SPY PICS: 2017 Nissan GT-R

It might look like any old R35 Nissan GT-R covered in psychedelic wrapping paper but what you see here is in fact another step in 'Godzilla's evolution.

Snapped here during testing in the USA, the upgraded GT-R is tipped to profit from a number of upgrades to its chassis (handling), aerodynamics (high-speed stability) and powertrain (acceleration).

There's been talk the GT-R's stonking 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine boosted to output significantly more than the current car's 404kW and 628Nm -- potentially as much as the almighty GT-R NISMO's 441kW and 650Nm.

The beefed-up 2017 GT-R is expected to debut in mid-2016 and likely to arrive in Australia later in the year.

Automedia spy photographers who snapped these photos reckon there's a great big whack of new bodywork, including "a totally revised front fascia with a deeper and more aggressive air intake under the grille".

But apart from newer, thinner LED brake light clusters, we're struggling to see what's new.

Senior Nissan executives reckon the model snapped here is unlikely to be the last update for the all-wheel drive mega-coupe before an all-new GT-R rips into action by 2020.

Despite being a decade old, the current (R35) GT-R will keep fighting the likes of Porsche's 911 and others for another three years at least, says Nissan's most senior Australian executive, Richard Emery.

"It's [a new GT-R] certainly not 2018, and I can’t see it even in 2019. It’s not on the product plan list for that period," Emery told motoring.com.au six weeks ago about the next GT-R's arrival.

The Nissan GT-R GT3 race car, meanwhile, will return to Australia next month to defend its 2015 Bathurst 12-Hour title.