We’ve also got a brand new design coming shortly and a few long awaited suprises!

In light of this, we are moving from WordPress to Drupal, throwing up a new theme and getting a good makeover. The update will take a few weeks to do, but we’ll be back. If there’s anything your particularly want to see on the site, feel free to send us a suggestion!

In the meantime we’ll continue to post if we’re able.

To all loyal and new visitors, thankyou for your continued patronage!

However, compliance is as far as 12 months away (2009), and prices are expected to exceed AU$100,000 for the new Nissan supercar. Regardless, this is a big fist in the eye of Nissan Australia, as enthusiasts will now be able to grab the new car directly from the JDM without Nissan Australia’s interference!

[Source: Prestige Motorsport]

What’s also cool about this, is theres an inside view! Check it out below.

And while you’re doing so, compare that lap time to these:

• 7:38 — Nissan GT-R, 480PS/1720kg, 26,600 Meter Timging September 2007
• 7:40 — Porsche 997 Turbo 480PS/1565 kg Walter R�hrl
• 7:40 — Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, 626PS/1768 kg Klaus Ludwig (AutoBild 07/04)
• 7:40 — Bugatti Veyron 16/4, 1001PS/1888 kg (Wheels magazine Australia, 12/05)
• 7:41 — Manthey Porsche GT3 M410, 413 PS/1320 kg (160.868 km/h), Lucas Luhr (Autobild 07/04)
• 7:42 — Porsche 997 GT3, 415 PS/1440 kg, Walter R�hrl (Automobil 05/06)
• 7.42 — Corvette Z06 (Jan Magnussen)[2]
• 7:42 — Ford GT, 550 PS/1521 kg (as indicated by Octane magazine, 11/05) (news release, pictures)
• 7:43 — Lamborghini Murcielago (Autocar magazine 02)
• 7:44 — Pagani Zonda S 550 PS/1280 kg (sport auto 02/05) 7:46 — Porsche 996 GT2, 462 PS/1450 kg (sport auto 06/01)
• 7:46 — Jaguar XJ220, 3.5-litre V6, John Neilsen.
• 7:47 — Porsche 996 GT3 RS (sport tyres) [citation needed]
• 7:47 — Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano,620PS/1690 kg (sport auto)
• 7:47 — Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 E-gear (sport tyres) (sport auto 01/07)
• 7:48 — Porsche 997 GT3, 415 PS/1440 kg (sport auto 07/06)
• 7:49 — Helmut D�hne, Honda VFR750R

[More times here]

[Source: Youtube via Autoblog]

Yes, for the first time, the Nissan GT-R will be sold directly into Australia!

As confirmed on CarAdvice, Nissan Australia�s boss Shinya Hannya has said that all strings will be pulled to get the GT-R downunder before 2009 (We certainly hope so, but we’re looking for more like 2008, Mr Hannya!). No other information on localised specifications (if any are in the works) are currently available.

Speculation is rife at a possible price, however, given the 48,000 euro price tag in Japan, shipping, import and luxury car tax, we could see the new GT-R on road for under $120K , seriously undercutting the 380KW 911 Turbo.

What will this mean for cheap imports of GT-R in the future as has been done with all previous generations? Only time will tell.

Finally, after the heartache, tears, and edge of the seat anticipation, the Nissan GT-R pictures have hit the blogosphere like nothing else. Feast your eyes on Nissan’s latest foray into the Supercar market. Sporting the all new 3.8L twin turbo VR38VETT powerhouse, the new GT-R will whisk you from 0–100 in 3.5s or less, and do the quarter in a very healthy 11.7seconds. The Corvette and 911 now have some serious competition from Japan; and who knows what the Japanese tuning houses, or just enthusiasts, will extract from the new GT-R?

But enough. There’s one reason you’re here. Enjoy and know happiness as only the GT-R can deliver.

The 2008 Nissan GT-R

Known as the Honda Accord in other markets, the TSX is a highly polished, front-wheel-driven, mid-size sedan powered by an i-VTEC 2.4L DOHC 4cylinder motor. The new 2009 model is expected to develop between 220-230HP, but rumours are abound of a new TSX Type-S producing anywhere from 260HP from a turbocharged i-VTEC motor. Coupled with Honda’s SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) and the possibility of a DSG gearbox or 6 speed, this could be a serious bit of kit.

We’re taking this with a grain of salt. The Acura/Honda’s i-VTEC 4cyl is a considerably advanced peice of motor, and is known for technical wizardry in terms of it’s management system. Honda hasn’t produced a turbocharged car in quite some time, at least one with a wide adoption rate, let alone on a mainstream, popular model.

Coupled with V-TEC technology, a turbocharged motor may be a steep challenge to Honda — but we wouldn’t dismiss them on this alone. After all, Honda have surprised us before with fantastic technical achievements. We also hope Honda/Acura considers a turbo-diesel variant of the 2009 TSX as well to round out a solid model lineup.

We haven’t heard anything on the technical side of this rumor from Japan, but we’re watching with interest. Fingers crossed, we’ll see a boosted Type S in 2009.

[Sources: LeftLane, Acura TSX Community]
[Credits: Thanks for the tip, Kris!]

What do we want to see in this?

• 1.8L VTEC, or just the MUGEN RR’s powerplant
• RWD or if we’re really talking fantasy, AWD
• 6 speed manual
• 1100kg’s or less

New ‘AE86’?

The car is apparently being aimed at the under 2,000,000 yen mark. In itself this is interesting because typically, a JDM RWD coupe could very easily exceed this. Keeping this in mind, cost is the reason for the car’s 1.5L (EL15) DOHC flat-four engine. This DOHC engine puts out a very ho-hum 110ps @ 6,400rpm and 14.7kg/m @ 3,200rpm, and is a cheap, cost effective motor. Knowing this, Toyota wants the car to be under 1100kg to provide any sort of performance.

The test mule currently sports a 200mm shorter version of the Legacy chassis, 4WD running gear (minus front drive), double wishbone suspension, and a Subau differential. However, 7tune tells us the differential is a weak link, and it is more likely we will see the Impreza 15S platform over any further variations of the Legacy platform.

The aspect of this car that confuses us is that EL15 engine and it’s dismal output. Why? Both Subaru and Toyota have plenty of experience in making decent power DOHC motors in the 2.0L range, and in making light vehicles when they wish. Cost is a factor, but one has to wonder if the new collaboration wouldn’t be better served by adding 500,000 yen and giving us a more potent motor, even if it’s a sourced turbodiesel, like the new Boxer TDi.

Perhaps Subaru and Toyota are using the EL15 only to deter us, and have something more potent in the works. Something along the lines of the Mugen Civic RR’s 177kW N/A — or even ditching N/A for a turbocharged flat four. Perhaps add a few pounds to sort out the rear end, drivetrain mechanics and chassis strength — the extra weight would easily be accounted for with greatly increased power.

Perhaps Toyota has forgot how to make a sports car in the long years since the Supra, and even longer years since the AE86.

[Source: 7Tune]

The site has a “first details” press release which promises to reveal details, and confirms both the price for the GTR (at 7.8million yen) and the final name of the car to be simply the “Nissan GT-R”. Additionally Nissan says they are “making available for customers in Japan some initial details including basic specifications, colors and practical information on placing pre-orders.”. It will be very interesting to see what those are.

Finally, they’ve made this cool widget available!