The first Nissan Skyline GT-R was introduced in 1969, but the first true modern iteration of Nissan’s high-performance car was the 1989 R32 Skyline GT-R. It had all-wheel-drive and a turbocharged in-line-six engine under its hood. This was followed by the longer R33 Skyline GT-R in 1995.
The slightly shorter R34 Skyline GT-R was introduced in 1998 and was produced until 2002. This generation would be the last of the iconic Skyline-based GT-R models. After a brief hiatus, the GT-R returned in 2007 as a standalone model.
The current GT-R has been in production for 15 years, and we think it’s time to give Nissan’s supercar a complete makeover. While the current GT-R’s Gundam-like styling looks great, we wished that it somehow looked a bit more like its legendary Skyline-derived predecessors. For my design, I used the R34 Skyline GT-R Nismo Z-tune and the R34 JGTC race car as my inspirations.
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The front features a modern interpretation of the rectangular R34 GT-R grille and headlights with curved outer corners. The lower intake continues the rectangular theme. I gave it the classic Nismo heat extractor on the center of the hood. I wanted to give it a leaner body with a low beltline and pronounced JGTC-inspired wide box fenders to hide the 275/35 R20 and 285/35 R20 rubber.
The more formal upright greenhouse, larger daylight opening, and classic near-triangular rear side windows are pure R34 Skyline. Being a GT-R, we had to give it the trademark quad circular taillights. If you look closely, you’ll notice the R34-inspired trunk shutline shape. The license plate recess and rear corner vents mirror the rectangular theme of the front end. Our next gen GT-R measures 4,674mm long, 1,902mm wide, and 1,338mm tall, it’s roughly the same size as the current model but is slightly lower and wider.
According to Nissan, a fully electric GT-R will eventually arrive, but not anytime soon. So for this next-gen GT-R, I’m giving it a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain. It will use an updated version of the 3.8-liter VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 mated to an electric motor that can produce up to 200 horsepower. Expect the total system output to be over 700hp and over 850Nm of torque.
Like the current GT-R, it will have some aluminum panels over a steel body structure. To offset part of the weight gained from the electric motor and 6.1kWh battery pack, our GT-R uses a higher percentage of lightweight materials, this includes toughened SMC front fenders, and carbon fiber for sections of the front bumper fascia, rear diffuser, rear wing, side-mirror caps, and roof panel. The front and rear subframes are now made of aluminum. We think getting the curb weight under 1,800kg is possible.
What do you think of our R34-inspired Next Gen GT-R? Let us know in the comments.
