Rise of Mechagodzilla: Nissan's 600-horsepower 2017 GT-R NISMO

If Nissan's GT-R is Godzilla, the 600-horsepower GT-R NISMO is Mechagodzilla.

On Friday morning, Nissan unveiled the 2017 GT-R NISMO, the most extreme version of the"new" GT-R that debuted at the New York Auto Show in April.

For those of you who don't know, NISMO is Nissan's performance arm. When it turns its engineering wizardry to the all-wheel drive tour de force, it creates the most GT-R that the GT-R can GT-R. Essentially, it's the automotive equivalent of the Xzibit meme.

IMAGE: MEMEGENERATOR

By that, I mean if the standard GT-R is considered harsh and uncomfortable, the harder, faster and stiffer GT-R NISMO is more so. That said, Nissan claims that this refreshed GT-R NISMO is more comfortable and civilized than the last one. Let's hope.

Along with a new front fascia with a bigger "V-motion" grille, the car has an updated interior with fewer buttons on the dash and more luxury appointments. Specifically, it boasts high-quality Alcantara suede and an enlarged 8-inch infotainment screen.

IMAGE: NISSAN

Intriguingly, although Nissan considers this a "new" GT-R NISMO, its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine produces the same 600 horsepower as the 2016 version. Clearly, "new" is a bit of a stretch.

The GT-R NISMO can still go toe to toe with any of the latest and greatest supercars on the track and keep up — if not outpace them — for less money. That said it's not cheap.

IMAGE: NISSAN

Nissan hasn't given updated pricing for the 2017 model year. The 2016 GT-R NISMO clocked in around the $150,000 mark, so this one should be a bit more. Regardless, it's an impressive driving machine nonetheless.