New Nissan Skyline GT-R

Higher performance model
It has been confirmed that Nissan is planning to introduce a lighter and more powerful GT-R called the GT-R V-Spec.[11] or possibly Spec V. Nissan has said that this model will be available in the United States in 2010[13][14] and will have 550 hp (410 kW) (an increase of 77 hp (57 kW)). It will also be 150 kg (330 lb) 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 lap in the 7 minutes 25 seconds range.

Specifications
The Nissan GT-R is powered by the VR38DETT engine, a 3.8 L DOHC V6. Two parallel Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) turbochargers provide forced induction. Production vehicles produce at least 480 PS (473 hp/353 kW) @ 6400 rpm and 588 N·m (434 ft·lbf) @ 3200-5200 rpm. According to independent dynanometer tests, the GT-R produces 416 hp (310 kW) to 475 hp (354 kW) and 414 to 457 ft·lbf (620 N·m) of torque at the wheels.[20][21][22][23][24] The engine also meets California ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) standards. A curb weight of 1740 kg (3836 lb) or 1750 kg (3858 lb) with side curtain airbags is achieved using a jig welded steel chassis with aluminum used for the hood, trunk and doors. A rear mounted 6 speed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission is used in conjunction with the ATTESA E-TS system to provide power to all four wheels and along with Nissan's Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC-R) aids in handling and stability. Three shift modes can also be selected for various conditions. The drag coefficient is 0.27.


Performance
Nissan claims a top speed of 310 km/h (193 mph) and various sources have achieved 0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) times of between 3.2 and 3.8 seconds.Edmunds.com achieved a standing 1/4-mile time of 11.6 s at 190 km/h (118 mph) using the GT-R's complex launch control system. Edmunds also speculated that faster times may be achievable on better road conditions than provided by the runway which they used for the test.[31] Evo magazine achieved a 0-100-0 mph time of 13.9 seconds, one tenth of a second quicker than a Corvette Z06 tested under identical conditions.AutoCar achieved a 0-100 MPH time of 8.5 seconds.[33] With a lap time of 7:29 on standard Japanese market tires, the standard-spec GT-R is currently one of the fastest production cars ever to lap the Nurburgring circuit.

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 Adjusment 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 the only 3rd team in JGTC/Super GT history to do so. The last time this feat was achieved was 10 years ago by Nismo Skyline GTR 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. It struggled mid-pack and withdrew early in the event due to accident damage, failing to finish and being classified 88th out of the 103 cars in its class.