Nissan GT-R Gets Special Edition Send-off Model

When the R35 Nissan GT-R, lovingly referred to as ‘Godzilla,’ burst onto the American car scene in 2008 and became a runaway success. The R35 model was the first time the American market had gotten a GT-R, and it proceeded to embarrass cars like the Porsche 911 Turbo and Corvette Z06. With its introduction came a swath of Godzilla coming to America jokes. 

A Supercar Killer

The latest Nissan supercar was engineered to be a thorn in the side of what we thought we knew was possible with modern supercars. The Japanese manufacturer brought the latest R35 GT-R to Germany to test at the Nürburgring, the famed 12.9-mile race track/public road, where the fastest and best cars in the world go to set new lap times. The GT-R posted a lap time of 7 minutes and 29 seconds in April of 2008, which meant that it had just upset a lot of expensive sports cars. At the time, a Porsche 911 Turbo would set you back $126,200 and had an official ‘Ring lap time of 7:38, or 9 seconds slower than a Nissan costing $77,840, nearly $50,000 less expensive with no fewer luxuries or amenities. 

Faster Than The Fastest

In 2009, the GT-R had a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produced 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque and was combined with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Power was sent to the ground via a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, and the car could do 0-60 mph times in just 3.3 seconds, the ¼-mile in 11.5 seconds at 124 mph, and stop from 70 mph to 0 in 145 feet, according to Car and Driver. 

The End of An Era

In the years since, Porsche and Nissan have traded jabs back and forth, whether on the Nürburgring, in magazines, or on other race tracks around the world. But, sadly, those wild times are coming to an end as the Nissan Motor Tochigi Plant in Japan will stop producing the U.S. spec GT-R in October. The GT-R comes in three trim levels: Premium, T-Spec, and NISMO. The base and middle trim levels offer a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 with 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque, while NISMO models have 600 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque. All models still come with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. As part of the finale, the GT-R Nissan is creating two special editions: The GT-R Skyline Edition and the T-Spec Takumi Edition. 

Skyline Edition

The Skyline Edition is based on the Premium trim level and adds Bayside Blue paint with a Sora Blue leather interior, the only available color options. You can take this future classic home for $132,985, including a $1,895 destination fee. 

T-Spec Edition

The 2024 T-Spec edition is specially designed to include all the Premium trim level has to offer but with the addition of Carbon Ceramic brakes from the GT-R NISMO, gold-painted 20-inch RAYS wheels, NISMO-tuned Vehicle Dynamic Control, along with wider front fenders. The Takumi Edition has also been given unique features, with special care given to the motor to ensure it is absolutely better than the best Nissan has ever made. To set this special edition trim apart, there is a one-off red builder’s plaque on the engine, a gold VIN tag in the engine bay, and gold accents on the intake cover. Buyers can further spec their car with either Millenium Jade or Midnight Purple. The interior is lined in Mori Green leather. This model will run buyers $152,985, including a $1,895 destination fee, and is, without a doubt, going to be a significant collectible one day. 

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