Autoblog

Tokyo 2009: Mazda's Sky G and Sky D engines should come with straws for sipping

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda, Diesel

Mazda Sky D and Sky G engines -- Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mazda Sky D diesel and Sky G gasoline engines are meant to bring "everlasting blue sky" to oversee "sustainable Zoom-Zoom." Both utilize low-friction engine blocks, direct injection and piezo-electric injectors. The Sky G is fitted with a "highly functional variable valve timing mechanism," and the Sky D gets a 2-stage turbocharger besides.

Together with technologies such as the Sky Drive 6-speed transmission, i-stop, regenerative braking and lighter vehicles, these lumps will form the core of Mazda's goal of a 30% increase in fuel economy in the coming years. You can read more about them after the jump, and check them out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Mazda Sky D engine

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: Mazda Sky G engine

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Mazda's Sky G and Sky D engines should come with straws for sipping

Tokyo 2009: Mazda's Sky G and Sky D engines should come with straws for sipping originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:29:00 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, 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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Bloc Rockin' Beater: Twin-turbo Skyline-powered 2105 shows off a Lada intercooler

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Coupe, Sedan, Etc., Nissan

Take a close look at the car in these photos. What at first glance appears to be a '70s race car done up for SEMA is actually S. Kartuzoff's Lada 2105 Gladkov Edition. The car has been dubbed "Adrenalin," and as the description says, "It is the Russian car!" with motive power coming from a Nissan Skyline engine that has been boosted by a pair of Garrett turbos. The before-and-after pics show how much work went into creating this oddly classic and simultaneously modern vehicle.

Most of our crew aren't digging the scissor doors, but the intercooler-as-grille idea, well, that's just inspired. And the twin-turbo powertrain? Boffo. Makes us think of all of those glorious IMSA TU cars from the '70s. Cars like the Alfa GTV, Fiat 124, BMW 2002, Datsun 510, and Mazda RX-2 and -3. Check out the small gallery of pics grabbed from the source below, but we urge you to click through for more images of the incredible and unique build. Hat tip to TheFireball.

Gallery: Custom Lada Samara

[Source: CarDomain]

Bloc Rockin' Beater: Twin-turbo Skyline-powered 2105 shows off a Lada intercooler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan GT-R wins 2009 One Lap of America

Chris Paukert — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Nissan, Porsche

2009 One Lap of America - Click above for a high-res image gallery

For the first time in the modern incarnation of One Lap of America, a Japanese car has claimed the top spot. After a grueling 3,400+ mile, nine racetrack odyssey around the United States, veteran "Lap Dog" Steve Rankins and "Lap Puppy" Will Taylor captured the overall trophy in their 2009 Nissan GT-R this weekend. The victory marks the first for a Nippon car since the event's 1986 running, when rallyist Karl Chevalier's Toyota Celica beat out fellow racer John Buffum's Audi 5000S wagon. OloA's timing and scoring procedures were markedly different at that point, however, as from 1985 to 1991, One Lap was essentially a time-speed-distance (TSD) rally.

With five-time defending champion Mark Davia and Drew Wikstrom taking the year off in their Porsche 911 Turbo, a new winner was assured, but for quite a while, it looked like another Stuttgart powerhouse would take the podium, as the 996 GT2 of Peter Lier and Ian Stewart held down the top position for much of the event. In the end, the consistency of the #3 Team Cannonball GT-R outlasted all comers - including the green #2 GT-R of Derek Whitis, Tom Long and Mark Pombo, which fell by the wayside when it was beset by gremlins (faulty boost controller pushing the ECU into limp mode, overheating, etc.). Along the way, the #3 GT-R was a consistent performer all week long, setting OloA's best-ever wet skidpad performance, a tidy 0.953g and winning events at Turfway Park, Talladega Grand Prix Raceway, Daytona International Raceway, Carolina Motorsports Park, and the BMW Performance Center. While stockpiling that many victories may make this year's race sound like a walk-off, tight competition from Lier and Stewart's 996 GT2 and the aforementioned #2 GT-R meant that the issue was in doubt almost until the very end.

Check out the high-res gallery below for more shots from this year's event, the full results here, and comprehensive wrap-up coverage courtesy of Motor Trend here.

Gallery: 2009 One Lap of America - Wrapup

[Sources: One Lap of America; Motor Trend]

Nissan GT-R wins 2009 One Lap of America originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EX Phone Home: Nissan rebadges Infiniti EX as Skyline Crossover for JDM

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Crossover, Infiniti, Nissan

Nissan Skyline Crossover - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Enthusiasts couldn't help but be disappointed when Nissan let slip that plans for a new Infiniti flagship sedan based on the all-conquering GT-R wouldn't see the light of day. What you see here is just the opposite: an Infiniti re-labeled as a Skyline.

Truth be told, although the previous Skyline GT-R was one model, the two nameplates have been separated for years now in the Japanese domestic market: The Japanese domestic market Skyline is what we know as the Infiniti G37 coupe and sedan (like the G35 before it). What you see here, then, is just more of the same: the Nissan Skyline Crossover, an exercise in badge engineering to bring the niche model Infiniti EX crossover back home.

Nissan has released little in the way of details, but don't expect any big changes over the Euro-spec EX37, with the latest VQ37VHR version of the company's highly-rated V6 offering up 310 horsepower. So if you've ever woken up in a cold sweat wondering what an Infiniti EX would look like with a Nissan badge on its grille, check out the pair of images below, along with the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Nissan Skyline Crossover (JDM)

Gallery: Review: 2008 Infiniti EX35

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading EX Phone Home: Nissan rebadges Infiniti EX as Skyline Crossover for JDM

EX Phone Home: Nissan rebadges Infiniti EX as Skyline Crossover for JDM originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Revised Nissan GT-R clocks 7:27.56 lap time at the Nürburgring

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Nissan

2010 Nissan GT-R at the Nurburgring - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Enough is never enough. Not when you're talking supercars and Nürburgring lap times. As if enough jaws weren't dropped when Nissan posted their fantastic initial time of 7:29 around the vaunted Nordschleife (besting Porsche's best), the automaker's engineers went back to the garage looking for a little extra for 2010. They came back with a slightly updated version, with five extra horsepower and revised dual-clutch transmission with updated launch control, plus a bigger fuel tank, new tires and a retuned suspension. So what effect would these modifications have on the GT-R's 'Ring run? About a second and a half off the record, which now stands for the Japanese supercar at an awe-inspiring 7:27.56.

According to Nissan, the time was posted using a 2010 GT-R with the optional V-Spec wheels and tires, driven by former F1 tester Toshio Suzuki. Fantastic as that time is, it's still another second short of the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's 7:26.4 (to say nothing of the Dodge Viper ACR's 7:22.1), so Nissan will be back at it. And without the dirt and dust which the Japanese team says was coating the track to impede its lap time, they figure they just might find enough extra speed to claim the record. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan GT-R sets 7:27.56 Ring lap time

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Revised Nissan GT-R clocks 7:27.56 lap time at the Nürburgring

Revised Nissan GT-R clocks 7:27.56 lap time at the Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Some Bargain: Inside Line reports $2000 routine maintenance bill for Nissan GT-R

Noah Joseph — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Maintenance, Coupe, Supercars, Nissan

2009 Nissan GT-R in the Autoblog Garage - Click above to view in high resolution

Our fathers always told us there's no such thing as a free lunch, and if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Then along came the Nissan GT-R, billed as a "bargain supercar" for those of merely elevated means. With a list price below eighty grand and performance to embarrass exotics worth several times as much, it seemed like the shoestring exotic had finally arrived like Santa Claus on Christmas. Couple that with what you'd be forgiven for assuming would be reasonable ownership costs - it is, after all, a Nissan, not a Ferrari - and the impossible had appeared to have happened.

However, such optimistic judgments about upkeep may have been premature. That's what the boys over at Inside Line found when their GT-R was called in to have its fluids changed. With transmission fluid selling for over $100 a quart, plus labor, the costs added up rather quickly, resulting in a routine refresh of the car's fluids and filters adding up to a sign-of-the-times-if-we've-ever-seen-one total of $2009 and change. If that's a bargain, we don't want to know what expensive is. Follow the link below to see IL's full breakdown.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

[Source: Inside Line]

Some Bargain: Inside Line reports $2000 routine maintenance bill for Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rated M for "Matured" - Nissan readying kinder, gentler GT-R Spec M?

Chris Paukert — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Nissan, Rumormill

2009 Nissan GT-R (regular strength version) - Click above for high-res image gallery

So, you've fallen in love with Godzilla, but the bumps and bruises of everyday life with a stiff-riding supercar matched to a dour (if tech-happy) interior might be too much to bear over the long haul. Well, if new rumors are true, Nissan may have just the car for you - a softer-sprung, lux'd-up GT-R dubbed "Spec-M."

According to the folks at Pistonheads, Nissan is preparing this new model featuring a recalibrated suspension setup for greater compliance, including what it calls "ripple control shock absorbers." On the inside, more upscale trimmings are also expected, with new seat color choices, as well as optional aluminum and woodgrain(!) finishes available. No drivetrain or exterior modifications are mooted, and if that's the case, we'd expect very similar performance figures.

No word yet on what markets the rumored Spec-M will be sold in, but we can see a business case being made for the U.S. at Nissan HQ in light of America's often questionable road surfaces and stereotypically softer posteriors.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

[Source: Pistonheads]

Rated M for "Matured" - Nissan readying kinder, gentler GT-R Spec M? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Classic JDM TV: Seibu Keisatsu's "Super Machine-X" Skyline 2000GT Turbo

Alex Nunez — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:48:00 EST

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

Unfortunately, I don't speak Japanese, because then I might have enjoyed the old detective drama Seibu Keisatsu even more than I did watching the video above and the two subsequent parts embedded after the jump. The crew at Japanese Nostalgic Car posted these last week, explaining that this particular episode was the first appearance of the "Super Machine-X" (names don't get much better than that) Skyline 2000GT Turbo. The black hero car (the first in a string of Nissans to be featured on the show) was outfitted with a metric ton of yestertech radio, camera, and computer equipment, all of which are used to track down the episode's villians. Those guys drive a '70 Cougar, inexplicably equipped with an imitation Screaming Chicken on the hood (seriously), setting up a Detroit vs. Japan showdown straight out of the Bizarro world. It's completely entertaining, even with the language barrier, and the gadget-enhanced, 29-year-old Super Machine-X feels like a precursor to the Mitsubishi Starion Jackie Chan drove in Cannonball Run II. And both those cars have more appeal than the lame Val Kilmer KITT. Just sayin'. Watch and enjoy.

[Source: Japanese Nostalgic Car]

Continue reading Classic JDM TV: Seibu Keisatsu's "Super Machine-X" Skyline 2000GT Turbo

Classic JDM TV: Seibu Keisatsu's "Super Machine-X" Skyline 2000GT Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Michael Harley — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Performance, Supercars, Nissan

2009 Nissan GT-R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan recently granted Autoblog four fleeting days with a red 2009 Nissan GT-R. While it seems every major automotive outlet has tested "Godzilla" on the track (including our First Drive), we chose instead to keep it on the streets to see if one of the world's most powerful and fastest accelerating cars could be domesticated by stop-and-go traffic, family errands, and carpool duty. Of course, we only stuck to that routine for a day or two... the rest of the time was spent on the famed canyon roads of Southern California. Follow the jump to read about our 100-hour experience in the Nissan GT-R and don't miss what very well may be the most beautiful gallery of high-res images we've ever published courtesy of our own Drew Phillips and all ready to become your next desktop wallpaper.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Continue reading Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan GT-R deliveries begin July 7th, 70-percent spoken for

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Supercars, Nissan

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

For the lucky 1,700+ people who have already preordered their 2009 Nissan GT-R, the wait is about to end. On Monday, July 7th, Nissan will begin delivering its first allocation of GT-Rs for the U.S. market to dealers. According to a Nissan spokesperson, the 70-percent preorder rate for the GT-R exceeded the automaker's expectations, and we somehow doubt Nissan will have a hard time finding buyers for the remaining 30 percent.

Pricing for the GT-R remains the same, with the base model coming in at $69,850 and the premium model listed at $71,900. Destination and handling costs amount to $1,000 and the only options available on the 2009 model are an iPod converter ($360), GT-R floor mats ($280) and the "Super Silver" special paint ($3,000). Make the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Nissan GT-R (US-spec)

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Continue reading Nissan GT-R deliveries begin July 7th, 70-percent spoken for

Nissan GT-R deliveries begin July 7th, 70-percent spoken for originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan updates official GT-R global website

Chris Shunk — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Supercars, Nissan

The Nissan GT-R has been an Internet and magazine sensation from the day the GT-R prototype was unveiled. While team Ghosn no doubt loves the free press, only Nissan could present the complete GT-R story from its 1969 beginning to today. Nissan has developed a global portal for enthusiasts and prospective buyers to drool over the GT-R, study the supercar's specs, and learn the history of Japan's four-wheeled golden boy. When you enter the site, go to "The World of Nissan GT-R" and click any of the red dots over Japan to travel the GT-R's decades long timeline of racing success. There are also plenty of pictures and videos for you to peruse, as well as links on all points of the globe where the GT-R story unfolded. If you have any interest at all in the GT-R, the site's worth the visit. Thanks for the tip, Chris!

Gallery: 2008 Nissan GT-R close ups

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan updates official GT-R global website originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First encounter of the fast kind: 90 seconds in a Nissan GT-R

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Nissan, First Drive

Click above for a high-res gallery of our first encounter with a Nissan GT-R

When a friend tipped us that there might be an R35 Nissan GT-R drifting around Southern California, we tried to get more details. As the facts started trickling in, we realized we might actually be able to get some seat time if we played our cards right. Well, we did get some seat time and we were definitely impressed. So what if the "seat" was on the opposite side of the steering wheel? Even amidst car-jaded Southern Californians, this thing drew a huge crowd. We were lucky enough to work our way to the front of the line and were eventually invited inside for a short ride around the block. So, what did we think? The most highly anticipated car of the day is one helluva ride, as you might expect. But the levels to which Nissan has gone to make this car a world beater had some in the crowd comparing this to the Bugatti Veyron for sheer technology overload. Follow the jump for more first impressions and click on the gallery below for some more high-res live shots. And don't think this is our last time in a GT-R, as we'll also be on hand for Nissan's official media ride and drive in the near future.

Gallery: 2008 Nissan GT-R in the wild

Continue reading First encounter of the fast kind: 90 seconds in a Nissan GT-R

First encounter of the fast kind: 90 seconds in a Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can't afford a Nissan GT-R? Lease it!

Michael Harley — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Supercars, Nissan

Click above for a high-res gallery of the U.S.-spec Nissan GT-R.

Nissan's upcoming supercar, the 2009 GT-R, has a base price of $69,850. It's a relative bargain when you consider the 911 Turbo, offering the same level of all-wheel-drive performance, will cost you at least $126,200. However, it's still far bit steeper than the average sales price of a new car in the United States (hovering just under $30,000 this year), not to mention the insane dealer markups that will likely put the sale price into the stratosphere. To help ease the financial burden, and put one of these turbocharged 473-hp monsters in your garage, Nissan North America has indicated that they will be offering a lease option on the all-new GT-R.

Don't print out your credit score and jog down to your local Nissan dealer just yet. There are about 1,400 Nissan dealerships in the States, and only 691 of them have begun to take pre-orders. Total sales volume allocated to the United States the first year will be just 1,500 units (to put that into perspective, consider that Nissan sold 284,762 Altimas last year).

While a lease program will be in place, Nissan expects most consumers to buy the vehicles. Purchase or lease, with high demand and low sales volumes you can be sure that each and every one of the GT-Rs will be fought over.

Gallery: Nissan GT-R (US-spec)

[Source: Inside Line]

Can't afford a Nissan GT-R? Lease it! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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