Nissan GT-R gets more power ?

It hasn't even hit Australian showrooms but Nissan already has squeezed more power out of Godzilla. However one of the hottest features of the GT-R — the launch control function — will be missing when the car lands here in April

The GT-R, slated for an April release with a $148,800 starting price, has been coaxed up 4kW to 357kW thanks to some engine electronic management tweaks.

Torque stays at 588Nm and there's also no change in the 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.6 seconds.

The car's launch control feature is being removed after irate owners in North America complained after their cars' transmissions blew up after using launch control.

Some have been left with a $US20,000 ($30,800) repair bill for wrecked transmissions.

As a result Nissan North America has decided to remove it altogether.

The device is designed to help the driver achieve the best acceleration out of the car from a standing, drag-race-style start.

German manufacturers like BMW, Porsche 911, also use a launch control function.

US enthusiasts have discovered that disabling the GT-R's vehicle dynamics control system too often to use launch control voids the warranty on the car's transmission.

The warranty does not cover driveline damage resulting from "operating the vehicle with the VFC off, except when rocking the vehicle when stuck in snow or mud".

The fuel tank now also gains an extra three litres to make 76 litres of premium unleaded and the rear suspension springs have been softened slightly.

European GT-Rs get the same specification tyres as Australia — Dunlop SP Sport 600 run flats — as standard, fitted to 20-inch RAYS alloys.

Nissan claims the Dunlops were original specification rubbers for the GT-R and intimates they were used during its contentious Nurburgring lap run of 7m29s. Australian-spec cars can be optioned in Premium guise with Bridgestone REO70R tyres.

Nissan has kept its liquid metal hero paint colour but has picked a lighter shade pearl-white colour, now called Storm White. It replaces a darker shade pearl white.

The global changes started in Europe and come along with a $2500 price rise. Nissan Australia has not confirmed that the extra cost applies here.

Priced from $148,800, the GT-R is poised to become an instant classic.

The car will be sold and serviced through 11 dedicated Nissan `high performance centres’ in each capital city. More than 130 orders have already been taken for the car.