The Auto Writer

Automotive enthusiasts have been waiting for the release of several new hot car models, perhaps none hotter than the Nissan GT-R sportscar. Based on the heralded Nissan Skyline, the $70K GT-R will be making its debut next Monday, with more than 70% of its first year quota already spoken for.

The 2009 Nissan GT-R has an MSRP of $69,850 for the GT-R and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model,with an additional destination, handling charge of $1,000 tacked on. Unlike every other Nissan model, the GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan dealers that have met a number of strict sales, service and facilities commitments, including dedicating a master technician to service the GT-R. Nissan has provided a searchable listing of the 671 GT-R Certified Nissan dealers on its website at nissanusa.com.

“After years of speculation and anticipation, the wait for a U.S.-spec Nissan GT-R is over,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “GT-R is one supercar that more than lives up to its promise, with independent testing by the leading auto enthusiasts magazines and online sites producing performance results that only a handful of production cars have ever attained – much less at a $70,000 MSRP.”

The 2009 Nissan GT-R comes equipped with a standard 480-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine and a 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The sportscar set a lap time of 7 minutes 29 seconds at Nurburgring Nordschleife, one of the fastest times achieved by a production-spec vehicle to date on that famous track.

Only 2500 GT-Rs will be available in the US market for its first year of sale stateside.

(Source: Nissan North America, Inc.)