[YouTube via CBA-R35]

Another forum member clarifies that "you have to turn off VDC to activate LC, and you have to sign a paper saying your warranty is voided if you turn of VDC, and while VDC is off, you cause damage. It is clearly stated in the manual/warranty, as well as is put into writing and you have to sign, when you pick up the car." Below the jump, the personal account, in the owner's words, from a thread titled "do not launch your gtr or take the vdc off, time to bend over guys its gonna hurt."

I was driving my gtr two weeks ago and I heard a loud noise coming from the rear. I turned immediately had my gtr towed to crown nissan st. petersburg fl. They didn't touch my car only called some techs from tennessee to look at the car and record the noise, 4 days later two guys from japan to download some info from the car then left. Then I get a call from the dealer to tell me the news, and they told me that the car was driven without vdc too much and nissan will not warranty the transmission which they said was destroyed, I asked them how much to fix it they told me 20k, no freaking way I will pay 20k on top of what i just paid for the car. I called the gtr number and also talked to nissan consumer affairs got nowhere, now the car is sitting at the dealer. I know we shouldn't launch the car but why own it if you cant use this function, don't sell a car that goes 0-60 in 3.4 sec if the only way you can achieve this speed is to void the warranty , false advertising. Here is the bad news people were fearing it has happened to me and Nissan has told me there are already three people in my shoes, if you are one of these people email me, we have got to get together on this. Just think if any of you guys have taken the vdc off just a few times you have already voided your warranty, good luck what a joke nissan.

Since poor grammar doesn't lead to high credibility, we're wondering what the owner isn't telling us. At the same time, it seems odd that Nissan would build a supercar with a significant part like the transmission unable to handle hard use. What do you think? Is this guy a moron that hooned his car beyond the reasonable limits, or does he have a valid point to his complaints? [read the entire thread at NAGTROC] (Hat tip to Michael!)

The green Mitsubish Lancer Evo X is boasting 650 HP. The Bentley Continental GT (yes that's what's hiding under that awful body kit) brags of 800 HP. The Tundra? Well it's a huge lifted truck with green tribal grpahics...need we say more? And to think this is just the tip of the SEMA iceberg. [via MotorAuthority]

If they'd made the rest of the car flat black it would match better. Or perhaps they should have removed the rear wing. Do you think it would look better with normal "wet" carbon fiber, or is there a way to salvage the "dry" look? [via GTRblog]

[via Autoweek]

[via GT-R Blog]

After seeing the first crash of a GT-R in Malaysia, and another one crunched by the boys at Top Gear, we're sadly starting to get used to the sight of Godzilla with battle scars. Perhaps the beast really is too fast to tame. (Hat tip to Joe!) [MyGTR]

Well, despite the name Evolution coming from the interwebosphere, this may be nothing more than an example of the name getting a little bit lost in translation as we're also hearing this mid-range GT-R may go by the more historically appropriate name of "S-Tune."

This middle-of-the-road model may even see an unveil as early as this August 20th to coincide with the launch of the new line of NISMO goodies available as upgrades for standard GT-R owners. Expect new wheels, exhaust system, stiffer suspension, some aero add-ons, and a reprogrammed ECU. Just reading that list probably makes us want to go play Gran Tursimo. Needless to say, this new GT-R S-Tune sounds like a pretty good substitute while we all wait for the full on Mecha-Godzilla GT-R Spec-V. [leblogauto, via TMR]

After the nine-foot-tall leggy models pulled the wraps off the GTR, buyer number one Rollie Purifoy pulled the car into the crush of an enthusiastic crowd, giving us an opportunity to spend a couple of minutes talking to company owner Jeff Nowicki. Understandably, Jeff was pretty happy with the end result of over a year of hard work. And why shouldn't he be? Instead of tacking on styling like most aftermarket niche builders, Jeff and his team took the approach of enhancing the Corvette shape with unique styling elements that have the effect of turning the 'Vette up to eleven.

Though many levels of engine tune are available, this first model is based off the Z06, and snorts out 535 HP with 530 lb-ft of torque breathing through a beautiful-sounding Corsa exhaust. It certainly does sound like an eleven.

Let's be honest here though for a moment — this is a $35,000 custom-built body option. You can drop it onto any C6 version of your choosing, making a car with a price range of $75,000 all the way up to more than $100,000. That's not exactly chicken scratch and certainly not an option Joe Sixpack will be taking, but for those few who know what they want and have the cash to buy it, this is a damn impressive-looking car.

The level of fit and finish points to the fact that this is more than just a rebodied car, and the level of design cohesion drew compliments from even the GM Corvette team members in attendance. It's the little touches — like the relocation of the electric door opener from the trailing edge of the door to the wheel well — that make this one of the most badass aftermarket Corvettes we've ever seen, and we congratulate the team at Specter Werkes for a job well done.

SPECTER WERKES/SPORTS UNVEILS C6 CORVETTE GTR #1   TROY, Mich. - Specter Werkes/Sports unveiled the first C6 Corvette GTR at Cauley Ferrari, in West Bloomfield, Mich. Wearing signature wide bodywork, suspension upgrades and equipped with a Matrix II LS3 V-8 rated at 535 emissions-legal horsepower, it was built for Rollie Purifoy, of Purifoy Chevrolet, in Fort Lupton, Colo.

The all-new, C6-based Corvette GTR retains the intrinsic character of the Corvette, augmenting it with appearance, performance and luxury enhancements. It is a distinctive and exclusive sports car with exceptional capability, whether on the street or track.

The GTR package is available on all C6 Corvette models, including the base coupe and convertible, the Z06 and ZR1. Orders are being accepted immediately, with product and ordering information available at www.spectergtr.com or 248-583-9559.
 
"We are very proud to launch the C6 Corvette GTR with Rollie Purifoy, from Purifoy Chevrolet, and Jeff Cauley, from Cauley Chevrolet and Cauley Ferrari," said Jeff Nowicki, Specter Werkes/Sports founder. "The new GTR offers enthusiasts everything they're looking for in a sports car - performance, great looks and guaranteed exclusivity."
 
The GTR's expressive, widened bodywork is complemented with the use of exposed carbon fiber details. Standard and optional GTR features include:
Unique GTR bodywork, including:
*Front fascia, carbon fiber splitter, extractor hood, front fenders, doors, rocker panels, rear fenders, rear fascia, carbon fiber rear diffuser, carbon fiber mirror caps, Cleartastic paint protection, paint and assembly
*Custom GTR headlamp bezels with exposed carbon fiber appearance
*Unique tail lamps and center high-mounted stop lamp
*Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Zero Press tires; 285/30ZR19 (front) and 335/25ZR20 (rear)
*Forgeline or HRE wheels; 19-inch in the front and 20-inch in the rear
*StopTech ST60 front brakes and ST40 rear brakes
*Carbon fiber fuel rail covers and carbon fiber, low-restriction air box
*Hotchkis stablilizer bar kit
*GTR-embroidered seats and serial-numbered dash plaque
*CORSA/Specter stainless steel performance exhaust system
*GTR badges
      
The Corvette GTR package carries a base price of $34,995, with a variety of high-performance powertrain options available for additional cost. Custom paint treatment is also available. Each vehicle is hand-built, numbered and fully documented for the customer.

Distinctive design
Styling that accents the Corvette's design is a hallmark of Specter Werkes/Sports and the C6 GTR takes that philosophy to the next level, with a completely redesigned body. Like the original C5 GTR, the C6 version is based on widened bodywork that supports the larger wheel/tire combination. It also gives the car a more aggressive stance - as do the racing-inspired front and rear fascias.

"The GTR's design sharpens and embellishes many of the Corvette's design cues, but doesn't eliminate them," said Nowicki. "It is a design that respects and celebrates the Corvette's design heritage, but builds on it to suit the interest of our customers - enthusiasts who are looking for a unique and exclusive product."

At 77 inches, the GTR's bodywork is 4.5 inches wider at the rear fenders (2.25 inches per side) than a regular-production C6 Corvette and 1 inch wider than the Corvette Z06. The physical difference may seem small, but the overall effect, along with a slightly longer overall body length, creates a unique proportion to the GTR that is aggressive and suggests speed even when stationary.

Specter Werkes/Sports replaces the front and rear fenders; front and rear fascias; doors, rocker panels and hood - everything except the roof panel and rear hatch - with special, hand-formed GTR panels. Each car is completely repainted and re-assembled with the new bodywork at Specter Werke's Troy, Mich. facility.

GTR standard equipment also includes a number of exposed carbon fiber details, including:
*Front splitter
*Rear diffuser
*Outside mirror caps
*Headlamp surrounds

A bold, LED-lit rear center-mounted stop lamp is integrated in the rear fascia. It was originally designed for the Cadillac CTS, and gives the GTR an unmistakable rear appearance.

GTR #1 details
C6 Corvette GTR #1 is powered by Specter's emissions-legal Matrix II engine package for the LS3 engine. It is a "stroker" engine package that boosts displacement from 376 cubic inches (6.2L) to 416 cubic inches (6.8L). That is achieved with a Callies 4340-forged crankshaft that delivers a 4.00-inch stroke. Forged rods from Manley and forged pistons from Mahle round out the rotating assembly.

The camshaft is a special grind from Comp Cams and the LS3 heads' combustion chambers were enlarged from 71cc to 72cc in order to maintain an 11:1 compression ratio. With stainless steel long tube headers and a low-restriction air intake, the engine is rated at 535 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque. The engine also features carbon fiber fuel rail covers and a yellow-painted intake manifold.

The Matrix II LS3 channels power to the pavement via Forgeline VR3P wheels, measuring 19 x 11 inches in the front and 20 x 12 inches in the rear. They wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Zero Press tires (285/30ZR19, front, and 335/25ZR20, rear). Behind the wheels are StopTech brakes, featuring ST60 six-piston calipers and 15-inch slotted rotors in the front and ST40 four-piston calipers and 14-inch slotted rotors in the rear. The calipers' yellow color contrasts with the HRE wheels' black center sections. The GTR also features Hotchkis adjustable stabilizer bars.

On the outside, C6 GTR #1 is painted a gorgeous BASF liquid silver color, the richness of which appears wet to the touch. It is a premium color choice and represents the nearly unlimited paint options available to customers. Inside, GTR-standard embroidered seats and Spinneybeck leather trim details contrast elegantly with the Corvette's black interior. A Specter Werkes/Sports production plaque is mounted on the center console.
 
GTR legacy
The Specter Werkes/Sports GTR was first launched a decade ago and saw the creation of nearly 30 specialized cars that were delivered across the country - including the two most notable GTRs, which were created for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr., in 2001.
 
Specter Werkes/Sports is an automotive prototype and fabrication facility based in Troy, Mich. It specializes in race-proven engine performance enhancements and creating specialty accessories for C5 and C6 Corvettes, the Cadillac CTS and more. The company's flagship project is the Corvette GTR.

Since its founding in 1990, Specter Werkes/Sports has been recognized internationally for unparalleled achievements of excellence, helping automotive industry leaders design, model, and prototype innovative, top-of-the-line products at competitive pricing.
 
For more information, contact Specter Werkes/Sports at 248-583-9559 or on the Web: www.spectergtr.com.

As you'd expect — they both got lost. But, as you'd also expect, the GT-R beat the boys in public transit — by 3 minutes and 12 seconds.

But, despite the win, Clarkson struggled to love the GT-R — the way it looks, the way it drives and for being "without soul." He just "...wished it would — at road speeds — run its hand down my pants and give it a little rummage."

But, in addition to Godzilla, Clarkson took the world's most beautiful car on earth* — the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione — around the Top Gear track and thought it was absolute rubbish. While that may or may not be the case, we're in total agreement with Clarkson on at least one thing: "Buying this car for it's dynamic abilities is like buying a porn film for its plot." We couldn't agree more, Jezza.

*As judged by myself, of course.

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]

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]

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."

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]

One of our spies just photographed what appears to be a prototype for Nissan's long-rumored, long-promised GT-R Spec V. Caught as it was unloaded off a truck at Nissan's Nürburgring workshop, this test car has some visual differences from a standard GT-R. The visible changes are certainly subtle, and not as far-reaching as some had expected, but the differences are present nonetheless, suggesting that Nissan's GT-R—which already leaves a Porsche 911 Turbo gasping in its wake—is being prepped to be even more formidable.

This test car gets a revised front splitter, which sports some additional air intake slits, presumably to feed more cooling air to the brakes. New six-spoke wheels also house what appear to be a revised braking system. The golden Brembo brake calipers were an ever-present feature even on the first GT-R prototypes, but they're a no-show on this tester. Could we be looking at an upgraded ceramic composite braking system?

With a curb weight of 3,836 pounds, the GT-R is no featherweight. And while the standard GT-R obviously overcomes any weight penalty in heroic fashion, it's compelling to imagine a GT-R that's some 200-plus pounds lighter. Enter the GT-R Spec V, which is rumored to shave at least that much weight thanks to the use of carbon fiber body panels, and other assorted techniques. The prototype photographed today has a portion of its rear wing blacked-out, suggesting it is one of the carbon fiber pieces that will make up the Spec V package.

Additional power gains will augment the GT-R Spec V's weight loss regimen. Considering that early dyno tests in the media report that the GT-R may be making more power than its official claim of 473 horsepower, some sources claim that 550 horses could be on tap in the Spec V.

Once this GT-R is fully prepped for testing duty we hope to get a closer look to assess any other weight-saving steps Nissan may have taken. We also look forward to seeing if this lighter-weight GT-R can lap the 'Ring any faster than the 7 minute 38 second lap logged last fall. We suspect it will, as long as the current snow flurries currently wafting on the track dissipate as the week progresses. We'll be watching developments very closely. Stay tuned.

This is the latest line of accessories for the Nissan GT-R that will be available with the launch of Godzilla. All of the accessories have the same look and feel of the vehicle and the briefcase is even completely carbon fiber. These are the kinds of briefcases that hold bundles and bundles of money. Regardless, future owners and future wannabe owners should definitely check out this line of accessories to increase that street-cred. Oh, and the leather hat is a bit much. [Carscoop]

All we've heard is that Mine's is bringing their white test car here next month. We're not exactly sure why this mega-Godzilla is coming to our shores, but we thought we'd give you a warning now, just in case things go terribly wrong and the monster destroys a city or eats a helicopter or something. [2009GTR.com][GT Channel]