Just 48 hours after opening the order book for its new GT-R supercar, Nissan took 700 firm with-deposit UK orders - and the performance sportster does not arrive here until March next year.

The order book opened on April 2 and demand has been such that Nissan's British executives are pleading with the firm's European arm for a greater supply of GT-Rs.

Paul Willcox, managing director of Nissan GB, said: "In normal production terms, the pace of the line can be increased or decreased to meet with demand, but as the engine of the GT-R is built by hand there is a maximum production capability of 1,000 units per month."

GT-R prices start from £52,900.