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Details of the GT-R were only meant to be announced at the Tokyo Motor Show next week, but Nissan's party has been crashed.
Performance figures are peak power of 352 kW at 6 400 r/min and 588 Nm of torque from 3 200 to 5 200 r/min.
According to Nissan, its supercar-eater blasts to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 3.5 seconds and has a 310-km/h top end.
Very, very quick indeed, as it would need to be to outrun the iconic Porsche 911 Turbo. Throughout the GT-R's development, the 911 Turbo was used as the benchmark to which the final product was measured.
We can confirm that the new all-wheel drive supercar will be powered by a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 with an aluminium block. Its engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox that can be used either in fully automatic or sequential modes via paddleshifts.
And though this car looks as hot as ever, a concept first made its surprise announcement at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show with Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn promising to unveil the new car at the 2007 show.
After a quick teaser in the form of the GT-R Proto at the 2005 Tokyo Show, the action really started hotting up and we're happy that not too much has changed on the production car, save for a few bumper and fender tweaks here and there.
The production GT-R features a monocoque structure though carbon fibre inserts are liberally.
The bumper and grille are constructed from lightweight polypropylene plastic.
Aluminium is used extensively for the bonnet, fenders, doors and boot lid and the all-aluminium double wishbone front suspension. Nissan claims that while its GT-R is about 10% larger than the venerable 350Z, it's also about 10% lighter.
GT-R has a drivetrain with a rear transaxle that incorporates the function of a conventional centre differential. Performance variables such as traction, steering angle and vehicle speed are monitored at a rate of about once every 0.2 seconds with the torque split either 50/50 front to rear or 100% to the rear wheels.
Three different suspension modes include R (race), C (comfort) and the default S (sports) are available.
On a car with this much potential, brakes have to be up to the task too, and the GT-R is equipped with massive 381 mm cross ventilated discs with six-piston Brembos (at the front) and four-pistons at the rear.
Large 20-inch wheels are shod with either Dunlop or Bridgestone nitrogen-filled run-flat performance tyres.
And while it may be a two plus two seater this fact in no way implies this supercar is meant to be practical. As expected the rear seats are intended for garden gnomes and parcels while the front occupants are allowed to languish in sport-seat comfort.
A new multifunction display monitors engine coolant and oil temperatures, oil and transmission oil pressures, a boost gauge, and lateral G-force among others. A satellite navigation system and comprehensive onboard entertainment system are expected too.
Bang for buck, the new generation GT-R promises to be as captivating as its predecessors. More details are expected next week.
