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Nissan has already unveiled the significantly refreshed 2012 GT-R for Japan, and this week the automaker announced it will unveil the U.S.-spec car at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Showin November.

The U.S.-spec 2012 Nissan GT-R will go on sale in February. Pricing hasn't been announced.

New for the Japanese home market are GT-R Club Track and Egoist editions, with prices in Japan ranging from the equivalent of $107,000 (based on current exchange rates) for the basic GT-R Pure edition to the equivalent of $193,900 for the range-topping GT-R Spec V. The Japan-spec GT-R goes on sale in the home market in mid-November as a 2011 model.

Nissan has revised the GT-R's front and rear bumpers and enhanced the car's aerodynamics, so that downforce is increased by 10 percent while coefficient of drag is trimmed from 0.27 to 0.26. Two new special-order colors, Meteo Flake Black Pearl and Aurora Flare Blue Pearl, are available in Japan.

Under the skin, the company has made numerous refinements to the suspension and body structure to improve handling, stability and responsiveness. Among the changes are increases in engine output to 523 horsepower and in torque to 451 pound-feet — sizable increases over the 2011 GT-R's 485 hp and 434 lb-ft. Fuel economy also has been improved, with the average on the Japanese test cycle rising to 20 mpg.

Springs, shocks and stabilizer bars have been recalibrated to improve cornering stability and provide more precise handling. Brakes also have been upgraded. The GT-R gets new Rays forged alloy wheels painted Hyper Blue Black Chrome. In Japan, Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 DSST CTT tires featuring a new tread pattern will be mounted on these wheels, but expect a different tire for the U.S. market.

Nissan has upgraded the cockpit as well, with redesigned seats and a revised instrument panel.

The 2012 Nissan GT-R portfolio in Japan has been expanded with the bespoke Egoist edition, which Nissan says is created by a takumi, or "master with greatest skills." Available by special order and priced from $184,650, the GT-R Egoist offers customers a choice of 20 interior colors, plus quilted leather seats hand-stitched by Seton of Germany.

The premium Bose audio system in the GT-R Egoist is fitted with special carbon-composite woofers, and the audio quality is individually adjusted based on the owner's driving position. In the center of the steering wheel on the GT-R Egoist is an emblem created by the traditional Japanese craftsman Sakae Kubota in Wajima lacquer, which changes color with age.

The GT-R Egoist shares several bits with the Spec V, including a titanium exhaust system, dry carbon rear spoiler and Rays forged alloy wheels, finished in Blue Sword Chrome (the Spev V wheels are finished in Metallic Black).

For Japanese racers, Nissan has added a GT-R Club Track edition. This track-only model, which hasn't been priced, is prepped and distributed by Japan's GT-R Authorised Service Factory Association, which also is organizing local races and providing one-on-one competition training sessions with professional drivers.

Nissan said it is "considering" the introduction of the GT-R Club Track in Europe and the GT-R Egoist in Europe and the Middle East.-insideline.com