Yes, we are fully aware of the GT-R’s best-known nickname, Godzilla, so called because the automotive press found previous generations as ferocious and all conquering as Japan’s fire-breathing monster. But following a full week of intensive evaluation in Nissan’s new sports car, we here at Motor Trend now lay claim to a more suitable GT-R moniker Ichiban. From Japanese, ichiban translates to number one. In Motor Trend vernacular, however, it simply denotes: 2009 Car of the Year.

So we waited. And waited. And waited. Our patience paid off, though, and a few months ago we received one of the first $84,040 2010 models. Representing a $2950 price hike over the 2009, the ‘10 GT-R has five more horsepower, a new control module for the six-speed dual-clutch auto, a reworked suspension with retuned springs and Bilstein dampers, darker wheel finishes, and standard side and curtain airbags.