The complete 2011MY Nissan GT-R model line-up now includes six versions – the “Pure edition,” “Black edition,” “Premium edition,” “SpecV,” “Club Track” and “EGOIST” – allowing customers to choose the exact level of dynamic performance and style to meet their various needs. The “Club Track” version is for racing use only, whilst the “EGOIST” version that can be custom-ordered according to the precise desires of each individual customer. I’m not sure I’d want to brag about my car being called the Nissan GT-R EGOIST though…

The 2011MY GT-R features improved engine output and torque (Now 522bhp and 612Nm), greater fuel efficiency, revised handling, a refreshed exterior with improved aerodynamics, revised interior treatment and new wheels and tires. The large number of enhancements for the new model year is part of the continuous advancement of the GT-R design, technology and performance since its debut in December 2007. Nissan has also enhanced the level of after-sales support for GT-R owners.

The GT-R receives subtle improvements to its exterior design – downforce is increased by about 10%, while the coefficient of drag is further reduced from 0.27 to 0.26. Stability is also improved by enlarged bumper and grille openings. You’ll noticed the new front-bumper design with double rectifier fins and high-intensity daylight running lights – the design increases front downforce by about 10%, while also reducing air resistance inside the engine compartment. Rear downforce is also increased by about 10% through use of a new rear bumper air outlet and this features a lower centre of gravity than the previous design.

The newly designed tailpipes now ape those first launched on the SpecV and adopt a enlarged diameter.

Interior changes are widespread, designed to lift the quality of the GT-R and includes a newly shaped instrument panel pad and navigation system display finisher, velour-like coating for the GT-R steering wheel emblem, a new seatback design with leather-appointed Recaro bucket seats on the Black Edition, based on the structure of Pure edition and Premium edition seats.

The SpecV receives the same engine modifications as the base model, except maximum torque is improved to 632Nm when high geared boost is used.

Perhaps the most interesting news is the rumour that the 2011MY GT-R has improved upon its Nürburgring lap time, dropping it from 7:26.4 to 7:20 and bettering the time set by the latest 911 GT3 RS. It looks like 2011 might well be another bumper year for face-offs at the The Green Hell.

Nissan UK have confirmed a new on the road price of £69,950 (incl 20%VAT) for the base GT-R, with prices for more extreme versions reaching over £130,000 in the markets in which they’re sold. The standard ‘no extra cost’ specification list remains as strong as always with Premium Connect HDD satellite navigation, Bose stereo system, iPod™ connectivity, hard drive music storage, Bluetooth phone connection, 20” alloy wheels, runflat tyres, and individual climate control air conditioning. Add that to the performance delivered from the V6 twin turbo through the GR6 twin clutch system, with the aid of the 4 wheel drive system, and the GT-R remains untouchable at the price.

Source: GTR Owners Club UK

There are tens of thousands clips of this fantastic circuit available on YouTube and other media websites, as enthusiasts and manufacturers show off their love and passion for one of the greatest circuits ever built.

A great ‘Ring video isn’t defined by one trait.  A fast lap time, enthusiastic driving styles, high quality footage, deafening exhaust notes or simply unusual machinery being piloted have all been reasons for onboard laps of one of Germany’s top motoring attractions to go viral.

Using our SkiddPlayer, we’ve brought together our top 10 videos from the ‘Ring, consisting of classic footage, F1 world champions, contemporary F1 cars, GTs, sports cars and more.  We hope you enjoy watching the clips as much as we did finding them, and encourage you to share with us some of your favourite videos by either tweeting us @DriversRepublic or submitting them to SkiddPlayer.

#10 – Nissan GTR (7:26:7)

Click to view the Nissan GTR on SkiddPlayer

It’s not the fastest ever lap you’ll see of the Nordschleife, but it’s definitely one of the most impressive given the way the GTR punches well above its price level to circulate faster than a Porsche Carrera GT and Koenigsegg CCX.  The video is a brilliant demonstration of how hard a driver can push when the electronic safety net that is the GTR’s various systems allows the driver to focus fully on the task at hand – going very, very fast.  He might need a new front splitter though after the way he dropped into the first Karrusell.

#9 – Fernando Alonso’s Renault Mégane R26

Click to view Fernando Alonso on SkiddPlayer

This footage is a few years old now and sadly isn’t a complete lap, but it’s another one of those videos that shows how talented drivers can juggle driving quickly, engage calmly in conversation and terrify their passengers all at once.  What’s also nice about this clip is that apart from Alonso’s genuine enthusiasm for exploiting the full potential of the Renault, is that we also get a glimpse of Alonso’s aggressive driving style without the usual cover up in F1 of a full face helmet and semi-closed cockpit.  If you’re reading Luca, it’d be nice to see a video of Alonso take a Ferrari FXX round with similar gusto.

#8 – “Loaded” BMW E46 M3 CSL (7:22)

Click to view the Loaded BMW E46 M3 CSL on SkiddPlayer

If you have a nervous disposition towards very loud vehicles, look away now.  This clip is from Swedish tuners “Loaded” who have modified an E46 M3 CSL, already one of the best sounding cars on the road, and fitted a supercharger and other goodies to produce a car that literally screams its way around the German countryside.  The way the car howls its way up to Aremberg is nothing short of magnificent.

#7 – Manthey Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

Click to view the Manthey Porsche on SkiddPlayer

It wouldn’t be a ‘Ring videos top 10 without a clip from onboard a Porsche 911, would it?  So we feel if we’re going to include one, we may as well choose the fastest one currently out there, with the #1 Manthey Porsche on ‘Ring taxi duties as they blitz around backmarkers like they’re stood still in the 24 hours race.  Expect to see the #1 blinding backmarkers with its flashing headlights en route to another race victory in next weekend’s 2010 Nürburgring 24 hours.

#6 Porsche 996 GT2 vs. Caterham R500

Click to watch the Porsche 996 GT2 take on the Caterham R500

Every ‘Ring video playlist also needs an on track battle.  It’s not strictly legal to race against each other on open trackdays, but it certainly makes for enthralling footage if the cars duelling are driven to their limits and more.  In this amateur video, the more powerful but heavier Porsche goes head to head in peculiar match up against the lightweight Caterham R500.  It’s fascinating seeing the more agile and nimble Caterham corner better than the Stuttgart brawler, then the sheer grunt of the Porsche allowing the camera car to catapult by on the straights.  Our favourite bit of this video though is the crazy shouting by the driver at 1:38 and the friendly thumbs up at the end, great stuff from a typically enthusiastic Italian pilot.

#5 – BMW F1 driven by Nick Heidfeld

Click to watch Nick Heidfeld on SkiddPlayer

Sadly, there’s no full onboard footage of Stefan Bellof’s lap record (6:11) in his WSC Porsche, but we can bring you some high speed action thanks to Nick Heidfeld’s demonstration runs in 2007.  Heidfeld isn’t pushing to the very limit given it’s a non-competitive demonstration and the run off areas are hardly accommodating for an F1-sized accident, but he’s still massively faster than any other video you’ll ever see by a non-single seater car.  Suspend logical thought, major logistical headaches and safety concerns for a moment, can you imagine how incredible it would be if they still raced modern F1 cars at the Nordschleife?

#4 – Radical SR8 LM by Michael Vergers (6:48)

Click to watch Michael Vergers' Radical on SkiddPlayer

Forget your Ferraris and Porsches, if you want to show someone who has never seen the ‘Ring before what all the fuss is about, show them this Michael Vergers Radical SR8 LM lap.  Vergers is known for being utterly fearless and this 6:48 lap is testament to this fact.  Whilst the Radical is not the fastest car in terms of outright speed, its tremendous midrange and cornering ability make it a potent ‘Ring weapon.  There are far too many moments to count where Vergers almost loses control and visits the scenery, but he somehow keeps it altogether to achieve the present ‘Ring record for a production vehicle.  And yes you did see right, at 6:00 Vergers up-shifts through the notorious Pflanzgarten section.  Crikey.

#3 – Graham Hill narrates Hermann Lang’s Mercedes W125

Click to watch Hermann Lang's Mercedes W125 on SkiddPlayer

This clip from 1962 is a wonderfully sedate look at the Nordschleife as it appeared in the 1960s when trees were preferred as impact structures over tyre walls and barriers.  The 646bhp monster is a joy to watch as it navigates a far greener looking circuit than we see today.  Hill’s very British narration is full of interesting insight and catches the zeitgeist of the 1960s perfectly.  Be sure to check out the crazy levels of positive camber and bus sized steering wheel on the W125.

#2 – Opening lap of the 1975 German Grand Prix

Click to watch the opening lap of the 1975 German GP on SkiddPlayer

Back to sub seven minute lap times here in a real gem of a video featuring the opening lap of the penultimate Grand Prix at the ‘Ring.  There’s no commentary on this clip which allows you to take in the magnificent sounds of 1970s F1 as Ferrari’s Niki Lauda is chased by a Tyrrell-Ford all lap as the pair streak away from the chasing pack.  Be sure to turn the speakers up as Lauda’s Ferrari screams and squirms its way up Ex-Mühle (3:37) en-route to an eventual 3^rd place.

#1 – Sideways RUF CTR1 Yellowbird

Click to watch our #1 'Ring video on SkiddPlayer

If you’re a car fan and have an internet connection, then in all likelihood our #1 ‘Ring video comes as no surprise to you as it’ll already be in your favourites, having been viewed again and again on a regular basis.  As our final video, we present one of the finest car videos there ever will be online, so sit back and switch between grinning ear to ear and gasping at the ludicrous angles achieved in what is one of the best ever displays of car control.

Get involved – your video suggestions

Now visit our dedicated Nurburgring Channel on SkiddPlayer ...

We’ve had many of you tweet in your suggestions for videos that should’ve made our top 10.  @PistonSpy suggested the brief highlights clip of Stefan Bellof’s incredible 6:11 lap record and Jackie Stewart narrating old footage of Stirling Moss and later some F2 drivers working the wheel at the ‘Ring.  Porsche fan @Porschephile put forward Derek Bell’s complete onboard lap and there’s been enjoyment by all on some of the sounds of all the cars in our top 10, particularly Lauda’s Ferrari in clip #2.  Keep your suggestions coming and we’ll be sure to add them to the article.

Feel like we missed something?  Drop us a comment beneath or check out all of these videos and more on our dedicated SkiddPlayer Nürburgring Channel.

We have a UK road test on the incredible, paradigm-shifting Nissan GT-R.

Then it’s a double Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ-fest test – with the FQ-360 on a European road trip, to Spa-Francorchamps and the Green Hell, with the RMA. And we also have the latest, most powerful Evo of them all; the £49,995 FQ-400, on a road test in the Lake District, and opentrack.co.uk track day at Oulton Park.

Banzai!

Get stuck in with a cuppa, beer or glass of plonk… and do pass on the link to your mates if you like the read…

The order books are open now and will close on 22 January 2010, with just 40 cars being available for sale. Whilst a limited production run highlights the exclusivity of Nissan’s supercar, it is perhaps more dictated by the SpecV’s price, which at £124,900 in the UK makes it more than ‘twice’ as expensive as the standard GT-R.

Interestingly Nissan describe the limited run of 40 examples in Europe as reflecting that “2009 is the 40th anniversary of the launch of the first Nissan to wear the GT-R badge”. Hmmm, we’ll leave it up to you to judge which is most likely reason for such a small allocation of cars.

Developed as the ultimate iteration of the GT-R, the SpecV model builds on the original GT-R’s by changing and enhancing key components that help deliver the SpecV’s philosophy of being for skilled drivers who are ‘at one’ with their vehicle.

Incorporating all of the product enhancements recently announced for the standard MY10 GT-R, these changes are based around the SpecV’s ability (in the right conditions and environment) to brake later and harder, corner faster and accelerate sooner than the standard car.

Although maximum horsepower remains the same, engine performance is enhanced with a new high-gear boost control device, which briefly increases boost of the twin turbochargers for greater torque in the intermediate-to-high speed ranges to provide greater in-gear acceleration. Braking and cornering performance is improved by the fitting of a carbon ceramic brake system jointly developed by Nissan and Brembo, revised springs and fixed-rate dampers. Other performance modifications include a titanium exhaust system.

Externally, the SpecV is also equipped with lightweight, racing-style forged aluminium wheels that were developed uniquely for this model by Nissan Motorsports International (NISMO), the sports car and motorsports arm of Nissan in Japan. The SpecV’s exterior also features a carbon fibre rear spoiler, a carbon fibre grille, and carbon fibre brake ducts. All of these changes amount to a weight saving of 60kg.

Inside, the SpecV is offered uniquely as a two-seater (standard GT-R models include ‘plus-two’ sized rear seat) with bespoke Recaro carbon fibre bucket seats trimmed only in black leather, while carbon fibre is also used for the surround of the rear Bose speakers, instrument panel and other trim areas.

In addition to a revised paint colour line-up (Ultimate Metal Silver and Titanium are not available) the SpecV is available in optional Ultimate Black Opal (RP), a unique chromaflair paint for this version.

The SpecV will be only available through one Nissan High Performance Centre in the UK – Middlehurst Motorsport GT-R, St Helens, Merseyside and in recognition of the car’s indelible link with the Nordschleife circuit in Germany, the SpecV is only being displayed in Europe at the new Nissan Sports showroom in the new Nürburgring complex which was opened last July.

The logic which controls torque distribution between the front and rear axles when the GT-R is manoeuvring at low speeds when fluids are cold, has been altered to reduce rear-axle ‘binding’. Also, the logic in the gearbox has been changed to give a later downshift from 6th to 5th when driven in automatic mode, but a more aggressive downshift pattern when changing down from 4th to 3rd, and from 3rd to 2nd gear.

To improve cooling around the rear of the car, two additional NACA cooling ducts have been added to the carbon fibre underfloor diffuser which will provide additional cooling to the exhaust and gearbox. Furthermore, a new, larger diameter pipe connecting the oil cooler will reduce gearbox temperatures.

Earlier this year some problems were reported by US GT-R owners which related to the first gear cog in the gearbox, which under stress can develop cracks and then fail entirely, causing destruction of the gearbox. Part of this problem appeared to be due to the over-use of launch control, but some owners have chosen to upgrade first gear and the input shaft with stronger parts anyway.

Nissan took the decision to remove the launch control function in response to these issues, and now this improved cooling and reprogrammed logic control should have banished these issues for good. Hopefully.

Another small, but significant update has been to the front transmission mount, which has been stiffened, reducing vibration through the drive-line under high-load conditions. Also, the balance of the electronic brakeforce distribution bias has been moved slightly rearwards, giving greater braking stability in dry conditions, while a change in design of the rear brake cross spring has reduced noise and a modified air deflector increases rear brake cooling.

Changes to the engine management systems now ensure that the GT-R is Euro 5 compliant, without a loss of performance, whilst CO2 emissions have dropped by 3g to 295g/km.

Visually, front and rear bumpers now benefit from a double coat of clear paint, providing a deeper finish to the base colour, while inside the speedometer and rev counter now sport gun metallic finish surrounds.

Finally, uprated insulation has been fitted to the rear seats, which is said to improve cabin refinement.

A number of additional improvements have been made inside the GT-R, which is now equipped with Nissan’s latest generation combined audio and navigation system featuring a 40GB Hard Disk Drive (HDD), improved 3D maps, touch-screen interface and the option to select on-screen instructions in 8 different languages and voice recognition in a choice of 7 languages.

Since the start of European sales earlier this year, Nissan has delivered a total of over 1600 GT-Rs to customers, with waiting lists continuing to grow.

Porsche usually call upon the services of Herr Walter Rohrl to set their official ring times, so this might not be representative of the 450 PS GT3 RS’ full potential. Nevertheless in the pantheon of bragging rights, this time is right up there as one of the fastest of any series production car (ever).

Nissan’s latest GT-R recently lapped the ring in 7 minutes 27.56 seconds, not to mention the Corvette ZR1 which recorded a lap of 7 minutes 26.4 seconds, so I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of this.

If you weren’t able to follow the build up to this story on Twitter, then click on the link to see the behind-the-scenes photos and comments.

Now read the feature magazine and then let us know your thoughts.

Click the image below

Click the image below to read the magazine feature then tell us if the 370Z is likely to feature on your shopping list for 2009.

Read the 23 page feature magazine

Click the picture below

Watch the video laps..

The then tell us what you think. Is this the end of the debate or is it set to continue?

Good luck guys.