Nissan GT-R 2012 News

It also has the compact Almera, a Diesel Dualis, and the battery-powered Leaf, as well as another sharpening tweak to the GT-R supercar to fold into a richer product mix. Then there are four upscale Infiniti models in a big brand stretch at the top end of the Nissan family. The flood of new models is intended to get Nissan onto many more Australian shopping lists, as the company looks to overtake Hyundai and Mazda to become the country's favourite pure import brand."We will be putting eight new products into the market in the next 12 months. We have four on the Nissan side and four from Infiniti," says Dan Thompson, managing director of Nissan Australia. "There are also the regular updates across the other models like the 370Z. It's all coming together within two years. It's great." Thompson is nearing the end of his time in Australia before taking up a promotion in Europe in April, but is clearly still committed to a product update that's easily the biggest since Nissan closed its local manufacturing operation in Australia. "We've got a lot happening. Leaf is in June, that's the next one to come," Thompson says. "Then Almera, then Patrol, then Pulsar. It's all in the next 12 months. Probably the biggest challenge is probably prioritising things. It's going to be a busy, busy period."Thompson says the return of the Pulsar nameplate - which was dumped byJapanese management in favour of the Tiida - is a big event. "We've got big plans for the Pulsar and there is a lot of good stuff we're going to do, especially with the hatch," he says. Right now, he says Nissan is working towards the end of the Japanese financial year and its target of overtaking Mitsubishi in Australia. "We're also up there again in the top three fastest-growing brands. We're starting to get there. We've had seven percent-plus market share for a while now."But Thompson says it's the new cars that are going to make the biggest difference. "We've got the new GT-R landing this month. And that's a pretty big update for just a running change. "We've got the update to the Z, which is the US cycle. We've got Dualis diesel coming towards the end of the year. And we have some other big stuff. "We've got lots of good little running changes for all the core product. We've got a new Navara product coming this month out of spain. With the capacity constraints in Thailand we moved the ST, our best selling variant, to Spain. We're scrambling to find capacity."

Priced at $170,800 and due here in March 2012, the new Nissan has more power (404kW), improved economy and lower emissions. It has unusual asymmetric suspension settings and enhanced transmission shift feel. Special race tuned oils are used in differential and the body is strengthened for even greater handling finesse. Inside are new Bose Precision Sound System woofers and a rear view camera now standard. Significant improvements have been made to the engine, chassis and transmission to accentuate the pure performance potential of the GT-R. The latest version is the most efficient yet. It offers even greater performance but this is allied to improved economy and lower emissions to provide further excitement to drivers and passengers. That asymmetric suspension compensates for greater weight on the driver's side in RHD models The engine is capable of 11.8L/100km, while output rises significantly from 390kW to 404kW from 6,400rpm with maximum torque of from 612 to 632Nm from 3,200 to 5,800 rpm. Engine response and torque at mid- and low-speeds, and power at high revolutions, has been significantly improved, mainly due to improved intake efficiency.

The updated Nissan adds 33kW/24Nm on the challenging all-wheel drive coupe that shook the European exotic car makers when launched in Australia 18 months ago. Expected to be priced at around the $170,000 mark, the 2011 model goes even further than its predecessor to put down 390kW/612Nm and pick up improved handling, fuel consumption and better after-sales support. Nissan Australia will market only one GT-R, chopping the previous base model GT-R and aligning price to the existing Premium model's $162,800 and its features with the European-spec GT-R Black. Nissan spokesman Jeff Fisher says pricing is yet to be fixed. He expects a premium on the existing model given added features and upgraded drivetrain specifications. "Japan has some variations on the GT-R theme but we won't do that. There will be one specification only and it will be closest in spec to the European 'Black' model." Mr Fisher says the 2011 GT-R is expected to sell at the rate of 150-200 a year, down on the 260 it did in its first full year. This year to September, Nissan has sold 66. The 2011 model's engine remains at 3.8 litres but gets 390kW at 6400rpm and 612Nm at 3200-6000rpm thanks to more turbo boost, some valve timing revisions and bigger intake and exhaust pipes. Power is up but emissions and fuel consumption are down. Nissan quotes a 12 litres/100km average, down from the current 12.5 l/100km. Externally the 2011 model is identified by a bigger bumper and intake openings that increase downforce by about 10 per cent and reduce the coefficient of drag to 0.26 from 0.27. Chassis changes - including a carbon strut brace under the bonnet and one behind the passenger-side dashboard - result in greater body stability and strength. Inside the GT-R gets a new instrument panel design and sat-nav display, some black-chrome trim to the console and air vents, and seats with more support.

There is talk of an electric GT-R coupe sometime in the future but Nissan says it has no plans for a hybrid performance powerhouse to tackle Porsche’s upcoming 918 Spyder.  Andy Palmer says GT-R buyers want and expect their cars to be petrol performance machines. “It’s not really something we’d consider. In the GT-R our customers are looking for performance.”  Palmer says a hybrid would add too much weight. “The GT-R is aimed at one particularly type of customer.”

But these photos snapped at the Nurburgring show that Nissan has made some changes to its hero GT-R for 2012. There’s been some revision to the front, with the grille now looking more horizontal. And around the back they’ve restyled the bumper and diffuser and reshaped the flares behind the wheels.It’s likely the cosmetic changes will be applied to both the Spec-M and the hotter-handling Spec-V variants. Nissan has already hinted last year that the Spec-M interior will be softened and luxed-up a little to give it a more premium feel.But the engine is tipped to stay with the current outputs of 353kW of power and 590Nm of torque. There’s no official word on when the new Nissan GT-R will be unveiled, but there’s money on it being at Paris motor show in October.