Nissan unveils 2013 V8 Supercars challenger

Nissan has unveiled the car it will race in the V8 Supercars championship in 2013.

The Altima model was revealed at a launch event in Melbourne on Tuesday, ahead of the manufacturer's return to the championship with a four-car entry run by Kelly Racing.

"This is the proudest day in the relatively short history of our team, as well as one of the most significant days in recent times for the sport of V8 Supercars," said former Bathurst winner and team racing director Todd Kelly.

"Our new team has done a tremendous job to design and build an all-new V8 Supercar, including a new engine, in roughly nine months."

Kelly's brother Rick, a former champion and the team's commercial director, added: "Our entire team is working harder than ever to ensure that we rise to another level as we transform into Nissan Motorsport for next season.

"This is the most exciting time in our sport for two decades and it is amazing to think that our team is at the forefront of this change."

The Altima has been built to the championship's new 'Car of the Future' regulations, and it will soon be homologated by the series so that it can begin testing.

Nissan Australia managing director and CEO William F Peffer Jr also attended the launch.

"Everyone at Nissan is right behind our team, led by Todd and Rick Kelly, and we are excited about hitting the track next season with this spectacular Altima V8 Supercar," he said.

"2013 will be the first time the Altima nameplate has gone on sale in Australia, and what better way to introduce it than to have it on-track in the V8 Supercars championship from the start of next season."

Nissan will be the first manufacturer to take on championship regulars Ford and Holden for two decades.

To read an in-depth analysis of Nissan's return to V8 Supercars, click here