Sydney show: GT-R order books open

NISSAN took the covers off the eagerly-anticipated Nissan GT-R at the Australian International Motor Show today, displaying the production version of the all-new supercar in Australia for the first time, with the order book alongside it ready and waiting for buyers.

From today’s show opening, customers can officially begin ordering their GT-Rs –at the Darling Harbour stand or through a select group of 11 accredited “Nissan High Performance Centre” dealers – for an April 2009 delivery. As announced last week, the coupe will be priced from $148,800, with a Premium model starting from $152,800.

Alongside the GT-R, Nissan displayed its stunning Mixim electric concept car fresh from doing its motor show rounds in Europe and seen for the first time outside the Continent or the UK.

Left: Nissan Murano and Mixim.

First displayed at the Frankfurt motor show last year, Mixim is a futuristic electric car concept smaller than a Nissan Micra.

It is powered by lithium-ion batteries driving two of Nissan’s 50kW ‘Super Motor’ electric motor/generator packs – one each for the front and rear axles - and is capable of a top speed of 180km/h, with a potential maximum range of 250km. Nissan claims the vehicle can be charged from a discharged state in between 20 and 40 minutes.

Nissan also unveiled its all-new Murano luxury SUV, which is expected on sale here in February. The Murano, which went on sale in the US in June, has more equipment, an upgraded VQ35 V6 engine and new-generation Xtronic CVT transmission.

Also revealed at the Nissan stand this morning was a Tiida CST-R concept. Built by the Nissan aftersales department, the design concept is purely an experiment to gauge customer response at the show.

The CST-R delves deep into the Nissan Japan ‘Impul’ accessories catalogue. It has lowered suspension, 17-inch wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, leather interior, and DVD, USB, iPod and Bluetooth compatibility.

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