As the hype surrounding Nissan’s GT-R sports car has tapered off somewhat, the company plans to keep the buzz fresh by unleashing a higher-performance Spec V model on the Japanese market early next month. Based on the standard 480-hp car, which is no slouch for a vehicle topping 3900 pounds, the Spec V is lighter and more track-focused, yet does without much additional gusto under the hood.

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Road & Track just spilled the beans on the new Nissan GT-R Spec V, so we can now share their data with all of you. Thanks guys. While the “regular” GT-R is busy bringing down giants and collecting hardware in the process, the new GT-R Spec V promises to improve on the formula, and probably cure cancer or bring about world peace along the way. Here are the numbers: 2 seats only, 520 hp @ 6500 rpm, 440 lb.-ft. of torque all the way from 3200–5200 rpm, 3615 lbs., ‘Ring laps quicker than 7:30, $130,000 MSRP, early 2009.
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Nissan expects buzz to carry GT-R for two years before the hard-core Spec V with potentially 550 hp debuts in the U.S.

Here in the U.S., the hype continues to build in anticipation of the July on-sale date of the 2009 Nissan GT-R. But in Japan, where the car has been on sale since December 2007, it is the Spec V—on sale this December—that has buyers excited.

In North America, be prepared to wait a couple model years for the performance Spec V, which will be lighter, faster, and pricier than the conventional sports car. We expect to learn more of the specifics at the 2008 Paris auto show in September, but heavy use of carbon fiber coupled with some decontenting reportedly will shed anywhere from 220 to 330 pounds. Visually, the Spec V has a new front splitter and tweaked rear spoiler. A modified suspension sits in between, and the car has distinctive spoke wheels.

Larry Dominique, Nissan North America vice president in charge of product planning, says he wants to see how the regular GT-R plays out and save the Spec V for when the buzz dies down and demand starts to fall off. Read more »