The GT-R

Between 1969 and 1974, and again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of its Skyline range, called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success on road and track. The Nissan GT-R, although no longer carrying the "Skyline" badge, has heritage in the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Like the Skyline GT-Rs R32 through R34, the Nissan GT-R is All-Wheel Drive with a twin-turbo 6 cylinder engine; however, the evolutionary, incremental changes between Skyline models R32 through R34 have been done away with. The four-wheel-steering HICAS system has been removed, and the traditional straight-6 RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a new V6 VR38DETT. Because of the GT-R's heritage, the chassis code for the all-new version has been called

CBA-R35, or 'R35' for short, carrying on the naming trend from previous Skyline GT-R generations.

Two concept vehicles were displayed at motor shows prior to the unveiling of the production model. The first concept was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 to preview what a 21st century GT-R would look like. At the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled a redesigned concept, the GT-R Proto, stating that the production GT-R would be 80-90% based on this concept.

The production version of the GT-R has debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, with its launch in the Japanese market scheduled for 6 December 2007. The U.S. Official launch was July 07, 2008. Universal Nissan in Los Angeles provided a customer with delivery at 12:01 am, on July 07, 2008. Canadian launch will follow in July 2008, respectively. Europe will be the third market, where it is expected to be launched late in the same year. The large time distance between these releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centres where the car is serviced. Also the engine and rear-mounted dual-clutch gearbox are built by hand, limiting production to around 1000 cars a month.

It has been confirmed that Nissan is planning to introduce a lighter and more powerful GT-R called the GT-R V-Spec, or possibly Spec V. Nissan has said that this model will be available in the United States in 2010 and will have 550 bhp (410 kW) (an increase of 77 bhp (57 kW)). It will also be 330 pounds (150 kg) lighter and come with carbon ceramic brakes. With these performance figures Nissan hopes to break the Nürburgring lap record for a stock vehicle. A prototype has allegedly been observed by spectators running laps in the 7 minute 25 seconds range.

Nismo, the motorsport arm of Nissan will be entering the Nissan GT-R in the Super GT race series in the GT500 class for the 2008 season, replacing the Nissan 350Z.

Unlike the production car, the GT500 version has a completely different drivetrain. The race car has a 4.5 liter naturally-aspirated V8 with 6 speed sequential manual gearbox and a RWD layout from its predecessor, the 350Z race car.

A prototype was spotted testing around the Suzuka Circuit as well as Fuji Speedway in Japan. The car itself went on to win the opening race of the 2008 Super GT season at Suzuka scoring a one-two finish for Nissan. The dominant performances in the opening race has led to all GT-Rs being applied a 50kg weight penalty in addition to the race weight penalty under the Special Adjustment of Performance under the Super GT regulations. In race two, the GT-R repeated their 1-2 result in Suzuka despite the race winning car of team Nismo carrying a 100kg weight penalty making it only the 3rd team in JGTC/Super GT history to do so. The last time this feat was achieved was 10 years ago by Nismo Skyline GT-R racing under the same number 23.

A production-based Nissan GT-R made its world motorsport debut in Australia's Targa Tasmania tarmac rally in April 2008, however it did not complete the rally due to damage.

GTC

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