Nissan GT-R Spec V

GT-R Spec V

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How much?	$ 161000 (est)
Engine:	3799cc, 6cyl, 485BHP @ 6400, 433lb ft @ 3200-5200
Transmission:	Automatic
Fuel Economy:	12.4 - l/100km
Performance:	3.5 sec 0-100kph , 314kph
How heavy?	1680kg

11 June 2009

By Ben Barry

This is the ultimate GT-R. While Porsche has RS, Lamborghini has SV and BMW has M, Nissan’s best GT-Rs (or Skylines) have come with a V-Spec designation. Now reversed, the Spec V is Nissan’s newest GT-R, with carbon brakes, a stripped-out interior and a bank balance-breaking 15,750,000 yen, that's over $160k.

So what turns a ‘regular’ Nissan GT-R into a Nissan GT-R Spec V?

At the current exchange rate? Somewhere in the region of $50k. Gulp. Most of that cost comes from the Spec V’s carbon brakes. The reason for the extra expense, says Nissan, is that the discs feature a higher carbon content than you’ll find in the equivalent Porsche, Lambo or Bentley stoppers.

Along with the brakes, the Spec V also features a new front splitter with carbon ducts to help cool the carbon discs, a carbon rear wing, some more black stuff to replace the hefty rear seats, and a special steering wheel-mounted boost button. Very KERS.

All the above is exclusive to the Spec V, but the rest of the tweaks – including manually adjustable carbon Recaro seats, a new diffuser and titanium-coated exhaust, black forged Rays wheels, performance-orientated rubber and fixed-rate suspension – are available for your regular GT-R through Nissan’s Nismo motorsport outfit.

What’s this Spec V boost button?

A bit of a gimmick, if we’re honest. When pressed it’ll make the red needle of the rev counter flick round the dial a little faster, but it can only be used under fairly restrictive conditions.

The engine and transmission temperatures have to be spot-on and you have to be in manual mode for the dual-clutch gearbox, with at least third gear selected. To prime the system you flick a button where the switch for the adjustable suspension used to be, and you then have 80 seconds when you can use the extra boost. Then 80 seconds when you can’t. Then 80 when you can. And so on, and so forth, whether you’ve used the boost available or not. Even then you only get an extra 14lb ft and the smallest of extra horses above 2400rpm.

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Nissan GT-R Spec V first drive

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