New Nissan GT-R Special Edition T-Spec Models for Autumn

It’s been a busy summer for Nissan, what with the recent reveal of the impressive new Nissan Z sports car. Now we have a couple of revamped Nissan GT-R models for 2022 due to go on sale during the latter half of October. All arguably part of the Nissan ‘kaizen’ principle which was put in place during the manufacturer’s global restructuring plan under Carlos Ghosn; Kaizen asks that every employee constantly thinks about small incremental ways to improve work flow and operations and this can also flow into Nissan models themselves, hence the GT-R has had a constant stream of tweaks and improvements over the past decade or so. Kaizen is not dissimilar to the ethos put in place by Team Sky Racing that went into securing Bradley Wiggins a first Tour De France win for Great Britain in 2012. Small changes matter.

As Skyline/ GT-R variants continue to evolve, the more the ‘Z’ and ‘Skyline’ models begin to look like they really do come from the same stable. Whilst in the past the GT-R could be classed as meeting the required aesthetic of a Japanese supercar, these days it looks to be sporting more curves and less angles. It’s almost like it’s finally trying to fit in. These new models aren’t a major overhaul for the much-respected GT-R, just more of another set of tweaks, making sure we don’t all forget that the supercar exists – as if we ever could.

So what we have here are two special editions bound for the Japanese market. The Premium Edition reinvigorates the T-Spec moniker that was used to differentiate the likes of top-end X-Trails and Pathfinders in the past. The other model is the T-Spec Track Edition courtesy of NISMO, Nissan’s specialist in-house high-performance tweaking arm. Both special edition GT-Rs come equipped with a carbon-fibre wing at the rear and carbon ceramic brakes with badging to denote the status of special edition.

The Premium Edition GT-R comes with a slight weight reduction low down courtesy of wider and lighter forged Ray alloys in a fetching bronze colour. The special editions will also feature revised suspension due to this weight change. Handling is improved thanks to the wider Rays which allow for increased tyre rigidity improving the car to ground connection and stability. Inside, seating gets some attention with reworked stitching as part of its exclusive cabin interior design.

The T-Spec Track Edition also gets a shift to a slightly lighter overall weight thanks to a carbon-fibre boot lid and roof. Though the focus here is on the driving experience and handling as you might expect.

Powering these beasts via an automatic 6-speed dual clutch gearbox will be the twin-turbo V6 3.8-litre petrol engine, offering 562bhp for the GT-R Premium Edition and 592bhp for the GT-R T-Spec Track Edition.

Aside from specific special edition badging and bronzed wheels, the new GT-R models will stand out thanks to two brand new body colours – Midnight Purple and Millennium Jade. The former is described as inspired by the colour changes within the aurora borealis, while the jade paint ‘aims to translate sophistication by conveying a quiet but powerful presence’. Make of that what you will, but in plain English one is a subtle sage green and the other dark purple – and both are very nice. I could also quote here some ‘brand-speak’ as to why Nissan chose the T-Spec moniker, but that makes even less sense.

The Premium Edition and the T-Spec Track Edition GT-R models will be limited to just one hundred (across both special editions) and prospective owners will be chosen by ballot. In pound sterling, the former will start from approximately £104,000 while the Track Edition will begin at £117,000. As stated earlier, both editions will be for the Japanese market only at present with no direct plans to make them available elsewhere. Though it’s not unheard of for Japanese GT-R models to find their way onto these shores of course.

Images: autoexpress.co.uk, carmag.co.za