Inside a Nissan GT-R Spec V: Classic MOTOR

IT has been one of the most anticipated arrivals of 2009.

This feature was first published in MOTOR Magazine March 2009.

And, even before any of the covers were ripped off the newest metal at the Detroit Motor Show, Nissan was the first to debut a drop-dead performance icon this year when it released details of the Spec V version of its fearsome R35 GT-R.

Created primarily to be a basis for the imminent race model that will contest sportscar racing around the world later this year – including a possible attack at the GT3 class in the Le Mans 24 Hour race – the Spec V, like its V Spec predecessors, is a harder, lighter, faster version of the standard GT-R model, honed on the famed Nurburgring circuit.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely to be officially sold here seeing it would cost around $250,000.

BRAKES AND SUSPENSION

It’s not like the GT-R was lacking anything in the performance department to start with. So rather than spending time – and money – on improving the already-highly strung V6, Nissan’s engineers concentrated on further improving the overall handling package.