"My Car Magazine" GTR Info
 

Source: Rezz and "My Car Magazine"

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SUPER SPORT SCOOP! - We'll see the prototype this autumn, and a January 2007 debut!

The Prototype to be shown at this years Tokyo Motor Show will still in fact be a 'design concept', but don't let that fool you. Development is well underway, and what we see at Tokyo in Autumn should be almost final.

The Next GT-R's base body type is actually a Skyline! We've seen the test-mule being trialled at Nurburgring in Germany which was a rebadged Nissan V35 Coupe (LHD Infinity G35), but actually the whole body will form the base of the next Skyline series 'V36'. This can be interpreted as 'the next Skyline (V36) will be designed around the GT-R underpinings, rather than the GT-R being based on the Skyline...'

Breaking news this time is that the Twin-turbo V6 configuration has had it's capacity increased to 3700cc. With the increased capacity, it further assists low down torque in conjunction with the electric motor assisted twin turbos, creating instant positive boost pressure when throttle is applied, giving a 'linear pick-up engine'. We expect the engine to produce in excess of 380hp, and although far higher figures have been quoted, we expect a conservative figure - in line with previous GT-R outputs from factory.

An 'ATTESA Frame' is the new type of 4WD system being used this time around, incorporating a hybrid drive system: an FR transaxel powering the rear wheels, and combined electric motors for the front wheels, similar to the system used on the Nissan March 'e-4WD', but designed with 'Super Sports' in mind, able to produce much more power and torque with an almost instant reaction time (when wheelspin is detected). This system will not bring shame upon the GT-R name as has been seen in public reation so far. A hybrid 4WD system will take car dynamics to the next level.

The car name will be 'Infinity GT-R'... not 'Skyline'.

Not bad.

3.7 v6 huh...

junk

Okay, if Nissan's gonna re-release the Skyline, then they need to actually KEEP the Skyline part. Otherwise, they're just souping up the V35 and calling it the V36. And what the heck are they thinking in not using the RB26? IMO, a Skyline isn't a Skyline without the RB26DET rumbling under the hood...(PS, I'm not sure, but if the reason why the GT-R never made it overseas was because of the RB26 specifically, then my bad...)

380hp ! !
What happened to the 280 JDM limit !
Is that ban going to be lifted any time soon ?
www.JDM-Spec.com

The 280ps limit has been lifted already.

Oh Snap!!:mad:

If it isn't called a "Skyline", then it's not a Skyline. It may be some sort of "GTR", but it won't be a Skyline.....

Hello guys :)

I'm Rezz, the authour of the translation above.

I've lived in Japan for the last 5 years, and as the Administrators of this site can attest, I've done more than my fair share of research on the next GT-R while 'in the thick of it' so to speak here in Osaka.

Just a few points I want to clear up:

- The 280ps (206kw/276hp) limit agreed upon by Japanese manufacturers was 'lifted' (read: not heeded anymore) back in the late '90s... although manufacturers *still* insist on giving an estimated output of 280ps *on paper* and *on the internet*. It's long been known that Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6 - 9, Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 - 34 etc have ALL been sold with greater than 280ps... some as high as 340 - 350ps.

- The RB26DETT is a dinosaur. Development of the original RB20E (the basis of the RB line of engines) started back in 1979! It's original release was in the 1985(!) R31 Skyline GT Excel... some 20 years ago. Yes, the RB26DETT was designed to win the Group A Touring Car Championship - of which it did resoundingly in Japan and Australia - but the fact of the matter is that it's well past it's development cycle *and had to be scrapped for a 21st century design*. The Next GT-R will take RB26DETT levels of performance and IMPROVE on it. Just because it's not a straight 6 doesn't mean it's bad for a GT-R. But yes, I do agree with some opinions that the straight 6 is what made the GT-R what it is.

- Nissan dropping the Skyline link is good. What this means is that the next V36 Skyline range will *borrow heavily from the GT-R*, instead of the other way around. This can only be a good thing for future Skylines/Infiniti G35's don't you think?

I also just wanna thank SPT and Dave for all their support here and on other forums :) I sometimes forget about the US Skyline/GT-R enthusiasts (hence this being my first post here).

Anyone have any additional info on the electric motor assisted twin turbos?

thanks for the update, this just made my day. i can't wait for it to get here.

i understand, somewhat, your purist take on it, but there are many reasons for the changeover. economic and marketing conditions largely dictate everything, particularly the launch of a new worldwide supercar. as said, the RB platform no longer makes any sense in this new context: it is bad on gas, and is not cost-effective for the factory or the consumer.

the VQ is has become the poster-child of nissan performance and cost-effectiveness, as it is adaptable across many product lines within the nissan family. it can be used in AWD, RWD, and FWD platforms. the RB cannot.

insofar as the skyline name itself, it is not to be used in north america anyway, as that name has no market identity or effectiveness here. image and perception and consumer identity is, for better or worse, of more importance than the car itself is. at least it trumps the "skyline" name. bear in mind that the largest market for this car is america. and this is largely why the american-identified "infinity" monkier is the one that the GT-R will carry.

personally, i think "infinity" is gay, as i prefer "skyline." but as long as we all know what it really is, then i suppose we can tolerate it. of note, too, many overseas markets are chomping at the bit, as it were, to have an "infinity." if you browse other skyline sites, you will begin to see that the aussies, kiwis, and even the japanese find uniqueness and prestige, and desire, for the "infinity" line of cars. to them, it is evocative and has a certain mystique. and this is why nissan is marketing the infinity line worldwide -finally. they understand it's allure, even though it is just nissan.

and the infinity GT-R is the perfect trojan horse for worldwide infinity hype: if the GT-R is an "infinity," then the other infinity cars must be utterly amazing, too, by mere association. and i can't live without one. and i must go buy one. and i will buy one every year from every corner of the world and so on...

follow the money.

Do US enthusiasts realize that 'Infiniti' was introduced to the Australian market with the Q45 back in 1990 and due to poor brand recognition and the dreaded "it's just an expensive Nissan" complaint the brand was dropped?

In fact, it might be better if Nissan market the next GT-R in Japan/AU/NZ as a 'Nissan', such is the strength of the Skyline GT-R as a model in those countries.

But as is mentioned above, to market the GT-R as an Infiniti would be best on a worldwide scale, as a 'one-name-fits-all' arrangement, and not least to underline the fact that the next GT-R has evolved into a car greater than it's predecessors. Hard to believe but thats what they're doing.

that is a good point.

as well, back in '90, Infiniti was nearly a failure in america due to poor brand id. but that was back when the brand first appeared. it was marketed very vaguely for american tastes, and did not connect well with the consumers. however, today, that is not the case. it has staked a claim for itself, and is now sought.

i think, too, nissan is primarily aiming for the huge american market, despite the familiarity of the Nissan Skyline GT-R in australia and new zealand. but it is a perfect opportunity to introduce the Infinity line of cars to other markets, essentially, a 'new all over again' sort of car. nissan will eventually lull newer and newer consumers into expecting "Infiniti." eventually, there will come a time when a consumer is born into a world already full of the infiniti name, never knowing a time when it was not available.

I was more thinking that Nissan *can't* sell the next GT-R as a Nissan OR Skyline... because a) as you say, the Skyline name isn't recognised in the US (main market for Infiniti) and b) a $80,000 'Nissan' would never float in this day and age...

Remember that the original 'modern' GT-R, the BNR32, was sold at a loss at 5,000,000 yen when the cost to produce one was 12,000,000 yen... but that was back in the good 'ol days (or bad ol days depending on which way you look at it) when Nissan was striving for motosports dominance around the world, and they were prepared to make a loss on the 'Skyline GT-R' to increase brand awareness.

The upside of all that is now there are 15 years old kids around the world who've never even seen (let alone driven) a GT-R yet they know what one is... as if Nissan somehow *purchased* a new generation fan base.

Yeah, I'm a bit sad that Nissan has cut links with Skyline and even the Nissan name... but I don't think it all has to do with the mighty American market. Just remember 2 things:

- The GT-R existed on and off for almost 30 years without the US market knowing...

- The diehard GT-R enthusiasts in Nissans most important market in the world - Japan - are turning away from Nissan in droves as a kind of 'boycott' of sorts. The V35 Skyline has nowhere near the positive image that the Fairlady Z has, despite being called a Skyline and despite being a very similar car underneath.

I haven't see the details on it yet. Rezz have you seen anything that explains this a little more?

this is an excellent dialogue.

yes. and yes. and yes.

as well, as i restate myself, i feel that Nissan has it's sights to re-establish itself "all over again," per se, by using the newest version of the GT-R as a means to this. it is true that north america is not "it." there is a whole world out there.

i do think that nissan is aiming for consumers 1)who have a higher income, thus "infiniti." and 2)people who appreciate performance, but do not go "ga ga" hardcore apesh!t over it. for example, you and i, and perhaps a vast majority of Skyline fans, are gnarly for that car, elevating it to a religion: the R34 is a legend, a myth, and an icon of worship. and we "get it."

the crowd driving the more posh 500 series mercedes or what not --enthusiasts? well, yes. they can be. but they also like "posh." i think this, too, is why the entire Infinity concept has met the success that it has. and nissan wants to attach it to the Skyline. so they make a Skyline without really acknowledging it --blasphemy to you and i, perhaps, and many purists in the land of the rising sun; almost worthy of a boycott.

i think it is a bit tragic that the Skyline heritage is being somewhat ignored by the very act of using "Infiniti." i don't really like that. but i am willing to guess that the new legions of consumers that will happen across this new GT-R will not really know much about it's roots or heritage, and, likewise, will not really care. some may find it mildly interesting, but a good many will just buy it on it's own merits.

i seriously believe, too, that MOST people in north america who currently buy the "G35 Infinity coupe" have not the foggiest idea that it is really the "Skyline" everywhere else. and these same people, many who will "upgrade" to the new GT-R, will likewise be equally as clueless and aloof and unaware of "Skyline." many sales personnel have no idea what a Skyline is. i've seen it in action.

Yep, thats the problem all Skyline/GT-R enthusists have with this 'dislocation' of the GT-R from the Skyline range.

It's been said at www.skylinesaustralia.com and www.gtr.co.uk etc that their happy that the V35 Skyline/Infiniti G35 isn't a straight 6 and isn't easily identifyable as a Skyline etc etc because in their eyes Nissan screwed up with the lineage. It's a revolution (in a not so positive way) as opposed to an evolution of the model line. Now there are sound economic and environmental reasons for this, but too many people just flat out can't stand the V35.

So the enthusiasts don't like the current Skyline - most anyway - and the people that buy the V35 on the most part aren't aware of any Skyline links... so why is it like this???

Answer: Ask any Nissan employee in Japan (I have!) and they'll tell you that nothings changed. Yes, they'll smugly say without batting an eyelid "this is the current Skyline sir, isn't she a beauty?" Business goes on, and our man Carlos Ghosn knows whats best for Nissan. Have a look at the 'Feel the Skyline' sub-site at www.nissan.co.jp and see what the V35 owners have to say... they love it!!! It's like an European car made in Japan... brilliant. These are the same people that upgraded from a Nissan March ;)

So yes, I echo the statement that current V35 buyers haven't got a clue, and it'll remain like this indefinitely. Hence why R34 GT-R prices are GOING UP... not to mention the S15 Silvia/180SX holding their value too.

DEFINITELY the end of an era (for those old enough to remember the good times).

yes again. i second the motion.

change is inevitable. so the cliche' goes. "the only constant thing is change." we can get very zen about it.

but the fact remains the lineage has this wrinkle in it. and, really, it is ok. the KPGC110 Skyline looks vastly different from the R31, has quite different mechanical design, for example. yet the cars carry over styling heritage from generation to generation. i think the upcoming Infinity GT-R will carry the heritage through. i really do. i am optimisitic.

despite the downside of a largely culturally vacant and clueless target market, the real historians and fans of the GT-R will understand the reality of the situation with a deeper experience and sense of connection. and i think the new GT-R, and subsequent Skylines, will be pretty cool machines. i already like the G35. particularly the coupe --that is a very elegant and understated design statement, in good taste, one of the better looking cars on the road now.

but my favorite will always be the R32. i think nissan really nailed it with that car. it is just magical.

Sound's yummie...:smilie_th

still holding on to my "zilla' no matter what.:p

Rezz, I would like to say thanks for all of your intel. Now if you can do me a favor and bring the price down abit on the GT-R. Thaanks!!!

Hehehe, that's not true for me, I personally went to go visit MotoRex...it was so freakin incredible...about five R33's, and 7 R32's, two that were being worked on at the time, one of which had it's entire front end taken off piece by piece....

Sorry, a bit off-topic, but none the less cool for me^^

I cant believe some of the arguments over lineage here. Where do you begin?? The orginal Z-cars had straight sixes in them ( I would go sa far as to say that the RB26 motor was the next gen L28) Only to be scrapped for the VG series motor in '84. Which was then used as a base V6 for a lot of models including the 4x4 trucks. This same engine also made it into the Maximas until the 300zx was discontinued at which time the VQ motors were chosen to power nissan cars. Then you take a Maxima VQ, beef it up and put it in the new Z and Skyline. Where is the problem? Nissan has a history of doing this and it has never proved wrong.

I have been a big fan of Nissan since I was a kid. Follow up on you heritage people if you love Nissan for what they can do. The new GT-R is not the same thing as the monsters of the past, but it will be in the future.

As soon as they are released here in the USA I am getting rid of my Evo. I just hope it is the AWD twin-turbo.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rezz
The upside of all that is now there are 15 years old kids around the world who've never even seen (let alone driven) a GT-R yet they know what one is...



Thats not true for me, I'm 17 and knew about the skyline since I was about 13, but the first chance I got to see one in real life in California I took it and even here in Canada, there are two R32 GTR's in my town that I see every wednesday at the car show, and everytime they take off they still leave me in awe.

And for sure I'm gonna use my 00' prelude turbo as a daily driver, and Infiniti GT-R here I come:D :D when I get about 23 and done college:mad:(4more years of mechanical engineering)