You can’t be serious: 4-door Nissan GT-R, GT-R SUV, Lexus LF-A, new Toyota Supra on the way

So you’re still weeping about Honda canning the Acura NSX. Don’t worry - because despite the global economic crisis there are still a couple of high-performance cars that will still come out of Japan for you to drool over.

According to Inside Line, Nissan is still working on four-door GT-R that will be badged an Infiniti for 2011. Around the same time, we will also see a GT-R SUV. That’s right, Nissan is allegedly working on a GT-R based SUV to rival the Porsche Cayenne.

While the NSX has been shelved, Inside Line says that Honda is working on an all-new two-door Beat that will be powered by an upgraded 800cc engine. Also, the Japanese automaker has yet to delay the redesigned S2000 which is slated for a 2011 debut.

Lexus is still working on the $340,000 V10 LF-A which is expected to arrive in 12 to 18 months. Toyota itself has plans for a V6 Supra in its product pipeline scheduled for a 2011 debut.

Will all this become a reality? Only time will tell if Inside Line is right about their findings.

Source: InsideLine

South Side Performance introduces 820 hp turbo upgrade for Nissan GT-R

South Side Performance Nissan GT-R turbo upgrade

Most of this week's Nissan GT-R tuning news has been coming out of the Tokyo Auto Salon, but South Side Performance is making its own headlines. The tuning firm based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is offering a set of upgraded stock turbochargers for the GT-R that have the potential to boost output to 820 hp when used in conjunction with other (undisclosed) performance modifications.
The upgrade consists of swapping out the stock turbos' center section with remachined compressor and turbine housings, sized 68mm and 53.8mm, respectively. The aluminum compressor wheel is good for up to 32 psi of boost, and since the basic hardware remains, the swap appears to be a simple bolt-on affair. According to South Side, the turbos make more power at stock boost levels and provide a linear power band throughout the rev range.
GT-RR.com is distributing the GTR820RR kit for South Side, and owners can send their stock turbos and $6,499 for the upgrade, with an approximate turnaround time of one week. Of course, the next question is: how will the stock clutches and transmission hold up to the additional power? Check out the images of the setup in the gallery below and hit the jump for the press release.

South Side Performance Nissan GT-R Turbo Upgrade

[Source: South Side Performance via TheRealJDM]

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.