Paris show: Godzilla midlife facelift previewed

NISSAN took the unusual step of putting a significantly facelifted GT-R supercoupe on its stand at the Paris motor show last week, two weeks ahead of the official press reveal and well ahead of next year’s global release.

The 2011 GT-R is scheduled for Australian release in mid-2011 and will feature important technical upgrades.

Although placed behind a glass screen to frustrate Paris show photographers, Godzilla’s new front end is clear to see, featuring an entirely new fascia with reprofiled upper and lower air intakes.

But the key difference for carspotters will be the LED daytime running lights installed in the ribbed lower corners of the front bumper, as well as new lightweight alloy rims.

The new front end is not just for looks as it also improves the aerodynamics, shaving the co-efficient of drag (Cd) figure from 0.272 to 0.268.

At the rear is a new and more aggressive diffuser that is apparently taken from the current SpecM version and generates 10 per cent more downforce.

It is located below a revised rear bumper that incorporates a mandatory EU foglight, which also employs LED technology.

All the juicy technical details for the all-wheel drive monster will have to wait at least another week, but reports suggest there will be a hefty power increase to further take the performance battle up to Porsche.

Expect the official power output figure for the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 VR38DETT engine to top 500 horsepower (375kW) – well up on the current model’s 357kW.

Nissan test drivers have been pounding prototypes around the famed Nurburgring Nordschleife race circuit in Germany, refining the dynamic package – said to include significant suspension and brake improvements – and no doubt producing even faster lap times than last year’s record-breaking effort.

In Paris, though, the company was giving little away, confirming only that it will be available globally from next year, and with a choice of two new exterior colors: Aurora Flare Blue Pearl (color code RAY) and Nebula Opal Black (color code GAG).