Nissan GT-R Nismo 2019 revealed at the New York motor show

Nissan has debuted the updated GT-R Nismo at the New York motor show, with some mild tweaks that increase the performance car’s credentials.

The major changes are said to be inspired by the GT3 GT-R race car. They include new lighter weight body-panels, now with more carbon-fibre, for a weight saving of 10.5kg, scalloped race-style vents over the wheelarches which provide downforce onto the front tyres without increasing drag, lighter-weight 20-inch RAYS alloys, and newly-designed Dunlop tyres.

Under the hood Nissan has augmented the GT-R Nismo’s 3.8-litre V6 (VR38DETT) with a new turbocharger design that is said to enhance acceleration response by “20 per cent”. Engine output figures remain the same at 447kW/652Nm.

The updated Nismo's performance enhancements come mainly in the form of suspension, aerodynamics and brakes.

To enhance handling, Nissan has updated the Nismo’s suspension tune to “improve cornering stability” and provide a “smoother ride quality”, and to enhance stopping power a Brembo-branded carbon ceramic brake package has been added.

The brakes are not only claimed to vastly inprove stopping performance, but they also save weight, reducing unsprung weight on each wheel.

Nissan says the total weight saving compared to the previous Nismo is in the order of 20kg.

The Nismo also gains the upgrades that come with the 2019 GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition, which include an improved six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission (now with “more aggressive” downshifts) and a new titanium exhaust with hand-burnished blue tips.

There are only mild interior tweaks for the updated Nismo.

Nissan Australia has confirmed the updated GT-R Nismo will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2019.

Stay tuned closer to its release window for local pricing.

Do you think the 2019 GT-R Nismo’s performance enhancements are enough to keep it relevant in the performance car world? Tell us what you think in the comments below.