Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition
In Japan, it is an automotive legend. In Europe, it is at best known to fans of some car simulator games or true lovers of Japanese cars. Of course, we are talking about the original Nissan GT-R, which first rolled onto the roads of the island state in the Pacific region in 1969. As the top-of-the-line-model of the Skyline C10 series, it created great desires with its two-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 160 hp. In addition to the four-door sedan, from 1970 there was also the Hardtop-Coupé with 70 millimeters shorter wheelbase. Overall, until 1972, only 1,945 Skyline GT-R of the first generation were produced. After the second generation based on the Skyline C110 series, there was a 22-year break without the three famous letters in the Nissan model program, before it returned with the Skyline R32. It was followed by the model series R33 and R34, before the change to the current R35 in 2008 accounted for the Skyline name in front of the GT-R designation.
As part of the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) Nissan now presented the 50th Anniversary Edition as a special edition model for the production anniversary. For this purpose, the development team with head developer Hiroshi Tamura went out to search unused potential in the now eleven-year-old R35. The performance of today’s vehicle wasn’t even thinkable 50 years ago. After all, the 3.8-liter V6 engine now offers 419 kW/570 hp thanks to two turbochargers and constant development since 2008. Each engine is assembled by hand by a ‘hakumi’, a master of his craft. The 50th Anniversary Edition uses new turbochargers with more abrasion-resistant seals that improve low-rev response and increase efficiency by five percent. Added to this are modified intake manifolds with optimized attachment points for the turbochargers as well as a new rear silencer made of titanium with blue tailpipes.
The dual-clutch transmission with six speeds also received a revision including optimized R-mode. This allows a faster downshift on both, racetrack and streets, before accelerating out of tight corners, with gear selection done with ABS enabled to reduce understeer and provide a more intuitive ride. An adaptive shift control helps to adapt the shift behavior to the preferences of the driver. A re-adjustment of the electronic suspension control improves ride comfort as well as cornering stability. Next to that, a new brake booster reduces the pedal travel and ensures a faster response of the brakes.
As an external identifying feature, Nissan decided to paint the special edition cars in the four-layer color ‘Bayside Blue’ (also known as ‘Wangan Blue’) and to apply wide white racing stripes with thin border lines at bonnet, roof and trunk lid. This blue color is familiar to fans of the Skyline R34 GT-R. Additional blue accents can be found on the spokes of the alloy wheels. Inside, the 50th Anniversary Edition of the Nissan GT-R is equipped with an independent steering wheel and an individual shift lever, as well as an Alcantara headliner with contrasting stitching and Alcantara sun visors and special embossing in the nappa leather seats.
Images: Nissan
