Nissan Hires Toyota LMP1 Driver to Develop Nismo GT-R

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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has hired current Toyota LMP1Toyota TS030 HYBRIDJapan, 2012 > present5 photos
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driver and former Toro RossoToro RossoItaly, 2006 > present10 models
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driver Sebastien Buemi to develop the higher performance Nismo edition of the GT-RNissan GT-R Gen.2Japan, 2009 > present25 versions
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at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

"I've done testing on the Nordschleife and its been interesting. The program is still at an early stage but we are getting more out of the car all the time.

"The lap time is coming down all the time, but we don't know what's possible yet," said Buemi.

The Nismo GT-R is due to go on sale in 2014 with an early version likely on display at the Tokyo Motor Show in late November. It will reportedly carry a significantly higher price tag than the current GT-R.

Not much is known about the specific changes to the Nismo GT-R, but spy shots show that the car will have a new body kit to improve aerodynamics and lower ride height.

"It would be unthinkable for us to develop a range of Nismo road cars without including the GT-R.

"The standard road car is a global supercar and the GT-R's performance on track reflects the passion and talents of the Nismo team. The GT-R Nismo will be special,” said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Source: Autocar