Nissan unveils new GT-R supercar

CHIBA, Japan, Oct 24, 2007 (AFP) - Nissan took the wraps off its all-new GT-R supercar Wednesday, betting that there's still a market for muscle machines despite soaring petrol prices.







The high-performance sports car -- the successor to Nissan's iconic Skyline GT-R -- will eventually go on sale worldwide, beginning with Japan in December. Prices start at 7.77 million yen (68,200 dollars).

"GT-R is our act of passion," Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn said at the official launch at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Nissan said the car is aimed at baby boomers and affluent professionals, and handles well even in wet conditions.

"We call it a multi-performance supercar," said chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno.

"This is going to be a technology flagship for Nissan.

What we nurtured in this project will be used in the future cars of Nissan.

"

The muscular sports car, which has a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine, will be sold under the Nissan brand but still has the Skyline's distinctive round tail lights.

"The overall body shape combines solid and smooth surfaces to achieve the look of a well-trained athlete," said chief designer Hiroshi Hasegawa.

Japanese automakers,