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From Skyline to GT-R: Understanding the History
By Product Expert | Posted in Nissan GT-R on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 at 4:35 am
Let’s Look at the Evolution of the 2024 Nissan GT-R!
In 1999, Nissan was on the verge of bankruptcy, with a crippling $35 billion debt. Carlos Ghosn, a Brazilian-born businessperson with French and Lebanese nationality, took the lead in Nissan’s revival, making him a national hero. After the revival, he was featured as a “Super CEO” in Japanese comic strips (or manga).
But that’s not all! His biggest contribution has been to resuscitate the company’s old model of Skyline GT-R. Nicknamed the “Godzilla,” the 2024 Nissan GT-R has a storied history. It has been at the forefront of automotive invention and design. So, let’s look at the evolution of the 2024 Nissan GT-R in this blog by Glendale Nissan in Glendale Heights, IL!
The Skyline Era
At the onset, the Skyline was originally produced by the Prince Motor Company. It was available as a four-door sedan or a five-door station wagon and featured a 1.5-liter GA-30 engine. The first racing GT Skyline was introduced in 1964, still under the Prince Motors flag. This introduction announced the Skyline’s shift from a sedan to a race car.
The Nissan Skyline Era
Skyline finally became a Nissan in 1969. This was the year when the first performance-bred Skyline GT-R was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. Though still a sedan, it boasted an inline six-cylinder engine that churned out 160 hp. The Nissan Skyline GT-R continued to enjoy legendary success between 1969 and 1972. However, the global gasoline crisis and a shift towards stricter emissions put the Skyline GT-R in trouble.
THE R32 Skyline GT-R
Now, the Skyline GT-R needed a makeover! Ghosn gave this mission to Kazutoshi Mizuno, a race engineer, team director, and car designer for over 40 years. In 1989, he created the real precursor to the modern GT-R—the R32 Skyline GT-R. This R32 GT-R introduced an all-wheel drivetrain and the famed twin-turbocharged RB26DETT inline six-cylinder engine that generated 280 hp. The R33 and R34 models that followed further refined the GT-R’s performance and handling, cementing its status as a legend among car enthusiasts.
The GT-R Officially Lands on American Roads!
In 2008, Nissan dropped the Skyline name and came equipped with a twin-turbo V6 engine that delivered 473 hp. Overnight, the GT-R became a phenomenon. Its road-grabbing all-wheel drive promised exhilarating handling, and its sleek, muscular, modern design outshone other supercars.
The Modern 2024 Nissan GT-R
For the 2024 model year, the Nissan GT-R is more thrilling and impressive. It has been upgraded to reduce drag, ensuring confident, responsive handling. Under the hood, the 3.8-liter V6 twin-turbocharged engine pushes out 565 hp and 467 lb.-ft. of torque. It also features a new all-wheel-drive system and advanced aerodynamics, making it handle even the most demanding driving conditions with panache.
Reserve the 2024 Nissan GT-R in Glendale Heights, IL!
If you’re intrigued by the history of the 2024 Nissan GT-R and want to own an iconic sporty vehicle, reserve it at Glendale Nissan in Glendale Heights, IL.
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