The Nissan Skyline GT-R is a Japanese grand tourer (GT). This means it is a performance and luxury automobile capable of high speed or spirited long-distance driving.
The Skyline GT-R became the flagship of Nissan performance, and showcasing many advanced technologies. Today, the car is popular for import drag racing, circuit track, time attack and events hosted by tuning magazines. Production of the Skyline GT-R ended in August 2002. The car was replaced by the Nissan GT-R, an independent vehicle not sold as a Skyline (also known as the R35).
The Skyline GT-R was never manufactured outside of Japan. The car was named at the time by BBC's Top Gear as the only true Japanese contribution in the line of supercars, and by Jeremy Clarkson as one of the best cars in the world.
SKYLINE GT-R R34
The biggest feature and most significant feature to the R34 GT-R that wasn't seen on any other model skyline was the display unit at the top of the dashboard. This display unit was very significant for the car at its time. This display showed many of the cars engine stats including turbocharger pressure, oil temp, water temp and more. As a 1999 car this kind of technology was very rare and advanced at the time. The display was capable of showing the G-force that the car was under when driving and there was also a lap timer that could be started by a button that was located near the gear stick. There was a computer jack lead hidden underneath the left passenger side skirt that could be used to transfer driving data from the car to a laptop. This could only be done with a Japanese version of windows and Japanese software, which today is very hard to come by. Other features such as the battery being located under the back seat of the car made more room available in the engine bay. The Nissan Skyline GT-R rivals are the Toyota Supra and the Mazda RX-7
The GT/GF-BNR34 (R34) Skyline GT-R and GT-R V.spec models were released in January 1999.
Like the R33, the new R34 GT-R V.spec (Victory Specification) models come equipped with the ATTESA E-TS Pro system and an Active LSD at the rear, while standard GT-R models come with the non-Pro system and a conventional mechanical differential. The V.spec model also had firmer suspension and lower ground clearance, thanks to front and side splitters, as well as a rear carbon fiber air diffuser, designed to keep air flowing smoothly under the car.
The GT-R V.spec model added two extra features to the display: intake and exhaust gas temperatures.
Another special model of the R34 GT-R is the M-spec. It was similar to the V.spec, but had special "Ripple control" dampers, revised suspension set up, stiffer rear sway bar and a leather interior with heated front seats.
In October 2000, Nissan released the V.spec II, replacing the V.spec. The V.spec II has increased stiffness in the suspension (even stiffer than the original V.spec) and had larger rear brake rotors. It also comes equipped with a carbon fiber hood equipped with a NACA duct, which is lighter than the aluminum that all other GT-R hoods are made from. Also different on the V.spec II was an iridium center console and aluminum pedals. The seats were upholstered with black cloth rather than the gray cloth used on previous R34 GT-R models, and the amber turn lenses were replaced with white versions. With the exception of the carbon fiber bonnet, the standard trim level GT-R also received these updates.
In February 2002 Nissan released a final production model of the R34 GT-R called the Skyline GT-R V.spec II Nür and the Skyline GT-R M-spec Nür. The Nür was named after the famous German Nürburgring racetrack, where the Skyline was developed. The Nür model featured an improved RB26DETT based on the N1 racing engine. The standard turbochargers were upgraded to larger versions with a slight increase in boost and the ceramic blades were replaced with steel versions. This has increased lag, but to compensate the turbo's durability was improved while being able to handle a bigger boost increase. This allowed tuners to increase the boost safely with standard turbos up to 340 kW (450 hp) at the crank.
The V.spec II Nür is based on the regular V.spec II model, and the M-spec Nür was based on the regular M-spec model. Other than the addition of the Nür engine, the Nür models also included a different color of stitching on the interior trim, as well as a speedometer reading up to 300 km/h (186 mph), and gold valve covers instead of red.
Skyline GT-R M-spec Nür
PREDECESSOR
Nissan Skyline GT-R R33
SUCCESSOR
The Nissan GT-R is a sports car produced by Nissan and first released Japan in 2007. It is the successor to the Nissan Skyline GT-R although it is no longer part of the Skyline range.
Nissan GT-R R35
