Nissan GT-R V-Spec

[SVT666]

Nissan GT-R V-Spec
April7


A spy photographer has snapped photos of what appears to be a prototype for Nissan's long-rumored, long-promised GT-R V-Spec. Caught as it was unloaded off a truck at Nissan's N?rburgring workshop, this test car has some visual differences from a standard GT-R. The visible changes are certainly subtle, and not as far-reaching as some had expected, but the differences are present nonetheless, suggesting that Nissan's GT-R ? which already leaves a Porsche 911 Turbo gasping in its wake ? is being prepped to be even more formidable.

Nissan has also set a sub-7 minute 25 second N?rburgring goal for the GT-R V-Spec ? 18 seconds faster than the current car.

Underhood, the GT-R V-Spec's turbocharged mill will see an increase in boost, raising output to 550 horsepower ? up from the standard GT-R's 480 horsepower. In addition to the power boost, the V-Spec will also shed 330 pounds.

This test car gets a revised front splitter, which sports some additional air intake slits, presumably to feed more cooling air to the brakes. New six-spoke wheels also house what appear to be a revised braking system. The golden Brembo brake calipers were an ever-present feature even on the first GT-R prototypes, but they're a no-show on this tester. Could we be looking at an upgraded ceramic composite braking system?

With a curb weight of 3,836 pounds, the GT-R is no featherweight. And while the standard GT-R obviously overcomes any weight penalty in heroic fashion, it's compelling to imagine a GT-R that's some 300-plus pounds lighter. The V-Spec is rumored to shave at least that much weight thanks to the use of carbon fiber body panels, and other assorted techniques. The prototype photographed has a portion of its rear wing blacked-out, suggesting it is one of the carbon fiber pieces that will make up the V-Spec package.

Once this GT-R is fully prepped for testing duty we hope to get a closer look to assess any other weight-saving steps Nissan may have taken.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

330lbs lighter and 70 extra HP.

This thing WILL crack into the high 2's in the 0-60 sprint, unless nissan decides to use the extra power for higher speeds. Given the stock gearing these improvements would get it under 3 seconds.

[the Teuton]

Bugatti what?

This and the ZR1 are the bargains of the century, especially when CAFE comes to kill off the cars.

[Laconian]

CAFE isn't going to kill this thing off. Nissan sells more than enough economy cars to offset any damage to their MPGs cause by this low-volume halo car.

[NomisR]

So how much are they going to sell?  500? at 100k each?

[afty]

Where is this article from?  Are there any pictures?

[sportyaccordy]

Now this is something to be excited about. 550HP, less weight than a G37/M3, wow. Though I wonder what the true output will be; prob more like 600HP

[FlatBlackCaddy]

So how much are they going to sell?  500? at 100k each?

I'd imagine they will sell more than that.

The last V Spec car(the R34) sold well into the thousands(7 or 8 i believe). Nissan actually sold more R34 V Specs than standard cars.

I don't expect the V Spec to outsell the "base" GT-R but i'm sure it will have a larger production run than a couple of hundred.

I also expect that given the previous cars production numbers were for a fraction of the new GT-R's market that the number will only get larger.

[SVT666]

Where is this article from?  Are there any pictures?

Click here for pictures.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Looks like 6 piston calipers with ceramic discs.

That's about the only interesting thing in the pictures.

[565]

Goal of 7:25, wow.

Does anyone know of any stock production car in the world that would match that?  I guess they are really going for "fastest production car on the Ring" this time.

[deesea]

Jesus, thats insane. 300 + pounds taken off with a 70 hp boost!? Coommmmoooonn Nissan! Break that record!

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I want numbers damnit, can't wait for the reviews of this thing.

Could this car break under the 3 second mark to sixty?

Could this car break under the 11 second mark in the 1/4 mile?

The current GT-R is right on the heels of the GT2, the V Spec will no doubt trump the GT2.

[Submariner]

Goal of 7:25, wow.

Does anyone know of any stock production car in the world that would match that?  I guess they are really going for "fastest production car on the Ring" this time.

Not quite...but still bloody fast.

6:55* -- 178.699 km/h -- Radical SR8, 360 PS/650 kg, Michael Vergers (sep,28 05), (*street-legal only in the UK)
www.radicalextremesportscars.com/news_folder/nord0905/index.php
www.radicalextremesportscars.com/media/track_race_ring/index.php

7:11* -- 172.07 km/h -- McLaren F1 #LMXP1 (Promotional Car), Mika Hakkinen, www.sps-automotive.com/en_sps/track/07Nt_zonda.html (* not an official source)
7:12* -- 171.67 km/h -- Radical SR3 Turbo, 320 PS/500 kg (test drive 07/03) (*mfr.)
7:14.89 171.18 km/h ? Donkervoort D8 270 RS, , 350 PS/600 kg, Michael D?chting (nov,6 05), http://autoweek.nl/newsdisp.php?cache=no&ID=4199
7:15.63 169.31 km/h -- Edo Porsche 996 GT2 RS, 542 PS/1284 kg, Patrick Simons (sport auto 09/05), www.edo-competition.de/fileadmin/MEDIA/VIDEO/nordschleife_runde.avi
www.chpltd.com/911_porsche_world/ringmeister.html
7:18.01 170.24 km/h -- Donkervoort D8 RS, 370 PS/670 kg, Michael Duechting, sport auto 12/2004 http://speed.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=13957
7:19* -- 168.93 km/h -- Radical SR3 1500 Turbo, Phil Bennet (jun,15 03) (*mfr.), www.radicalmotorsport.com/news_folder/nordchliefe/index.php
www.radicalsportscars.com/gallery/ring2b.mpg
7:22.9 - 169.07 km/h -- Loaded BMW M3 CSL (tuned to GTR specs) ~600 PS, Richard G?ransson (nov,5 07) www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=17133
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVeZ2F_vlZM#GU5U2spHI_4
7:24* -- 169.65 km/h -- Lexus LF-A, 552 PS/??? kg *unofficial, according to http://motormagazine.co.jp/2007/12/20081_4.html
www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/214086/lexus_lfa.html
7:27.82 167.20 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, 641 PS/1230 kg, Marc Basseng (EVO #112) www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/228650/
www.supercarmovies.com/html/contentEPISODE5movie.php
7:28* -- 166.65 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, * company test driver Walther Roehrl (Autobild 07/04)
7:31 --- 164.38 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl according to www.automotorsport.se/tv/?m=11159
7:32* -- 164.07 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F, 650 PS/1230 kg (*mfr.) www.autodrome-cannes.com/index-eng.asp
7:32* -- 164.07 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/ 1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl (*mfr.) www.caranddriver.com/previews/14155/first-drive-2008-porsche-911-gt2.html
7:32.18 - 164.07 km/h Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/ 1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl www.autobild.de/artikel/Themen-Testberichte-Duell-am-Ring_422642.html
7:32.44 163.91 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, definitive time Horst von Saurma (sport auto 01/04)
7:32.52 163.88 km/h -- Gemballa Porsche GTR 600 EVO, Wolfgang Kaufmann (sport auto 01) , www.gemballa.com/news/gtr6002.html
7:33 --- 163.71 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F, 602 PS/ 1371 kg, Horst von Saurma (sport auto 05/06) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=83550
7:33 --- 163.71 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/1497 kg (sport auto 11/07) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=142508
7:34 --- 163.59 km/h -- Koenigsegg CCR, 806 PS/1418 kg, Horst von Saurma (sport auto, oct,17-18 05) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=75219
7:35* -- 159.86 km/h -- Nissan GT-R, 473 PS/1724 kg (*mfr. estimation) www.motortrend.com/future/spied_vehicles/112_0712_2008_nissan_gt_r
7:35 --- 159.86 km/h -- Ruf Rt12, 650 PS/1573 kg (sport auto 01(08) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=150345
7:36 --- 162.63 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, factory test driver Walther R?hrl (02)
7:36 --- 162.63 km/h -- Mercedes SL 63 AMG Black Series www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/auto_-_produkte/hxcms_article_507838_13987.hbs

[GoCougs]

Wow - that'll be in the 10s in the 1/4 mile. Probably less than $100k MSRP, too. It's looking like the deal of a century.

[CALL_911]

Wow, this thing is badass. EXTREMELY badass.

[Submariner]

Weird...in the home screen it says

"Nissan GT-R Type-R NOS"

[CALL_911]

Weird...in the home screen it says

"Nissan GT-R Type-R NOS"

[FlatBlackCaddy]

goddamn children

[CALL_911]

goddamn children

Hey, no need to flame other members.

[Tave]

Weird...in the home screen it says

"Nissan GT-R Type-R NOS"

The person above you changed the subject in the reply screen. They've been doing it in the Chat Thread too.

[MX793]

Not quite...but still bloody fast.

6:55* -- 178.699 km/h -- Radical SR8, 360 PS/650 kg, Michael Vergers (sep,28 05), (*street-legal only in the UK)
www.radicalextremesportscars.com/news_folder/nord0905/index.php
www.radicalextremesportscars.com/media/track_race_ring/index.php

7:11* -- 172.07 km/h -- McLaren F1 #LMXP1 (Promotional Car), Mika Hakkinen, www.sps-automotive.com/en_sps/track/07Nt_zonda.html (* not an official source)
7:12* -- 171.67 km/h -- Radical SR3 Turbo, 320 PS/500 kg (test drive 07/03) (*mfr.)
7:14.89 171.18 km/h ? Donkervoort D8 270 RS, , 350 PS/600 kg, Michael D?chting (nov,6 05), http://autoweek.nl/newsdisp.php?cache=no&ID=4199
7:15.63 169.31 km/h -- Edo Porsche 996 GT2 RS, 542 PS/1284 kg, Patrick Simons (sport auto 09/05), www.edo-competition.de/fileadmin/MEDIA/VIDEO/nordschleife_runde.avi
www.chpltd.com/911_porsche_world/ringmeister.html
7:18.01 170.24 km/h -- Donkervoort D8 RS, 370 PS/670 kg, Michael Duechting, sport auto 12/2004 http://speed.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=13957
7:19* -- 168.93 km/h -- Radical SR3 1500 Turbo, Phil Bennet (jun,15 03) (*mfr.), www.radicalmotorsport.com/news_folder/nordchliefe/index.php
www.radicalsportscars.com/gallery/ring2b.mpg
7:22.9 - 169.07 km/h -- Loaded BMW M3 CSL (tuned to GTR specs) ~600 PS, Richard G?ransson (nov,5 07) www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=17133
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVeZ2F_vlZM#GU5U2spHI_4
7:24* -- 169.65 km/h -- Lexus LF-A, 552 PS/??? kg *unofficial, according to http://motormagazine.co.jp/2007/12/20081_4.html
www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/214086/lexus_lfa.html
7:27.82 167.20 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, 641 PS/1230 kg, Marc Basseng (EVO #112) www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/228650/
www.supercarmovies.com/html/contentEPISODE5movie.php
7:28* -- 166.65 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, * company test driver Walther Roehrl (Autobild 07/04)
7:31 --- 164.38 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl according to www.automotorsport.se/tv/?m=11159
7:32* -- 164.07 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F, 650 PS/1230 kg (*mfr.) www.autodrome-cannes.com/index-eng.asp
7:32* -- 164.07 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/ 1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl (*mfr.) www.caranddriver.com/previews/14155/first-drive-2008-porsche-911-gt2.html
7:32.18 - 164.07 km/h Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/ 1440 kg, company test driver Walter Roehrl www.autobild.de/artikel/Themen-Testberichte-Duell-am-Ring_422642.html
7:32.44 163.91 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, definitive time Horst von Saurma (sport auto 01/04)
7:32.52 163.88 km/h -- Gemballa Porsche GTR 600 EVO, Wolfgang Kaufmann (sport auto 01) , www.gemballa.com/news/gtr6002.html
7:33 --- 163.71 km/h -- Pagani Zonda F, 602 PS/ 1371 kg, Horst von Saurma (sport auto 05/06) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=83550
7:33 --- 163.71 km/h -- Porsche 997 GT2, 530 PS/1497 kg (sport auto 11/07) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=142508
7:34 --- 163.59 km/h -- Koenigsegg CCR, 806 PS/1418 kg, Horst von Saurma (sport auto, oct,17-18 05) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=75219
7:35* -- 159.86 km/h -- Nissan GT-R, 473 PS/1724 kg (*mfr. estimation) www.motortrend.com/future/spied_vehicles/112_0712_2008_nissan_gt_r
7:35 --- 159.86 km/h -- Ruf Rt12, 650 PS/1573 kg (sport auto 01(08) www.supercars.net/PitLane?viewThread=y&gID=0&fID=2&tID=150345
7:36 --- 162.63 km/h -- Porsche Carrera GT, 612 PS/ 1475 kg, factory test driver Walther R?hrl (02)
7:36 --- 162.63 km/h -- Mercedes SL 63 AMG Black Series www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/auto_-_produkte/hxcms_article_507838_13987.hbs

So which of those sub 7:25 lap cars would you call " stock production" vehicles?

The Mclaren was a "promotional" one-off
The Radical SR3 and SR8 are open race cars, not street legal production vehicles
The GT2 and M3 CSL were both tuner pieces
The LF-A is a non-production prototype vehicle
And only 25 examples of the Donkervoort were built, which is stretching the word "production" just a bit.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The Zonda F Clubsport appears to be the fastest production car on the list.

At 7:27 that would make it nissan's obvious target and reason for probably shooting for 7:25.

[Submariner]

So which of those sub 7:25 lap cars would you call " stock production" vehicles?

The Mclaren was a "promotional" one-off
The Radical SR3 and SR8 are open race cars, not street legal production vehicles
The GT2 and M3 CSL were both tuner pieces
The LF-A is a non-production prototype vehicle
And only 25 examples of the Donkervoort were built, which is stretching the word "production" just a bit.

I never said anything about it's road-worthiness.

[Submariner]

The Zonda F Clubsport appears to be the fastest production car on the list.

At 7:27 that would make it nissan's obvious target and reason for probably shooting for 7:25.

Poor Horatio.

[Raza]

So which of those sub 7:25 lap cars would you call " stock production" vehicles?

The Mclaren was a "promotional" one-off
The Radical SR3 and SR8 are open race cars, not street legal production vehicles
The GT2 and M3 CSL were both tuner pieces
The LF-A is a non-production prototype vehicle
And only 25 examples of the Donkervoort were built, which is stretching the word "production" just a bit.

The Radicals are street legal in the UK and the Radical head drives his to work. 

[Raza]

Poor Horacio.

There we go.

[sportyaccordy]

The Radicals are street legal in the UK and the Radical head drives his to work. 

He works out of his house

I'm still not super duper crazy about this car but this version definitely kicks ass.

[Submariner]

There we go.

Really?

Hmmm...You learn something new everyday.

[SVT666]

The Radicals are street legal in the UK and the Radical head drives his to work. 

They are street legal in one country.  It's not even street legal in the country where this race track is located.