On sale next Spring, the four-wheel drive Nissan GT-R.has received a round of enhancements aimed at subtly boosting the responsiveness of its 550PS 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine while improving ride and handling at the same time.

Applying lessons learned from this year’s Nürburgring 24-Hour race to the roadgoing GT-R, engineers have improved response in both the mid- and upper-rpm rev ranges, increased body rigidity and made changes to the dampers, springs and front anti-roll bar.

As a result, the MY13 GT-R is more responsive, has better high-speed stability and a more refined ride. The 0-62mph time has dropped to 2.7 seconds (from 2.8 seconds for the MY12) while the car is even faster around the Nürburgring, lapping the famous German circuit in 7min 19.1 seconds when undergoing testing in May this year.

Kazutoshi Mizuno, creator of the GT-R, has revealed that 0.5 seconds were lost to traffic on that hot lap, indicating that the MY13 GT-R is capable of a 7min 18.6 seconds lap. That compares to 7min 21 seconds for the MY12 GT-R.

Nissan will reveal full prices closer to the car’s launch.