And while you are probably anxious to point out that this is "just a Nissan" - please keep in mind that the reason this vehicle will go down as a runaway success for the brand regaardless of actual sales figures is that "plain old Nissan" is now being discussed worldwide in the same breath as blueblood European brands commanding several times its price tag.
This is true. But a big part of the reason the GT-R has received so much coverage is because of it's
price. At $90 000 or whatever it sells for in Canada, it's ridiculously good value. It offers nearly unparalleled power at that price point. If it were $160 000, would it be nearly as much of a success? I doubt it.
My "problem" with the Spec V is that it demands a luxury-marquee price without delivering either the luxury-marquee prestige or any more power, and it comes with a 72% premium.
Yes, other manufacturers do it too. Lamborghini offers a Gallardo Supperlegera. But if you buy one, you do get more power (only 10 hp, though). And the premium? About 20%. Ferrari offers a lightened, more powerful F430 with a 50% markup.
Do you see what I'm getting at here? Yes, a company can offer a "lighter" version. But Nissan goes further. They're demanding a 72% markup for a car that doesn't offer any more power, even if it's just to say it has more power. I doubt anyone actually thinks those 10 extra ponies in the Superleggera actually improve performance much. But at least they can say "Yeah, it has more power than the regular model."
Of course, you and I know that HP numbers on their own are meaningless, but in the price range the Spec V stalks, I think buyers do care. And I would be wary of paying nearly double for a car I couldn't even say is more powerful than the base model.
I've little doubt Nissan will sell every one they make. There are plenty of people out there with too much money. But I'd be surprised if the US model winds up having the same mark-up. That 72% premium is awful steep.