Spec-M Surfaces. Goes Customizable

Looking back at previous models in the Nissan Skyline GT-R line up, the GT-R has always been updated and tweaked, resurfacing in various forms and specs. Looking back just a few years to the last generation of GT-R, the GT-BNR34 or ‘R34 GT-R’, it can be seen that following on from its debut, Nissan launched limited models such as the M-Spec, V-Spec and Nür. It now looks like Nissan will tread down the same path with the current GTR and release a Spec-M model.

Name Changes, Base Doesn’t

Continuing down that same garden path, as with the previous V-Spec/Spec-V, Nissan will also switch around the name for the new M-Spec.. Err Spec-M. The Spec-M will be built with the standard GTR’s base, but as with the previous R34 Spec-M, will come with tweaked suspension and ‘ripple control’. All other mechanicals, engine, transmission and brakes will stay the same as the base model.

‘Full Choice System’

In a new endeavor, Nissan has decided that to try and capture more customers, and to compete with other makers such as Porsche, many new options will become customizable with a ‘full choice system’. This will allow potential customers to customize their Spec-Ms from the factory as they would with other GT car makers. From the interior, aluminum and wood grain will become an option for dash and trim, whilst customers will be able to select their own colors for seats. This means that we’ll be able to mix the hot black interior with a nice red pair of buckets, straight from Nissan. The outside hasn’t been forgotten either, with a new ‘aero’ as well as wing combination earmarked for the customer to select. Of course the exterior color will be available for change to your likings too, adding another level of customization never offered before from Nissan.

Lighter on the wallet than Spec-V

With all of these options popping up for the Spec-M one may worry about the list price for such customization luxuries. With the V-Spec already pushing around sixteen million yen, it will be a sigh of relief to hear that fully optioned the Spec-M shouldn’t hit over thirteen million yen. The base price has though increased from eight million for the standard GT-R, to around the ten million mark for the Spec-M. With the economy again casting a dark shadow on the automotive world recently, we are holding our breath, but we do take solace in the fact that this information come from somebody dealing direct with the Spec-M and has a better than average chance of surfacing early 2010. Let’s hope we don’t have to hold our breaths longer than that.

Words: Peter Horniak

Image: Best Car