Nissan GT-R race car prototype: Spy shots: FIA-GT1

Just when you think there’s nothing more to see or read about Nissan’s GT-R supercar, images of a mysterious prototype start to crop up on the internet. The latest shot depicts a car with several features you would normally find on a GT style race car, leading to speculation that Nissan is planning to take its GT-R into the international motorsports arena.

According to Japan’s Auto Sport magazine, where this image was sourced, Nissan is planning an assault on the FIA-GT1 series or possibly Le Mans endurance racing.

While Nissan is yet to reveal any specs for the race car, or even confirm its existence, it is expected to feature a Nismo bodykit, GT-style wing, plastic windows, uprated brakes and tires, and a vented bonnet. The car is also rumored to be running a naturally-aspirated 4.5L VK45DE V8 engine instead of the production model’s twin-turbo 3.8L V6. The V8 mill is the same unit used by Nissan for its SuperGT race car.

Other details include a rumored ¥65,000,000 ($720,000) asking price, a kerb weight of just 2,976lbs (the production model weighs 3,792lbs), and a power output of 592hp (442kW) and 506lb-ft (685Nm) of torque.

One of the benefits of Nissan competing in motorsports with its GT-R is the introduction of street-legal homologation special. For its latest R35 GT-R, Nissan is once again expected to revive the LM badge for a detuned version of its GT-R race car, but like previous generations it will be very exclusive. Production is tipped to be limited to just 300 units and pricing could go as high as ¥18,000,000 ($200,000).

2009 Nissan GT-R (Skyline)

2009 Nissan GT-R (Skyline) Specifications

Drivetrain
Transmission: 6 Speed DSG Manual
Layout:Front Engine, AWD
Final Drive Ratio: 3.70:1
Differential: 1.5 Way Mechanical Limited Slip
Brakes: Brembo 4 Wheel Disc - 15 in. Front and Rear

Engine
Horsepower: 480 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque: 430 ft-lbs. @ 3200 rpm
Displacement: 3.8 liters
Engine Type: Twin Turbo 24V V6

Exterior
Length: 183.3 in
Width: 74.6 in
Height: 54 in
Wheelbase: 109.5 in
Performance: Acceleration 0-60 mph s3.3 sec
Drag Coefficient: 0.27
Base Price: 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R - $69,850

The Evolution of Skyline: 2009 Nissan GT-R
The 2009 Nissan GT-R, the first Skyline GT-R model to be released in the United States, offers performance unlike any Nissan sports car in the history of the Japanese automaker. The "Skyline" moniker has officially been dropped, but the 2009 GT-R, which was delivered to its first US customers in July 2008, represents a new era for the Skyline GT-R, the most storied sports car in Japanese automotive history.

With exterior styling that is a departure from Nissan Skyline GT-R models of the past 20 years, the 2009 Nissan GT-R places performance function on the level with styling. Classic Skyline GT-R touches are found in the taillights and rear end, as well as in the flared rear fenders embracing 20 x 10.5 in. rear wheels.

No stock Skyline GT-R model in Nissan's history can touch the performance ability of the brand-new 2009 model. The Skyline, like other critical darling sports cars such as the BMW 3-Series, has always been about outputting greater performance than spec sheets and dyno numbers would indicate. The 2009 GT-R offers some of the most sophisticated electronic engine and drivetrain management found on any sports car in the world. Offering a stellar bang-for-the-buck ratio with a base price a hair under $70,000, the 2009 Nissan GT-R is already commanding siginificant price gouging over MSRP. All the official details appear below, direct from Nissan..