Nissan GT-R Launched in the Middle East

The high-performance GT-R is now reaching new frontiers as Japanese automaker Nissan today announced the official launch of the model in the Middle East. Only a few Nissan High Performance Centers in the region will be selling the car, with approximately 200 models to be distributed in the Middle East in 2009. As part of a broader campaign to promote the GT-R around these parts of the industry, Nissan will conduct a so-called “driving challenge” on March 2 on the Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road, in south of Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

The road boasts no less than 21 corners and three lanes, with a total distance of 11.7 kilometers at a height of 1219 meters. The showcased GT-R will be driven by Mohamed Ben Sulayem, a popular rally driver in the Middle East.

"The Nissan GT-R enjoys legendary status in the Middle East, so we decided it would be most fitting to create a memorable and challenging event for the car's launch," said Atsuo Kosaka, NMEF's managing director. "The GT-R Jebel Hafeet Challenge will showcase this remarkable car's dynamic ability in the hands of our region's most successful rally driver. It will be fascinating to see how quickly the GT-R can ascend the mountain and set a benchmark time."

In order to achieve the best results during the aforementioned program, Nissan conducted a series of test on the Dubai Autodrome, a 5.39 kilometers circuit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the company said in a statement for the press.

"The Jebel Hafeet mountain is the UAE's most challenging stretch of road, and it will be a fine test of the GT-R's power, performance and poise," said driver Sulayem.