Nissan's next-generation GT-R supercar continues its painful evolution. It's taken two years for Nissan to move from the GT-R concept shown at the 2003 Tokyo Show, to this, the GT-R Proto, yet another concept for the long-awaited R35 version of Japan's most iconic high-performance coupe. This one, however, is closer to the real thing.
Blame Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, who insisted from the outset the new GT-R be a profitable project. That meant engineering the R35 GT-R for world markets, including the United States (previous Skyline GT-Rs have been Japan-only models, with limited numbers exported to Australia and the United Kingdom).
Japan wanted a twin-turbo six under the hood, but the U.S. reportedly insisted on a V-8. Nissan insiders confirm the 4.5-liter V-8 from the Infiniti M45 will fit under the hood; the question is whether it can be tuned to deliver the performance needed to keep the GT-R legend alive in Japan.
Skyline GT-R: A Brief History
The Skyline name dates back to Nissan's acquisition of the Prince Motor Company in 1966. Prince engineers influenced the development of the P510 and 240Z, and Prince models such as the Gloria and Skyline became Nissan models. Although the Prince had built performance versions of the Skyline since the early 1960s, the first Skyline GT-R was launched in 1969, powered by a 16-horse twin-cam inline-six.
R32: This eighth-generation Skyline was launched in 1989. The GT-R version was powered by a twin-turbo 2.6-liter I-6 developing about 280 horses and featured all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.
R33: Launched 1993, the R33 Skyline GT-R was bigger and heavier, and performance and handling suffered slightly. All-wheel drive and four-wheel steering system had more sophisticated computer control.
R34: Launched 1993, the R34 retained all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. Nissan still claimed only 280 horses, but V-spec version would nail 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds and the quarter mile in about 12.5.