Nissan GT500 GT-R Specs released

Full specifications have been released for Nissan's latest track weapon, with the current VK45DE 4.5L normally-aspirated V8 still in use from the previous 350Z incarnation.

The reason being the VR38TT engine is still too new for race engineers to reliably develop the maximum allowable 500hp under race conditions and match the V8's enormous 510Nm.

In addition to the new engine, the GT-500 spec car also breaks away from GT-R tradition, featuring a rear-wheel drive layout as well as a six-speed sequential gearbox as per series rules.

Along with these performance changes, significant weight reduction has been undertaken and the aerodynamics have been adjusted to decrease drag and increase down-force.

The GT500 series begins March 15-16 at Suzuka with a total of five GT-R's ready to take on the competition.