Nissan Refreshes GT-R for the 2012MY: First Photos Hit the Web

Here we go again; another year, another annual makeover for Nissan's halo sports car. Following on from the presentation of the GT-R in 2007, and after the revisions in December 2008 and October 2009, Nissan is getting ready to present a 2012MY version of its flagship sports model.

Even though the Japanese automaker has yet to make it official, the Nissan enthusiasts over at the GTRblog website posted some leaked images along with information on the updated model.

So, what do we have on the 2012MY GT-R? Well, on the outside, the Japanese sports car receives a restyled front bumper with LED running lights and a new rear diffuser. These changes are said to help drop the GT-R's drag coefficient from 0.272 to 0.268 while also improving rear downforce by 10%.

The car also gets a new set of Rays forged aluminium wheels, which reportedly save a total of 12kg (26.4 lbs), and two new exterior hues (blue and black).

The website added that the 2012MY GT-R will also benefit from some modest interior upgrades, as well as chassis and engine modifications, without going into any details. We'll keep you updated if anything new pops up.

Source: GTRblog

SPY VIDEO: 2011 Nissan GT-R SpecM Testing on the 'Ring

Nissan appears to be preparing a new SpecM version of the upgraded for the 2011 model year, GT-R sports car, as several lightly camouflaged prototypes were spied testing at the Nurburgring race track. The SpecM model was rumored to debut at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, but that never happened.

The prototype GT-Rs seen in this video look like they are equipped with the same aero kit and forged alloy wheels as the more hardcore SpecV model, but with a different design for the quad-exhaust tips.

There's nothing official on the GT-R SpecM yet, however, recent reports from Japan say that the SpecM will get a revised suspension geometry for a softer and more road-friendly ride along with exclusive trim and color options as well as higher quality materials for the interior. The same reports suggest there won't be any changes under the hood.

Via: Youtube/AMS

SPY VIDEO: 2010 Nissan Patrol SUV Caught Testing in U.A.E.

Even though it's been a year since we first showed you a set of photos of the next-generation 2010 Nissan Patrol bagged completely undisguised during some sort of internal presentation, the Japanese automaker has yet to release the vehicle onto the market. Apparently, as this video of a prototype Patrol caught testing in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) suggest, Nissan is still continuing the development of its 4x4 model.

The new Patrol, which should make its debut sometime this year, will compete head on with Toyota's latest generation Land Cruiser. It is also presumed that the new Patrol will form the base for the U.S. market 2011 Infiniti QX that you can check out here.

Via: Youtube / Golf4cars

2011 Nissan Micra / March: Official Sketches Reveal the Less Exciting Nature of the Actual Production Model

A couple of weeks ago, Nissan published a pair of design sketches of its next generation Micra (sold in Japan as the March) suggesting that the firm's new global supermini would boast more sportier and dramatic looks than the current model. Well, sorry to say, but these official drawings of the actual production version that were leaked onto the net imply that the 2011 Micra's styling will be far less daring and grandiose than Nissan wanted us to believe.

We'll get the chance to see how the new generation Micra looks in the flesh at a major car show in 2010, quite possibly at the Geneva Salon next March with sales set to follow in Europe sometime during the second half of the year.

The new Micra that will compete in the B-segment against cars like the Ford Fiesta and Citroen C3 will be produced in five countries including India, China and Thailand. Unlike the current Micra that is built at the firm's UK Sunderland plant, the European market version of the 2011 Micra will be sourced from Renault-Nissan's new facility in Chennai, India.

Via: Carmagazine

SCOOP: Nissan GT-R SpecM - A More Luxurious Take on the 'Godzilla'?

After the SpecV, Nissan appears to be planning yet another limited edition version of its GT-R supercar called the SpecM that is said to make its world debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show at the end of October. Rendered here by the folks over at Japan's Carmode magazine, the SpecM seems to be fitted with the same aero kit and forged alloy wheels (albeit in silver) as the SpecV. Then again, the lack of official photos could mean that the magazine's artist simply color-chopped a GT-R to visualize the cover story...

Sorry to say, we have no idea what Carmode's article says -any translation help from our readers would be more than welcome, but from what we've heard and read around the web, the GT-R SpecM is rumored to feature a "softer" suspension setup than the SpecV offering buyers more luxury and further personalization options.

Via: Carmode