Nissan GT-R Sets Guinness Record as World's Fastest Production Four-Seater

Leaving the oh-so-boring Nurburgring lap time records aside for a moment, Nissan's European arm announced that the new GT-R has made its way into the Italian edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records". The Japanese supercar set a world record for the fastest 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration by a four seater series production car with a sprint time of 3.5 seconds. We remind you that in April, Nissan revealed the GT-R established a new lap time at the Nordschleife circuit in Germany with 7min and 26.7 seconds.

Abflug Launches New Aero Kit for Nissan GT-R R35

Adding to the huge variety of performance and styling packages on offer for the Nissan GT-R, Japan's gracelessly named Abflug (unless there's a different meaning in the Japanese language) released a new aero kit for the R35 sports car. The complete package consists of a front lip spoiler, new side skirts, a rear apron housing the diffuser, all finished in black. There's also a carbon fiber rear wing and if we translated correctly, an optional set of new alloy wheels. Full gallery after the jump.

Classic Find: First-Generation 1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Coupe S45

What looks to be a pristine (or fully restored) example of the modern day Nissan GT-R's granddaddy, a 1970 Skyline GT-R Coupe S45 with only 89,000 kilometers or a little over 55,000 miles on the odometer, is up for sale by a Japan-based dealer. There's no asking price on the seller's website but understandably, we reckon that a historic model like 1970 Skyline GT-R with such low mileage won't be offered for a low price.

The first Skyline GT-R was launched in Japan originally as a four door sedan in February 1969 (pictured here), followed shortly after by the coupe model you're all gawking at in the photo album below -no need to apologize, we did the same thing, ain't she a beauty?

Like its sedan counterpart, at the heart of the 1970 Skyline GT-R is Nissan's S20 2.0-liter straight-six DOHC 24-valve engine. It produces (or at least it did when it came out of the factory) a maximum output of 160PS at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 18.0 kgm or 130-lb/ft at 5,600 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

We don't have any official performance figures for the Coupe (maybe some of you Nissan fans can help us out here), but we did manage to find out that the 1969 Skyline GT-R Sedan with the same engine was capable of achieving a top speed of 200km/h or 125mph while it covered the first 400m from a standing start in 16.1 seconds (official data from Nissan).

Link: Wintel

Nissan GT-R Receives the Carbon-Fiber Aero Treatment from Vorsteiner

California tuner Vorsteiner is joining the parade of tuners fiddling around with the Nissan GT-R through its sub-division, Ventross, that released details on a new carbon fiber aero package slated for market release on June 1st, 2009. The exterior aerodynamic package consists of two components, a front fascia and a rear diffuser both of which will be (hand)made to order rather than mass produced.

The tuner's new GT-R front fascia comes with larger carbon fiber air intakes for the radiators and includes additional side louver openings feeding air to the brakes through the front fender lining slats along with a more aggressively styled front spoiler that attaches to the factory under tray.

At the back, Ventross has designed a new lightweight carbon fiber diffuser housing three integrated fins with central heat extraction vents that replaces the GT-R's factory diffuser.

Nissan Announces New Record Nurburgring Time for GT-R: 7min 26.7 sec

To whom it may concern because quite frankly, these Nurburgring lap time records are starting to get as boring as the never-ending promotion of Chevy's Camaro, Nissan has officially announced that it has improved the GT-R's lap time at the Nordschleife circuit in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70 on April 23, 2009. The previous recorder lap times at the 'Ring were 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009, 7min 29sec in April 2008 and 7min 38sec in September 2007.

"This record demonstrates our commitment to the continuous evolution of the Nissan GT-R," says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist. "We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year."

In other words, expect to see Porsche, Nissan, GM and who knows who many other automakers, announcing new 'record' lap times at the 'Ring faster than you can say Nordschleife.

Nissan presents its new-generation VQ 2.5 & 3.5 litre V6 Engines - the all new Skyline will get them first in autumn

Twelve years and 5.5 million units after its introduction in 1994, Nissan announced that its award winning VQ engine is heading for retirement. But don't you Nissan fans get all worried as the Renault's brother-in-arms simultaneously presented it's VQ successor that will be available in 2.5 & 3.5 litre forms.

Although Nissan doesn't give us any information on the engines output, it is expected that the VQ35 will produce over 300 Hp. The 3.5L VQ35HR and 2.5L VQ25HR engines will be built at Nissan's Iwaki Plant in Fukushima Prefecture and will equipped the all-new Skyline to be released this autumn in Japan, as well as the US where the model is sold as the Infiniti G35. Later the engines will find their place in other Infiniti and Nissan models such as the 350Z, the Murano, the FX etc.

Featuring newly designed engine blocks and other key components, the engines promise to offer smooth transition to top-in-class level engine speed of 7.500 rpm. According to Nissan, the new VQ engines achieve a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to vehicles equipped with the existing VQ engine and top-in-class Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle level emissions. SU-LEVs have 75% or less nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions than those stipulated by Japan's 2005 exhaust emission standards.

Press Release

Main specifications of the VQ35HR and VQ25HR engines:

Smooth transition to top-in-class level engine speed of 7.500 rpm

• Reduction of weight and friction through adoption of asymetrical piston skirt configuration
• Reduction of piston-side force through lengthening of con rod
• Addition of rudder frame, newly-designed cylinder block with significantly improved rigidity

Thrilling revving sound and top-in-class output

• Adoption of perfectly symmetrical intake system
• Adoption of continuously variable valve timing control (CVTC) for intake side and electromagnetic valve timing control (e-VTC) for exhaust side
• Reduction of intake resistance through adoption of symmetrical twin intake system and straight intake port
• Adoption of isometric exhaust manifold and perfectly symmetrical exhaust system

Improvement of fuel-efficiency and emission cleanliness

• Reduction of friction through adoption of world's first hydrogen-free, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating
• Adoption of catalyst substrate with ultra-low heat mass, super-ignition iridium spark plug and fast light-off O2 sensor control

Nissan GT-R Coming In 2008

Mr. Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO, Nissan Motor Co, announced at the 2006 New York International Show that the next generation of the Nissan’s renowned GT-R performance car, which was previewed in concept form as the GT-R PROTO at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in fall 2007, followed by the U.S. and Canada in spring 2008. It should be noted that the previous Nissan GT-R generations where not offered for sale in North America

Nissan GT-R Tokyo Show Press Release

The design of the GT-R PROTO expresses pure GT-R heritage, coming from the first model PGC10 (1969) through R34 (1999), in a new and expressive form. From its original roots as a pure-bred Japanese performance car, the new GT-R will now be a car sold globally, recognising its ability to compete with the very best in the world. For the first time in its history, the new GT-R will be designed as a specific body-style, and not derived from a sedan.

The design language of the GT-R PROTO is expressed by a distinctive body-style that communicates pure performance and functionality. The form of the GT-R PROTO instantly expresses its purpose and potential, but in a way that is unique to this iconic car.

At the front end, the single centre air intake is designed to optimise airflow and to strongly link the identity of the GT-R from R34 to GT-R Concept (2001). Front fenders are uniquely designed through intensive analysis of the airflow around the tyres and the air vent behind the front fender also optimises aerodynamics. The sides of the body are sculptured towards the rear fender, expressing the power and dynamic tension of the car.

The overall shape of the body combines solid and smooth surfaces to achieve the look of a well-trained athlete. The unique C-pillar crease is designed for optimum aerodynamics, reflecting the racing DNA of the GT-R.

The rear of the GT-R PROTO is strong and well defined. The signature four ring-shaped tail lamps provide an immediate visual link to previous GT-R models. Four large-bore exhaust pipes complete the purposeful look, which could only be that of a pure GT-R.

The GT-R PROTO provides for the first time a clear indication of the final design direction for the production model to be launched in 2007 (Japan) the first all-new GT-R in eight years.

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