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Nissan Releases All-New Skyline GT-R

Official press release on the R34's Japan launch

The Skyline GT-R has consistently offered a world-class standard of total enjoyment through the pursuit of the ultimate in driving pleasure. This latest R34 GT-R is the third-generation model since this legendary series was revived in 1989 with the release of the R32 GT-R following a 16-year hiatus. To continue the immutable concept of this series, the dynamic performance potential of the R34 GT-R has been further enhanced befitting the GT-R marque. Performance capabilities have also been added to enable drivers to elicit the car's full potential in their own personal driving style with complete peace of mind.

Skyline GT-R(fitted with an optional feature)

As the first step toward enhanced dynamic performance, meticulous care was taken to improve the car's essential capabilities for going, cornering and stopping. Power performance has been further boosted by the attainment of 15.6 kg-m/liter of engine torque, the best per-liter figure of any domestically produced 6-cylinder engine displacing over 2.0 liters, and by the adoption of a 6-speed manual transmission. Handling and stability have been further enhanced by adopting high-performance 18" tires, among other measures. Braking performance has been augmented by using a new friction material and by improving the brake cooling system. Moreover, expertise accumulated through racing activities was utilized to improve aerodynamic performance.

Besides these and other improvements, body stiffness has also been further increased based on the advanced Driving Body created for the R34 2-door Sports Coupe. This has resulted in one of the highest levels of body stiffness anywhere in the world, enabling drivers to bring out fully the R34 GT-R's enormous potential.

Overview of New Skyline GT-R

1. Exterior with a latent intellectual gleam in an image of power

Seen from the side, the design abounds in smooth undulations as if to suggest that well tempered muscles and a rugged framework are contained under the sheetmetal. One especially notable feature is the lip shape at the sides of the front bumper. This shape produces flow separation that lowers the pressure outside the wheels, creating a suction effect to draw out the hot air in the wheelhouses for improved brake cooling efficiency.

The rear design adopts round combination lamps in two sizes, like those used on the R34 2-door Sports Coupe. In addition, various items are incorporated in the rear view to express the overwhelming power performance one would expect of the Skyline GT-R, including a two wing-type rear spoiler and dual tailpipes with their 80-mm round orifices cut in a slant.

Compared with the R33 GT-R, the overall length has been shortened by 75 mm, the wheelbase by 55 mm and the front overhang by 20 mm, resulting in a wheelbase/tread ratio for enhanced driving performance. Along with the battery's trunk location inherited from the R33 GT-R and the reduction of part weights, it has produced a more compact vehicle package that contributes to superb vehicle dynamics.

2. Interior with a heightened sense of stellar driving performance

Monoform bucket seats have been newly developed specifically for the GT-R. The seats are designed with larger shoulder and side supports so as to provide greater lateral support for holding the occupant's body firmly even when cornering at high G levels. In addition, recesses are provided in the portions coming in contact with the upper arms so as not to catch the driver's upper arms when steering or shifting.

A multifunctional display is installed in the atop level of the center console to present essential driving information to the driver during sporty driving. Altogether, seven items are presented in three modes on the 5.8" fixed liquid crystal display, beginning with such basic information as the boost pressure, water temperature and oil temperature and extending to the voltage, throttle opening, fuel injector opening rate and front toque split. (The GT-R V-spec grade adds the intake air temperature and exhaust gas temperature for a total of nine items.)

An engine immobilizer is also provided as an anti-theft measure. When an attempt is made to start the engine, this system compares the identification code recorded on the ignition key with the code stored in memory and starts the engine only when the two codes match.

3. Engine and powertrain incorporate fine-tuned improvements

Adopted as the transmission is a new 6-speed manual gearbox jointly developed by Nissan and Getrag Getriebe & Zahnradfabrik GmbH of Germany. Close-ratio gearing has been adopted for the first through the fifth speed ranges compared with the first through the fourth speed ranges of the 5-speed transmission used on the previous model. Additionally, shift effort has been reduced and shift lever rigidity has been increased to provide a shift feel that lets drivers fully and effectively enjoy the car's impressive power.

A helical limited slip differential (LSD) with superb responsiveness and controllability has been adopted for improved traction during cornering and enhanced response to accelerator inputs. Like the previous model, the GT-R V-spec grade comes with an active LSD for optimum torque split control.

The adoption of mufflers with exhaust pressure-sensitive control and dual stainless steel tailpipes with large orifices has reduced the back pressure, which contributes to higher torque output.

4. Ultimate Driving Body and chassis for exploiting higher performance tires

The electric-powered Super HICAS four-wheel steering system with yaw rate feedback control is used to provide steering response faithful to the driver's expectations and excellent stability. This system newly incorporates a model-following control procedure like that used on the latest jet fighters, among other applications. Based on the vehicle speed and steering wheel input, this control procedure determines the target vehicle state and the rear-wheel steer angle needed to achieve that state is then determined. This procedure provides more accurate, fine-tuned control for enhanced tracking performance and improved convergence against external disturbances.

Brakes made by Italy's Brembo S.p.A, which have been a highly praised item on the R33 GT-R, have been continued on the new model. Braking performance has been enhanced by changing the brake cooling system for greater anti-fade capability during sporty driving and also by fitting the front brakes with a high friction-coefficient pad material made by Germany's Jurid(AlliedSignal AUTOMOTIVE). In addition, the shell plate thickness of the brake booster has been increased for improved pedal feel and controllability.

All models are equipped with 245/40ZR18 Potenza RE040 tires developed specifically for the Skyline GT-R. One-piece forged 18" aluminum wheels sporting a new design have been adopted for a weight saving of 4 kg per vehicle compared with the R33 GT-R. This has reduced the car's unsprung weight for improved handling and stability.

5.Aerodynamic performance honed by expertise accumulated through racing activities

Moreover, the GT-R V-spec model adopts a front diffuser and a carbon rear diffuser to create a downforce for regulating the air flow along the car's undersurface, allowing positive use of aerodynamic force for enhanced handling and stability. This works to improve straight-line directionality, especially at high speeds above 80 km/h, and stability during cornering and braking, by producing a force for actively pushing the body down toward the road surface while maintaining a fore-and-aft aerodynamic balance. Moreover, since the air flow under the floor is controlled, fluttering noise under the car is also substantially reduced during high-speed travel at speeds above 80 km/h. Representing the world�fs first-ever implementation on a mass-produced vehicle, the carbon rear diffuser combines high levels of stiffness and heat resistance with a lighter weight.

6. High-level safety and enhanced environmental friendliness

<High-level safety>

Major safety technologies featured on the Skyline GT-R

• Information safety features for forewarning the driver
  - Xenon headlamps (low beam with levelizer)
  - HIR halogen headlamps (high beam)
  - Long-life water repellent coating on front door glass
  - Rear intermittent wiper
  
• Control safety features for avoiding potential danger
  - Electric-powered Super HICAS with yaw rate feedback control
  - Antilock braking system (ABS)
  
• Impact safety features for helping reduce injury
  - High-strength Zone Body construction
  - Dual airbag supplemental restraint systems (SRS) for driver and front passenger
  - Side airbag SRS with head protection capability for driver and front passenger
  - Front seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners
  - Rear three-point seatbelts with ELR
  - Water-resistant power window switch system

<Enhanced environmental friendliness>

7. Provision of a base car for N1 racing use

N1 races are conducted for vehicles that have been officially certified by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) as mass-produced touring cars (production models with a production volume of at least 2,500 units over 12 consecutive months) and for JAF-registered cars. Because the scope of allowable modifications is kept to a minimum level, the condition of the cars competing in these endurance races is the closest to that of actual production vehicles.

Price Range and Sales Target

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SKYLINE GT-R