Altima – AUSmotive.com

Nissan Australia and Kelly Racing today unveiled their 2013 Altima V8 Supercar for the first time. It marks a quantum shift for the V8 Supercars category as it moves into the Car of the Future era.

Nissan’s latest Aussie touring car is based on the Altima sedan, revealed in New York earlier this year. The road going model will also be sold locally, with its market launch expected in the latter half of 2013.

The Altima V8 Supercar will use a modified 5.0 litre version of Nissan’s 5.6 litre VK56DE engine, which has its production roots in the new Patrol to be launched in Australia early next year. The VK56DE has also been used to great effect in the FIA GT1 category by JRM Racing, playing a big role in the GT-R winning the GT1 championship in 2011.

Speaking at today’s launch Rick Kelly, Kelly Racing’s Commercial Director, said the lure of factory-backing was key to their decision to partner with Nissan. He’ll be pleased also to have the might of Nissan’s motorsport arm, NISMO, on his side.

“2013 will be the first time in my career that I will be a factory driver and itâ€™s a responsibility that I am not taking lightly,” Rick Kelly said. “Our entire team is working harder than ever to ensure that we rise to another level as we transform into Nissan Motorsport for next season. This is the most exciting time in our sport for two decades and it is amazing to think that our team is at the forefront of this change.”

Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO William F Peffer Jr has big expectations and will be keen for a quick return on his investment. He was also on hand at today’s launch and is happy to see Nissan back in Australia’s premier motorsport category.

“This is a proud day for Nissan and a significant occasion for the sport of V8 Supercars,” said Peffer. “Unveiling our Nissan Altima V8 Supercar, the first new V8 Supercar model in two decades, brings Nissanâ€™s special brand of â€˜Innovation and Excitementâ€™ to the V8 Supercars Championship.”

We’ll admit that we’ve been a little cold on the whole Car of the Future direction in the past. But watching the live stream of today’s launch rekindled our memories of the Nissan GT-R and its success from the early 1990s.

Kelly Racingâ€”or more correctly, Nissan Motorsportâ€”will line up at next year’s first race, the Clipsal 500 on the first weekend in March, with four cars hoping that a new era of success awaits.

We wish them well.

Christian Hartung was on hand at the launch today for AUSmtoive and his pics along with Nissan Australia’s full press release can be seen after the break.

Kelly Racing Nissan Altima V8 Supercar rendering

A little while back you may have heard the news that Nissan will be coming back to top level touring car racing in Australia next year. But they don’t really have a V8 sedan, so what car would they enter?

We can tell you they will be using a Nissan Altima and Speedcafe.com has produced this artist’s rendering of the Kelly Racing Nissan Altima V8 Supercar. You can download it for yourself, if you like.

The latest fifth-generation Altima was only revealed a few days ago, at the New York Auto Show. It’s a front-wheel drive model, powered by a 2.5 litre four-cylinder or a 3.5 litre V6.

Let’s repeat that: a front-wheel drive model powered by a 2.5 litre four-cylinder or a 3.5 litre V6.

But, under the new V8 Supercar “Car of the Future” regulations the Nissan Altima is eligible for entry into the series when the category commences its new world order next year. All of a sudden the Altima will become a rear-wheel drive, V8 powered racing taxi. (Actually, that last bit is true, too, thanks to a deal that will see the new Altima introduced to the NYC taxi fleet.)

That’s right, thanks to the introduction of a control chassis and a control engine all that will differentiate one V8 Supercar from another will be its outer skin and bagdes; which, you’ll be pleased to know, are real. Yep, the badges will be about the only real things on the bloody car.

What a con!