The current iteration of the Nissan GT-R->ke1592 has been melting our hearts since 2007, but the GT-R's story doesn't just begin with the version that we get here in the States. Over in Japan, the GT-R's got an even longer history that dates back to 1969, the year when the GT-R first entered the market, eventually becoming the forefather of the Skyline->ke1997 range. Forty-five years later, as of 2014, the GT-R has taken different forms, including the current iteration. As such, Nissan->ke62 is celebrating this milestone by unveiling the GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition in Japan.

The GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition is based on the 2015 Nissan GT-R and will only be available in the model's Premium trim. The upgrades on the model are pretty limited, too. That's a little disappointing considering what Nissan could have added to the car if it really wanted to go overboard to celebrate its 45th anniversary.

Maybe it's waiting for the 50th anniversary model to unleash all of its goodies? That's an issue for another time, but the bottom line remains the same. Lack of changes notwithstanding, the GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition is still the same fire-breathing Godzilla we've all come to love. As sports cars->ke506 go, it's still one of the best in the world.

Sadly, the special-edition model is exclusive to its home market. Unless you live in Japan, you get no dibs on the 45 units Nissan plans to build to celebrate the GT-R's 45th anniversary.

Updated 03/16/2015: Nissan announced that a total of 30 GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition units will make it to the U.S. market. It will be priced at $102,770 and, just like in Japan, will be offered with a special "Silica Brass" paint, plus a special gold-tone VIN plate located inside the engine compartment and a special commemorative plaque on the interior center console.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2016 Nissan GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition.

2016 Nissan GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition

Specifications

• Make: Array
• Model: 2016 Nissan GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition
• Engine/Motor: V6
• Horsepower: 545 @ 6400
• Torque: 463 @ 3200
• Transmission: Dual clutch sequential 6-speed
• [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Pros

Cons

Exterior

The Nissan GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition is based on the 2015 Japan-spec GT-R, which will be the 2016 model year in the U.S., so don’t expect any dramatic changes to its looks. The special edition GT-R does benefit from a special Silica Brass finish that was actually a staple color of the Skyline GT-R M-Spec (R34 Type). We all have fond memories of the GT-R M-Spec when it was released in 2001 and in that sense, Nissan picked a really good color to commemorate the GT-R’s Skyline heritage.

Interior

Just like the exterior, the GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition’s interior was largely kept stock with the exception of an exclusive emblem on the lower part of the center cluster and an exclusive model number plate in the engine compartment. It's not a lot go by, but at least that emblem should do its part in differentiating this special-edition GT-R from all other Godzillas in the world today.

Drivetrain

The Silica Brass-dressed Godzilla gets its power from the same, 3.8-liter, V-6 engine that all the 2015 Japan-spec GT-R's have inside their bellies. This six banger is good for 545 horsepower and 463 pound-feet of torque, quite a long ways from the original Skyline's 160 horsepower back in 1969.

The current GTR's engine is then mated to a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission, which sends power to the GT-R’s four wheels. All together, the Japanese supercar is capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds to go with a top speed of 196 mph.

Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

On The U.S. market, the 2016 GT-R 45th Anniversary Edition will be priced at $102,770.

Competition

Porsche 911 Turbo

The current iteration of the Nissan GT-R doesn’t have the tradition of the Porsche 911, but if you count the years when the GT-R carried the Skyline nameplate, then there might be a little discussion. It’s still not the 911, but it definitely has the kind of rich history that not a lot of its competitors have.

The new 911 Turbo is powered by a 3.8-liter, six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection that delivers a total of 520 horsepower in the base version, or 560 ponies in the S version, sandwiching the GT-R’s 545 horsepower output. The numbers are about as close for any two direct rivals as there is in the industry today.

The Porsche 911 Turbo is priced at $149,250 with the Turbo S at $182,050.

Conclusion

It's a nice homage to the iconic GT-R name, but could there have been more exclusive modifications other than the color and the badges? Maybe a little performance boost?

In the end, our recommendations are irrelevant because the GT-R is still an insanely awesome sports car. Whether or not there are more updates, people will still buy the car knowing that they're getting an exclusive version of one of the best sports cars in the world today.

Oh, and at that price; that's called a hometown discount.