For 2013 Nissan will release two different trim levels of the Nissan GT-R R35 Stateside: the GT-R Premium--the standard GT-R Model--and the suped up GT-R Black Edition. The Black Edition, which I've gone over extensively in prior posts, features lightweight black forged aluminum RAYS wheels, unique red and black interior, Recaro leather-appointed seats and a new dry processed and vacuum formed carbon fiber rear spoiler.

The two models will begin retailing at the MSRPs of:

GT-R Premium: $96,820
GT-R Black : $106,320

The base price for the Premium sees a healthy hike of $6870 over the 2012 MSRP of $89950, and the premium paid for the Black Edition over the 2012 comparable trim level is a raise of more than $11k. Of course, with this healthy rise in price, the consumer also gains some healthy benefits. Chief amongst those benefits is an increase of 15HP and 15lb.-ft of torque over the 2012 GT-R counterpart. This power comes with increased transmission efficiency as well.

The gains to performance don't stop with increased HP and Torque numbers, either. The 2013 Nissan GT-R R35 features a retuned suspension that has been adjusted and optimized for track performance. The braking system is upgraded some also, and the 2013 GT-R R35 features Brembo full-floating cross-drilled rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads and Brembo monoblock six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

For those people who like their supercar with some luxury, the 2013 R35 isn't focused solely on performance, either. The primary interior upgrade is found in the GT-R's audio system, which now features a standard 11-speaker Bose surround sound system that utilizes rigid diecast steel panels for improved mounting and stability. The Nissan GT-R R35 also features an upgraded Rearview screen, Bluetooth integrated hands-free phone support, and real-time traffic and weather updates with optional XM subscription.

NISMO has finally unveiled a special track edition for the R35 GT-R that meets all FIA GT-3 qualifications and will begin its racing life at the Dubai 24 Hour Track.

NISMO teamed up with JR Motorsports to produce a special track version of the world-renowned r35 GT-R that would be FIA GT3 race compliant, and the results are impressive. With more than a full year's work between the two groups, they've finally hammered out a final product that is sure to take the GT3 World Race circuit by storm.

This new GT3 GT-R is powered by a modified version of the same 3.8L TT V6 engine found in the stock vehicle that will deliver 523 HP to the wheels at 6400 RPM via a modified six-speed rear wheel transaxle controlled through semi-automatic paddle shifters.

The GT3 Version of the GT-R was designed with both the track and the customer in mind, and NISMO took their time with this one to ensure that it had both performance and driveability. To allow for this, they enhanced the chassis for greater inspiration of confidence to those behind the wheel and then allowed for adjustable suspension set-up and driver controls so that whoever is behind the wheel can ensure the vehicle meets their track needs.

This new GT3 race compliant GT-R iteration was first unveiled on Thursday, January 12th at the Autosport International Exhibition (AIE) and Show in the UK. The immediate reception was extremely favorable, as crowds tended to be impressed both by the vehicle's performance potential as well as its obvious, stylistic, modifications suitable for a GT3 course.

To further show off the vehicle's potential, once the GT-R GT3 finishes his showing at the AIE, Nismo will be taking it to the Dubai 24 Hour for competition. There, the GT3 GT-R has already qualified for third on the grid--where the first two spots are occupied by GT3 Ferraris. For the Dubai 24 Hour race, the GT3 GT-R will feature an all-star team comprised of some of last year's world wide GT-R race winners: Michael Krumm, Alex Buncombe, Tom Kimber-Smith and Franck Malliaux. The NISMO GT3 GT-R will feature, prominently, the number 32 for the race.

Of course, things aren't always golden. Yesterday, Michael Krumm--who will be the first driver behind the wheel of the GT-R in the Dubai 24 Hour set to begin today--was quoted as having said “We had a tough start today as we had a few problems with the car but the guys did a great job to get it ready for qualifying.” Thankfully, the team of GT-R engineers that were on hand for NISMO took care of issues, and Krumm closed out with the statement, “The car worked very well and I am very impressed with the engine in particular. I love the GT-Rand I love it even more now. We just need to keep it all together for the long race tomorrow.”

Best of luck to those guys today as they show off the GT-R's capabilities in the GT3 races.

Now, if you want to own a GT3 ready GT-R, produced directly by NISMO for such an occasion, you'll soon be able to. NISMO themselves will be directly responsible for sales and all customer support on their GT3 GT-R in the major markets of: Japan, Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania. For those in Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, NISMO's partner JRM will be handling all distribution and support. Pricing has not yet been officially announced.

In this video, you get a first eye view of what it's like to be behind the wheel of Nissan GT-R on a professional circuit course--something that most everybody can, and does, only dream about. The man driving the Nissan GT-R (which is, interestingly enough, the course's Safety Car) is none other than Sumo Power's veteran driver, Warren Hughes. Warren does a fantastic job snaking his way through the difficult course and around some other service vehicles, and provides a great look and great narration at what the track and the GT-R have to offer.

If you're interested in watching the final race of the FIA GT series, it will be airing tomorrow, 12/12, on SPEED channel starting at 12:30pm EST.

Of course, if Nissan wants to keep themselves ahead of the competitive curve, they'll need to find a way to post a 7:18 time on the Ring, the time recently posted by the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS. That time marked it as the quickest (non-special permission and order based) production vehicle around the Ring, and gave it top bragging rights against its competition. Of course, as history has shown, Nissan is very rarely content with being second best when it comes to their Nissan GT-R, and you can be almost certain they'll push the GT-R to its limits to best that Porsche time. If the standard GT-R can't do it (and, seriously, we would be foolish to doubt them) then their special edition Club GT-R, which is being built to be lighter and more agile, should certainly be able to do that. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the official time Nissan releases is on a dry-condition run. I imagine, again, that we'll all be very impressed.

Of course, we have to take these manufacturer times with a grain of salt. Each run is done on different days by different drivers, and as result there are numerous variables. I'd love to see a magazine (with a lot more $$ than this lowly blogger has) get a few vehicles of this caliber and take them to the Ring on the same day, and have the same driver give them all a spin. A guest driver, someone like the Stig maybe, would be great, as it would add more interest to the event itself. Can you imagine that, though, honestly? A Corvette ZR1, A Porsche GT2 RS, a Viper ACRX, and a GT-R R35 all going head-to-head to tear up the Ring. I imagine the GT-R would come in well ahead of its competition in such a comparison, but, until such a track day is done, that's just speculation.

From the AMS release:

"Last night we got a chance to take Tim’s Alpha 10 Package Equipped Nissan GT-R to the track to see what it would do down the 1/4 Mile. Our good friend John Shepherd joined us to do the honors and pilot the car down the strip. The first run of the night the car ran a 9.523@150.62mph loosing traction in 1st and 2nd gear! Thankfully the track officials let us have one more shot before kicking us out so after small adjustments the car lined up again; John launched and shifter the car like a champ lighting up the clock with a 9.33@153.24 MPH pass – The World’s Quickest & Fastest R35 GT-R! We’re still editing the track footage of the run which we’ll have ready for you in a few days. Meanwhile here is quick video of the gauges from the 9.33 run."

Wow. Just wow.

"Just about every car enthusiast knows a little bit about the Nissan GT-R and the infamous ‘launch control feature’ that will void your warranty if it is used (to obtain the claimed 3.4second 0-60mph times). The fact of the matter is we can argue back and forth about how Nissan handled the situation. Mr. Torres’ recent class action lawsuit was settled last year and now the details have been made public with Nissan now taking certain actions.

In the settlement, Nissan denies all fault saying, “Nissan denies all the allegations in the lawsuit. More specifically, Nissan denies that there was a design or manufacturing defect, denies misrepresenting the performance capabilities of the 2009 GT-R, and denies that it refused to honor customer warranties for resulting damage without disclosure.”

Because of the settlement Nissan is now offering any 2009 Nissan GT-R owner a transmission software upgrade which we clarified some time ago when Nissan first said they would reprogram transmissions to lessen the likelihood of failure. Nissan will not deny warranty coverage for those who used their GT-R with the VDC (vehicle dynamic control – a form of traction control) off prior to receiving the notice from Nissan. Remember using the vehicle with VDC off in the ‘launch mode’ would void your warranty before? The kicker is, some owners who have grenaded trannys may still have to dish out some serious bucks or take it up in the courts like Torres did. To top off the whole situation, Nissan is pimp-slapping everyone by offering a $75 coupon for owners who sign the paperwork to get the transmission upgrade."

Side note: Here's a pretty fantastic video of a person using their GT-R to do what every GT-R owner dreams of doing: run away from the police. It's definitely helpful when said police are chasing you in a van. A cool video, with a bit of audio cut out to protect those involved, shows just how impressive the GT-R can be over a standard, every-day, vehicle (like a van) even when it's pushing itself to the limit. I guess if I had to run from the police, GT-R would be my first choice of vehicle to do with.

All of that being said, I do not recommend anyone out there ever do this as it's even more illegal and dangerous than it is cool. Which is impressive, as it is super cool.