Nissan GT-R SpecV

Motoring Channel Staff - 15/January/2009

Tokyo, Japan — Like Mitsubishi, Nissan was no where to be seen at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show but that didn't stop the Japanese car maker from launching its highly anticipated GT-R SpecV.

Only 10 SpecV GT-Rs will be built per month at Nissan's Japanese GT-R plant, which will ensure a significant premium is added to the sticker price.

At present the limited-production SpecV model has only been released in Japan, and is "targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a street-legal vehicle" reads the Nissan press statement.

Though Nissan's engineers haven't given the 353kW (480hp) biturbo V6 engine a boost in power, there is a new gear boost control device that "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".

The lack of a base power increase will no doubt play into the hands of tuners, who will now be able to charge big amounts for tuning the GT-R's notoriously hard-to-crack VR38DETT engine.

The last high performance factory Skyline GT-R 'V-Spec' model didn't get engine upgrades either, but if Nissan stays true to tradition, there will be another ultimate Godzilla arriving in the next few years that boasts bigger lungs.

However, while peak power on the GT-R SpecV's engine is still 353kW and 588Nm, Nissan has added a modified titanium-coated exhaust system and added carbon-ceramic disc brakes that provide powerful stopping performance.

These light weight components reduce the mass of the stock GT-R's 1.7 tonne+ dry weight, as do a range of other carbon fibre new parts, such as:

Carbon fibre rear spoiler
Carbon fibre grille
Carbon fibre brake ducts
Carbon fibre Recaro bucket seats

Nissan says that the SpecV is only available in the Ultimate Black Opal (RP) body color, and inside the vehicle the SpecV gets unique leather-covered Recaro seats that also lower the cars weight and carbon fibre insets on the instrument panel highlight the go-fast model's pedigree.

Nissan hasn't released statistics on how much lighter the new model is, but we're guessing at least 100kg will be shed by the changes, dropping from 1730kg to 1630kg or perhaps even as low as 1600kg.

This drop in weight will increase the GT-R SpecV's power to weight ratio significantly and will no doubt give it Nurburgring bragging rights in the months to come.

The GT-R SpecV is also comes with newer, lighter forged aluminum wheel rims developed precisely for the SpecV model. 

Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) has been flogging the wheels since September 2008, and they help reduce unsprung weight "together with the enhanced braking capability" says Nissan.

Another chassis upgrade is a new version of the continually adjustable Bilstein DampTronic suspension system, which together with higher quality tyres will allow the GT-R to punish drivers with even higher lateral G-force levels.

Nissan says 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." 

Vital statistics for the Nissan GT-R SpecV 3.8-litre V6 twin turbo engine are as follows:

Power: 353kW (480hp) @ 6400rpm
Torque: 588Nm @ 3200 - 5200rpm

The standard Nissan GT-R achieves the benchmark sprints in the follow times:

0-100km/h: 3.7 seconds
1/4 Mile: 11.7 seconds

With less weight and improved suspension, the SpecV model could shave several tenths of both these times.

If you live in Japan or know someone who does, and want to get a SpecV now, you can go to these dealers:

- 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

Nissan quotes a suggested retail price of ¥15,750,000, which is about A$270,000. Carbon fibre doesn't come cheap...

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