2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV

NEWS & REVIEWS Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced a new limited-production Nissan GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale at seven specially selected Nissan dealers throughout Japan on February 2, 2009. The GT-R SpecV is targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a street-legal vehicle. Developed around the multi-dimensional Nissan GT-R sports car, which was introduced just more than one year ago to universal global acclaim, the new SpecV model builds on the original's "ultimate supercar that anyone can enjoy driving anywhere, at anytime" philosophy - taking it to an entirely new level of "oneness between man and machine." The SpecV model includes unique body, interior and performance equipment and modifications, raising the GT-R's unmatched performance to even higher levels. The GT-R SpecV's new exterior features include a carbon fiber rear spoiler, a carbon fiber grille, and carbon fiber brake ducts. The SpecV is available exclusively in Ultimate Black Opal (RP) body color. Inside, the SpecV's unique two-seat interior (non-SpecV GT-R models also include a two-place rear seat) offers special Recaro carbon fiber bucket seats, while carbon fiber insets embellish the rear center storage box, instrument panel and other trim areas. Performance is enhanced with a new high gear boost control device, which momentarily increases boost of the engine's twin turbochargers for greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed ranges to provide a more powerful feeling of acceleration, while also allowing the engine to operate at a lower speed for improved fuel economy. Other modifications include a titanium-coated exhaust system and carbon-ceramic brakes that provide powerful stopping performance. The GT-R SpecV is also equipped with lightweight, racing-style forged aluminum wheels that were developed for this model and have been sold by Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO) since September 2008. The lighter unsprung weight provided by the new wheels, together with the enhanced braking capability, an exclusive suspension and high-grip tires, combine to deliver the SpecV's exceptional performance. The SpecV will be sold at the following seven dealer outlets, each of which is staffed by mechanics with special GT-R SpecV training and who are knowledgeable of racing circuit driving. **Before we commented that the "You can have it in any color, as long as it's black". This is actually incorrect. The car is available exclusively in Ultimate Black Opal, but can also come in the normal variety of colors.** PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Nissan GT-R

NEWS & REVIEWS If we had a cent for every word that’s been written about Nissan’s groundbreaking GT-R supercar since its debut last December, we’d be giving handouts to Bill Gates. The car they call “Godzilla” has graced literally thousands of magazine covers, Internet sites, and young boys’ bedroom walls. And everything you’ve read about it is true—it’s a monster. Powered by a 480-hp, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6, blasting its power to all four wheels through a six-speed manual/auto, it will zap to 60 in a time-warping 3.6 seconds and won’t quit till the engine is stuttering on the rev limiter at 193 mph. For $70,450, it is the supercar bargain of the decade. Trouble is, just as we’re getting our heads around the sheer awesomeness of the thing, Nissan is planning to unleash a Spec V version early in ’09 with a rumored 520-hp, 440 lb-ft of torque, and weight down by 200 pounds. It’ll be GT-R fever all over again. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Nissan 370Z ROADSTER

NEWS & REVIEWS Less than a year after the introduction of the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe – a vehicle that reset the bar for affordable sports car design and performance – comes its dramatic new stablemate, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. The seductively styled Z Roadster offers everything the hardtop Z Coupe does – and more. As in more classic open-air sports car driving excitement. More sun, moon and stars. And more refinement than any Z convertible that has ever come before – including a standard automatic latching power top and Nissan Intelligent Key. Also offered are an array of technology and convenience features, including the first-ever Z Roadster-available heating and cooling ventilated net seats, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, satellite radio, and advanced Nissan Navigation System. The 2010 370Z Roadster is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide in late summer. The 370Z Roadster’s most obvious departure from the 370Z Coupe is its convertible top. The soft-top roof was designed with an emphasis on three key areas: to provide a sleek silhouette matching the new Z’s stunning styling with the top up or down, to offer easy single-action open-close operation, and to provide an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence and all-climate driver/passenger comfort. With convertible top in the closed position, the design provides a sophisticated sloped-back appearance, the perfect balance between the soft top and the Z body design. The shortened windshield and aerodynamically rounded rear deck enhance the Z’s kinetic and dynamic character lines. When in the down position, the convertible top is concealed beneath a full body-color hard tonneau cover, which extends forward to help create the Z Roadster’s classic “double cockpit” style interior. The standard black cloth convertible top features a fabric inner liner, which provides a quality appearance and helps reduce noise intrusion into the cabin, along with an enlarged glass rear window with an integrated electric rear window defroster. The top operation takes approximately 20 seconds start-to-finish and is controlled by either a center console-mounted switch or by a button located on the doors. Like the new 370Z Coupe, the Z Roadster’s new exterior is more aggressive in appearance and lighter and tighter in structure than the previous generation. The new Z Roadster features an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk for reduced weight. At the same time, the body structure was extensively revised, improving rigidity and stability. The Z Roadster’s exterior design incorporates the look and feel of the new Z Coupe, including its signature long nose/short cockpit proportions, vertical door handles and distinctive new headlight/taillight treatment, which features a fierce “boomerang” shape. High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights with auto on/off feature are standard. The 370Z Roadster is offered in seven exterior colors: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pearl White, Monterey Blue and a special premium color, Black Cherry. Inside the stunning exterior, true to its sports car heritage, the Z Roadster’s interior is completely driver-centric, with its three-layer design grouping items by how a driver sees information, operates the controls and is held in place – so drivers feel completely connected and engaged whenever and wherever they drive, top up or down. Roadster or Coupe, the new Zs share one of the most advanced drivetrains available for affordable sports cars today. The Z Roadster’s long list of cutting edge performance-focused technologies includes a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine, choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual with available “SynchroRev Match” (the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission), refined 4-wheel independent suspension and 4-wheel vented disc brakes. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2009 Nissan 370Z NISMO

NEWS & REVIEWS The all-new, second generation NISMO 370Z, which is set to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide in June 2009, continues the tradition of the original by offering unique performance and design attributes that true sports car enthusiasts are looking for – straight from the factory. Like the limited production NISMO 350Z introduced two years earlier, the new NISMO 370Z is a tuner-Z enthusiast’s dream, featuring a 350-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and special super-lightweight 19-inch forged alloy wheels. The all-new NISMO 370Z is offered in one completely equipped model (no options) with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission only. The new NISMO 370Z starts with the unmatched foundation of an advanced Nissan FM platform, refined 4-wheel independent suspension, and a 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine. For its use in the NISMO 370Z, the 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 produces 350 hp @ 7,400 rpm and 276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm. The NISMO Z’s enhanced engine power and acceleration is provided through use of an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design and muffler tuning, along with optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control. The NISMO 370Z is offered only with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with Nissan’s new SynchroRev Match function, the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission system. The “SynchroRev Match” function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the speed of the next gear position, essentially “blipping” the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts. The NISMO 370Z features a tight, rigid body structure with a strut tower bar brace and a pair of performance dampers, which quickly and efficiently react to and control body vibrations from road input via the tires, contributing to the NISMO 370Z’s outstanding stability and performance feel. The NISMO Z®’s double-wishbone front/4-link rear suspension design suspension is specially tuned for exceptional stability and handling. The NISMO 370Z rides on unique 5-spoke Nissan-branded 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires. Bringing the NISMO 370Z to a stop are standard NISMO Sport Brakes with large diameter 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear vented rotors with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum calipers. Along with its standout performance, the new NISMO Z® offers a standout appearance inside and out. The functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body pieces include an extended front nose design with a canard design at each corner for improved downforce and a fully integrated chin spoiler. Special side sills and a unique rear bumper help control airflow under the vehicle, while the functional rear spoiler increases downforce. The NISMO 370Z exterior also includes a wide stance, sculptural fenders, upswept quarter windows, bold “boomerang” shaped headlights and taillights, vertical door handles and aluminum hood, door panels and hatchback. The headlights are a High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon design with an auto on/off feature. The NISMO 370Z is offered in five exterior colors: Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red and Platinum Graphite. The NISMO 370Z’s driver-centric interior includes NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and red stitching, a NISMO tachometer, steering wheel with smooth leather and red parallel stitching, smooth leather-wrapped shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals. A special serialized plaque of authenticity, located on the vertical panel above the floor-mounted console, is matched to each NISMO Z, identifying its unique serial and model year designation. “The NISMO logo is prominent throughout the cabin, reinforcing the mission and special capability of the vehicle,” said Castignetti. “The NISMO Z® is the complete package – inside, outside and under the skin.” PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Nissan GT-R

NEWS & REVIEWS Background: All Japanese import car fans rejoice! We are finally getting our hands on the much anticipated Nissan GT-R and it seems it will live up to all its hype. The car was designed from the ground up as a rare supercar, unlike previous generations which were tweaked versions of the Skyline family sedan. Exterior: The car has a very muscular stance, with deep fender flares, an aggressive-style front bumper, a long hood highlighted with two large air vents, huge quad-dual exhaust pipes, and a rear wing that looks like it would work well on an aircraft. The exterior of car is clearly meant to intimidate, only problem is some people may get the headlights confused with that of a 350Z. Another aspect that we did not like was the taillights look like they were lifted off a Chevrolet Cobalt. Performance: This car is plenty of show and tons of go! Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged 3.8L V-6 that produces a Corvette-stomping 480 horsepower! Nissan claims a zero to sixty time of 3.5 seconds, which easily puts it in 911 Turbo territory at a quarter of the price. The power is transferred through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The dual-clutch can perform shifts as fast as 0.02 seconds. Ferrari’s F-1 SuperFast paddle shifter can barely beat it by 0.01 seconds. Helping keep the car in line and put the power to the cement is an all-wheel-drive system. Interior: Inside the newest GT-R, is a well groomed interior that seems to center around the driver. Pictures of the Japanese model show a plethora of buttons down the center console and around the steering wheel. The passenger side looks like a barren desert with two small round air vents sitting awkwardly by themselves. Of course, a new Skyline would not be complete without an LCD screen. Just like previous editions, the newest GT-R does offer a humongous 7”screen where one can view lap times, lateral acceleration, etc. The rear has two bucket seats separated by two Bose speakers and a single cup holder in the armrest; I guess only one person in the back can have a drink. Market Impact: M3? forgettaboutit! C63AMG? Can’t compete. RS4? Will be left in the dust. The newest Nissan blows these competitors right out of the water. The only real competition is the more stylish and more exotic-looking cars like the Viper and upcoming NSX. by: Benjamin Greene PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge

2008 Nissan 350Z NISMO

NEWS & REVIEWS Talk about going out with a bang. With a redesigned Z car due to be unveiled at October’s Tokyo auto show and on sale mid-2008, Nissan needed a parting gift for rabid Z fans. It’s called the Nismo 350Z and it’s as close to a street-legal track racer as you can get. Just 1,500 Nismo Zs will be offered here in the United States at $38,775 a pop. Despite the name—it’s short for Nissan Motorsports—the car is being built by Japan-based Autech, the long-time Nissan tuner. The conversion is truly extensive and starts with Autech taking a body shell off the line and hand welding all the seams for extra structural rigidity. Uprated suspension, bigger wheels and tires, and a wild body conversion that includes a massive front splitter and an FAA-approved rear wing. Nissan’s new higher-revving 306-bhp VQ-series V-6 is left pretty much unchanged and gives zero-to-60-mph sprints in 5.8 seconds. Tail-out drifters form a line here. PHOTOS: click photos to enlarge