2011 Nissan GT-R Receives Mechanical and Equipment Upgrades [Mega Gallery with 110 High-Res Photos]

2011 Nissan GT-R Receives Mechanical and Equipment Upgrades [Mega Gallery with 110 High-Res Photos]

We know it sounds bizarre as the GT-R was only launched in late 2007, and in spite of the fact that the sports coupe received several model year upgrades including engine and suspension revisions in December 2008, Nissan has yet again announced the release of a 'facelift' model that will go on sale in Japan on December 7 and the rest of the world in spring of 2010.

For the 2011 model year, the updated GT-R receives a number of enhancements, including a revised navigation system, recalibrated suspension settings and an improved-flow catalyst system.

More specifically, equipment improvements comprise of a new HDD-based CARWINGS navigation system with enhanced entertainment functions and USB port with iPod connectivity.

According to Nissan, the 2011MY GT-R's suspension has been retuned to offer "enhanced, premium quality ride comfort, while still providing the driver with a feeling of direct contact with the road surface".

Suspension changes include the increased accuracy of the front shock absorbers and springs and the strengthening of the stiffness of the rear suspension radius rod bushings has been strengthened.

In addition, Nissan said that the rear diffusers with cooling ducts that improve cooling performance around the rear floor area which were previously available only on the more hardcore GT-R SpecV, are now offered on the base model.

As for the GT-R SpecV, the 2011 model year brings revised rear shock absorber settings, with Nissan claiming that they enhance "the characteristic combination of supple ride comfort and flat, predictable handling".

Furthermore, the 2011 GT-R SpecV now ride on Dunlop tires while the previously standard Bridgestone tires are available as a factory-installed option.

Finally, both the Nissan GT-R and GT-R SpecV get new hexagonal meshed catalyst cells that are said to reduce ventilation/airflow resistance resulting in improved low- and mid-range response of the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

2011 Nissan GT-R





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2011 Nissan GT-R SpecV

Tokyo '09: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept 2.0 Turbo in the Flesh

Tokyo '09: Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept 2.0 Turbo in the Flesh

We won't take the rumors about the Hybrid Tourer Concept spawning a spiritual successor to the SVX for granted, but we will say that the gullwing-door prototype may hint at the design language of future Subaru models. Beneath the skin, the all-wheel-drive Hybrid Tourer concept uses a direct-injection 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine mated to a continuously variable transmission. This is combined with a pair of electric motors, one for each axle and a high-performance lithium battery.


Depending on the driving situation, the four-seater Hybrid Tourer can be moved by the 27HP electric motor at the rear, the boxer engine or a combination of the gasoline and electric motors.

Inside, the Subaru model gets four individual seats and flat floor along with the usual futuristic and far-from production dashboard design that is common on concept cars of this sort.

Veritas RS III: Insane BMW V10-Powered Supercar goes into Production

Veritas RS III: Insane BMW V10-Powered Supercar goes into Production

Remember the Veritas RS III, the open-cockpit purebred supercar with the M5-sourced V10 engine that pays homage to the 1940's era BMW racing team? Well, it's finally going into a limited series production with the first of a total of 30 hand-made examples set to be delivers to customers in January 2010. Veritas says that even before the actual start of production, five of the 30 luxury cars have already been sold while another eight have been reserved. But before you start day-dreaming, learn that prices start at a whopping €345,00 or about $517,000 at today's exchange rates.

The German company said that a staff of 15 people install the chassis, bodywork and interior at three workstations, with production of a completed model taking about eight weeks.

The RSIII is a 1+1 seater with a covered passenger seat that can be opened if required. The vehicle's body that is made out of ultra-light carbon fiber is built atop of a tube frame developed by Vermot AG.

The 4.68 meter long and 2.02 meter wide supercar is powered by a 5.0-liter V10 from the BMW M5/M6 that makes 507HP and is coupled to either a 7-speed SMG transmission or a manual 6-speed gearbox that send all those ponies to the rear-wheels.

Weighing in at just 1080kg or 2,380 lbs, it is capable of accelerating from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in under 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 347 km/h or 216 mph.

The RS III rides on 22-inch alloy wheels shod in high-performance Dunlop tires size 255/30 at the front and 325/25 at the rear while other highlights include a new braking system from Brabham Racing with 380 mm rotors and six piston calipers at the front and 355 mm rotors and four piston calipers at the back as well as a height-adjustable sport suspension.