Nissan has formally released its new-generation Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 model to customer teams, with deliveries set to begin in January.

The car, which continues the nomenclature of the Japanese manufacturer’s previous GT3 entry, will be made available to all customers having been introduced via three official partner teams this year.

RJN Motorsport is currently campaigning one new Nissan in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, while KCMG has two cars in Blancpain GT Series Asia and Gainer runs another pair in Super GT.

Compared with the 2015 model which claimed series titles in Super GT, Blancpain GT Endurance and an overall victory at the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, the new edition sports a lower center of gravity with its twin-turbo V6 engine sitting 150 mm further back than before.

It also includes a newly designed suspension system, a strengthened braking system, and improvements to the air conditioning unit for driver comfort.

Nissan reports that since its testing debut in April 2017, the GT-R NISMO has logged around 30,000km – a number that includes its early race outings with partner teams.

It notched up its first podium at the Fuji 500 km in early May, with Gainer drivers Katsuyuki Hiranaka and Hironobu Yasuda finishing third in the GT300 class.

“NISMO, as the official sporting arm of Nissan, has made full use of the advanced technology and expertise we have gained through our vast experience in racing, and this car is built to be competitive in GT3 racing around the world, said NISMO CEO Takao Katagiri.

“I would like to greatly thank our official partner teams for being the first to choose and demonstrate the full potential of the car and we have high hopes that a number of teams will be competing with the 2018 model Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3.”

The 2018-spec car is now available to customers for the price of ¥60 million Japanese Yen (roughly $550,000 USD), excluding tax and delivery.