Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

MELBOURNE - Nissan unveiled a very special Altima at a launch event in Melbourne on Tuesday as the automaker prepares for entry in Australia's V8 Supercars Championship next season.

The Altima V8 Supercar is the first all-new model unveiled in two decades, as Nissan joins the championship with the four-car, factory Nissan Motorsport team.

Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO William F. Peffer Jr. joined team co-owners and Bathurst-winning drivers Todd and Rick Kelly at the unveiling.

"This is a proud day for Nissan and a significant occasion for the sport of V8 Supercars," said Peffer.

"Everyone at Nissan is right behind our team, led by Todd and Rick Kelly, and we are excited about hitting the track next season with this spectacular Altima V8 Supercar."

The Altima V8 has been designed and built to the category's new 'Car of The Future' regulations, which include 18 inch (46cm) wheels, transaxle gearbox and independent rear suspension.

Nissan Motorsport will use the production-based VK56DE engine in the Altima V8 Supercar, the same engine that powered Nissan to FIA GT1 World Championship glory in 2011.

The VK56 engine also powers the all-new 2013 Nissan Patrol that goes on sale in Australia from 1 February 2013.

The significance of the occasion was not lost on Todd Kelly, 2005 Bathurst 1000 winner and team Racing Director.

"This is the proudest day in the relatively short history of our team, as well as one of the most significant days in recent times for the sport of V8 Supercars," said Kelly.

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