Currently the SpecV GT-R's only been revealed for the JDM market and with no official word from Nissan that uber-Godzilla will be available for export markets, GT-R fan-boys across the globe have been searching for anything to indicate they'll be seeing one in their country.

Today, the boys over at the GT-RBlog have found some evidence they believe suggest the SpecV is in fact being prepped for export. They spotted a GT-R SpecV on the most recent Best Motoring DVD that's a left-hander. They've got more photos as well as some analysis on where they think it'll be going first.

Should we expect it to hit US shores? The answer on that is still "No."

[via GT-R Blog]

Nissan calls this color “Ultimate Black Opal” but we’re just going to call it purple. Still, the GT-R SpecV is manly enough to pull it off. The SpecV receives firmer suspension, carbon ceramic brakes and lighter wheels over the standard GT-R, while a huge amount of carbon fiber is employed to lower the vehicle’s overall weight. Engine upgrades are limited to the mysterious “high gear boost control device” which should temporarily up the boost pressure for what Nissan Japan says is “a more powerful feeling of acceleration.”

We’re still waiting for official power and weight figures, but these live shots are a good indication that we’ll know those details soon. For a bunch more live shots visit [Motor Authority]

We actually have no idea what is being said in this video, but we can assume Nissan is calling out Porsche and anyone else who wants to step up and play with its new toy. We think it's due time for another 'Ring showdown.

We also wanted more details and a couple of quick phone calls over to Nissan of North America got us the following:

- The SpecV's got the same 478 horses as the stock GT-R, but you'll be able to boost mid-range torque up to a whopping 449 lb-ft via an electronic overboost control switch on the steering wheel.
- The SpecV's "overboost" will enable up to 1 minute, 20 seconds of added torque before shutting off.
- Weight savings of 44 lb. from new ceramic Brembo brakes added to other weight savings like carbon fiber everything, giving the new super-Godzilla a weight savings of 132 lb than the base GT-R.
- New carbon fiber rear wing to up the car's downforce.

[via YouTube]

So what do you get for the cost of a Nissan GT-R SpecV and a base model Corvette? Well, first off, you get exclusivity; Only eight of these cars will actually be delivered complete, though customers will be able to build their own by purchasing the components separately. Those upgrades include a custom paintjob, Recaro seats, complete carbon fiber body kit, a carbon fiber roof, carbon fiber intake cover, and carbon fiber radiator shroud. As to anything that actually makes it a faster car, it gets a titanium exhaust, rear differential cooler, a height adjustable suspension, upgraded brakes and an ECU reflash good for a bump up to 550 HP.

So is that good enough to command that kind of price? One word: Crackpipe.

[via Motor Authority]

Nissan Announces New GT-R SpecV Model

TOKYO (Jan. 8, 2009) — 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, 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.

Dealer outlets selling the SpecV
Ibaraki Nissan Sales Co., Ltd. Mito Sennami Outlet
Nissan Prince Tokyo Sales Co., Ltd. Kamedo Outlet
Nissan Prince Nagoya Sales Co., Ltd. Fukiage Outlet
Nissan Prince Osaka Sales Co., Ltd. Horie Kawaguchi Outlet
Nissan Prince Hyogo Sales Co., Ltd. Nada Outlet
Nissan Prince Kagawa Sales Co., Ltd. Takamatsu Outlet
Yamaguchi Nissan Sales Co., Ltd. Ogori Interchange Outlet

Suggested nationwide retail price (including consumption tax) 15,750,000 yen

The least changed part causing the most controversy appears to be the engine, which, according to the leaked info, retains the 2009 GT-R’s 478 HP power output. It had been rumored that the Spec V would make somewhere in the region of 520 HP. The engine does however receive an overboost function capable of temporarily boosting mid-range power for those trickier overtakes.

The biggest issue the Spec V appears to address is the GT-R’s immense 3,814 Lb curb weight. While a new figure wasn’t included in the leaked specs, the Spec V ditches the rear seats in favor of a carbon fiber shelf, also employing that material for the front seats, interior accents and aerodynamic aids. None of that sounds far-reaching enough to make a hugely meaningful reduction in mass however.

Nor does that minimal weight reduction do much to justify the massive increase in price. The leaked info indicates that the Spec V will retail in Japan for a massive $165,000 before tax, or nearly $95,000 more than the standard $69,850 GT-R.

Partially justifying that price is the fitment of Bilstein Damptronic suspension (allegedly capable of outperforming the GT-R’s option Nismo ClubSport setup), 20” forged aluminum wheels and super high-performance Dunlop tires.

Other changes include the elimination of the multiple transmission modes (presumably the Race setting will be chosen as the only one), carbon ceramic brakes, an exposed carbon grille, exposed carbon rear wing and exposed carbon ducts in the front splitter. A new paint color, Ultimate Black Pearl (dark purple), will be available for about $6,000.

According to the information, the 2010 Nissan GT-R Spec V is scheduled for official release on January 8, 2009. Hopefully it’ll bring with it some as-yet-unseen performance enhancement, or at least a slightly saner price tag. [GT-R World via GT-R Blog]

The report, from the folks over at GTRblog, states that unverified rumors claim the recent materials price-hike may be behind the stoppage — but that it may be due to assembly line maintenance or retooling too. In other words, no one except Nissan knows, and they're not talking. Perhaps it's due to Porsche finding a GT-R that was 25 seconds off Nissan's claimed Nurburgring lap time or owners finding their transmissions weren't covered in event of launch control use? Probably not. [GTRblog.com; Photo: GTR-world.net]

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]

Rumors peg the Nurburgring lap time at a scarcely comprehendable 7:25. That's epically quick, and clearly requires some sacrifice in interior appointments. In order to drop the weight, Nissan ditched the GT-R's rear seats, bringing the car down to a still-portly 3,615 lb. The maximum power output of 520 HP is now achieved at 6,500 RPM, while the 440 ft-lb of torque peaks all the way from 3,200-5,200 RPM. In the best Q-ship fashion, the Spec-V looks near identical to the regular GT-R and will allegedly set you back around $130,000, nearly double the GT-R's $69,850 price tag.

It'll be interesting to see how the 2010 Acura NSX and 2011 Lexus LF-A compare. [Road and Track via Autoblog]

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.

Best Car is guessing that the new Spec V could drop as much as 220 pounds. Horsepower is also expected to increase by as much as 40, bringing the total to a whopping 512hp. This is all just guessing at this point, but we wouldn't be surprised. [Best Car via Japanese Performance Car News]