Nissan Announces 2012 GT-R's 0-100km/h Sprint Time, Half a Second Faster than 2011MY

When we reported on the 2012MY Nissan GT-R, we were wondering how the added power would affect the Japanese sports car's acceleration times. Well, the wait is over as Nissan announced today that the facelifted GT-R with the tweaked 530HP twin-turbocharged V6 completes the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 3.0 seconds, or a whopping 0.5 seconds faster than the 485 hp version.

Measurements were carried out at the Sendai Race Way on November 12th-13th, in Sunny/Cloudy weather during the media test event. Temperature ranged between 15-19 degrees Celsius (59-66.2 F).

The company used a standard specification model – including tires and wheels –, without any optional parts. The car was set to “R” mode for the suspension and VDC-R (Vehicle Dynamic Control) system.

Given that few (if any) series-production sports cars priced under the $100k mark (in the U.S.) achieve these kind of numbers, the GT-R definitely returns an incredible bang for your buck.

Nissan GT-R Receives the Carbon-Fiber Aero Treatment from Vorsteiner

California tuner Vorsteiner is joining the parade of tuners fiddling around with the Nissan GT-R through its sub-division, Ventross, that released details on a new carbon fiber aero package slated for market release on June 1st, 2009. The exterior aerodynamic package consists of two components, a front fascia and a rear diffuser both of which will be (hand)made to order rather than mass produced.

The tuner's new GT-R front fascia comes with larger carbon fiber air intakes for the radiators and includes additional side louver openings feeding air to the brakes through the front fender lining slats along with a more aggressively styled front spoiler that attaches to the factory under tray.

At the back, Ventross has designed a new lightweight carbon fiber diffuser housing three integrated fins with central heat extraction vents that replaces the GT-R's factory diffuser.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Nissan Announces New Record Nurburgring Time for GT-R: 7min 26.7 sec

To whom it may concern because quite frankly, these Nurburgring lap time records are starting to get as boring as the never-ending promotion of Chevy's Camaro, Nissan has officially announced that it has improved the GT-R's lap time at the Nordschleife circuit in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70 on April 23, 2009. The previous recorder lap times at the 'Ring were 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009, 7min 29sec in April 2008 and 7min 38sec in September 2007.

"This record demonstrates our commitment to the continuous evolution of the Nissan GT-R," says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist. "We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year."

In other words, expect to see Porsche, Nissan, GM and who knows who many other automakers, announcing new 'record' lap times at the 'Ring faster than you can say Nordschleife.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Rumorville: 2011 Nissan GT-R with More Power and New Aero Kit

A lightly camouflaged Nissan GT-R prototype that was recently spotted at Germany's Nurburgring race track has spawned rumors in Japan of an updated version of the R35 that could hit the market as soon as next year as a 2011MY. While this may sound strange since Nissan presented a facelifted version of the GT-R with trivial upgrades that included some fine tuning of the twin-turbocharged V6's electronics for a 5HP "boost" to 485HP just a few months ago, considering the fact that the 2010MY GT-R came out only a year after its Japanese market debut and six months after its North American market introduction, everything is possible.

Using the spy photos as an educational canvas, Japan's Best Car magazine came up with a computer generated image of what the facelifted 2011 GT-R could like. Cosmetic changes are said to include new aero bits as well as a redesigned front bumper while speculation has it that Nissan will also fiddle around with the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 "squeezing" out a few more ponies for an overall output close to 500HP.

If the rumors turn out to be true, then apparently the more hardcore V-Spec model is also due for an update, though not before 2011.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Nissan Shows 2012 GT-R Facelift in Paris but won't Release Details Until October 18th

Tucked away in a glassed corner of Nissan's Paris Motor Show booth was the 2012 GT-R facelift. So, did the updated GT-R make its world premiere in Paris or not? Yes and no. See, while the car made its first public appearance in Paris, oddly enough, Nissan said it wouldn't release any information until mid October.

Here's the official statement from the Japanese automaker: "The GT-R engineering team are currently at the Nordschliefe, the legendary circuit in Germany, where they are in the process of signing-off the final updates on the forthcoming enhanced GT-R. Full details of the enhanced GT-R will be announced on 18th October 2010,"

From what we can see, the 2012 model year version of the Godzilla boasts a new front bumper with LED running lights, a revised rear diffuser and new alloy wheels.

According to documents leaked back in August, the changes are said to help drop the GT-R's drag coefficient from 0.272 to 0.268 while also improving rear downforce by 10%. The car is also expected to benefit from chassis and engine modifications.

We'll update this story as soon as Nissan comes out with all the juicy details.

_____________________________GALLERY________________________________

Nissan GT-R to Play the Role of Godzilla at this Year’s Top Gear Live

The 478 hp Nissan GT-R is no stranger to Top Gear UK. Jeremy Clarkson famously raced it against co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May riding a bullet train just two years ago. Now the GT-R is set to play its monster movie nickname - Godzilla - in a special stunt sequence of Top Gear Live.

The 80 minute live show features the three presenters and a host of cars driven by professional stuntmen, in what the media has dubbed 'the cirque du soleil of cars'.

The GT-R will play the daikaiju (strange beast) from the tokusatsu (superhero movie) 'Gojira' in an explosive driving sequence inspired by Japanese street racing and manga.

"Ever since we drove the new GT-R through the streets of Tokyo on the television programme, I've wanted to incorporate one into a stunt driving sequence on the Live show." said Rowland French, Executive Producer of Top Gear Live.

The GT-R will make its official Top Gear Live debut at the "MPH: The Prestige & Performance Motor Show" at Earls Court, London in the first week of November, with a second showing at the NEC in Birmingham the following week.

By Tristan Hankins