Between 1969 and 1974, and then again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan offered high-performance car enthusiasts with what’s become an icon in the automotive industry, the Nissan Skyline GT-R. However, when Nissan debuted the successor of the supercar at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, it decided to drop the ‘Skyline’ badge but added more power and sexier looks, creating the hottest and fastest ‘Godzilla’ to date.

The new Nissan GT-R is powered by a 3.8 L twin-turbocharged DOHC V6 engine that produces 473 horsepower and a peak torque of 430 lb-ft. According to Nissan 0-62 comes in at 3.5 seconds but the guys Edmunds have managed a time of 3.3 seconds. Top speed is limited at 193mph. Nissan has confirmed a Nurburgring lap time of 7:38.54 seconds.

Nissan will begin taking orders for the brand new Nissan GT-R on January 1, 2008 while deliveries will begin sometime in June 2008. Nissan is allocating only 1,500 units of the GT-R for the U.S. next year with a starting price of $69,850. The premium model will run you $71,900.

It has been confirmed that Nissan is will introduce a lighter and more powerful GT-R called the GT-R Spec V. The Spec V will arrive in the U.S. in 2010.

Keep checking back here for the latest coverage on the Nissan GT-R. Have something to say? Start a discussion in the ‘Comments’ section below.

Posts on the Nissan GT-R:

07-22-2008: Top Gear crashes Nissan GT-R press car
07-07-2008: First U.S. 2009 Nissan GT-R delivered
06-27-2008: Nissan GT-R deliveries to begin July 7th, 70% allocation sold
06-16-2008: A work of art: Photographing a matte-black Nissan GT-R
06-14-2008: Godzilla Heaven: Nissan GT-R fleet lands in Jacksonville, Florida
06-13-2008: Nissan GT-R Spec-V coming in mid-2010, Paris debut expected
06-02-2008: Video: Nissan GT-R 7:29 lap of the Nurburgring
05-30-2008: Video: Nissan GT-R vs R8, 911, Evo X MR, WRX STI, Elise SC
05-16-2008: Expect to pay over $90,000 for the Nissan GT-R
05-01-2008: 2009 Nissan GT-R does 7:29 around the Nurburgring
04-29-2008: Video: GranTurismo creator takes the Nissan GT-R to 193mph
04-28-2008: Video: Jay Leno test drives the 2009 Nissan GT-R
04-28-2008: Spy Video: 2010 Nissan GT-R V-Spec goes around Nurburgring
04-09-2008: Nissan GT-R V-Spec laps ‘Ring 18 seconds faster than standard Godzilla
04-07-2008: Video: MotorTrend takes the Nissan GT-R 0-60 in 3.2 seconds
03-31-2008: InsideLine gets pulled over again, washes and returns GT-R to Nissan
03-29-2008: Nissan GT-R may be producing at least 507-hp
03-24-2008: Another Nissan GT-R wrecked, this time in Malaysia
03-13-2008: Ghosn: There will be no 4-door Nissan GT-R
02-27-2008: Fifth Gear: Nissan GT-R, the first ever TV review
02-25-2008: Video: AutoCar pins the Nissan GT-R against the 911 GT3 and the M3
02-20-2008: Video: Nissan GT-R vs Porsche 911 Turbo (part 2)
02-19-2008: Video: Nissan GT-R takes on the Porsche 911 Turbo (part 1)
02-16-2008: Can’t afford a Nissan GT-R? You may be able to lease one
02-13-2008: Nissan GT-R V-Spec to get 550hp, will be 330 pounds lighter
02-06-2008: 691 U.S. Nissan dealers get ‘GT-R Certified’ to take pre-orders
01-28-2008: Nissan GT-R Spec V pictures and info leaked?
01-24-2008: Video: Nissan GT-R goes drifting in the snow
01-07-2008: Moment of Silence: First Nissan GT-R crash
12-19-2007: Video: Inside Line takes Nissan GT-R 0-60mph in 3.3 secs
12-05-2007: U.S. dealers waiting on GT-R horsepower rating
11-19-2007: Nissan expects to sell 1,500 GT-R units a year in the U.S.
11-14-2007: LA Auto Show: Nissan GT-R U.S. pricing revealed
10-25-2007: Nissan GT-R Spec V coming in 2010
10-24-2007: Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan GT-R Officially Revealed

Nissan GT-R Gallery: