2013 Nissan GT-R Pricing Released
Nissan Has Released Official U.S. Pricing for the 2013 GT-R
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.
The 2012 GT-R Track Pack is Incredible, but Won’t Hit American Soil
2012 Nissan GT-R Track Pack
Nissan Announces the 2012 Nissan GT-R Track Pack: for Japan, the U.K., Australia, and South Africa only.
Nissan engineers recently unveiled the details of their new Track-Pack trim for the Nissan GT-R, and I must say that it's pretty exciting. The complete track-pack will take the already incredible Nissan GT-R and prepare it for the racing circuit for its more demanding customers. This track-pack, which will actually allow the GT-R to remain road legal where available, also provides the car with an extra edge on the circuit over its standard competition.
The package will lighten the vehicle substantially, and it achieves this by deleting the rear seats from the cabin, and replacing the front ones with ultra-lightweight Recaro racing ones. The vehicle is also equipped with lightweight RAYS alloys wheels, which help shave pounds off of the standard wheels, and some carbon fiber touches which are more lightweight than their plastic contemporaries.
In addition to the weight saving features, the GT-R track pack will also feature stiffer suspension rates all around to provide the vehicle with a "harder edge" and greater control through intense track turning conditions. Newly integrated active brake ducts will also work to allow the front brakes to operate as much as 100 degrees cooler around extreme track conditions--ultimately resulting in large reductions of brake fade and chatter. The track-pack will use the same drivetrain as its more road friendly brethren, but the changes help it drop its 0-to-60 time from 2.9 seconds to 2.7, and has allowed Nissan drivers to post regular sub-7 times on the Nurburgring.
In case you wanted to make sure people know what you're driving, too, the track pack outfitted GT-R will also have special badging both inside and out. And, finally, no special edition vehicle would be complete without an exorbitant price tag modification: in this case, 10,000 British pounds, or, the rough equivalent $15,700 American. What this means, ultimately, is that Nissan is removing parts of their car and charging more for it--a move that other automotive companies have been doing with track ready editions of their fastest vehicles.
Of course, for us Americans, even if we wanted to shell out that much $$ we couldn't, as Nissan will not be offering the Track Pack to its American consumers. If you were set on having one, however, I'm certain that $16k could get you an equivalent. Password:JDM makes R35 GT-R Carbon Fiber rear seat deletes, RAYS and Recaro products are readily available online, and any body shop worth their salt is certainly able to custom create active brake duct screens for your vehicle. In fact, with the $16k, you could forgo the RAYS and Recaro components, install the ducts and seat deletes, and then have the money leftover to purchase a complete titanium exhaust, like the one made by Akrapovic for the Nissan GT-R which adds 17HP and shaves 40lbs off of the vehicle. In the end, the GT-R with the seat deletes, active brake ducts, and upgraded exhaust would probably beat the Track Pack, even on a circuit.
Nissan GT-R Laps Potrero de los Funes Circuit
Well, the FIA GT1 race circuit is hitting it's year end this weekend at the Potrero de los Funes Circuit, which is a gorgeous track in San Luis, Argentina that is put together from what are normally public mountain roads around the Lake Potrero de los Funes. This circuit course is a very fast and very challenging run, and always makes for a great race. With that in mind, there's probably no better car for driving around it than the Nissan GT-R.
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.
More Spec-M Spy Photos, and a GT-R v. Datsun drag race that will shock and awe
The 2012 Nissan GT-R Spec M is being seen by everyone now, it seems! I'm half expecting to spy on at my local grocery store this week! Of course, the actual likelihood of that happening is slim to none, as there are so many different grocery stores in my city it's doubtful the GT-R Spec M driver would choose to shop at mine. All jokes aside, here's more spy photography of the 2012 Spec M in all of its beautiful Godzilla glory. The vehicle really does look fantastic. I think Nissan has gone an exceptional route with the small stylistic changes they've provided the already beautiful GT-R.
Click thumbs for larger images:
Now, for the drag race no one saw coming. What would you think if I told you that a Nissan GT-R and a 1972 Datsun 1200 were going to race? You'd laugh at the thought of the Datsun slowly pushing through the smoke left in the GT-R's wake, right? What if I then told you that the Datsun was an all electric modification? More humor. What if, I then told you that the Datsun wins?
I hate showing GT-Rs losing (and thankfully, those videos are so few and far between that I never really have to) but this one is too cool to pass up. Of course, the '72 Datsun 1200 in question (affectionately called White Zombie) is no normal Datsun. This 1200 runs off an all electric drive-train which delivers an immediate 772 pounds of torque. That's right, 772 pounds of torque delivered to all 4 wheels the second the accelerator is hit. That power makes this Datsun the fastest electric car on Earth. This incredible vehicle uses a cavalcade of batteries to power the vehicle for as much as 100 miles of driving, or if you're more interested in speed than conservation, 1/4 mile of all-out hauling ass. The EV Datsun 1200 hits 0-60 in 1.8 seconds and finishes a 1/4 mile run at a very very respectable 10.4 seconds. Not even the monster that is Godzilla can top this thing. The stats are impressive, but it's even more fun to watch. If you don't get a sick laugh watching a '72 Datsun 1200 run a 10 second 1/4 mile, you probably don't have a car-loving soul.
Another GT-R versuses Luxury Sport Super-Car Video
Well, today is just a good day for videos of the GTR smoking super expensive European supercars, if you ask me. First we got it out dueling the Bentley Continental, and now here's a great video from Germany pitting its home-country superhero the 5.2L Lambourghini V10 Supercharged R8 versus the good ole' Nissan GTR. Well, the Audi R8 is an absolute machine with class and precision, but really, the results here should surprise no one. The GT-R's dominance just can not be questioned. A fun video (subtitled in English) and worth a watch!
Mine’s GT-R Products
Well, Mine's is and has been one of Japan's premiere vehicle performance tuning shops, and the work they have been doing with the Nissan GT-R R35 is absolutely incredible. They offer full dry carbon fiber body modification for the Nissan GT-R, as well as fantastic performance upgrade pieces.
Their full ESTA suspension kits offer some of the very best components available in one solid, well-tuned package, and the numbers on the Mine's Titanium VX II Pro Exhaust system for the Nissan GT-R are absolutely incredible. While the Mine's equipment is expensive, it is not like this for no particular reason. The reviews across the board on the Mine's products have been exceptional, and most people claim that the pieces themselves are more than worth the money spent on them.
I'm looking at purchasing one of the VX II Pro Titanium exhausts for myself now, after having seen and heard just how incredible a system it is.
The aerodynamic body pieces designed by Mine's are certain to cut down on track times as well. Coupled with their VX-Rom, VX II Exhaust, Super Catalyzer, and Improved Intake system, you're looking at getting 60+ HP on the GTR. Add to that some 200+ pounds weight reduction from all of their weight reducing products, and you're looking at making one of the most incredible cars ever produced a nearly unstoppable racing force. Mine's is certainly a good company to go with also, as their experience and name guarantee you're getting the very best of the best. Their GT-R R35 line was just finished, and is being carried in America by very few places. I found the Mines Nissan GTR Parts at Southern Car Parts for what appears to be less than any other competitor out there. The SCP guys also seem to have the entire Mine's product line available, as well as a number of other GT-R products, making them a certain go-to for future GT-R performance part purchases.
Mine's and the Nissan GT-R R35, a match made in heaven it would seem!
GT-R Drift Video
MotorTrend recently took a Nissan GT-R R35 out for a little fun, and decided to put it up against a couple of Scion tCs built specifically for drifting. While this is no fair comparison here, it is definitely a fun one. There's also something pretty incredible in watching Godzilla get sideways with a cloud of smoke coming off the tires. A very fun video, with a poignant note at the end about how vehicles built with a specific purpose in mind are awesome a feeling as there can be, and the GT-R definitely fits. I know this makes me want to open the garage, take mine out, and take it for a wild drive!
More on the FIA GT1 R35
Last week I wrote up a small article on the FIA GT1 GT-R r35, which had some good response. The vehicle is undeniably incredible, and as such, warranted a lot more internet searching on this end. I'm sure some of you did that as well. I came across some really great videos giving a better look and listen to the vehicle, and a chance to see just how incredible it is. Figured I'd link them up here to share with all of you. Seriously though, what do you think of the FIA GT1 R35? I think it looks pretty awesome, myself.
911 PDK v. R8 V10 v. GT-R
Here we go again: someone else is putting up new competitors against the Nissan GT-R. We've seen this repeatedly since the Nissan GT-R R35 was unveiled, and it is not news to any of us that the GT-R keeps winning. Well, this time the competition has been upped as we see the GT-R coming up against two absolutely incredible European monsters in the form of the Audi R8 V10 and the Porsche 911 Turbo PDK. Couple this with the fact that we're seeing the comparison of the 3 vehicles as driven by 1 driver, on the same circuit course, on the same day, and it makes the results and their fairness particularly intriguing!
Definitely worth a watch as the guys at AutoCar UK did a great job on this side by side. I wont divulge the outcome, but I will say this: the GT-R is repeatedly classified as the super car benchmark by which all others are measured, and we all know how true that is.
Hope you enjoy this video as much as I did. And, seriously, are they just going to keep bringing new challengers up to fight Godzilla? If so, I'm fairly certain we'll keep seeing the challengers get knocked-out, because this heavyweight champion of the world will be holding its title belt for quiet some time to come!