2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV unveiled

Nissan has officially unveiled its new 2009 GT-R SpecV edition which will make its first public debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon later this week.

The new GT-R SpecV promises street-legal race car performance for the everyday enthusiast, a sentiment not to be taken lightly as the flagship of a car which has exceeded all expectations so far.

Continuing tradition, the SpecV is available in an exclusive deep purple hero colour - named ‘Ultimate Black Opal’, boasting a series of unique body, interior and performance equipment and modifications.

Exterior features comprise replacement carbon fibre components including the rear spoiler, grille and brake ducts.

Inside, the SpecV loses its rear seats in favour of two carbon fibre race buckets seats from Recaro for the driver and front passenger, while the carbon theme continues to rear centre storage box, instrument panel and other trim areas.

While official performance figures have not yet been released, the SpecV features a new high gear boost control device which momentarily provides greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed range for more powerful acceleration.

This same system also allows the engine to operate more efficiently at low speeds, resulting in improved fuel economy.

Further modifications include a titanium-coated exhaust system and carbon-ceramic brakes which were spied earlier this year on a prototype at the Nürburgring for ultimate stopping performance.

Rather than focussing on raw power, Nissan has instead concentrated on refining the handling of the new SpecV, equipping the car with Nismo-spec forged aluminium wheels as standard to reduce unsprung weight.

Together with these lighter wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes, the SpecV also boasts an exclusive new suspension setup and unique high-grip tyres.

The new Nissan GT-R SpecV will go on sale in Japan from next month attracting a price tag roughly double that of the standard GT-R. There are no current plans to sell the SpecV in Australia.

Nissan GT-R SpecV: Super-Godzilla Officially Attacks Japan

Yes friends, the Nissan GT-R SpecV is finally, officially here and goes on sale at seven specially selected Nissan dealerships in Japan next month for 15,750,000 yen. That's a bit over $160,000.

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.

Developed around the multi-dimensional Nissan GT-R sports car, 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

Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 MCR Nissan 370Z

Japan’s MCR (Matchless Crowd Racing) will reveal a fully modded Nissan 370Z tuned with all sorts of awesome performance parts from multiple manufacturers at this weeks Tokyo Auto Salon 2009!

The MCR Modified Nissan 370Z will get a NISMO aero-package including front and rear spoilers, side skirts and a rear wing. I will take multiple photos of the sexy lightweight Enkei allow wheels wrapped in Yokohama rubbers, sport suspension, lightweight sport exhaust system and the monstrous ENDLESS Racing CALIPER BRAKES upgrade.

Technically I should be on United Flight 803 about 8 hours into the 16 hour flight to Tokyo, but thanks to a wicked winter storm this morning that made me miss my connection by 30 minutes, I won’t be arriving until Friday.

Renault and Nissan deliver new 3.0L V6 diesel engine

new Nissan-Renault diesel

The clean diesel V6 you see above will supposedly find a home under the hood of the Nissan Maxima sometime in 2010. Back in April in 2007, Nissan announced it would offer an oilburner in the Maxima, but that was before the price of diesel spiked well above gasoline. That price increase, combined with the huge drop in car sales over the past 12 months, has caused most of the non-German automakers planning US market diesels to seriously reconsider or cancel there plans altogether. That's a shame, because if this engine is anywhere near is as good as some of the others we driven, Americans would probably love it.
The diesel V6 is a joint project between Nissan and Renault, with both companies contributing half of the development cost. It's got all the latest diesel goodies including a 23,000 psi common rail injection system, EGR and a particulate filter to eliminate soot. About three-quarters of the total production will be used by Nissan, largely for Euro market Infinitis like the FX and G series, while Renault will install most of its share in the new Laguna coupe. If the 235 hp/331 lb-ft diesel does make into the US Maxima, it will probably get EPA numbers in the range of 25/35 mpg city/highway. Hit the jump to check out a video tour of the engine.

Nissan-Renault V9X diesel V6

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Nissan showcasing sport, utility at Tokyo Auto Salon

The Tokyo Auto Show gets underway this Friday, but already the exhibits of the major carmakers are hitting the web. Nissan released its set of show cars today, including a range of custom packages for the 370Z, GT-R and Cube. Nissan's GT-R super-coupe is shown off by NISMO in Club Sports form, which entails a custom chassis, carbon fiber bucket seat and titanium exhaust system among other tweaks. The car is tested to reduce the standard GT-R's lap times at Sendai Hi-land Raceway by over a second - all while preserving the factory warranty. Another GT-R, the Xanavi NISMO GT-R Super GT 2008 GT500 race car, and winner of the 2008 Driver's Championship, will also be on display. The 370Z, revealed in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, gets a 'Fairlady Z Stylish Package' already previewed here.

Nissan at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon