The Nissan GT-R is one of the most renowned cars in the gearhead world. The vehicle’s incredible pace and inline-six-cylinder engine have given it an exemplary status in racing and collecting. It’s also one of the best cars for modifying, with plenty of customization possibilities. The Skyline GT-R line is legendary, featuring in popular media like movies and video games.
A November report from Best Car said that Nissan is bringing back the Skyline as a sedan and SUV with electric power. The Japanese publication said the company plans to build the SUV on the same platform as the Ariya, its electric SUV.
Details about the bells and whistles are scarce, but expect them to be fast. According to Best Car, it will have 450 horsepower and a sleek aerodynamic design to increase speed. The debut is expected in 2025, and if it makes its way to the U.S., it will be repackaged as an Infiniti.
The magazine’s latest issues highlight many concept cars displayed at the Japan Mobility Show in October–November. It predicts the public will soon see the design for the new Skyline.
Photo Courtesy Nissan
It is important to understand the classification differences between these cars — trust me, it is quite confusing. A standard GT-R is the flagship vehicle, nicknamed “Godzilla” for its monstrous acceleration. The Skyline is a separate vehicle, but we know it as the Infiniti Q50 in the U.S. The Skyline GT-R is a sports vehicle based on the Skyline body with GT-R engines. The GT-R stands for “Gran Turismo-Racing.”
The Skyline GT-R is a highly-coveted car amongst enthusiasts. The first model debuted in 1969, with the production of the second generation following in 1972.
The third generation didn’t follow until 1989, with four and five coming in 1995 and 1999. Production was discontinued in 2002. Only after-market Skyline GT-Rs have been available since.
It has been banned federally since 1988 for not meeting the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) safety standards. The Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 ended any chance of getting a Skyline GT-R in North America.
Nissan would have to undergo rounds of testing and certifications that would’ve reduced the car’s performance to reach compliance. When the manufacturer chose not to do that, a gray market opened. Around 50,000 classic GT-Rs entered the U.S. through backwater and off-the-record channels. Most of them get impounded by federal agents.
However, it was impossible to ignore the car’s top performance. The late actor Paul Walker, one of the stars of the “Fast and Furious” movie franchise, drove a custom 2001 model to promote “2 Fast 2 Furious,” the second film in the saga. The car is a prominent feature in the 2002 action film (albeit a 1999 model), and the promotional one recently sold at Mecum Auctions in 2022 for somewhere between $750,000–800,000.
Photo Courtesy Mecum Auctions
While the car sold hadn’t reached the 25-year statute of limitations on illegal imports, it beat the ban thanks to a federal pardon. After a banned vehicle hits 25 years of age, federal law classifies them as collectibles. Walker customized it to meet DOT and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards. It’s one of 14 street-legal original Skyline GT-Rs in the U.S.
Gearheads should feel excited about the upcoming 2024 GT-R, too. The new muscle car will start at around $120,990. The upgraded NISMO version tacks on an additional 100 grand. Both models can be custom-ordered online and meet U.S. safety standards.
GT-Rs are driven in drag races often. Their powerful motors put them in a class of their own. The new GT-R will have 565 hp, a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and 46 pounds-feet of torque.
With an electric and a classic internal combustion model, Nissan gives customers options. The new Skyline will be fast, though not on the same level as its gas-powered cousins. Still, 450 hp for an EV is no joke.
In May 2023, gearheads also got big news that the 1998 or older Skyline R34 models earned the right to be imported. They now fall into the collectibles category in the government’s eyes. It will take a lot of time and money to get a classic Skyline and probably even more money to get it to comply with other federal transportation mandates. Either way, GT-R fans are having a good time lately.
