North America) arrives on scene. The photo above is now making the rounds on the web, and at the very least, it indicates that NISMO will probably have accessories (like the body kit shown) ready to go for the Fairlady Z's JDM launch.

The current Fairlady Z S-Tune complete car is equipped with all manner of NISMO goodies (underhood, suspension, brakes, interior, exterior -- the works), and you can pretty much write it down that they'll do something similar with the new ride as well. It's more a matter of when than if. Anyway, we expect to hear much more in the days to come, since the 370Z's official unveiling in L.A. is just around the corner. Thanks to Chuck for the tip!

[Source: 370Z Tech]

Click either image for a high-res gallery.

NISMO has finally released all the details on its line of upgrades for the R35 Nissan GT-R, and per usual, there's good news and bad news.

On the positive side, the parts are the typical blend of OEM quality and fitment, with a focus on tighter handling and weight reduction. The Club Sport tuning package includes the Chassis pack made up of race-tuned Bilstein Damptronic adjustable dampers sheathed in 18.5kg/mm (front) and 9.6 kg/mm (rear) springs. The combination of rock-hard coils and adjustable damping at both low and high speeds should make the GT-R stickier in the corners and more stable while bombing through a fast sweeper. Rounding out the handling package is a set of Rays forged aluminum wheels, sized 20x9.5-inches in front (+45mm offset) and 20x10.5-inches (+25mm offset) in the rear, and wrapped in Bridgestone RE070R run-flats, sized 225/40 and 285/35, front and rear. These are rumored to be the same rollers we'll see on the Spec-V when it's unveiled in Paris this October.

The rest of the parts focus on weight reduction, beginning with a lightweight axle-back exhaust that drops 11 pounds from the GT-R's curb weight, along with a carbon fiber undertray that reduces air turbulence and parasitic drag. Upgraded carbon-fiber backed and leather-trimmed seats are also part of the package, which retains the side airbags but nixes the electronic controls, reducing weight by another 13 pounds total. Naturally, some NISMO badging rounds out the upgrades.

Now here's the bad news: the parts are only available in Japan as a package, can only be installed by 12 NISMO-authorized shops and come in at a whopping ¥5,460,000 (over $50,000). However, some U.S. importers have already worked out a distribution deal with NISMO, but for those of us in the States, we don't get the added benefit of the three-year/60,000 km warranty.


[Source: NISMO via JPCNews]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Nissan GT-R.

The word from Japan's BestCar magazine is that Nissan has delayed the launch of the GT-R V-Spec in Japan from this fall to sometime later this year or early 2009. The reason for the delay hasn't been divulged, but as a stop-gap measure, Nissan will be releasing an Evolution or S-Tune version fitted with several of the parts developed by NISMO and fitted on the race-spec version of the GT-R that campaigned in Tokachi 24-hour enduro.

The launch of the Evolution/S-Tune model will coincide with the release of NISMO's line of performance parts, due out later this month, and will include suspension upgrades, new aero parts, wheels and tires, along with a revised ECU and a new exhaust system. Look for an official announcement from Nissan on August 20th.



[Source: BestCar via LeBlogAuto]

Nissan's motorsports arm has been hard at work developing parts for the GT-R, and on August 20th, R35 owners in Japan will get their first taste of NISMO's efforts. Tuning packages – ranging from street to circuit kits – will be offered in either comprehensive combinations or ala carte, and will include wheels and tires, carbon fiber aero parts, exhaust systems, tweaked ECUs and upgraded cooling kits. All the parts have already undergone rigorous testing, primarily during NISMO/MOTUL's campaign of a race-prepped R35 GT-R in the Tokachi 24 hour endurance race.

More details are due out in a few weeks, although there's no word on if or when these parts will be available in the U.S.



[Source: GTRBlog]

The Tokachi-bound R35 Nissan GT-R is on a carbon-rich diet, as evidenced by images captured by our new friends at GTR-World. On the outside, the trunk lid, hood and side mirrors have been replaced with carbon fiber bits and the rear-quarter windows have been swapped out in favor of lightweight acrylic pieces. The stripped cockpit gets a carbon fiber racing bucket, a fire suppression system (with a carbon fiber mounting bracket) and a C.F. gauge and dash surround that's expected to migrate to the Nissan GT-R V-Spec when it goes on sale next year (look for the dry-carbon mirrors too).

The only other additions needed to make the R35 ready for its 24-hour race are the on-board pneumatic air jacks, a new steering wheel, a racing harness and the bolt in roll cage, which is more for safety than stiffness. GTR-World is reporting that NISMO isn't doing any additional spot-welding to the body, as the stock GT-R's chassis is stiff enough to campaign in a production race class without modification. Look for more coverage of the NISMO/MOTUL GT-R when it hits the tarmac in Tokachi on July 20th and 21st, and rest assured that many of the carbon fiber pieces that have been developed for the race car will find their way to Nissan retailers as either dealer-installed options or on the forthcoming V-spec.


[Source: GT-R World]

Nissan's motorsports arm, NISMO, will bring a race-prepared GT-R to the Tokachi 24-hour race on July 20th and 21st equipped with NISMO tuning parts that will be available to consumers later this summer. The car is being prepped by both NISMO and MOTUL, the Japanese French specialty oil manufacturer, and the modified GT-R will benefit from a special blend of the brand's high-performance oil.

The GT-R won't be packing additional ponies, with power still pegged at 480 PS (473 hp) and 434 lb.-ft. of torque. However, the curb weight of the racer has dropped from over 3,800 pounds to 3,527 pounds. Masami Kageyama (former Formula Nippon racer and SuperGT pilot) and Tetsuya Tanaka (2008 Super GT GT300 driver) will be handling the tuned GT-R around the track at Tokachi.

The team's director, Taro Kumagai, points out that this is the first time a production-based GT-R has been raced, and that the aim of the campaign "is to complete the race distance, testing both the performance and reliability of the car." There's no word yet on what performance parts will be released and whether they'll find their way into NISMO-certified dealers in the U.S. We'll let you know.

[Source: NISMO via GTR-World]

The season opener for Japan's SuperGT series is a little over a day away, and the organizers have finally deemed one vehicle worthy to lead the GT300 and GT500 racecars around the track. A new Nissan GT-R, swathed in white and sporting the required safety stickers and light bar, will make its way around Suzuka this Sunday, March 16th, which also marks the return of the GT-R to the series after a three-year hiatus.

To celebrate, Nissan will be bringing out a half dozen GT-R racecars that the automaker has campaigned over the last 18 years, including the 2003 XANAVI NISMO GT-R, 1996 NISMO GT-R LM Clarion and the 1990 Calsonic Skyline, all of which will be making demo-runs during the morning of the 16th. Nissan will also have the 2003 MOTUL PITWORK GT-R, 1998 Pennzoil NISMO GT-R and the 1992 STP Taisan GT-R on display for spectators to gawk at before the festivities commence.

Nissan's full press release is after the jump and we'd be remiss not to point out that three of the newly minted GT500 GT-Rs are already in the top five during the practice sessions held earlier today. We'll be following their progress through our friends in Japan as the weekend unfolds.

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan's in-house tuning arm, Nismo, is looking to expand its reach both in its home market and abroad, beginning with an S-Tune package for, of all things, the Tiida.

Beyond the Tiida (Versa here in the States), Nissan plans to offer Nismo parts and professional tuning at every one of its dealerships in Japan, with plans to expand the network across the globe. That could mean that you'll be able to hit up your local Nissan dealer for a Nismo exhaust and intake, have it installed while you're there and possibly get an ECU reflash to make better use of the parts. It's the wave of the future and you can't deny getting factory-approved and installed parts that would provide piece of mind while keeping your warranty intact.

[Source: Nissan]