A couple of days ago Nissan released the 2013 version of the GT-R with a few mild updates to make the car more refined. More substantial changes are saved for the 2014 model, as revealed by GT-R chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno in an official statement. The new changes will have nothing to do with performance.

The GT-R has no direct rival in terms of performance, so why would Nissan try and beat themselves. Instead, they are going to expand the car’s customer base and attract new buyers. To that end the next GT-R will be more “fashionable” and better looking than the current car.

GT-R buyers are predominantly middle-aged men, guys who want performance at a budget. It’s become a tool for men who like bragging about their 0 to 60 time, or how they embarrassed a Ferrari down at the drag strip. And while that is excellent from a petrolhead’s point of view, it really is not a cool image for the car.

That is why Nissan is seeking new customers, preferably women, to develop a new persona for the GT-R. The new fashionista GT-R will have a fancy interior and probably new vibrant colors. They have already come up with an “Amber Red” special edition GT-R in Japan, designed to please the ladies.

To learn more about the direction Nissan GT-R is heading, pay attention to Mr. Mizuno in the video below:

The GT-R is a macho and masculine car. Not sure if Nissan’s decision to soften it is actually wise. It may or may not bring in new customers, but it will sure disappoint some of the existing ones.

Nissan via InsideLine