Scoop: Updated Nissan GT-R & new Skyline

It is well known that Nissan is working on an updated GT-R, as the R36 is 4-5 years away, and Skyline successor. Best Car has came up with those two renderings showing how the new cars could look like when entering production. 

Video: New 2011 Nissan GT-R 7:24:22 Nurburgring lap

Nissan GT-R Concept (2001) scale model arrived!

Back in November 2010, I placed a pre-order for an Advantage GT-R Concept scale model by IIADO (earlier post), which is apparently made by Spark, and now it finally arrived! This concept was revealed at the 35th Tokyo Motor Show back in 2001.

More photos after the jump!

Video: Nissan GT-R Porsche killer marketing in Germany

Nissan GT-R EGOIST photography

The Nissan GT-R is an amazing car and following the recent nip/tuck, a more luxurious version called EGOIST (earlier post) has been prepared. EGOIST is the first and only Nissan GT-R in the world exclusively created by Takumi, or "master with greatest skills." Each customer can choose a combination of interior colors among 20 choices. In addition, the Bose sound system is exclusively tuned according to the driving position of each driver to meet every customer's needs.

Nissan has released some nice photos of the GT-R EGOIST and you can view more after the jump!

Nissan GT-R video: The perfect week

NISSAN GT-R | THE PERFECT WEEK BY FORMAT67.NET from FORMAT67.NET on Vimeo.

HKS GTR with 890ps at Fuji!

Nissan presents GT-R RC and LEAF Aero Style Concept at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

As already posted in the past, Nissan has presented a number of concepts at the Tokyo Auto Salon, with the most interesting one being the LEAF Aero Style Concept. Oh, I do like a lot the Elgrand Rider Premium Concept as well... and the lady at the front!

The LEAF Aero Style Concept is fitted with aero parts providing better seperation of air flow and thus improving the flow from the front to the side. To be honest, I would really like to see the aero bits of the LEAF to hit the market! 

Nissan has also launched the NISMO GT-R RC production model race car.

The NISMO GT-R RC is the latest entry to the RC (Racing Competition) line of high performance, production model race cars developed and outfitted by NISMO. The body has been lightened, fitted with slick tires and equipped with safety equipment to ready it for competition use. During the car's development, it was entered in the 2010 SUPER TAIKYU Round 4 at Fuji, where it confirmed its high performance, reliability and durability.

The car runs on a VR38DETT engine that exceeds 357 kw /485 ps in power with over 588 Nm / 60 kgm of torque. To trim body weight, carbon fiber is used for the bumper, hood, trunk lid & rear wing, and the rear window is made of acrylic. Specialized aeroparts boost aerodynamic performance.

Particular attention was given to optimizing overall vehicle balance. The car was outfitted with height adjustable suspension along with large front (410mm) and rear (380 mm) brake rotors.

Safety features include an FIA standards-compliant weld-in roll cage, bucket seat & driver safety harness, fire extinguisher, ATL 120 liter safety fuel cell and air jacks, making your GT-R RC track-ready on delivery for production car races around the world.

The Nissan NISMO GT-R RC is “made to order” and will be sourced directly from NISMO. Its price is 20,790,000 ¥.

More photos after the jump!

Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec (R32 & R33) scale models added to my GT-R collection!!!

OK, I admit it... I really do like GT-Rs and those two are now part of my mighty GT-R collection! The first one is a BNR32 V-Spec 2 model by Kyosho with an opening bonnet (!!!), while the second one is an R33 V-Spec 1996 model by Ebbro.

More photos after the jump!

Production of GT-R Spec V to end in summer 2011

According to reports coming from Japan, the GT-R Spec V production will end in summer 2011. The successor is rumored to be lighter and with a lower price tag of around 12,000,000 ¥.

Nissan at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Nissan will showcase in total nine models at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon. Photo of the Leaf concept has already been posted (earlier post) and those are some new photos of all the models to be displayed.

• Leaf Aero Style Concept 
• JUKE Sporty Package (with dealer installed exterior accessories designed for the European and North American markets)
• Elgrand Rider Premium Concept (specifically tuned up for a higher level of driving performance)
• Serena Rider
• March Bolero
• Nissan NISMO GT-R RC (specially developed for circuit driving)
• NISMO Version FAIRLADY Z (engine output is increased to 261kW (355PS), a higher level of sporty handling is realized through special body and suspension tuning and modification of the power steering characteristics. For the exterior, excellent aerodynamic performance is achieved through use of special body components providing greater downforce and reduced air resistance)
• Elgrand S-tune 
• MOTUL AUTECH GT-R

MY11 NissanGT-R 0-100 km/h time is... unbelievable and official!

This is not so fresh news, if you have watched the video, although now it's official. Testing took place November 12th with a GT-R Pure edition. The car had all the standard equipment, including the factory fitted tires and wheels. So, if you haven't watched the video yet, 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds flat!!!

Advantage GT-R Concept (2001) scale model

I just placed a pre-order for an Advantage GT-R Concept scale model by IIADO (アイアイアド), which should be released by the end of March 2011! This concept was revealed at Tokyo Motor Show back in 2001.

NISMO GT-R LM Road Car scale model by HPI

The latest addition to my next big order (earlier post), arriving at the end of February, is a NISMO GT-R LM Road Car (1996) scale model by HPI. The actual car is a street legal version of the R33s racing in 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was built by NISMO in order to meet the homologation regulations. Oh, and it's certainly among the most expensive 1/43 scale models I've got... as it costs 10,880 ¥ and thus, I had to remove the Nissan Skyline (HR31) No.23 1987 Inter Tec model from the order...

Amazing CarbonDry Protec wheels!!!

I am not really into after market bits and pieces, but those CarbonDry Protec wheels certainly caught my attention.

Those GT-R wheels were shipped to CarbonDry Japan (カーボンドライジャパン), which they were then refinished in carbon fiber (4 layers!!!) with the company's dry carbon Protec system. The result of course in not only aethetic, as it does improve the strength and it barely adds any weight.

The results below are from a strength test on a 80mm piece of aluminum that is 20mm thick.

	Force withstood	Strength increase
No coats	60 kg	0%
1 layer	86 kg	43%
2 layer	180 kg	300%
3 layer	296 kg	493%

I have to admit that it's an amazing job... just take a look at the details! You can also watch a video at this link.

11MY Nissan GT-R in LA!

OK, we know everything about the 11MY GT-R, but personally I cannot get enough... Those are some nice live shots from Nissan's stand in LA!

[Source: Autoblog]

Nissan models to be unveiled at LA Auto Show

Nissan has already released a shot of the new Murano CrossCabriolet (earlier post) and we have already seen the new USDM Quest (R42H), which will share its platform with the new Elgrand (エルグランド) codenamed E52.

Of course, the updated GT-R (earlier post), along with the production version of Leaf, will be there but there is more... as Nissan will also display the Ellure Concept! The only thing known about this concept is the fact that it's a sedan and Nissan has described it this way in official press materials:

"Nissan's dramatic new-value sedan exploration, the Nissan Ellure, is designed to bring a higher level of progressive and distinctive expression to the segment – adding passion and emotion to traditional sedan efficiency."

I guess we will soon find out what's all about...

MY11 NISSAN GT-R 0-100 km/h time is... unbelievable! (Part 2)

MY11 NISSAN GT-R 0-100 km/h time is... (Part 1)

Nissan Skyline GT-R history / 日産スカイライン GT-R歴史

Nissan has produced more sports cars than any other Japanese manufacturer and of course, the Skyline GT-R is the pinnacle. Up to now, there have been five Skyline GT-R generations and the latest model is called just GT-R. You can read the history of Skyline models (English / Japanese) and the latest GT-R (English / Japanese) on Wikipedia.

After doing some search on flickr, I came across with a lot of beautiful images, but I selected just ten of them showing the GT-R generations. I think that's the best way to refer to history... as a picture is worth a thousand words!