Well, we suppose that in a country where supercars and ultra luxurious sedans and SUVs of all sorts are as common as Fords and Chevys here in the States, it's only fit for the UAE's police forces to patrol the roads and highways of the capital city of Abu Dhabi in a Nissan GT-R. Albeit less extreme that Italy's Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Polizia, a 485-horsepower GT-R in full police livery is an extremely rare sight whichever way you see it.

Source: CarScoop

We were told for a while that at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan will show something called a Nissan GT-R SpecM, a more refined and toned down GT-R with more luxury equipment and interior trims. Well here it is, the Nissan GT-R… and that’s it – no SpecM badging.

Known as the New-Spec Nissan GT-R, Godzilla undergoes a few enhancements including a revised navigation system with iPod connectivity, recalibrated suspension settings that improve ride quality and an improved-flow catalyst system.

The models will go on sale next spring in the United States and will still carry the same 3.8L twin turbo V6 engine making 480-hp.

Source: eGMCarTech

It looks like accidents involving Nissan's new GT-R are piling up lately. The most recent incident took place in Vancouver, Canada, when a Nissan GT-R driver hit the launch control button a bit too early and flew right over the entrance of the VanCity Credit Union landing into the ATM machines. Of course we're just kidding about the launch control part but the rest really happened as you can see for yourselves in the photo gallery below.

According to News1130's website that reported the mishap, the Nissan GT-R's driver suffered some light injuries but luckily no one was around when the car crashed into the bank.

Source: CarScoop

Avus Performance has unveiled their take on the Batmobile – the new matte-black Nissan GT-R. There is just something about matte-black that makes every car look better than it does in metallic paint (some of you may not agree).

Avus said that a new modified ECU and a special exhaust pipe (2 cats and the middle silencer have been removed) take the stock 485-hp to an outstanding 580-hp with a maximum torque of 516 lb-ft.

Unfortunately, Avus will only make 480 examples of their special-edition GT-R, all of which will be sold exclusively in Europe.

Source: eGMCarTech

Nissan obsessed tuner Stillen has finally completed their six month GT-R Targa Race Car project. Steve Millen, the company founder, will now drive the car at Targa Newfoundland in a couple of weeks.

Final performance figures for the 620-hp Stillen GT-R Targa Race Car come in at: 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds; 1/4 mile in 11 seconds at 127.9 mph; 0 to 130 mph in 11.4 seconds and a lateral grip of 1.1G+. Hit the jump for a vid!



Source: eGMCarTech

Meet the world's fastest fire fighting vehicle: Nissan's specially modified GT-R that takes up role as an emergency response vehicle at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany The fire-fighting GT-R is a gift from Nissan to the Nurburgring operator and it was created in collaboration with M&M Automotive, a Bonn-based specialist for car development and motor sports. While the mechanical hardware remain intact, the GT-R's rear seats were removed and replaced with a 50-liter water tank secured with a roll cage.

The 485-horsepower sports car also gets a medium-pressure extinguisher system (20 bars) as well as a winding device for the hose while an additional radio communication system and a new set of Recaro sports seats complete the upgrades. The manufacturer claims that with a foam reach of around 18 meters and a 20-metre hose, the unit will be able to fight fire for around two minutes on a single tank.

Even though the extra equipment added 200 kg or approx 440 pounds to the coupe's weight, Nissan supports that the GT-R can still lap the Nurburgring circuit in less than 8 minutes. The standard model has recorded a lap time of the Nordschleife circuit of 7 minutes and 26.70 seconds.

Source: CarScoop

East Texas Muscle Cars is developing a turbocharged 2010 V6 Camaro with the ultimate goal of beating the Nissan GT-R around the Nürburgring Nordschliefe.

Rather than go the V8 route, "We wanted to do something a little different," says company spokesman Mike White. "We're seeing a lot of interest in something like this for the V6 Camaros."

The car, currently under development, will initially be a one-off to prove the concept and take the pulse of the market. Built with a forged crank, rods and pistons, the V6 will receive a modified Squires Turbo Systems remote-mount turbocharger kit and produce around 500 horsepower. More in the jump!

Other changes include a Baer big brake kit, lightweight 20-inch iForged wheels and Pedders coil-overs and bushings to address "the stock Camaro's tremendous understeer and cradle walk."

The company estimates the Camaro's final weight to measure about 3,750 pounds. "This will not be a race-prepped car. Anyone can build a racecar to beat a street car," White continues. "We will have a full interior and be running 275/35 Bridgestone RE050 [street] tires. Everyone knows the GT-R wasn't running street tires at the 'Ring," White continues, referring to the GT-R's results in the hands of Nissan engineers.

Once sorted, the company plans to crate up and ship both the completed Camaro and a close acquaintance's personal GT-R to Germany to run hot laps of the Nürburgring. "We want to beat the GT-R's lap time."

The car will debut at the 2009 SEMA Show this year in the Squires Turbo Systems booth.

Source: InsideLine

We're starting to get the feeling Nissan is a permanent fixture at the Nürburgring, as the duo of GT-R and driver Toshio Suzuki keep coming up with new times at the famed German racetrack. Back in April, the former F1 driver took a revised GT-R through the 'Ring in 7:27:56, prompting Porsche to call Balderdash, saying that a stock GT-R isn't nearly that fast. Now Suzuki and a right-hand drive Godzilla teamed up to produce an even better time of 7:26.70, and taped it all nice and official so they can show the world.

After the jump is video proof of the speed and agility of the infamous GT-R, being driven by one of the 'Ring's few true masters. The video contains the full 7:26.70 of Suzuki going full-tilt with what looks like just enough fuel to get across the finish line, and an engine constantly in the 6,000-7,000 RPM range from start to finish.

If you think you've seen one too many 'Ring laps, take it from us that the last 30 seconds is incredible. Suzuki goes all-out to get the best time possible, and from the vantage point of the in-car camera, we feel like we're right there next to him -- except we find ourselves feeling for the brake while Suzuki keeps his foot on the gas.



Source: AutoBlog

Vorsteiner announced today that sales of its Ventross Nissan GT-R will begin from June 1. Instead of mass-producing the package, Vorsteiner will produce its Ventross Nissan GT-R on a built-to-order basis making sure that each unit is of the highest-quality. More details in the jump!

The GTR exterior aerodynamic package consists of two components:

Front Fascia
Ventross has created a new replacement front fascia that incorporates enlarged carbon fiber air intakes for the radiators and includes additional side louver openings that feed air to the brakes through the front fender lining slats. The fascia is completed with an aggressive front spoiler that attaches to the factory under tray optimal fitment strength. The entire front fascia is constructed from dry carbon fiber using Vorsteiner’s proprietary dry carbon fiber vacuum technology which maximizes strength while significantly reducing overall weight.

Rear Diffuser

The GT-R rear diffuser has been redesigned to replace the factory plastic version with a more aggressive dry carbon fiber piece that houses 3 integrated diffuser fins with central heat extraction vents to aid in cooling the exhaust system. Like the Ventross GT-R front fascia, the rear diffuser is constructed using Vorsteiner’s proprietary dry carbon fiber vacuum technology.

Source: eGMCarTech

Back at the Nürburgring, the hot Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 has just ripped four seconds off its claimed 7:26 lap. The new time, with Jan Magnussen at the wheel, is a claimed 7:22.4 for the full 12.93-mile loop. While the number is pretty fast, it is still .3 seconds off the time earned by the Dodge Viper ACR. We take these lap times with a grain of salt, as we've yet to see everyone on the 73-turn course under the same conditions, and with officially certified timing equipment. Again, so you don't have to Google the competition's best-claimed Ring times yourself, here they are: Porsche GT2 - 7:32, Nissan GT-R - 7:29, Corvette ZR1 - 7:22.4 and the Dodge Viper ACR - 7:22.1.

Thanks for the tip, PowerShift408!

Source: AutoBlog

The NISSAN GT-R, winner of the 2009 World Performance Car of the Year, has improved its lap time at the renowned Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70 on April 23.

This new time underlines Nissan engineering team’s commitment to constantly challenge the GT-R’s performance. Previous recorded lap times at the ‘Ring’ were:

- 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009
- 7 minutes 29 in April 2008
- 7 minutes 38 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.”

The Nissan GT-R has won more than a dozen awards globally including Car of the Year from CAR Magazine in the UK, and Car of the Year by both Motor Trend and Autombile Magazine in the US.

The ZR1's current best time is 7:26.4 compared to this new record.

Source: eGMCarTech

As reported last month, Nissan was to head back to the Nurburgring with the 2010 GT-R and the GT-R SpecV to break its own and other records at the famous German track.

According to EVO, the Nissan GT-R has allegedly broken its previous record of 7:29. Piloted by Toshio Suzuki, former F1 driver and Nissan’s Chief Test Driver, the 2010 model year lapped the Nordschleife in 7:27.56.

However that time is still slower than the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s 7:26.40 so Suzuki will be giving it another shot in a few days. We’re guessing Nissan will officially release all the figures once it’s satisfied with its lap times. Can’t wait to see the GT-R SpecV’s numbers.

Source: eGMCarTech

Hennessey Performance Engineering is claiming to have built the fastest R35 Nissan GT-R in the world.

Using its GTR700 upgrade kit (which adds turbos, inter-coolers, blowoff valve and electronic boost controller), Hennessey’s Nissan GT-R produces 725-hp with a maximum torque of 630 lb-ft. That allows for a 0 to 60 mph run in just 2.8 seconds.

The top speed record was set at the March Texas Mile event where the Hennessey tuned GT-R went from 0 to 193.7 mph in 1mile. The Hennessey GTR700 can be purchased for $18,500 or $24,500 installed.

Source: Hennessey Performance

Those of you 2009 Nissan GT-R haters out there, you're going to love this one. To the GT-R fanboys, well, sorry, this is going to be hard to make excuses for.

Last week Inside Line took their Nissan GT-R to Nissan of Santa Monica for routine service. They knew going in that this was going to be an expensive one. They'd been warned ahead of time that this service was not only an oil change (already expensive on these cars), but also a routine change of the differential and transaxle fluids.

Should be simple, right? Consider this: Automatic Transmission Fluid (GT-R specific) lists for $114.98 per quart. That's not a typo-- maybe an accounting error on Nissan's side, but not a typo. Forget Cristal we're going to start seeing hip-hop videos with rappers pouring this stuff on the ground while throwing dollars in the air. Don't worry, though, they didn't pay that. They got a deal; only $84.24 each. What a bargain.

Once you regain your breath-- lost either by laughing or screaming-- follow the jump for the full break-down of this service. Now that we've all had a good laugh (or cry), here's the breakdown.

Transmission & Diff fluid change:

8 Quarts (Our car took just under 8. They quote 10 quarts, but the ammount used is rarely, if ever, that high. Honest dealers will tell you what your car took. Dishonest ones can easily charge you for the full 10.) of GT-R Automatic Transmission Fluid @ $86.24/ea: $689.92

3 Quarts of GT-R specific differential oil @ $62.02/ea: $186.06

Labor: $500

Oil Change:

1 Oil Filter: $6.95 (finally, something normal)

6-quarts Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W40 @ 9.38/ea: $56.28

Labor: $150

New Engine Air Filters and in Cabin Microfilter: (We could have saved a few bucks and done this one ourselves, but the car was already in the shop.)

2 engine air filters @ $52.86/ea: $105.72

1 Micro Air filter: $53.38

Labor: $115.00

The remote entry was repaired at no cost.

Our service advisor also noted that our right-rear tire had lost a strip of rubber on the inner edge, metal was showing. We have a set of tires already orderd from Stokes Tire Pros in Santa Monica.

TOTALS

Labor: $817.50

Parts: 1,101.31

Tax: 90.86

Total charge: $2009.67

Days out of service (including estimates for the repair): 4

As easy and fun as this is going to be to skewer in the comments, here's a side challenge (which they've also got posted on a white board in our office): What could possibly be in the GT-R specific oil to make it cost $114 per quart?

Source: Inside Line

Nissan on Monday announced a significant price increase on the 2010 GT-R. The Japanese automaker said the base 2010 GT-R will start at $81,790, including a $1,000 destination charge. The uplevel 2010 GT-R Premium will start at $84,040, including shipping.

Nissan noted that the new pricing is effective March 21.

In its pricing statement, Nissan pointed out several modest upgrades to the 2010 GT-R, including five additional horses, boosting output to 485 horsepower. Front-seat and side curtain airbags are now standard on both models. The 2010 GT-R also gets an enhanced suspension with redesigned shocks, new wheel finishes and new transmission control module programming "which optimizes clutch engagement for improved acceleration from a standing start with the vehicle dynamic control on," Nissan said in a statement.

"At this price, we feel the 2010 GT-R maintains its outstanding value proposition, offering high levels of all-around performance typically found in vehicles with price tags thousands of dollars more," said Nissan spokesman Darryll Harrison in response to an e-mail query from Inside Line asking for an explanation about the price increase.

Source: Inside Line