Overhaul of Nissan GT-R includes power boost

The 2012 Nissan GT-R, which arrives in the United States next year, gets its biggest overhaul since the high-performance sports car was relaunched in 2007--with a premium placed on more horsepower and better fuel efficiency.

Nissan Motor Co. boosts engine output to 530 hp, from 485 in the current model. Fuel economy improves to 20 mpg, from 19.5 mpg, under Japanese testing standards.

The redone GT-R, which goes on sale in Japan on Nov. 15, also gets a refreshed interior and exterior. Engineers adjusted the styling to reduce its drag coefficient to 0.26, from 0.27.

Among the changes are bigger bumper and grille openings, rectifier fins on the front bumper to increase downward force and a redesigned rear bumper to lower the center of gravity.

The 2012 GT-R also gets a carbon composite strut supporting bar in the engine partition wall to improve the body's rigidity, as well as larger diameter brake rotors to increase braking force. The car will ride on newly designed forged aluminum-alloy wheels that are lighter and more rigid.

Nissan said the car will come to the United States sometime after February 2011 but wouldn't be more specific.

By Hans Greimel- Automotive News