Back when the Japanese automaker was producing the R-34 Skyline, Kozo Watanabe, “Mr. GT-R” and head of Nissan development, was celebrating the vehicle’s racing success by releasing a hard core V-Spec model. The Skyline GT-R V-Spec was set up with a harsh suspension that gave the vehicle razor sharp handling. However, these machines were better suited for smooth racing surfaces and not the typical Tokyo city street where the vehicles would spend most of their time.

Back in 1999 when Carlos Ghosen became President and CEO of Nissan, he gave Watanabe the boot and brought in Kazutoshi Mizuno to head up the GT-R engineering team. Mizuno was the former Nissan Le Mans->ke1591 chief engineer and Group C racing team manager.

The GT-R V-Spec had become a track ready performance machine, but the former racing engineer had other ideas for a friendlier Mizuno-Spec GT-R.

Continued after the jump.

One of Mizuno's main tasks was to create a more civilized GT-R. The former racing director started by refining the unforgiving suspension of the V-Spec model. Like a well seasoned racing engineer he knew better than to just throw parts at the vehicle, but instead refined the entire suspension to work with the ripple control shock absorbers that were incorporated into the rear suspension. The rear anti-roll bar was then replaced and the spring rates adjusted to maximize the benefit of the new rear shocks. What he created was a GT-R with a more forgiving ride and a back end that would not step out as fast. It was now much more controllable whenever it did.

Not satisfied with just a better handling GT-R for the real world, a handful of these examples were sprayed in beautiful color shifting gold paint and the interiors were wrapped with fine leather and adorned with hand embroidered logos. What Mizuno created was the Skyline GT-R M-Spec, it was an example of the upscale direction that Nissan was going with the next generation GT-R.

It is no surprise that shortly after officially announcing the hardcore GT-R Spec-V, Nissan has confirmed a plusher more user friendly GT-R Spec-M. Based on the standard GT-R, the Spec-M includes ripple control shock absorbers and a refined suspension. Sound familiar.

Like most modern sports car manufacturers Nissan will offer an extensive amount of factory modifications for the Spec-M. With options like aluminum or wood grain trim and choice of seat colors Nissan is aiming the GT-R Spec-M at an even more upscale buyer. There is even an optional spoiler package.

The Spec-M will make its debut early next year, and although the Spec-V is selling for around 16 million Yen (approximately $175,000) in Japan, the more comfortable GT-R should be priced around 13 million (approximately $140,000).