Nissan Aus secures GT-R T-Spec, confirms Nismo SV

JUST as the curtains begin to close on the R35 GT-R, Nissan has thrown not one but two new highly specified T-Spec variants at the market in the form of the Premium Edition and Track edition engineered by Nismo, although only one of them will be making it Down Under.

Just 100 examples of the T-Specs are being produced in total, however Nissan Australia has managed to secure at least a few units of the T-Spec Premium (known as just the ‘T-Spec’ here) before the GT-R is forced from our market by new Australian Design Rule regulations that come into effect from November.

Priced from $256,700 plus on-road costs and due here next month, the T-Spec is based on the GT-R Premium Edition but adds exclusive carbon-ceramic brakes, a carbon-fibre rear spoiler, unique engine cover, exclusive badging front and rear and a few extra niceties inside the cabin like the quilt-stitched Alcantara roof lining, suede A-pillar trim and model-exclusive kick plates.

According to Nissan, the ‘T-Spec’ nameplate “represents the GT-R’s philosophy of leading and shaping the times and is inspired by the words ‘trend’ and ‘traction’”.

Power will once again come from the familiar twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine, still good for 419kW/632Nm.

As usual, that monumental grunt is shipped to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Instead of receiving the T-Spec Track edition engineered by Nismo, Australia is being treated to a new GT-R performance hero in the form of the Nismo SV that takes the already insane Nismo and throws a heap of extra gear at it.

Priced from $393,800, the SV is $5800 more expensive than the regular Nismo but the extra outlay is offset by a clear-coated carbon-fibre bonnet – allegedly saving 100g – and exclusive 20-inch Rays aluminium forged wheels.

Compared to the ‘standard’ GT-Rs, the Nismos up the ante considerably in terms of power and torque with official outputs pegged at 441kW/652Nm courtesy of new high-precision, weight-balanced parts including piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, flywheel, crank pulley and tighter tolerance valve springs.

According to Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson, the GT-R “has earned its place at the pinnacle of performance around the world, acting as a true automotive icon for more than 50 years”. 

“This isn’t the end of the GT-R story in Australia, but it will mark the closure of this chapter for this generation vehicle,” he said, suggesting the next-generation GT-R could be imminent and on its way here.

“And there is surely no more fitting a send-off for this performance hero than with an expanded range offering that includes not one but two thrilling special editions.”

Despite its age, sales of the GT-R are up 18.8 per cent so far this year ending August 31 with the 19 deliveries accounting for an admittedly slim 2.5 per cent of the $200,000-plus coupe segment – well behind the leading Porsche 911 (291 units /38.2 per cent).

2022 Nissan GT-R pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs