Wald Tuned Nissan GT-R

Wald International has officially introduced their new body package for the Nissan GT-R. The Japanese tuner has not released any engine modifications, citing the "difficulty in tuning the GT-R's engine."

The company has created several carbon-fibre body parts to lighten the vehicle's weight and make the car more aerodynamic. They custom built a front-lip spoiler and nose cover, and rear wing. Low-drag duct covers from another lightweight composite material are in place, while under the hood the cutomer will find a carbon-fibre engine cover.

Wald's aero-kit comes in the glossy finish typically used for street cars, called wet carbon fibre, or a dull matte grey color, called dry carbon fibre. The second choice is usually used on racers. A wet carbon kit starts at 1,039,500 yen ($11,620), with the dry carbon kit going for about 2,362,500 ($26,410). Prices include taxes.

Nissan 370Z Tuning Package by Branew

Other Japanese automakers must be green with envy at Nissan's current success with the sports car genre. Tuners on the other hand, salivate each time the Japanese car maker is mentioned. Branew is one such tuner. Also based in Japan, Branew plans to launch a very comprehensive tuning kit for the new Nissan 370Z at the Tokyo Auto Salon in a couple of weeks' time.

Branew developed a new sports exhaust for the car, reprogrammed the standard 332hp 3.7-litre V6's ECU, upgraded its brake system and added a new sports suspension kit. Carbon fibre exterior kit includes front spoiler, side steps, rear spoiler, a rear air diffuser and a rear wing. Multi-spoke alloy wheels will be offered in various sizes for that final touch of performance.

Nissan GT-R COBRA N+ Tuning Concept

One of Germany's foremost Nissan tuners COBRA N+ has been working on one of their most prized projects, the Nissan GT-R. It's a well known fact that the GT-R's 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 develops a potent dose of 485hp / 357kW in standard form, pushed along by a 4WD system.

COBRA N+ believes power can only be substituted with more power, and therefore during the first tuning stage the brand expects to yield a more meaningful 550 hp / 410kW. Torque will go up to a maximum of 680Nm. At these levels the car will sprint from 0 - 100km/h in 3.5 seconds, with a top velocity of 320km/h. The second stage at some point will see the GT-R producing 620hp / 462kW and peak torque of about 800Nm. Then they will call it RACE PERFORMANCE.

COBRA N+ reckons it will achieve these first stage performance numbers through reprogramming of the electronics, boost pressure of 0.15 bar and modified air intakes fitted with sport air filters.

Other performance enhancing features are 21-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, 8-piston brake calipers, front end lift reduction mechanisms through an aerodynamic part and an integrated diffuser.

Inside the car is layered with carbon fiber bits and pieces, leather/ Alcantara materials and a roll cage. COBRA N+ will offer their modified GT-R as soon as the European market launch happens in 2009.

Nissan GT-R 600hp Godzilla Package by Hennessey

Hennessey Performance Engineering has just made us even bigger fans of the Nissan GT-R. The Texas-based tuner released a 600 hp (441 kW) upgrade to the car just in time for the holidays.

Called the Godzilla 600, the tuning package also provides up to 570 ft-lb (773 Nm) of torque.

This is not the first GT-R specific upgrade from the company. They have a tweek to the on-board computer software that adds 65 hp (48 kW) and 75 lb-ft (102 Nm) of torque after only 10 minutes.

The Godzilla 600 is not as simple. This package includes an upgrade to the air induction system, electronic boost control, an improved wastegate actuator, and front-mount intercooler system. Also included are turbo down pipes, mid-pipe exhaust, and rear section exhaust all in stainless steel.

Hennessey will install the package for $14,500, or ship the items to you for $11,500.

We wonder how soon you will notice the difference as you try to outrun Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol as you race down I-10 away from HPE headquarters.

Nissan Fairlady Z

The car that the rest of us know as the Nissan 370Z is now on sale in its home market, bearing the familiar Fairlady Z nameplate that it's traditionally worn in Japan. The updated, retro-modern styling, new 247 kW (337 PS) VQ37VHR 3.7-liter V6 and choice of six-speed rev-matching manual or seven-speed automatic transmissions are the same that we saw at the car's Los Angeles Auto Show debut.

The new, more compact body carries styling cues from classic Fairlady models and distinct "Z" badging. Lightening measures such as aluminum body panels keep the weight down, and the new interior uses higher-quality materials including a new "Forte Suede" cloth. Soft-touch materials make the cabin a friendlier place, and the new Fairlady's interior has been optimized for performance driving as well. A factory-installed HDD-based CARWINGS navigation system is available.

On-road performance has been increased. In addition to the lightening measures, the car is more powerful, of course. The groundbreaking new transmissions are coupled to an independent suspension and aluminum-caliper opposed-piston Akebono brakes at all four corners. Nissan's Vehicle Dynamic Control stability control is also standard.

The Fairlady Z's home-market pricing ranges from 3,622,500 yen ($38K) to 4,462,500 ($47K) yen, including Japan's consumption tax. Some Japan-specific "performance" specifications that you might not have heard include the Fairlady Z's 95% recyclability rate, and a reduction of interior volatile organic compounds.

Nissan GT-R Club Sport Package by Nismo

Official Nissan motorsports and performance tuning arm, Nismo, has revealed its eagerly anticipated Club Sport upgrade package for the R35 Nissan GT-R. With a focus on reducing weight and increased handling, the package consists of RAYS forged aluminum wheels (Front 20x9.5 (+45mm offset) and Rear 20x10.5 (+25mm offset) with Bridgestone RE070R run-flats (F 225/40 and R 285/35), Bilstein's Damptronic struts, which are basically height adjustable coilovers with electronically controlled dampening, 11-pound lighter rear exhaust system and carbon fiber undertray. Inside the seats get upgraded to a carbon fiber backrest trimmed in leather with side airbags but without heavy electrical adjustment resulting in 13 pounds saved. Unfortunately, the package is only available in Japan through official Nismo shops with a huge price of ¥5,460,000 (€35,000), however, rest assured specialty importers have already inked distribution deals with Nismo, although without a warranty.

Arios GT-R Carbon-Fibre Body Kit

Lets step back and evaluate for a second, the Nissan GT-R has just completed the famous Nurburgring in just 7min 29sec, it has been sold out in almost every county that can get their hands on it even a year before it is launched. The mean looks makes us think the devil has changed to the form of the GT-R and risen from the depths of hell to conquer the earth, so what would any tuner be doing trying to enhance arguably the best ride on the planet?

The answer according to Japanese Tuner Arios is to keep modifications subtle with a new carbon-fibre body kit comprising of a front lip spoiler, nose and engine covers and sidestep side skits. Addtionally for those of you with that nostalgic feeling, Arios will also change the R35’s front GT-R emblem with the oldschool emblem from a Skyline GT-R KPCG10. The Arios GT-R is still a work in progress with further carbon-fibre body parts including a rear spoiler to be offered in the future.