The Skyline R32 quickly earned...
The Skyline R32 quickly earned the nickname "Godzilla" for its domination of every racing series it entered. The car would eventually be responsible for the crash of just about every racing class in which it could compete-because nobody could catch it.
While the R33 wasn't the technological leap forward that the R32 was, it did receive a host of updates, such as a torquier RB26DETT, thanks largely to revised turbocharger plumbing. The car was also fitted with Nissan's latest in high-tech steering, called Super HICAS, and an improved version of ATTESA-ETS all-wheel drive, which monitored the car's movement 100 times per second to detect traction loss and alter torque bias accordingly. In 1995, a further improvement was made and the system was dubbed the ATTESA-ETS Pro. While the basic ATTESA-ETS controlled the torque split front to rear, the Pro added control of the left to right torque split at the rear wheels. The upgraded system was standard on V-Spec cars, but could be optioned on the standard car as well.
Wanting a way of showcasing what the car was capable of, Nissan created the Nismo 400R, which is probably one of your favorites on Gran Turismo. The car had 400 hp by way of a 2.8-liter version of the RB engine, called the RBX-GT2.
The car that filled your head...
The car that filled your head during childhood, the R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R. Dirk Schoysman lapped the Nrburgring Nordschleife in under eight minutes in stock GT-R trim.
Contrary to popular belief, the succeeding Skyline R34 was actually smaller than its predecessor. This was partly a result of Nissan paying heed to enthusiasts' complaints that the R33 had strayed too far from the original mission statement of high performance in 1969. There was no mistaking it-the R33 was massive.
The Skyline GT-R came in more versions than you can count from 1999-2002, including V-Spec, V-Spec II, N1, M-Spec, V-Spec II Nur, M-Spec Nur, Nismo R-Tune and the Nismo Z-Tune. That's nine types of R34 GT-R you could buy...how did anyone decide?
In any case, the five-speed transmission of the R33 was scrapped in favor of a Getrag six-speed box and the sleeved turbochargers were replaced with ball bearing units. This time around, V-Spec simply meant a body kit with a diffuser and the V-Spec II added a carbon-fiber hood. The N1 redefined the term badass-there was no air conditioning, no stereo, no rear wiper and minimalist interior trim. Oh, and the car came with a blueprinted N1 engine and there were only 45 made. Good luck finding one today.
The R34 is without question...
The R34 is without question the epitome of GT-R heritage-at least until the R36 starts roaming the streets worldwide.
On the other side of the equation was the M-Spec, which had a leather interior with heated seats and a softer suspension. The M-Spec Nur added a 300km/h speedometer and an N1 engine. There were 250 made. The V-Spec II Nur, on the other hand, was all the fun of a V-Spec II, but with the addition of the rare N1 engine and the 300km/h speedometer. If your pockets are thick enough you may even find one for sale since only 750 were made.
If the N1 was badass, then the GT-R Nismo Z-Tune was the reincarnation of Godzilla. The car came into production when Nismo itself began buying up pristine examples of existing R34 GT-Rs and tearing them down to the sheetmetal, to build the ultimate Skyline. It's safe to say they succeeded-the car had a 2.8L, 500hp engine and the kind of throttle response that should be impossible in a car with half the power. Each of the 20 produced cost $170,000.
As we mentioned earlier, there is a current Skyline, the V35. A quick look confirms that it's no GT-R. The RB engine has been completely ditched in favor of the ubiquitous VQ35 powerplant that Nissan has essentially been plopping in the engine bay of well... everything. Gone are the characteristic round taillights and, of course, the massive horsepower production. Without the sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and all-wheel steering of the old car, enthusiasts have nowhere to turn their attention.
Nowhere that is, except for the just-released GT-R, which made its debut at the Tokyo Auto Show this October. At the time of this writing, details are still sketchy, but it looks like the car will have a twin-turbocharged variant of the VQ engine-likely with increased displacement. From the sound of the car in spy video, we're betting it has a seven-speed sequential transmission, la DSG.
By all accounts, the new GT-R should be a spicy meatball featuring the very latest in Nissan all-wheel drive and steering systems and the undeniable visual similarity to a stealth fighter. We can't picture a better candidate to carry the Skyline legacy into the 21st century. Stay tuned, it's just a matter of months before we're driving the first tuned examples.