Spied! Nissan GT-R Spec V Mule at the Nurburgring?

The spy photographers of Glenn Paulina and KGP photography have scooped what would appear to be the newest and baddest iteration of Nissan’s stonking GT-R, the Spec V.

Sighted while being off-loaded from a truck near Nissan’s Nurburgring workshop, this high-performance mule has a few subtle differences from the standard car. Visual modifications include a revised from splitter with additional air intake slots, a possible solution to cooling brakes at even higher temperatures. The brakes themselves might be getting a big change; Paulina speculates that the lack of the usual gold Brembo calipers may indicate a movement to a ceramic composite system.

The mule seen also shows a blacked out portion of the massive rear wing, which could represent the portion newly comprised of carbon fiber. A liberal use of that material could go a long way to solving one of the GT-R’s biggest downsides, its hefty 3,836 pound curb weight.

(Click on the thumbnails below to launch a gallery of GT-R Spec V prototype images or through the jump to read all of spy shooter Glenn Paulina’s thoughts.)

One of our spies just photographed what appears to be a prototype for
Nissan’s long-rumored, long-promised GT-R Spec V. Caught as it was
unloaded off a truck at Nissan’s Nürburgring workshop, this test car
has some visual differences from a standard GT-R. The visible changes
are certainly subtle, and not as far-reaching as some had expected,
but the differences are present nonetheless, suggesting that Nissan’s
GT-R–which already leaves a Porsche 911 Turbo gasping in its wake–is
being prepped to be even more formidable.

This test car gets a revised front splitter, which sports some
additional air intake slits, presumably to feed more cooling air to
the brakes. New six-spoke wheels also house what appear to be a
revised braking system. The golden Brembo brake calipers were an ever-
present feature even on the first GT-R prototypes, but they’re a no-
show on this tester. Could we be looking at an upgraded ceramic
composite braking system?

With a curb weight of 3,836 pounds, the GT-R is no featherweight. And
while the standard GT-R obviously overcomes any weight penalty in
heroic fashion, it’s compelling to imagine a GT-R that’s some 200-
plus pounds lighter. Enter the GT-R Spec V, which is rumored to shave
at least that much weight thanks to the use of carbon fiber body
panels, and other assorted techniques. The prototype photographed
today has a portion of its rear wing blacked-out, suggesting it is one
of the carbon fiber pieces that will make up the Spec V package.

Additional power gains will augment the GT-R Spec V’s weight loss
regimen. Considering that early dyno tests in the media report that
the GT-R may be making more power than its official claim of 473
horsepower, some sources claim that 550 horses could be on tap in the
Spec V.

Once this GT-R is fully prepped for testing duty we hope to get a
closer look to assess any other weight-saving steps Nissan may have
taken. We also look forward to seeing if this lighter-weight GT-R can
lap the ‘Ring any faster than the 7 minute 38 second lap logged last
fall. We suspect it will, as long as the current snow flurries
currently wafting on the track dissipate as the week progresses.
We’ll be watching developments very closely. Stay tuned.

Many Thanks,

Glenn Paulina
KGP Photography