World-beating performance, class-leading value. Nissan GT-R! As the Nissan GT-R continues to impress with its performance on global test tracks, Nissan South Africa awaits the first arrivals of this phenomenal all-wheel drive sports car to our shores. At R1,175,000 SA enthusiasts can soon experience super car performance at a price in line with one of the Nissan brand’s core pillars of excellence – impressive value.

Recent news confirms that the discerning buyers for whom these cars are being prepared have purchased a vehicle of such elevated performance levels that it continues to dominate the production car lap records of the toughest racetrack on the planet.

When Nissan’s R35 GT-R, a true modern supercar, sliced through the 170 turns of the famous 20.8km ribbon of German tarmac which makes up the Nurburgring in an astonishing 7 minutes 38 seconds on its first-ever officially-timed run, industry observers were astounded and the GT-R took to the global stage as a genuine contender for the overall fastest production car available to performance enthusiasts.

The Nissans GT-R’s time on this infamous track soon tumbled down to below 7m 30s, a feat previously only achievable in purpose-built racecars or a miniscule handful of more expensive competitors from smaller-volume manufacturers.  This latest breathtaking result came from the combination of marginally increased power (353 to 357kW at 6400rpm), improved shock absorbers, and a new software programme for the innovative twin-clutch gearbox. These detail adjustments are standard on all 2010 model GT-Rs, and every vehicle destined for our shores is built to this specification.

On the 23rd of April, Nissan test driver T. Suzuki posted a sensational 7m 26.7s in this latest revision of the GT-R package. Nissan’s technological tour de force, originally formidable, is now proving unbeatable as the company continues to improve against the unrelenting yardstick of this definitive European test track, and the product continues to fully realise its objective of being a class-leading sports car in all conditions.

For this major global manufacturer the Nurburgring lap times are about more than unabashedly taking the fight to the iconic brands in this space. They’re a mark of the continued development being put into the GT-R to ensure that owners of these special cars are assured of the highest levels of performance along with Nissan dependability and a strong value proposal.

The South African vehicles will come in two trim specification levels namely the “Premium Edition” and the “Black Edition”. Visible differences in the Black Edition will include black wheels, red leather inserts on seats, and racy red detailing on the door handles. The price includes a 4 year 50 000km Service Plan and 3 year 100 000 km warranty.

Video copyright & courtesy of BBC 2 / Top Gear.