Nissan GT-R: On Sale In Australia 2009

Motoring Channel Staff - 2/October/2008

Melbourne, Australia — The wait has been excruciating for some, but the GT-R has finally been pencilled in for an April 2009 launch in Australia.

While there are a handful of imported models getting around, interested drivers and those placing deposits should be able to get their fully warranteed cars in April 2009.

GT-R pricing is as follows:

Nissan GT-R $148,800
Nissan GT-R Premium $152,800

Nissan Australia's Managing Director, Dan Thompson said, "We are proud and excited to see the GT-R back in Australian showrooms. 

"It is a powerful tonic for the Nissan brand and underlines our outstanding record as an authentic sports car and performance car manufacturer," added Mr Thompson.

Powered by a 3.8-litre twin turbo engine, the GT-R delivers 353 kilowatts of power and 588 Newton metres of torque to all four wheels via a 6-speed twin clutch semi-automatic gearbox.

GT-R Premium models get things like larger 20-inch nitrogen-filled Bridgestone Potenza run-flat tyres, a 30Gb hard drive system and slightly different seats.

Available in six colours (Super Silver, Vibrant Red, Gun Metallic, Black Obsidian, Titanium, and Ivory Pearl), all models are packed with a very cool driver configurable Multi-Function Meter.

This gadget can display lateral G-forces plus acceleration and braking performance among 11 data screens available, giving drivers the kind of race track telemetry normally only gathered via laptop computer after the drive.

The new 'Godzilla', like it's Bathurst-winning predecessors, is already being touted as a giant killer. Benchmark tests in Japan and the USA suggest the GT-R's acceleration and handling are on par with turbocharged Porsche 911 models.

The new GT-R sports car will available from a "select group" of accredited dealers across Australia:

NSW
- Campbelltown
- Brookvale

VIC
- Ferntree Gully
- Werribee

SA
- Nailsworth

WA
- Melville
- Wangara

QLD
- Moorooka
- Southport
- Mackay

TAS
- Hobart

Nissan says the advanced body construction melds steel, die-cast aluminium and carbon fibre for strength, lightness and durability. 

The GT-R coupe is a 2-door vehicle with seating for four, and has a super low coefficient of drag of 0.27.

Nissan says that the production Nissan GT-R piloted by chief test driver Tochio Suzuki, cracked the seven minutes 30 second barrier at the famed Nurburgring track earlier this year with a time of 7:29 across the 20+ kilometre track.

But Porsche has cast doubt on this feat.

Porsche's 911 product chief, August Achleitner, recently told CARSguide in Australia: "This wonder car with 7:29 could not have been a regular series production car."

Achleitner said that it was likely Nissan used non-standard tyres. Porsche's best time on the same track with 911 Turbo 7:38. 

"For us, it's not clear how this time is possible. What we can imagine with this Nissan is they used other tyres," said Achleitner.

However, Nissan insists everything was above board.

"The car he drove was a standard specification model, fitted with standard Japanese market tyres," reads Nissan Australia's media release.

"By achieving a sub seven minutes 30 second lap time, the GT-R has proved it is arguably the fastest mass-production car in the world. Nissan set out to build a multiperformance supercar accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere – and the GT-R delivered that promise," reads the Nissan document.

Is Nissan in the wrong, or has Porsche just been snacking on sour grapes? There's an automotive saga brewing, and it's not over yet.

Moving right along, and the standard specification on the Nissan GT-R includes the following:

Rear wing
Carbon fibre rear diffuser
Dark grey front grille
Leather sports steering wheel (with adjustable steering column)
High-back driver’s sports seats
6-way power adjustment for driver's seat
Front heated seats
Aluminium interior trim accents
Intelligent key system
Push-button engine start/stop
ABS & EBD
Dual front, side, curtain airbags
VDC-R (sports Dynamic Stability System)

Nissan will begin taking orders for the GT-R in Sydney at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show on October 9. Nissan's Australian arm predicts that local sales of the GT-R will hit 200 units in the first year.

Related Links:
- Nissan GT-R: Supply & Demand (2009)
- Nissan GT-R Spec V: Leaked (2009)
- Nissan GT-R (2008)
- Nissan X-Trail (Road Test)
- Nissan Micra (Road Test)
- Nissan Dualis (2008)
- Nissan Silvia/200SX (2010)
- Nissan 350Z (Road Test)
- Nissan X-Trail (2007)
- Nissan Maxima (Road Test)
- Nissan Tiida (Road Test)