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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 If you haven't already seen this, do yourself a favour and check out the video after the jump. The words "Epic" and "Physics-defying" come to mind. Once you're done with that, head over to 0-60 for the background story. [Source: 0-60 Magazine] [Video: Ken Block Racing/Youtube]
20/11/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 It seems that rumours of a January 2009 release and a ¥15m pricetag for the upcoming GT-R Spec-V may have some credence after all, as news from Japan suggests that the R35-based giant-slayer will be released to the Japanese public in the first month of next year, with deliveries to begin in February. If you want one you'd better be prepared for a long wait. The initial production run will apparently be limited to just 10 Spec-Vs per month, however that should rise as the order books open in...
14/11/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Japanese aftermarket metalsmiths ARC have apparently developed a new "Performance Bar" for the Z33-based Nismo 380RS, which ties together the front of the engine bay and bridges the gap between the very ends of the frame rails. To be honest, I've never considered the 350Z's chassis to be especially wanting for rigidity around the engine bay area, as the stock tower bar and the thick steel webbing between the firewall and the suspension towers already did an admirable job of suppressing any...
05/09/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Remember that R35 GT-R transformers toy that we told you about earlier this month? Well, it seems that Takara have finally decided to give the pint-sized robo-replica a lick of paint - and it sure looks good. Judging by the few rough edges evident on this model, the GT-R Transformer is still in the prototype stage. Still, it's practically a sure bet that it'll be ready by Christmas. [Source: GTRBlog.com] [Image: GTRBlog.com]
01/09/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 The issue of the R35 GT-R's true power has been a contentious one ever since the first press car strapped onto a dyno recorded a much higher than expected result. Many have claimed that cars given to journalists were deliberately altered by Nissan to produce a higher power number than that stated on the official spec sheet (353kW/473hp), and that customer cars would enjoy no such increase. Well, the folks at Car and Driver have decided to put these rumours to rest and have conducted their own...
21/08/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Japanese mag Best Car reports that the Japanese launch for the more focused Spec V variant of the R35 GT-R may be delayed from this coming October to sometime later this year or even in early 2009. To whet consumer appetites, Nissan is reportedly considering the release of an Evolution or S-Tune model to tide buyers over until the Spec V launches. Bear in mind that these are all unconfirmed rumours for now, but considering the imminent arrival of a whole catalogue's-worth of Nismo parts it...
08/08/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
The lads and ladettes over at Road & Track believe they've managed to uncover some hard stats on Nissan's upcoming Spec-V (Or V-Spec) variant of its mighty R35 GT-R. The new figures are fairly close to previous estimates, and they peg the "Victory SPECification" model as being 35kW more powerful and 9Nm gruntier, bringing total figures for the GT-R's VR38DETT engine to 388kW and 597Nm. Peak power is now generated 300rpm lower at 6500rpm, while the peak torque range remains unchanged at...
30/07/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Word from general-purpose car mag Car and Driver is that Nissan's smokin' hot Spec-V variant of their all-conquering R35 GT-R will likely make its debut at the Paris Motor Show this October, with sales beginning in December.We're not sure whether to trust this info or not, but C&D's estimation puts the Spec-V's launch right where most have previously guesstimated it to be: roughly one year after the base model's introduction in Japan. Obviously the Japanese will be the first to sample the...
13/06/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 One of the most common problems I see J-car enthusiasts stumble upon is one that is largely self-inflicted. The first thing many modifiers do is lower their car with a set of coilovers or lowering springs (or cut springs, if they're extra stupid) and while a lower car certainly looks nice, a significant drop in ride height can play havoc with your car's handling if you're not careful. Thankfully, GP Sports have got a solution. Their new Hyper Knuckle kit and Super Knuckle kit are direct bolt-in...
19/05/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Nissan's dynamic CEO, Carlos "Le Cost-Killa" Ghosn announced yesterday that Infiniti will be launching a drop-top version of its G37 Coupe, finally giving JDM-loving trophy wives a choice beyond the ghastly Lexus SC430 and the awkward-looking 350Z Roadster. Nissan's press release (which you can read below) specifically mentioned it as an "Infiniti G37 Convertible", so we're not entirely sure whether the Japanese market will be getting a topless version of their V36 Skyline 370GT. The release...
14/05/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 There I was, kicking myself for getting all excited over the automotive anti-climax that was the Team Gazoo IS250. Then I remembered a post I saw on Ben Schaffer's blog and I realised that all along there was already a PROPER Lexus racing sedan doing the rounds in Super GT and boy, does it look mental. If the two cars were human, the Team Gazoo car would be the kind of guy you could trust to clean the pool while the wife was home. The Team Takeuchi IS350, on the other hand, looks like...
14/05/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
Nissan's dynamic CEO, Carlos "Le Cost-Killa" Ghosn announced yesterday that Infiniti will be launching a drop-top version of its G37 Coupe, finally giving JDM-loving trophy wives a choice beyond the ghastly Lexus SC430 and the awkward-looking 350Z Roadster. Nissan's press release (which you can read below) specifically mentioned it as an "Infiniti G37 Convertible", so we're not entirely sure whether the Japanese market will be getting a topless version of their V36 Skyline 370GT. The release...
14/05/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Thumbs sore from twiddling those analogue sticks in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue all day? Is your significant other (or more likely your mum) bitching that all that game playing will never bring a tangible payoff? Well, perhaps GT Academy is for you... GT Academy is an eight-month long competition being run by Polyphony Digital in conjunction with Nissan, with the grand prize being a four-month training session where two lucky gamers will get to hone their racing skills in an actual 350Z on an...
07/05/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Some might see this as the most sacrilegious thing you could possibly do to a car part. Others might say this is totally bad-ass. I for one, say that 24K gold-plated Japanese racing wheels are in the same league as an Elvis Sandwich: utterly ridiculous, but intriguing nonetheless. Of course, it'd be safe to say these RE30s won't be bound for some stripped out time-attack monster. Considering they're 19x10 inches on the front and 19x11 on the rear, they still only weigh around 9.5kg each. Not...
23/04/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Nissan have scored another big victory in the GT500 category of Super GT with their V8-powered R35 GT-Rs. The Xanavi Nismo car driven by Benoit Treluyer and Satoshi Motoyama took the chequered flag, while Tsugio Matsuda and Sebastien Philippe steered the Calsonic Impul GT-R into second place at last weekends round two race at Okayama circuit. This makes it the second consecutive GT500 win for the GT-R, after having dominated at last month's season opener at Suzuka. It's also the second time...
14/04/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Those hardworking spies at KGP photography haven't let the onset of the Northern winter deter them from observing the comings and goings at Germany's Nurburgring Nordschliefe, and it appears their persistence may have paid off. What you're looking at could very well be the much rumoured about GT-R Spec V. At first glance, the car pulling into Nissan's garages appears to be a pretty normal looking R35. However, those ominous black rims signal that something is afoot and upon closer inspection,...
07/04/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
  The first round of the 2008 Super GT season took place yesterday at Suzuka Circuit where Nissan's R35 GT-R, making its motorsport debut in the GT500 category, took first and second place after establishing a stong lead from the rest of the pack.
Being the first outing of Nissan's GT500 GT-R in actual competition, all eyes were on the newcomer at Suzuka. It didn't disappoint, with the Xanavi Nismo R35 (driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer) and the Motul Autech R35 (driven by Michael Krumm and Masataka Yanagida)coming in first and second respectively while the third place-getter, the Petronas Tom's Lexus SC430, trailed behind by a sizable 25.5 seconds.
The Woodone Advan GT-R came in at a respectable 5th place, however the YelloHat GT-R did not finish due to mechanical troubles while the Calsonic GT-R was forced to retire on the first lap after a rear-end shunt put it out of contention.
Aside from the YelloHat car's mechanical woes, it was certainly an auspicious start to the R35 GT-R's racing career, and a clear vindication of the VK45DE-based V8 and rear-wheel-drive drivetrain, and it'll be interesting to see how the R35 fares for the rest of the season. Round two will take place at the Okayama Circuit on April 13.
Nissan's press release follows:
March 16th, Suzuka Circuit, Mie Prefecture, Japan ? The XANAVI NISMO GT-R (#23), starting from the second on the grid and driven by Satoshi Motoyama and Benoit Treluyer, won the first race of the 2008 Super GT series in Japan in front of more than 32,000 spectators. Michael Krumm and Masataka Yanagida brought the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#22) home in the 2nd place for a historic debut race weekend for Nissan.
At 2pm local time, 42 GT race cars started the formation lap led by a Nissan GT-R Safety Car under perfect race conditions. The two NISMO GT-Rs, starting from the front row, made a clean start. Unfortunately, the CALSONIC GT-R (#12) in third place on the grid was hit from behind on the first lap and was taken out of the race for repairs.
Krumm in the #22 car, started from the pole position and crossed the control line at the end of lap one followed by Treluyer behind the wheel of the #23 GT-R. The Nissan pair continued to dominate the rest of the race ahead of the Lexus SC 430 in the third place, creating a gap of more than four seconds by lap forty.
Both leading Nissan?s pitted for tires and a driver change in the middle of the 52 lap race and subsequently changed the race order. Yanagida who took over #22 car from Krumm choose harder tires than Motoyama in the #23 car. XANAVI NISMO GT-R (#23) with more tire grip on softer rubber passed the MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (#22) in the hair-pin corner on lap 24 and went on to win the race.
The WOODONE ADVAN Clarion GT-R (#24) driven by Brazilian Joao-Paulo de Oliveira and Seiji Ara completed a steady race performance to finish in 5th position. The YelloHat YMS TOMICA GT-R (#3) driven by Ronnie Quintarelli from Italy and Naoki Yokomizo was in 6th position towards the end of the race but pulled out of the race on lap 42 due to mechanical problems.
Comments:
Motoyama: ?Before the race we felt a bit of pressure to make a debut win for the GT-R but believed that we could win because the car was fantastic and the team had done a great job. Combination with Benoit was also very good and we proved to be the strongest pair. I?m really happy that we won the race in the GT-R?s very first race.?
Treluyer: ?Our team and the car have been perfect all through the weekend. It was a shame that we did not take a pole position due to my mistake. We know competition will be tougher but believe we can win again since the GT-R is very fast.?
[Source: SuperGT.Net, Nissan]
[Images courtesy of Nissan]
17/03/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Remember those rumours of an Infiniti-branded GT-R-based high performance sedan? Well, according to Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, such a car will not be produced by Nissan or Infiniti, at least not in the short term.
Speaking at a press conference at the Geneva Motor Show, Ghosn even went so far as to call the rumours the product of "online blog speculation". Now, as much as we'd like to accept the recognition, the 4-door GT-R rumours actually stemmed from a report on Motor Trend's site, not a blog's. Maybe next time we'll be more deserving of the infamy kudos.
"When we have a car like this at Infiniti, it's not going to be in the short-term," said Ghosn, who went on to deny that such a car, if it were ever made, would spearhead the Infiniti range. That honour, he said, would go to the replacement for the now-defunct Q45, which will probably make use of the 290kW 5-litre V8 in the all new FX50 SUV.
So is the GT-R sedan party officially pooped? Well, despite Mr Ghosn's protestations, no. While he denied it was a priority for Infiniti, he still made it clear that once Infiniti has established itself as a legitimate player in the European market, a GT-R sedan could very well see the light of day. Senior officials at Infiniti are reportedly keen on building such a car, but it seems that as long as Ghosn's holding the reins they'll have to curb their enthusiasm for a while.
[Source: Motor Trend]
[Image courtesy of Motor Trend]
07/03/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Nismo has finally released specs on their all-new GT-R Super GT racer, confirming that the VK45DE-based V8 used by past Super GT 350Zs will return in the R35 chassis for the 2008 season.
Given the prodigious amount of thrust produced by the road-going R35's VR38DETT, some may question Nismo's decision to ditch the twin-turbo six in favour of the naturally-aspirated bent eight. However it seems that the VR38's relative lack of motorsports development means that NISMO feel more comfortable fielding a fully-developed and proven race motor in the GT-R, rather than taking a chance with a high-tech, but potentially troublesome engine.
Anyway, it's not like the VK45 is lacking in the grunt department. It produces 500hp - the maximum allowable under Super GT's GT500 category - and a respectable 509Nm of torque. Interestingly, though, the VR38 - in nice, reliable, road-legal trim - produces 473hp and a whopping 588Nm of torque. Indeed, it'd be fascinating to see what Nismo can coax out of it - and what it could do in Super GT.
For the time being though, the GT500 GT-R will make use of the aforementioned V8, which will be coupled to a sequential six-speed gearbox that drives the rear wheels only. While GT-R diehards will bemoan the lack of AWD, consider the fact that GT500 rules forbid the use of any kind of electronic traction and stability aids. Seperating these systems from the R35's complex drivetrain is probably just another headache that the Nismo team doesn't need.
Press release below:
TOKYO (January 31, 2008) - Nissan Motor Co. Ltd and Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. (NISMO) today announced their 2008 Global Motorsport Programs.
Highlighting the company's continued commitment to global motorsport, Nissan will enter the all-new GT-R into the premium Japanese motorsport series, SUPER GT.
1.
SUPER GT
2008 marks the return of GT-R to racing, following the transition from the R34 model to the Z five years ago. Continuing from last year, Mr. Kunihiko Kakimoto will be the General Manager for all Nissan related teams, and the NISMO Team Manager will be Mr. Yoshitaka Iijima.
NISMO will give technical support and car development support to teams entering the NISSAN GT-R in SUPER GT. As a part of the Nissan team group, NISMO, HASEMI MOTORSPORT, TEAM IMPUL, and KONDO RACING will enter the GT500 class with a total of five NISSAN GT-Rs.
The 2008 NISSAN GT-R has been developed with the following areas of focus:
1. Reducing parts weight, lowering the center of gravity and optimizing weight distribution to improve handling and vehicle dynamics
2. Using the aerodynamics of the new NISSAN GT-R to decrease drag and increase down-force
3. Increased power and improved efficiency from the VK45 engine
?Teams Car # Entrant Manager Driver Car Name
22 NISMO Yoshitaka Iijima Michael Krumm
Masataka Yanagida MOTUL AUTECH GT-R
23 Satoshi Motoyama
Benoit Treluyer XANAVI NISMO GT-R
3 HASEMI MOTOR SPORT Masahiro Hasemi Ronnie Quintarelli
Naoki Yokomizo YellowHat YMS TOMICA GT-R
12 TEAM IMPUL Kazuyoshi Hoshino Tsugio Matsuda
Sebastien Philippe CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R
24 KONDO RACING Masahiko Kondo Joao Paolo de Oliveira
Seiji Ara ADVAN Clarion GT-R
2.
Privateer support:
A variety of motorsport programs will be supported by Nissan
1.
March Cup Race/Nissan racing school
A total of 11 races run through regional championships (EAST Japan Series, WEST Japan Series, and NISSAN MARCH Champion Cup) using the March compact car. By standardizing on-board data-loggers, entrants can steadily learn how to improve driving skills, as well as the physical excitement of a racing car.
In addition, Nissan will conduct racing schools at each circuit before races using a March Cup car to give circuit guidance and technical support. Since 2008, Nissan motorsport has added new classes and technology into the cars to help make this entry-level support even more accessible.
2.
National privateer support:
SUPER GT GT300 class
Give technical support to privateer teams entering the Fairlady Z.
Super Taikyu series
Give technical support to privateer teams entering the ST-1 class or ST-3 class with a Fairlady Z.
Nissan Driver Development Program (NDDP)/Formula Challenge Japan (FCJ)
To educate young drivers and support the Formula Challenge Japan, FCJ, series started in 2006. Nismo will be responsible for the maintenance of engines managed by the organizers. In addition, Nismo will select four drivers as scholarship drivers and give them support to enter the FCJ.
Beginning 2007, to select a Nissan Advance Scholarship driver and send him to Formula Renault in England, where he will gain from the experience of racing in the competitive Formula Renault through one season.
3.
International activities:
China:
To continue supporting Dongfeng Ghia Sports, a team entering the Nissan Tiida in the 1600cc class of the CCC (China Circuit Championship) touring car series since 2006.
In China, the CCC is the most competitive national championship for racing cars based on standard production cars. Dongfeng Nissan has a continuing partnership with leading Chinese team, Ghia Sports. The Tiida campaigned by Ghia Sports was first in 2005 and second in 2006.
South Africa:
Nissan South Africa has won the South African Off-Road Championship series for the last seven consecutive years. This year they will enter the series with the Nissan Navara pick-up truck. In addition, Nissan will compete in the South African Production Car Championship with a 350Z (Fairlady Z).
[Source: Nissan]
[Image courtesy of Nissan, Newera Imports]
04/02/2008
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Two month's after its unveiling, it appears that Nissan's GT-R still has a few aces up its sleeve when it comes to techno-geekery.
A week ago, Inside Line chronicled their discovery of the GT-R's launch control feature, which enabled them to punch out a 3.3 second 0-100kph sprint - a couple of tenths quicker than Nissan's own claim of 3.5 seconds. Not only was it quick in a sprint, but it also managed to pull a 11.6 quarter mile ET, with a terminal speed of 120.9 mph. Pretty impressive.
What's even more impressive is the GT-R's speed limiter. I know, I know, the speed limiter is usually the first thing to get the flick when modifying a Japanese sports car, but with the R35 you needn't bother: it removes it for you whenever you enter a racetrack. Nissan have wired the speed limiter to be location-dependent, and as soon as the on-board GPS detects that you've entered a racetrack it removes the limiter entirely.
Once you leave the track, though, it puts the electonic reins back on, restricting the GT-R to the 180kph maximum speed that is allowable under Japanese law.
Unfortunately this feature - like most other cool gizmos that Japanese car makers fit to their cars - is only available on Japanese-market R35s, with US-spec vehicles being instead fitted with a "dumb" 250kph speed cut - a good deal short of the GT-R's 309kph v-max.
[Source: Inside Line, GT Channel]
[Image courtesy of Nissan]
24/12/2007
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
18/12/2007
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
12/12/2007
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 While the GT-R has been confirmed as a competitor in Japan's Super GT series, as well as the Targa Tasmania tarmac rally, there's been no official word on if and when the GT-R will see a US motorsport debut. Rumour has it, though, that the GT-R could be making it to a Grand Am grid sometime in the near future...
Although there hasn't been any confirmation of such a plan yet, it would make perfect sense for Nissan of North America to put a factory-backed GT-R into Grand Am. The R35 is the first GT-R to ever go on sale in North America (or anywhere outside of Japan, for that matter), so fielding a GT-R in Grand Am could prove to be a shrewd marketing strategy - particularly as much of the Grand Touring class is made up of its (European and American) supercar rivals.
Unlike Super GT, Grand Am's GT class requires cars a bit more faithful to their road-going cousins, meaning no carbon-fibre tubs or massive increases in track. Max power is pegged at 450hp too, so it'll be interesting to see how the GT-R copes against its more pedigreed opponents with less power than standard.
[Source: GT Channel, via Autoblog]
[Photo courtesy of Nissan]
03/12/2007
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 If you're a Japanese resident and were planning to waltz into a Nissan dealership, slap down some cash and drive away in a brand-new R35 GT-R, then get ready to wait. Nissan has announced that orders for the new GT-R have exceeded their estimated monthly sales totals by a factor of 11. At last count, 2,282 people have ordered themselves a GT-R since Nissan opened the reservation books about two months ago, meaning that there may be some delay between ordering and delivery while Nissan plays catch-up on production.
Nissan attributes much of the success of their launch campaign to the extensive publicity the GT-R received on internet forums, websites and blogs, although we think that the very revival of the GT-R badge itself had just as much to do with it. Not only that, but the news that it outpaced a 911 Turbo on the Nurburgring would have sparked up even more interest, let alone the fact that it is probably the cheapest supercar on the market today (at under JPY7.8m /US$70,000, it's a relative bargain).
The GT-R goes on sale in Japan on December 6, while North Americans can expect to pre-order theirs from January 2008. Like we said though, you'd better get in line early.
[Source: Nissan]
[Photo courtesy of Nissan]
15/11/2007
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Partner- und Mitglieder-Blogs/jpcnews.blogspot.com
 Ever since the all-wheel-drive was introduced on the R32 GT-R, the Nissan sports coupe has always been lauded as a triumph of technology over Newtonian physics. It's rapier-sharp handling owed much of its success to the ATTESA-ETS all-wheel-drive system which channeled torque to the front wheels when the rear tyres lost grip. With the new R35 GT-R, Nissan has kept their performance flagship packed full of high-tech kit and to show it they've released a bunch of images to illustrate just what lies beneath Godzilla's skin.
One of the main differences between the R35 and the R32-R34 GT-R's is in the drivetrain layout. On the older cars, the layout was quite traditional. The front-mounted engine was bolted to a five or six-speed gearbox that had a transfer case mounted to the end, which then sent torque to conventional limited-slip differentials at both axles. On the R35 (click the picture above), the gearbox is now an automated-manual transaxle that resides inside the rear suspension subframe, leaving the engine all alone up front with only the front diff for company. This means the R35 actually has two prop-shafts spanning the gap 'tween gearbox and engine: one taking power from the motor to the transaxle, with another taking power back to the front differential. It all helps to keep longitudinal weight distribution as close to the golden 50-50 mark and it's a trick used by supercars as diverse as the  Corvette Z06 and the Ferrari 599 GTB. You'd think such an arrangement would add a lot of weight, but the R35 - like the 350Z - features carbon-fibre prop-shafts to help keep rotating mass and overall weight to a minimum. Still, that doesn't stop it from looking weird.
Speaking of weird, the trainspotter types amongst you will have probably noticed that the R35 features a merged and split exhaust system like the 350Z, instead of a true dual exhaust like the Z32 300ZX. Obviously, the second propshaft precludes the use of a symmetrical dual exhaust, but we have to wonder what kind of efficiency hit the merged design imparts upon the R35. Clearly this is one area that will benefit from an aftermarket solution.
Anyway, there's a bunch of detail shots of the R35 in all it's naked glory over at Nissan's site, so head over and check them out pronto. Not only are there pics of drivetrain and powertrain hardware, but there's also some screen grabs of the Polyphony Digital-designed multifunction display in there. Is the new GT-R a techno-geek's wet dream? You betcha.
[Source: Nissan]
[Image courtesy of Nissan]
30/10/2007
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Motorkultur Magazin 
