Snooper scoopers
By Chris Harris of the sunday times

There is someone who lives in Norfolk — identity unknown — who spends his days lurking in bushes near the Lotus HQ, taking photographs of cars. Not just any old cars, but pre-production models shrouded in secrecy and previously unseen by the outside world. Then he goes home, downloads the digital images, picks up the phone and calls the editor of one of the car magazines. A fee is agreed and a deal is done, and this is how he makes his living.
Known in the industry as “scoop photographers”, people such as this are the motoring world’s version of the paparazzi, constantly on the hunt for new car designs still in the development and testing phase. Depending on the quality of the shot and on the amount of interest in the car, they can get paid between £90 and £1,000 per photograph.

Two months ago the unknown Norfolk photographer caused something of a stir in the motoring world when he captured images of the new Nissan Skyline and sold them to Autocar magazine. Not only was this the first ever sighting of the new car, it also exposed the fact that much of Lotus’s work is for other, much larger manufacturers who’d rather the world didn’t know they need help.

Read the rest of this article here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,588-840530,00.html

Edmunds



What Edmunds.com Says: It may end up wearing an Infiniti badge, but this next generation Skyline should have all the attitude of its Nissan cousins.

What We Know: After years of rumors and intense lobbying by Nissan enthusiasts in the U.S., Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn announced that his company plans to release a fully redesigned version of the legendary Skyline GT-R by 2007. The new version will take its cues from the GT-R concept car that has made the rounds at various auto shows over the past several years, and unlike its predecessor the GT-R will make its way to the U.S. With the 350Z already occupying a steady spot in Nissan's lineup, look for the GT-R to come Stateside wearing an Infiniti badge. A prototype caught testing on Germany's grueling Nurburgring test track made the rounds wearing the shell of a current G35, but obvious signs of serious modifications indicate it was no ordinary Infiniti. The car is expected to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the fall of 2007 and go on sale later that year.

Best Car Magazine October 2004 Issue Analysis


Yes, it's a lefthand drive "Infinity"... LHD in Germany remember!
A German photographer snapped these pics recently, remarking on how quickly the car was travelling around that part of the 'ring. A professional driver from Japan has been flown to Germany to carry out "overall" testing with emphasis on aerodynamics appraisal.


The test at Nurburgring wasn't about parts testing, but overall performance and handling, suggesting that the GT-R has entered the middle phase of development where engineers concentrate on the entire package rather than just seperate parts. The front bumper seen in the pic above isn't the final design!!! It's a just a quick bumper thats been made so the car has some kind decent airflow characteristics without any attention to styling.

The rear wing on the other hand does give a big hint as to what the final one will look like. The reporter from Best Car was suprised that the rear wing is just your generic late model FD3S RX-7 type wing with beefed up end plates. The wide fenders will make the GT-R 100mm wider than the current V35 Skyline Coupe, making it the same width as the current Porsche turbo. Some effort has been put forward to make the fenders blend in as a component of the complete aerodynamics package, one that will become one of the strongest merits of the car.


Best Car couldn't report on much about the engine this time around, but were quick to point out that a "number" of different engine capacities are being tested, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5 and possibly a 4.0 (a la the V36 VQ41DE) but still retaining the electric spool-up twin turbo configuration. Also note the two air opening under each headlight on the pics above, they aparently feed each turbo, with a highly efficient intercooler design making use of the third opening. Power is still being set at about 460ps.

Just a final note, the engine is the ultimate "saving grace" for this V-series GT-R, and as far as Best Car can see, Nissan WILL NOT dissapoint in this area... so guys, sit back, don't write off the next GT-R just yet (although I almost did!)

Thanks goes to Krnsx, SkylineGTR_guy, & Rezz @ SkylineAustralia.com