2012 Nissan GT-R Facelift to be Debut at LA Auto Show

The North American market version of the revised Nissan GT-R supercar will make its first public appearance on this side of the Atlantic at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 17th, the Japanese automaker announced today.

Semi-revealed at the Paris Motor Show earlier this month, the latest version of the GT-R gains a barely noticeable exterior makeover with a new front bumper featuring some rather tacky LED daytime running lights, a revised rear diffuser and new alloy wheel designs. Nissan says the exterior revisions improve the car's aerodynamics.

The GT-R also benefits from a refreshed interior and according to Nissan, enhanced performance with full details on the North American version to be released at the Los Angeles show.

The Japanese supercar will be designated as a 2012 model when it reaches Nissan showrooms in the United States and Canada early in the 2011 calendar year.

Stay tuned on Carscoop as we'll bring you details on the Japanese market version of the updated GT-R, which was released today.

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2011 Nissan GT-R Price

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced U.S. pricing for the 2011 Nissan GT-R supercar, which is on sale now at select Nissan dealers.

For 2011, its third year of availability in the North American market, the Nissan GT-R features a number of enhancements and a simplified model lineup. The previous GT-R base model has been eliminated, leaving the GT-R Premium as the only available 2011 model. Other changes include slightly darker wheel center caps, double clear coat on the front and rear fascias and the addition of rear cooling ducts to improve cooling performance around the rear floor area.

The suspension has been retuned and the rear bushing strengthened to enhance ride comfort while still maintaining the GT-R’s outstanding handling. In addition, auto on/off headlights and speed-sensitive windshield wipers are now standard, along with a USB iPod interface, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth and DVD playback. The navigation system now includes XM NavTraffic and NavWeather capability.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* for the 2011 Nissan GT-R equipped with standard 485-horsepower 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and high-performance, 6-speed, dual-clutch transmission is:

•Nissan GT-R Premium: $84,060 USD

Three options and one accessory are available for the 2011 GT-R: Cold Weather Package (no charge); special Super Silver paint ($3,000); Ultra-High Performance Tire Package (no charge); and carpeted GT-R logo floor mats ($280).

The 2011 GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan retailers that have met a number of strict sales, service and facility commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service. A complete listing of the nearly 700 GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available to consumers on NissanUSA.com.

2011 Nissan GT-R

The GT-R is somewhat of an exception given its legendary status and limited volumes. The U.S. allotment is an average of 1500 GT-Rs a year for five years, but Nissan is skewing production higher in the first year, to 2400 units. Dominique suspects the U.S. may need 2400 in the second year as well. The third model year is when the numbers are expected to drop off and the Spec V will make its timely entrance as a 2011 model.
Nissan wants to strategically introduce the Spec V to keep the GT-R fresh, Dominique says. The automaker also needs time to educate U.S. buyers on the GT-R itself. While this is the seventh generation of the Japanese icon, it is the first to be sold in the U.S.



Volumes for the Spec V will be even smaller than the limited run for the GT-R. And if customers are clamoring for the higher-performance version from day one, Dominique says he is fine with years of anticipation.

2011 Nissan GT-R Facelift Shows Up in Japan, gets 530 Horsepower

Visitors to Japanese showrooms will be the first consumers to get a chance to sit in the firmer, faster, more luxurious 2011 Nissan GT-R when it hits the pavement on November 18 (it'll appear as a 2012 model for the US market and debut in L.A.). The exterior will get a light refresh to better improve its ability to slice through the air and competition with more efficiency, while the interior will also get some new appointments.

Other than the little tweaks everyone was expecting, the big news for the updated GT-R is the addition of a highly-modifiable "EGOIST" model that sits in the price realm of the Spec V and will offer a very Euro-lux feel, as well as a boost to 530 horsepower and 612 Nm / 451 lb ft (630 Nm / 465 lb ft for the Spec V) across the board thanks to revised engine tuning, larger piping, and a red engine cover. It now returns 20 mpg / 8.5-8.6 km/L and is considered a SU-LEV too, you hippies.

Other improvements include a SAVE mode for better normal driving efficiency, "improved starting" in the transmission's R mode, and lighter RAYS wheels veiling Nissan-developed 390-mm brake discs. The car, which gains two new exterior colors (Meteo Flake Black Pearl and Aurora Flare Blue Pearl), also receives a redesigned instrument panel and revised seats.

Japanese buyers of the latest GT-R will now be able to choose among six varieties of Godzilla: Pure, Black, Premium, Spec V, EGOIST, and a track-only "Club Track" version, all of which utilize the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 and 6-speed dual clutch transmission. .

The bad news for the States is that Nissan is merely "considering" offering the EGOIST and Club Track models in Europe, and maybe allowing the Middle East to get a taste of the custom EGOIST as well. Did you see America in the regions listed? Neither did I, but then again, the US market may not be ready for a $150,000 Nissan (while the Middle East is ready for a $150,000 anything).

By Phil Alex

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