NEW YORK, March 24 — Nissan unveiled the latest version of its halo car, the Nissan GT-R, yesterday at the New York Auto Show. The early debut is expected to be one of the highlights of the auto show.

This is the latest update to the two-door, 2+2 sports car the company unveiled in 2007. Nissan had wanted a car that could compete against the likes of the Audi R8, BMW M6, Chevy Corvette, and Porsche 911 but that would cost significantly less than those.

The 2017 Nissan GT-R sits on display during the media preview of the 2016 New York International Auto Show in New York March 23, 2016. — Reuters pic

“This is the best GT-R in Nissan’s history,” Keno Kato, Nissan head of product development, told press at the debut.

To back up his claim, the new model gets 565 horsepower on its 3.8L twin-turbo V6 engine, a 20-hp improvement over its predecessor and the most horsepower on the standard model of any car in its class. The engine is hand-assembled by one of five master craftsman, called takumi, at Nissan’s plant in Yokohama, Japan.

The new model has a new set of four rounded tail lights amid redone rear bodywork, freshly angled headlights, a sharper new grille, a new hood, and updated refined air intakes that give it a snarling grin. It has also been refined for improved stability and aerodynamics.

The 2017 Nissan GT-R sits on display during the media preview of the 2016 New York International Auto Show in New York March 23, 2016. — Reuters pic

Inside, the interior has been upgraded, with higher-quality Nappa leathers, new steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, revised front seat design and a simplified switch layout, plus NissanConnectSM with Navigation, Mobile Apps, and ServicesNissan. An eight-inch touch-panel monitor replaces the seven-inch one from last year and now features large icons on the display screen, while a new display command control on the carbon-fibre centre console is meant to allow easier operation. Nissan also introduced a new “Blaze Metallic” (burnt orange) colour for the 2017 model. A total-remake successor is in planning for launch in a few years.

The 2017 Nissan GT-R hits dealerships this summer. Pricing has yet to be announced. — Bloomberg

The 2017 Nissan GT-R sits on display during the media preview of the 2016 New York International Auto Show in New York March 23, 2016. — Reuters pic