Jalopnik: 2009 Nissan GT-R

2009 Nissan GT-R Priced At $69,850, On Sale July 7

Wes Siler — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:39:13 EDT

It's official, the 2009 Nissan GT-R will start at $69,850 with deliveries beginning July 7. The GT-R Premium will cost $71,900 while destination will add $1,000 to those prices. 70% are already spoken for.

In addition to the base price, options include Super Silver Paint ($3,000), an iPod connector ($360) and floor mats ($280). [via AutoFiends]

PRESS RELEASE
2009 Nissan GT-R Supercar Deliveries Set To Begin July 7th,
70 Percent of First-Year Allocation Already Sold

NASHVILLE (June 27, 2008) - Nissan today announced that deliveries of the all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R are scheduled to begin on Monday, July 7, 2008. More than 1,700 of the exotic 480-horsepower GT-R supercars, or approximately 70 percent of the first year allocation for the United States market, have already been spoken for since the announcement of a pre-sale ordering program last January.

The 2009 Nissan GT-R has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $69,850 for the GT-R and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model. Destination & Handling (D&H) is $1,000. The GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan dealers that have met a number of strict sales, service and facilities commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service. A searchable listing of the 671 GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available to consumers on nissanusa.com.

"After years of speculation and anticipation, the wait for a U.S.-spec Nissan GT-R is over," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "GT-R is one supercar that more than lives up to its promise, with independent testing by the leading auto enthusiasts magazines and online sites producing performance results that only a handful of production cars have ever attained - much less at a $70,000 MSRP."

A 2009 Nissan GT-R, equipped with a standard 480-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine and advanced 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, recently set a lap time of 7 minutes 29 seconds at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the fastest times achieved by a production-spec vehicle to date.

About the 2009 Nissan GT-R
The all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R, the fifth-generation of the legendary Nissan supercar, is a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of "the ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere."

It features an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted, GR6-type dual clutch rear transmission. The Nissan GT-R is built on an exclusive, all-new Premium Midship platform. This new platform enables the use of a world's first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.

The Nissan GT-R's functional styling utilizes advanced aerodynamics, evoking the lines of a well-trained athlete. GT-R's hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum, and features a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce. GT-R's four-passenger cabin features a sloping "aero blade canopy" roofline and curved C-pillar "sword edge," as well as GT-R's hallmark four-ring taillights, functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips.

GT-R's interior balances functionality with a sense of ease and comfort. It features sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display - which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.

* MSRP excludes applicable tax, title and license fees. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice.

More Proof That Once You Go Flat Black...

Ray Wert — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:20:00 EDT

That first shot from behind of the flat black (or matte black, if you'd prefer) 2009 Nissan GT-R got us hoping we'd find more shots of Godzilla looking all hotted-up with what we'll assume is some pretty sweet wrap action. We weren't the only ones. Jalopnik reader Chuck was just as excited, coming up with some more shots of the new black-as-night and flat-as-can-be GT-R in Singapore from vanq photography by way of the NAGTROC forums. A few more shots below the jump.

Once Godzilla Went Flat Black...

Ray Wert — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:20:00 EDT

We've always thought there's something really sexy looking about a car in flat black. We don't know why — maybe it's the somewhat unfinished look or maybe it's just the way it soaks up the light around it — but whatever the reason, we totally heart the vibe it gives. Especially in this rear-end shot of the new 2009 Nissan GT-R taken as Godzilla sat waiting outside a hotel in Singapore — probably waiting until the next time he gets to attack Japan. (Hat tip to Russell!)

You Do Know The R35 Is On Sale, Right?

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EDT

We have SickWrathTerror over at the Motive Mag Forums to thank for sharing this photo of one Infiniti G35 owner apparently unaware that the 2009 GT-R was going to be available in the states. [Motive Forums]

Haltech-Tuned 2009 Nissan GT-R Gives A Down Under Strip Show, Bests Inside Line's Quarter-Mile

Ray Wert — Sun, 18 May 2008 11:15:00 EDT

The 2009 Nissan GT-R's one powerful wonder of technology. The ECU's so advanced we're told it makes you feel like you're behind the wheel of the world's most advanced driving simulator, like some sort of Playstation reality game. As even the most high-and-mighty of the buff-book world have found out first hand, even with all the technologically advanced doo-dads and doo-hickeys behind the dash, the 3.8-liter V6 rated at 480 HP and a torque rating almost equal to that (430 lb-ft for those of you who are counting), this AWD Godzilla-like beast is no toy. A toy wouldn't have let Inside Line snag themselves a 1/4-mile time of 11.6 seconds using the new GT-R's launch control system on an abandoned airstrip. But that amazing time's not stopping the Aussie tuning shop of Haltech from cracking that Game-Boy-like ECU and playing around with the timing to see what they can come up with. The tuning shop from the land down under took their ECU-tuned GT-R to a local strip to find out what they could come up with on the 1/4 mile and the Godzilla fan-boys from GTRblog were there to record the showing. Their results after the jump.

Those numbers on the time slip appear to be correct — a 1/4-mile time of 11.1 seconds and a top speed of 124.86 MPH! Keep in mind this is the Haltech's engineering team's first time — and first run — on the track with the re-tuned GT-R. The second run — well — that one didn't turn out quite as well. They only managed to equal the Inside Line numbers with an 11.6-second 1/4-mile run. Something to do with screwing up the launch control. Yeah, such a screw-up — any production car with an 11.6-second 1/4-mile run on a screw-up will more than likely remain on our "must have" list. Just sayin'...

One can only imagine what those numbers will end up looking like once the Haltech boys have finished playing around under the hood. Although we normally have to say we don't so much like tunage of the new GT-R, we know we're anxious to find out what Haltech ends up giving Godzilla. And then just wait until they get their hands on the Spec-V version in a year. (Hat tip to Jeff!) [Haltech via GTRblog]

Nissan To Sponsor GT Racing Academy Competition

Travis Hudson — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:40:00 EDT

Details have emerged from Sony's "PlayStation Day" in London that Nissan will be sponsoring a Gran Turismo-branded competition with one hell of an eventual prize: the opportunity to compete in a 24-hour race in Dubai next January. Getting to that race is quite the task, though. Beginning on May 23 you can fire up your PlayStation 3 and hit up the PlayStation Network to begin the dirty work of qualifying by virtual driving races.

To get to the 24-hour race it begins with elimination tournaments for Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. This will eventually whittle down to two winners who will then partake in four months worth of racing lessons eventually leading to the opportunity to take Godzilla around the track, for 24 hours of Dubai racing action. Sony will also be filming the bulk of the academy and will be made available for download on the PlayStation Network.

That only means it's time to get practicing. [Via Kotaku]

Gran Turismo Creator Can Drive Real Cars, Too

Travis Hudson — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT

The mastermind behind the Gran Turismo series has proven that he can handle real cars as well as he took the 2009 Nissan GT-R for a joy ride. Not only could the game's creator, Kazunori Yamauchi, handle the famed Nurburgring track, but he did so with it wet. Yamauchi even cites his familiarity with the track from the video game to help his real life driving. I doubt Yamauchi beat the 7:29 mark on the same ring, but he manages to keep it on the slippery track. See, Mom, video games are good for something. Check out the video above for the clips of him driving and follow the link to see the entire clip that features interviews about Godzilla and more. [CarScoop]

Nissan GT-R Officially Dry-Laps Nürburgring In 7:29, Makes Us Wet

Ray Wert — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT

The friendly Finnish Fans of Cars all over the World tell us today the new 2009 Nissan GT-R can now lay claim to being one of the fastest production cars in the world — in Nürburgring lap times. Nissan claims GT-R chief test driver Tochio Suzuki completed the famous German circuit in just 7 minutes and 29 seconds during runs on April 16th and 17th. According to their records, this puts the GT-R in second place for fastest laps by unmodified production cars — that's just behind the Pagani Zonda F's blistering 7 minutes and 27 seconds last November. Guess that wet lap time last year of 7 minutes and 38 seconds was just a test run, eh?

Kazutoshi Mizuno, the GT-R's Chief Vehicle Engineer said

"At last year's testing, we were frustrated by the conditions at the Nürburgring, always believing that the GT-R could go under seven minutes 30 seconds, the GT-R proves it is among the fastest mass-production cars in the world. We set out to build a multi-performance supercar accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere - I believe the GT-R has delivered that promise."

Yeah well, we're beginning to think that car could make a hero out of even us. [via World Car Fans]

2009 Nissan GT-R Spotted Prowling For Wolverines

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:20:00 EDT

Despite the fabulous camera phone quality of these photos, the visage of Zingerman's Roadhouse behind this 2009 Nissan GT-R is undeniable proof Godzilla is stalking the streets of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Nissan has a development facility in the area, so it's not entirely surprising to see the beast from the far east there, but nonetheless, it's the first we've seen on the road in the mitten state. The only other reason for it to be in the area we can think of is to impress all those University of Michigan engineering students. Right, students. (Thanks for the pics Skyler)

Unmoddable GT-R ECU Cracked, Bye-Bye Speed Limiter

Travis Hudson — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:45:00 EDT

Remember the ECU in the Godzilla-like 2009 Nissan GT-R? Yeah, it was supposedly uncrackable and unmoddable and we'd been told would even brick the car if tampered with. That's apparently not the case for at least one set of Japanese tuners who've cracked the JDM version of the new Nissan GT-R's already infamous ECU and removed that nasty 112 mph speed limiter.

That 112mph limiter was imposed on the JDM version by the ECU whenever the GPS sensed the GT-R wasn't on a racetrack. The team that cracked the ECU will continue to tweak the system until the GT-R is officially released in the United States and will have documentation ready to present to tuners happy to remove the speed limiter and otherwise tune their new Godzilla toys. Better luck next time, Nissan. [COBB]

2009 Garage Defend Nissan GT-R: Let The Modding Wars Begin

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:20:00 EDT

You knew it was bound to happen. We've already seen the first examples of modifications on the 2009 Nissan GT-R. But now comes something even more — perverse. That's right friends, here come the body kits. Tuning shop Garage Defend has brought their twin goals of increased down force and debatably increased style to Nissan's new Godzilla. Their modifications include front end canards, a new spoiler at the back, an inch and a half drop, new seats and a new muffler system. We're expecting this will be among the tamest of modified GT-Rs until such time as they start hitting our nation's West Coast. Then, whoa nelly, you better grab the women and children and run for shelter from the tuning madness.

[NihonCar]

Inside The Inside Line Ultimate GT-R Road Trip

Matt Hardigree — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EDT

There are two questions in life you always answer yes to. First, if someone asks if you are a God, say yes. Second, if the folks at Nissan offer you one of the seven U.S.-spec 2009 Nissan GT-R pre-production testers in the US and give you carte blanche to drive it wherever and however so long as you get it to Reno in one piece, give a similar response. That's just what Inside Line did, covering 2,000 miles of highways, byways, racetrack, dry lake beds and drag strips. Below we take you behind the scenes of this epic journey, with some photos and details too-hot-for-Edmunds from IL's Senior Editor Ed Hellwig — the co-driver of the tri-state adventure.

Starting in Santa Monica

Even though they'd had the car only for a few hours of photography, people already took notice of Godzilla. "When we took it out for the first shoot, everybody asked the same thing: Is that the new Skyline? It was a question that we heard endlessly throughout the trip. Always Skyline, rarely GT-R." [0 miles]

Escape from L.A.

Remember everyone thinking about the GT-R as a balanced sports car that could compete with the Corvette as an on-track, off-track vehicle. Not so much. "We weren't kidding about the ride quality of the GT-R coming out of L.A. It's brutal on broken concrete. It was around that time that we noticed that the suspension adjustment switch only spells out "Comf". That's pretty much accurate, as it's never actually "comfortable". [47 miles]

Donuts at El Mirage

What would you do with a currently rare, $70,000 sports car? Spin the crap out of it on a silt-covered lake. Hell yeah. This is what happens when automakers aren't clear with their stipulations. "El Mirage is a trip. You basically just pull off the highway (granted, the highway out of Palmdale), head down an access road and drive right onto the dry lake at which point you can pretty much go as fast you want. The hard part is making sure you don't run into somebody else doing the same thing which isn't easy between the dust and the sun. Oh, and we also noted several Predator drones buzzing over our heads as we did donuts in the dirt (Edwards AFB is just up the road). I suppose we could say that we know what terrorists in Afghanistan feel like, but they're dead before ever seeing the Predators." [132 miles]

CHP On I-5

Those with stealth dreams of eluding cops in your new GT-R better think again. As stealthy-looking as the GT-R is, it's not going to outrun radar. At least not in white. That being said, flash the auto-journalist card and maybe you'll catch a break. [444 miles]

Sacramento Raceway

Show up to your local strip with a new car, especially a Japanese car (at least in certain areas) and be prepared to get the business from guys jockeying Vettes and Stangs. Run an 11-second 1/4-mile and be prepared to change some minds. "As soon as we pulled into the starting lanes at Sacramento Raceway, the car was surrounded. Some guys were dismissing it, but most were aware of its capabilities. Again it was always, "check out the new Skyline". This was the first place people actually said, "Hey, I've been following you on the blog." When it finally ran an 11.80, all the doubters were silenced. Traction on the starting box was hard to come by, so the numbers were a little slower that usual. [706 miles]

Bonneville Salt Water Flats

The flats were covered with a few inches of salty water when the Edmunds duo arrived. They thought it best not to sink the car in salt water and instead launched it up and down the access roads. We say, if life hands you salt water, make GT-R soup. A difference of opinion, we guess. "You have to see Bonneville to believe it. The access road is a raised two lane that seems a mile long. And then it just ends." [989 miles]

Sandy City Black & Whites

Being good sports, the crew stopped off to meet readers along the way. If you've got a high performance vehicle, meeting cops isn't a bad idea as it gives you the opportunity to burn rubber in parking lots with impunity. Just don't tase me, bro. "Eric, the Sandy City cop we met just outside Salt Lake City, was fun to hang with. He was so psyched to see the GT-R and when we started poking around his patrol vehicles he didn't mind a bit. He even offered to use his tazer on one of us. We weren't that curious. Launching the car in the police department parking lot was fun too." [1,150 miles]

A Desert Mirage

It would be criminal to have command of a GT-R and not take it to a track at least once. Conveniently, there's a fairly new park in the foothills outside of Salt Lake City. "Miller Motorsports Park really is unbelievable. Everything about the place is first class. The pit lane at the go kart track is nicer than the main paddock of most tracks. I think the only time we felt bad about not washing the GT-R was when we pulled into one of the main garages as they're spotless from top to bottom. Everybody there was nicer than they needed to be. We didn't want to leave." [Hot Laps]

Not Quite Home Yet

Seriously, the cops get on the GT-R like Elliot Spitzer on some expensive prostitutes. Maybe buyers of this car should stick to abandoned salt flats. "We were in the middle of nowhere when the guy came over a hill right in front of us. When he came up to the car he asked what it was and why it had manufacturer plates. At that point we figured we were getting written up, but when he came back he let us off. Not really sure why, but he was cool the whole time about it." [1,496 miles]

There's the inside line on Inside Line's trip. For more, including video and detailed information the GT-R head over to their site for the full trip. [Nissan GT-R Road Trip]

Godzilla Goes Down: More Photos Of The Malaysian GT-R Crash

Ray Wert — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:30:00 EDT

That new 2009 Nissan GT-R R35 that we saw all bent and busted yesterday over in Malaysia? Yeah, you remember. Anyway, the folks at Wrecked Exotics found themselves some new photos of the broken Godzilla. One more moment of silence? Yeah, it's almost a requirement. [Wrecked Exotics]

New Nissan GT-R Gets Crumpled In Malaysia, We Cry

Ray Wert — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:00:00 EDT

The folks over at NAGTROC snagged some shots of a new 2009 Nissan GT-R R35 in a slight state of disrepair this morning. And by "slight state of disrepair" we mean crumpled, crunched and crap-kicked. It's sad seeing a speed demon like this all busted up — it's like watching Godzilla getting the scales kicked off of him by Mothra. OK, that's not true. In reality this is worse for us to look at — because everyone knows this here Godzilla ain't imaginary. Pardon us while we spend a moment wiping away our tears. But we've got to look on the bright side — as one Jalopnik editor said upon seeing the sad, sad pics: "Well, at least we know the airbags work." Bright side, indeed. (Hat tip to Eric!)

[via NAGTROC]

Nissan GT-R Stacked Up To (And Over) The NSX

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST

Remember when we started referring to the Nissan GT-R as Godzilla? You probably thought it was just us making a clever commentary on the prospects of the new Nissan as a sales leader (though not everyone agrees that'll happen). Nope. We were talking about how freaking ginormous the thing is. Thanks to the folks over at i-club, we now can represent this idea visually.

See that car next to it? That's a Honda/Acura NSX, the most recent Japanese supercar to grace the US from sea to shining sea. And while the NSX was of the extra light and nimble European mid-engined supercar variety, the new GT-R is decidedly more American (lots of power, engine in the front, gigantic proportions). [i-club via MotiveMag]

Don't Mess With The Nissan GT-R

Mark Arnold — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:20:00 EST

Just in case you've bought a new GT-R, but you lack any common sense when it comes to vehicular accessorization, Nissan has included these helpful illustrations in the owner's manual for the JDM version. We're guessing the big X means you're not supposed to put giant fender flares and oversized spoilers on the GT-R. Nissan apparently thinks they got it right on their own, thank you very much. Although someone better tell that to Mine's. The other illustrations have more helpful hints; like how to use a strategically placed cola can to sabotage someone's brakes, or how to push your unsuspecting buddy's GT-R onto a railway crossing. You know, the little things kids these days do for a laugh.

[Cobb Tuning via AutoBlog]

Nissan GT-R With Left Hand Drive Spotted In Phoenix Area

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST

One of our dear readers managed to snap a couple of camera phone pictures of the the new Godzilla, unbadged and zipping through the Phoenix, AZ rush hour traffic. As far as we can tell, this is one of the first sightings of a non-concept southpaw GT-R in the United States. And are those Michigan plates? What it's doing in Phoenix is a bit of a mystery, but we're guessing it hoped there was an actual phoenix to then fight to the death (or testing). How do you know a Jaloper took the photos? That big crack through the windshield is a good sign. (Props to Josh for the awesome grab).

691 U.S. Nissan Dealers Now Taking GT-R Pre-Orders

Travis Hudson — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:15:00 EST

You heard it right ladies and gents. The Nissan GT-R beauty is slowly inching its way towards the United States and today the official announcement came that the vehicle would be available for pre-order at 691 "GT-R Certified" Nissan dealers. The base package will run $69,850 and the premium will go for $71,900. The "Super Paint-Super Silver" factory option will tack on another $3,000. And expect to pay another $360 for the iPod converter and $280 for the GT-R carpeted floor mats. Deliveries will begin in June. You better act quick! If you remember, the supplies are pretty limited. Full release after the jump.

2009 Nissan GT-R Supercar Pre-Orders Now Being Taken At 691 "GT-R Certified" Dealers Nationwide
CHICAGO (Feb. 6, 2008) - Nissan today announced that the all-new Nissan GT-R supercar is now available for pre-ordering at 691 officially certified Nissan dealers across the United States. The 2009 Nissan GT-R, equipped with a 480-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine and advanced 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $69,850 for the GT-R and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model (exclusive if Destination & Handling). Customer deliveries of the new GT-R are scheduled to begin in June 2008.

Nissan dealers have attained "GT-R Certification" status by meeting a number of strict sales, service and facilities commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service, special training for service managers and technicians, and designating dealer principals, executive managers and general managers as the primary communicators/negotiators in sales transactions. A listing of GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available to consumers on nissanusa.com.

"A supercar as special as the new Nissan GT-R - and its owners - requires a truly exceptional level of care and handling," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "These Certified GT-R dealers are making a substantial investment in their showrooms, service tools and technician training - helping ensure that the purchase and ownership of the new GT-R will be an exciting experience for our customers, every step of the way."

About the 2009 Nissan GT-R
The all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R, the fifth-generation of the legendary Nissan supercar, is a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of "the ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere."

It features an all-new 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque (estimated), backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted, GR6-type dual clutch rear transaxle. The new Nissan GT-R is built on an exclusive, all-new Premium Midship platform. This new platform enables the use of a world's first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.

The Nissan GT-R's functional styling utilizes advanced aerodynamics, evoking the lines of a well-trained athlete. GT-R's hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum, and features a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce. GT-R's four-passenger cabin features a sloping "aero blade canopy" roofline and curved C-pillar "sword edge," as well as GT-R's hallmark four-ring taillights, functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips.

GT-R's interior balances functionality with a sense of ease and comfort. It features sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display - which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder.

Customers can learn more about the 2009 Nissan GT-R through gtrnissan.com.

Nissan GT-R Gets Test Drive from Nihon Car

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:00:00 EST

Our buddies over at Nihon Car have gotten their filthy mitts on the new Nissan GT-R. We've covered Godzilla pretty exhaustively here, but they've got beautiful video of the beast in motion. Good old-fashioned car pr0n from a closed circuit course gives you an idea of just how composed this vehicle is when driven hard. The part we liked best was the in-motion shots—we weren't expecting the interior to be so jet-fighter like. All those digital gauges and doodads have our inner nerd panting.

It's while the car is lurking through the tight streets of Tokyo that you get a sense just how big this sucker is. We know we're probably absolutely last on the list for keys to this car—what with our insistence on keeping the Carlos Ghosn: Superhero picture alive and well. Nonetheless, should we ever get seat time, our assumption is there will be a certain amount of more tire smoke, not to mention jokes about hacking out the back window in favor of a truck bed.

JDM Godzillas Unlock Top Speed Only at the Track

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:13:00 EST

We're very torn about this one. In Japan, the new 2009 Nissan GT-R's are limited to a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h). Which, quite frankly, is depressing. Remember though— that's Japan only. American and European hoons are (supposedly) limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). Back in Japan, should you take your Godzilla to a track, the GPS doohickies tell the computer to remove the limiter. Makes sense, right? Limit the car to a moderate top speed on the road, and then unleash its full, city-smashing, Mothra-wrasslin' potential on the track. We have two major problems with that.

First of all, this is a Skyline. When the R32 left the factory, the engineers colored the governor yellow so that buyer's could easily locate it and rip it out, unlocking the engine's full and quite super potential. With the new GT-R, Nissan is doing a 180, and not just in kilometers per hour. According to reports, the ECU on the latest Skyline is is quite heavily encrypted and therefor not easily hacked. So, that's no good.

Our second gripe is all about Orwellian, Big Brother-type precedents. Yeah, how cute, when you get to the track you can go faster. We get it. But how long until this sort of technology filters down to the rest of us? As in you're in a 35 mph zone — you can only go 35 mph. Never forget how O'Brien described the future to Winston Smith, "...a boot stamping on a human face forever." We may be hyperbolizin' and feeling a bit like the Red Rocker, but we're still shuddering. (You need to take a SOMA or something dude... - Ed.) [Gizmodo]

Leaping Lizards! Edmunds Inside Line Claims 3.3 Second 0-60 with 2009 Nissan GT-R

Ray Wert — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:01:00 EST

We'll just leave the snark to a minimum on Godzilla here. Instead, we'll give you the straight scoop from the Line on the Inside at Edmunds on their recent 0-60 time test with a borrowed JDM-Spec 2009 Nissan GT-R across the Pacific in Japan:

"We know you want the numbers and we're not going to waste your time. Neither is Nissan. Its 2009 GT-R hits 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, quicker than the last Dodge Viper, Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 Turbo we tested. Keep your foot pinned, and after another tap on the upshift paddle it will clear the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at more than 120 mph. "

So how'd they do it? Well...

...they used the new GT-R's special "launch control" mode — a hidden "easter egg" of sorts that allows the driver to use a special button sequence — up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, a, b, a, b, start — to force the computer to hold the engine at 4,500 rpm until your left foot lifts off the brake pedal. Learn how with the video above lovingly borrowed from the Edmunds Inside Line web site. And remember, if you do it the other way, you'll get 100 extra lives. [Edmunds Inside Line]

Godzilla To Hit U.S. Shores In Limited Quantities

tingwall — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:15:00 EST

Nissan will send just 1,500 of its new GT-R sports cars to terrorize American streets with the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6. GT-Rs will only be sold through select dealerships, determined as dealers who are proficient in selling cars that pretty much sell themselves (those with high 350Z sales) and are willing to install a special service area and train service staff in the art of GT-R. You can place your order beginning Jan. 1, 2008, but don't think about getting in line before checking your bank account. You'll need $69,850 to get into a base model and $71,900 to wrap your hands around the steering wheel of the top-level model.

[The Los Angeles Times]

LA Auto Show: US-Spec Nissan GT-R Revealed Live

Ray Wert — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:29:30 EST

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn just revealed the US-Spec version of Godzilla — the all-new Nissan GT-R here at the LA Auto Show. Ghosn claims that "this car could only be built with both our heads and our hearts." Apparently he forgot to add they needed their balls as the speedy super car's supposedly rated at 480 horses under the hood from the 3.8-liter twin turboed V6 engine. Also, Brian Lam says the seats are made for skinny Asian kids like him. He also says I'm a fit Midwestern boy and should leave any vehicle reviews of Godzirra to him and his Gizmodo nerdry. What say you fair Jalopnik readers?

LA Auto Show: Go, Go, Go Ghosn!

Ray Wert — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:25:17 EST

Nissan CEO Carlos "The Jackal" Ghosn is in the process of revealing the new Nissan GT-R in a tourgasm of force. Or is it a tour of forcegasm? Whatever it is — it's friggin' epic. Actually, I think Brian Lam sitting right here next to me just had a GTRgasm. Wait, yes, he's soaking wet. The US-Spec GT-R shots will be up momentarily — please stand by.

LA Auto Show: Godzilla Strikes America In Just Under Ten Minutes

Ray Wert — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:39:40 EST

The new US-spec Nissan GT-R will be revealed in just ten minutes. You have been warned. Seriously. That was the warning — Carlos Ghosn's totally ghosn-a kick yer ass if you don't pay heed.

Carlos Ghosn Gets Ready To Fight Super-Villains With The 2009 Nissan GT-R

Ray Wert — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 09:30:00 EDT

If for some reason you don't believe the Line on the Inside over at Edmunds got the inside scoop on the new 2009 Nissan GT-R, you need but one glance at the picture above to correct that fallacy. That's Nissan main man and CEO Carlos Ghosn doing his best impression of a comic book hero in front of the new 2009 Godzilla. All we know is he's not called the Stig, but he is called one ham and a half. This shot has now become our favorite picture of any automaker CEO — at least until Rick Wagoner dons a fire suit himself and starts to hump the back of a 2009 Corvette ZR1. But for serious, Inside Line got the full scoop on the new Nissan sports car when they took a trip out to Germany to take a lap of the Nurburgring in the 2009 Nissan GT-R. Jeez, some guys get all the fun. We're still struggling to get a Sentra press car. For a higher-res shot of Super-Carlos, go here. [Inside Line]

Edmunds InsideLine Is Nice, Lets Us Link To Their 2009 Nissan GT-R Photos

Ray Wert — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:33:01 EDT

See, Edmunds InsideLine is nice — they're totally being friendly with us in the automotive blogosphere today on the new 2009 Nissan GT-R. They're even letting us have a couple of photos to show all of us GT-R-needy auto fan-boys over here. This is of course, unlike some people we know. [via Edmunds Inside Line]