2012 Nissan GT-R Getting a Refresh

Just the Facts:

• A revised front fascia and rear diffuser are coming to the 2012 GT-R.
• There's a new design for the 20-inch forged aluminum Rays wheels, too.
• Nissan has confirmed that suspension changes and a horsepower increased are coming, too.

TOKYO — Believe it or not, the R35 Nissan GT-R has been around for nearly 3 years. Accordingly, a refresh is in the works, and this week photos of what will be the face-lifted 2012 Nissan GT-R leaked onto the Web, with GTRBlog the first to pick up the story.

Immediately obvious are the trendy LED marker lights up front, along with minor massaging of the front airdam. The wheel design is new, and of course, the forged-aluminum Rays 20s promise to be both lighter and stronger. Around back, the diffuser has been modified to increase downforce, and an LED unit has been added.

The photo shows what are apparently two new exterior colors for the 2012 GT-R. The blue is an entirely new paint code for the GT-R; the rumored name is Aurora Flare Blue Pearl. The black paint is thought to be a revised mix of the existing Black Obsidian option.

Nissan officials tell Inside Line that the 2012 Nissan GT-R's twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 will also make more horsepower. They haven't said how much, but remember that the 2011 model already makes 485 hp, so the magic 500 is a good bet. We've also been told to expect revised engine and transmission mounts.

Inside Line has also confirmed that the 2012 GT-R will incorporate significant suspension changes, which the NAGTROC forum has detailed. The front strut towers have been reinforced to improve front-end rigidity. The front and rear suspension geometry has been altered as well. The front suspension has a different leverage ratio and more caster, while the rear suspension has a tweaked roll center. A new shock absorber design provides better response through improved oil flow, and the spring and damper rates are all new.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that that there's now a driver-selectable rear-wheel-drive mode for the otherwise all-wheel-drive GT-R. And, of course, it's predicted that Nissan will equip it with yet another version of launch control.

The most believable bit of speculation is that Nissan will use the refresh as an opportunity to apply another price increase to its low-volume sports car.

Inside Line says: No sports car has more mystique surrounding it than the Nissan GT-R. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor