| All-new Model Reveal | Tokyo Motor Show | Nissan GT-R |

Nissan is having a Martini moment with the official unveiling of the new GT-R at the Tokyo Motor Show. It describes the GT-R as the 'ultimate supercar enjoyable to anyone, anywhere, anytime'. There's no olive to accompany the GT-R, but it does have a 473bhp 3.8-litre V6 with twin turbos...

The new GT-R uses Nissan's 'Premium Midship' package, but don't be fooled into thinking this supercar is mid-engined. You'll find the potent motor squatting under the bonnet, but the gearbox is now mounted close to the rear axle, giving rise to the midship name and balancing out the weight distribution. Nissan also says this layout helps create more front legroom.

Nissan has devised a new dual-clutch transmission for the GT-R. It's a six-speed manual gearbox with paddles behind the steering wheel and no clutch pedal. The driver can also select an automatic mode for lazier moments. There's also a 'set-up' switch in the centre console that the driver can use to fine-tune the speed of gear shifts, as well as choosing how firm the shock absorbers are and selecting one of three vehicle dynamics settings. These three cover Normal, Comfort and 'R', which is the supercar setting for high-speed driving and track days.

The all-new 3.8-litre V6 produces its 473bhp at 6,400rpm and peak torque of 434lb.ft arrives at 3,200rpm and plateaus all the way to 5,200rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels and the GT-R is the first car in the world to use an independent transaxle all-wheel drive system. Nissan is not letting on about performance figures yet, but expect the GT-R to cover 0-62mph in an astonishing 3.5 seconds and hit about 193mph flat out.

However, Nissan has retained some practicality for the GT-R with a four-seat cabin. The coupé shape of the GT-R means the rear seats are not too generous with space, but the driver is well looked after with a functional dash and Nissan's latest 'Carwings' satnav system.

The body of the GT-R is made from steel, carbon fibre and aluminium and the coupé shape has resulted in an aerodynamic drag of just 0.27, which makes the Nissan one of the slipperiest supercars around. There are hints of the old Skyline in the GT-R's appearance, but don't call the new car a Skyline or you'll get dirty looks from the people at Nissan.

Sales of the GT-R start on 6 December in Japan, but the UK will have to wait until 2009 before the GT-R hits our roads with an expected price tag of £60,000. So it seems that the wait continues after all...

Alisdair Suttie - 25 Oct 2007