Nissan GT-R SpecV First Independent Tsukuba Circuit Laptimes Reported

The following news will either disappoint or delight some Nissan GT-R fans. The new GT-R SpecV is slower than the standard GT-R. In fact, it's slower than both the MY08 and MY09 cars. Good news for standard car owners, bad news for those who have or are planning to shell out the equivalent of ¥15,750,000 for a SpecV.

Japan's Best Motoring publication has gotten a hold of the mighty SpecV and they wasted no time in heading for the Tsukuba Circuit to test Nissan's claims for themselves. To make matters interesting they put legendary racer Keiichi "The Drift King" Tshuchiya behind the wheel. Even he could not beat the MY08 and MY09 times of 1:01.888 and 1:01.343 respectively. The car could only manage a best time of 1:02.4. Best Motoring says the conditions under which all three cars were tested were similar.

The SpecV weighs 60kg less than the factory car. It's powered by a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 with 480hp (353kW) and 434 ft-lb of torque. No explanation is forthcoming on this pressing issue yet, suffice to say perhaps the upcoming issue of Best Motoring in which the car was tested will provide some answers.

Source: gtrblog.com

Nissan GT-R by Shadow Sports Design

Shadow Sports Design has given access to details regarding its Nissan GT-R conversion. The car has been given a number of new parts to enhance its performance. A carbon fiber rear spoiler is fitted and elevated to improve downforce. There is a rear air diffuser installed as well for the same purpose.

The 20-inch wheels are made of forged magnesium for both strength and lightness of weight. These were developed in conjunction with Enkei and each of the front wheels saves the car 2.05kg in unsprung weight. They are available in either black or a gunmetal finish. As a way of helping to cool the front brake calipers the front underspoiler has carbon ducts that lead directly to these brakes.

Titanium was the material picked when it came to manufacturing the exhaust pipe mufflers. The Shadow Sports Design GT-R has a pair of racing seats fitted with a harness. No performance figures have been released yet but it's been said that the carbon-clad official GT-R Spec V is two seconds faster around the Sendai Highland Raceway track in Japan than the standard car.

Source: gtrblog.com via www.carscoop.blogspot.com

Nissan 370Z Coupe Pricing to Start at £26,895

UK pricing for the new Nissan 370Z has just been announced for the UK. Coming in three different trim levels, the sports car will have a base price of £26,895.

Three trim levels are available for customers, including the base model, the GT Pack, and the GT Ultimate. The lowest level car still comes flush with equipment, like push button ignition, power seats, and xenon lights. In addition to the standard 18-inch aluminum alloys, the car also has side curtain airbags, and an alarm to make you feel safer. Other features include an audio system with an auxiliary input, and Bluetooth connectivity for your pohone.

Step up a grade to the GT Pack, and you get 19-inch RAYS alloys, as well as suede and leather trimmed heated seats. If the six-CD eight-speaker Bose system is too distracting, the automatic rev control system will assist you when shifting gears. All this comes at a price: £30,195.

Finally, the £31,895 GT Ultimate package upgrades the interior to Persimmon suede, adds a DVD/Sat-Nav system covering most of Europe, and a voice recognition system added in to the MP3 audio system.

Other options include a seven-speed automatic with rev matching for £1,400, and metallic paint for £450. With the upgraded paint, you also get a scratch-masking paint job.

You can order your Nissan 370Z online beginning February 2. Delivery of the car should begin this July.

Source: Nissan

Insurance company sponsors Nissan Skyline R33 giveaway

A British car insurance company is having a contest where the lucky winner will receive a 1997 Nissan Skyline R33, £2,000 to spend on modifications, and a year's worth of free insurance.

The particular model up from grabs is powered by a RB26 2.6-liter twin-turbo engine that produces nearly 300 bhp which should allow the car to run from 0-60 in about five seconds. Despite being 12 years old, it only has 63,000 miles on the odometer and is still worth about £10,000. It is also equipped with all-wheel drive, upgraded exhaust and air intakes, alloy wheels, air-conditioning, central locking and a CD player.

The Skyline is just the latest prize in the company's annual ‘win-a-project-car' automotive contest. In 2007 they gave away a Subaru Impreza WRX while last year's prize was a Mitsubishi Evo X.

To enter or receive more details about the prize and eligibility requirements head on over to http://www.swintonspecialist.co.uk/

Source: Swinton Insurance

Wald Tuned Nissan GT-R Unveiled at 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon

Wald International has officially introduced their new body package for the Nissan GT-R. The Japanese tuner has not released any engine modifications, citing the "difficulty in tuning the GT-R's engine."

The company has created several carbon-fibre body parts to lighten the vehicle's weight and make the car more aerodynamic. They custom built a front-lip spoiler and nose cover, and rear wing. Low-drag duct covers from another lightweight composite material are in place, while under the hood the cutomer will find a carbon-fibre engine cover.

Wald's aero-kit comes in the glossy finish typically used for street cars, called wet carbon fibre, or a dull matte grey color, called dry carbon fibre. The second choice is usually used on racers. A wet carbon kit starts at 1,039,500 yen ($11,620), with the dry carbon kit going for about 2,362,500 ($26,410). Prices include taxes.

Source: Wald International