It was only a few years ago that Nissan’s production-ready supercar presence was virtually non-existent in the states. Enthusiasts across the U.S. (and much of the world for that matter) were left to drool over the brand’s Skyline models, hoping one day they’d move the steering wheel to the left and send one into California…legitimately. Nissan’s sporting nature was well established abroad, especially in Japan, and most notably with its famed Skyline model. Although first available in the early 70’s, the modern infatuation with the Skyline saga ramped up in the 90’s with the third-generation R32 Skyline GT-R model. It was also around this time that rear wheel drive (already a point of difference among front wheel drive Japanese models) was replaced in favor of an all wheel drive setup. This all wheel drive system proved to be a contributing factor to the “exotic” nature of the Skyline GT-R, seeing as how high performance cars in the U.S. favored rear wheel drive; Lamborghini hadn’t introduced all wheel drive until around this time either. Its drive train was by no means “all sizzle and no steak,” though, seeing as how early Skyline GT-R’s were able to trump glamorous contemporaries such as the Acura NSX, Corvette ZR-1, Lotus Esprit Turbo, and Ferrari 348ts. Still, this was all tall tale and pop culture folklore to Americans who had to essentially revert to the gray market to bring one stateside. This all changed on July 7, 2008 when the modern Nissan GT-R, absent of any “Skyline” nomenclature, became available to U.S. consumers.

All of the hype and intrigue surrounding Nissan’s Skyline sports cars in the states proved to be fruitful for Nissan, with the first U.S. customer receiving their GT-R at 12:01 a.m. on July 7th in L.A. Our curiosity followed suit and we knew enthusiasts like those of Club Sportiva deserved a treat; we got our hands on a menacing black on black model. So, what is this oh-so special Nissan packin’? Although switching from inline to a “V” setup, the car continued the use of a blisteringly powerful turbo six cylinder engine, this time rated at 3.8 liters and producing a delicious 485 horsepower and 434 ft. lbs. of torque. When mated to its 6 speed dual clutch semi-automatic tranny, the “godzilla” is good for 3.3 seconds to 60, 193 mph, a blistering 11.6-second quarter-mile at nearly 121 mph, and a highly impressive 7:29 lap around the Nürburgring’s famed Nordschleife loop.

While these stats are eye-opening, you may be wondering what this beast is like to drive. First and foremost, its advanced all wheel drive keep you firmly planted to the road whether your taking a tight turn or just going all out drag style. It really is exhilarating to achieve solid super car performance figures with such assurance and minimal tire spin. Its performance dynamics are subject to the driver since the GT-R employs electronics that allow you to choose among performance settings as well as constantly monitor them. In this way the GT-R is able to keep its occupants comfortable regarding the suspension, though it is always fittingly on the stiffer end of the spectrum. Once you’re able to exercise your lead foot be sure to keep your ears open because this one produces an engine note that makes other forced-induction options jealous and quivering in their boots. And while the GT-R’s design scheme has its critics, its lines depart from the “conventional” use of swoops and sharp angles found on its European exotic competitors, leaving its looks uniquely Japanese, which is fitting for a car whose lineage is deeply rooted in the island nation. Lastly, while consumers of vehicles with similar performance figures often don’t take issue with price, the GT-R is an amazing value, with only sports cars like the Corvette providing so much power under $100 grand.

All in all, the Nissan GT-R squashes the mystery surrounding Nissan’s high performance capabilities in the minds of U.S. enthusiasts and will undoubtedly continue to provide stiff competition to the likes of Ferrari and Porsche in the future. If we could have cordially invited the GT-R to a state dinner when it arrived in the U.S. we would have, but a coveted spot in our collection of exotics should do for now.