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We all know it's coming, the holy grail of the tuning world, the next GTR. So whats next for this awesome car? In this thread we will follow the next GTR from its concept ideas and rumors and up to its production and maybee even further. So if you want the latest info/rumors on the next GTR, you've come to the right place.
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Nissan Press Release - Tokyo Motor Show 2001
Nissan will continue building the GT-R in the 21st Century, providing the ultimate driving pleasure to even more people worldwide. In its next generation Nissan is looking to introducing the GT-R in other markets worldwide.
In pursuit of ultimate driving pleasure
Successive generations of the GT-R have consistently pursued the ultimate in driving pleasure. Over the years, the GT-R has continued to be a supreme-performance road-going car that delivers superb driving pleasure by responding faithfully to the driver's demands. Just sitting in the driver's seat of the GT-R produces a feeling of excitement that envelops the entire body.
Achieving the ultimate in driving pleasure means that the car must perform exactly as the driver expects. Meeting this expectation requires a faithful response to the driving actions executed by the driver, and the car must convey accurate information to the driver. In other words, the driver has to be able to judge the vehicle's state accurately and instantaneously. Then, through the car's consistently response to the accelerator pedal, steering wheel and brake pedal, the driver enjoys the pleasure of controlling the car at will. There is feeling of solid trust and oneness that forms between the driver and the car in this process, confidently bringing out both the driver's skill and the car's maximum potential.
Consistently providing the best specifications available in every era
If drivers are to enjoy the ultimate in driving pleasure, the car's potential must be raised to the utmost limits. Successive generations of the GT-R have truly incorporated superior specifications even among vehicles in this segment. With its unrivaled power, the engine has delivered outstanding acceleration and top speed combined with a driving sensation. A superior braking system has provided powerful braking performance, and an outstanding suspension has enabled the GT-R to corner with remarkable quickness.
The GT-R has been the showcase for the highest levels of acceleration, cornering and stopping capabilities. The delicate balance between the powerful engine and responsive suspension has been pushed as each system surpassed last generation technology.
As a result of that never-ending process, the GT-R has continued to embody the most advanced technologies available in every era.
Expanding the tradition globally in the 21st-Century
Successive generations of the GT-R have already established an unshakable position in Japan as a result of incorporating the highest levels of technology available in pursuit of ultimate driving pleasure. That superior performance transcended the oceans to make the GT-R the focus of envious looks the world over. Nissan is developing a new generation of GT-R for the 21st Century with the aim of placing it in the spotlight of the global stage, beyond the borders of the Japanese market.
The GT-R displayed at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show is a concept vehicle which delivers "Ultimate Driving Pleasure" with the best in world-class
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Early concept drawing
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Speculation:
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Best Car & Holiday Auto think that the engine used in the next GTR will be the VQ33DETT.
The new 3.3L alloy block V6 will use the stroke length from the VQ35 and the bore from the VQ30. It will use twin electronically assisted turbochargers, which is a first! Apparently two small electric motors will be attached to the turbine shaft spinning it at lower revs when no positive boost is being made thus eliminating turbo lag. Furthermore variable valve timing and variable valve lift will be used in order to achieve the 400ps that is predicted.
The M-spec will get a 6 speed CVT transmission while the V-spec a 6 speed MT. Active suspension will be used, along with 4 pot Brembos all round and huge 19" wheels.
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Auto Express article:
It's set to be Japan's fastest and most advanced supercar - but look under the skin and it's Britain's brains which will power Nissan's new GT-R! Exclusive pictures in the current issue of Auto Express magazine show how the new supercoupé will look when it storms on to our roads, and the cutaway detail reveals the technology which is set to make it the most advanced car in the world. But it's not only Nissan engineers who can claim the credit - our sources say British legend Cosworth has been called in to help tweak the engine, while Lotus is involved in fine-tuning the suspension.
The 'International Specification' GT-R, which will be sold throughout the world for the first time, is set to get a version of the 3.5-litre V6 engine used in the 350Z coupé, but will have electrically assisted twin turbochargers to boost power without sapping too much energy. Cosworth's expertise will be used to make sure the V6's block, head, pistons and crank are all strong enough.
Nissan knows it has to do something really special with the next GT-R, partly because the 350Z performs so well, but also as it's the first globally oriented version of the car, and expectations are high among the 'Playstation generation' of buyers who are familiar with the model from video games consoles.
The company has asked for around 400bhp and 490Nm of torque, but more realistic figures given emissions regulations are 350bhp and 450Nm. To reach production, the car must meet strict Euro4 exhaust regulations. The V6 will be mated to a six-speed Getrag gearbox, with a CVT due a year after launch in early 2005. The auto is undergoing final development, but apparent slippage trouble due to the excessive power has been plaguing prototypes. Insiders have confirmed the GT-R will incorporate an updated version of Nissan's Atessa 4WD system with an active limited slip differential. This new arrangement means torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels not only in response to traction loss, but also as a result of changes in the engine's output.
The FM platform used in the new range of Skyline and Infiniti G35 coupés in Japan and the US is basically good enough, but needs some fine-tuning to handle the extra power - and that's where Lotus comes in. A new hydraulic active suspension system, co-developed with Lotus, will feature. The Norfolk firm's expertise in this area will ensure the car handles like no other GT-R before, and can satisfy the soft-riding expectations of American buyers with the traction and high-speed handling required by the British and German markets.
Its brakes promise to be special, too, with larger Brembo discs controlled by a newly revised brake-by-wire unit which promises to give the sporty feel and feedback enthusiastic drivers demand.
But while the dynamics are groundbreaking, many fans will be disappointed by the looks. Although the car is clearly linked to the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show concept, some of the more aggressive touches have been watered down in favour of a more mainstream appearance. The final production version will debut at next October's Tokyo event. Peter Lyon
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Detroit- 12/24/2002
Infiniti has scrapped plans to reveal their latest project in the 2003 New York Auto Show, which procedes the Detroit Auto Show. Rumors are that this project is some variant ot the controversially styled Nissan GT-R concept that wowed the crowed at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show.
This car is said to be carrying a Twin Turbo V-6 simillar to the type found in their latest sports car, the 350z. A respected British Magazine also reports that this super GT will be cotuned by Coswort and Lotus. With AWD this car should easily pose a threat to the popular Porsche 911 turbo. A toned down version with Z-car grill treatment and overall front and G35 coupe lines is due to debut at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show.
Knowing the prowress of this car in the domestic Japanese market, GM and Ford are scrambling to counteract its potentially devastating effects. GM is rumored to reveal the faster more powerful 2005 Corvette in next years NAIAS and Ford has sped up plans to to release their GT super car. When asked in the 2002 Detroit Auto Show what he thought about this new Infiniti, GM CEO; Bob Lutz had this to say: "Its a heck of a hot rod, that we are just going to have to beat"
Rumors are that this car will be called the Infiniti X35 GT-R, but that seems to be pure speculation as of right now.
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Quote from CAR magazine:
In the Feburary issue of CAR Magazine, "Mr. GTR" Hiroshi Tamura revealed the following information when discussing the GTR project.
"Porsche 993 to 996 was a big step. Ferrari 355 to 360 was a big step. We must make an even bigger leap than that for the next-generation GT-R. What we are saying to customers is, be patient, trust us, we will make it for you".
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"Godzilla" set to roar again:
NISSAN will go head to head in a power war with the world's top sports-car manufacturers when its new GT-R sports coupe makes its debut this year -- and it could be heading to Australia.
Speaking at the Australian launch of the 350Z sports car this week, Nissan chief product specialist John Yukawa said the upcoming GT-R would break through the unofficial 206kW power limit, which Japanese manufacturers have adhered to for decades to appease their government.
And it won't be by a nose, either. Yukawa's benchmark for the new GT-R is Porsche's 911 Turbo, which pumps out 309kW and is regarded by many as the best sports car in the world. Expect to see a power figure of about 300kW when the GT-R is revealed at the Tokyo motor show this year.
"The GT-R will exceed 206kW (the Japanese limit)," said Yukawa. "The Porsche 911 Turbo has about 400hp -- we're aiming for that. Porsche is my ambition."
Japanese car makers have long been suspected of exceeding the self-imposed power limit and then simply quoting 206kW (or 280hp) to keep officials happy. Now that the decision has been made to abandon the agreement, Japanese performance-car makers can get serious about challenging their European counterparts.
The new GT-R is expected to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.
The rest of the GT-R package is a secret, though there have been clues. The styling is likely to show influences from the rakish GT-R concept car shown at the 2001 Tokyo motor show. Meanwhile, four-wheel-drive -- a signature of the model -- is a certainty.
Price is another unknown, although suggestions are that it will not be cheap, stretching beyond $150,000.
Previous GT-Rs have been built purely for the Japanese market, although 100 of the original -- and, some would say, the best -- R32 model were sold through Nissan dealerships between 1991 and 1993.
The new car, however, is designed with foreign markets in mind as Nissan continues its much-publicised revival under the guidance of leader Carlos Ghosn.
Leon Daphne, managing director and chief executive of Nissan Australia, said the new GT-R was on his wish list, though he stressed that any decision would come from Japan.
"When it's available in right-hand-drive, we'd like to take it," he said. "But it would be in very limited numbers."
The GT-R name has a glorious history in Australia, despite no presence in almost a decade.
The legendary R32 GT-R earned the nickname "Godzilla" for its performances in Australian touring car racing; it was ultimately ruled out of the competition through fear of upsetting car makers Ford and Holden.
Road-going models, many of which have been privately imported over the years, won similar favour for their explosive performance and excellent handling.
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Car and Driver:
Infiniti will begin offering an all-wheel-drive version of its hot-selling G35 sedan, fitted with Nissan's ATTESA E-TS (electronic torque split) system, in early December. Now comes word that an upcoming G35 platform mate, the Skyline GT-R, will get not only ATTESA E-TS but also a twin-turbo V-6 tuned by Cosworth. Producing in the neighborhood of 480 horsepower, the new V-6 features twin-turbo motor assist, a technology employed during off-boost periodssay, when idlingthat temporarily turns the GT-R into a naturally aspirated car. Here's how it works: When off boost, magnetic valves open to form a bypass that redirects exhaust gas around the turbos and directly into the precatalysts; when on boost, the valves close and channel exhaust gas into the turbos. The net effect is a car reportedly capable of meeting strict emissions regulations around the world. Don't expect to see the GT-R, likely labeled an Infiniti when it comes to America, till 2005 or 2006.
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Snooper Scoopers:
There is someone who lives in Norfolk identity unknown who spends his days lurking in bushes near the Lotus HQ, taking photographs of cars. Not just any old cars, but pre-production models shrouded in secrecy and previously unseen by the outside world. Then he goes home, downloads the digital images, picks up the phone and calls the editor of one of the car magazines. A fee is agreed and a deal is done, and this is how he makes his living.
Known in the industry as scoop photographers, people such as this are the motoring worlds version of the paparazzi, constantly on the hunt for new car designs still in the development and testing phase. Depending on the quality of the shot and on the amount of interest in the car, they can get paid between £90 and £1,000 per photograph.
Two months ago the unknown Norfolk photographer caused something of a stir in the motoring world when he captured images of the new Nissan Skyline and sold them to Autocar magazine. Not only was this the first ever sighting of the new car, it also exposed the fact that much of Lotuss work is for other, much larger manufacturers whod rather the world didnt know they need help.
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More speculation:
Power: 480ps (352kw!) @ 7200rpm
Torque: 58kg/m @ 4800rpm
The GT-R concept has been finalized. The new car will target the 911 Turbo as its primary competitor. The new GT-R will feature a VQ32DETT Twin-Turbo V6 engine. Estimated output will be over 480ps and over 420 lb/ft of torque .
In addition, it will also feature the improve active AWD system. The engine will be developed by a joint venture of Nissan and Cosworth. The new turbo system will feature a electronic Anti-Lag-system. Which means the turbine will be driven by an electic-powered motor when the thottle is lifted. The new chassis will be a brand new one (code: FR-L), which is composed of steel and Aluminum alloy. Suspension will be taken from the current Skyline (G35) with certain improvements made.
Estimated to be in the market in spring 2005, with a price tag of over $80K.
GT-R Engine: VQ32DETT V6 Twin-Turbo, featuring colaboration with Cosworth Technology for ;
. Direct in-cylinder petrol injection technology
. Variable valvetrain technology
. Displacement on demand technology
. Aluminium cast engine block
Garrett are said to have helped design the turbine anti-lag system using electronic assistance
. Turbine anti-lag system
Direct injection of fuel at high pressure into each cylinder gives the maximum control of engine performance with the elimination of bulky intake manifolds and their assorted fixtures. These systems require precise sensors and control by an electronic computer which in turn leads to large improvements in engine performance.
The new engine's expected to use Cosworth designs for high-pressure direct injection system, variable valvetrain technology and could even feature the revolutionary displacement on demand to meet strict emissions regulations.
Aluminium castings for the engine will be produced at the Cosworth foundry (in Worcester), to be shipped out to the facility.
Customers use Cosworth Technologys foundry service because it owns a process that promises a very high level of dimensional accuracy. The use of Zircon sand brings with it linear and low thermal expansion properties superior to those of conventional Silica. It also has the benefit of a similar bulk density to that of aluminium, limiting core buoyancy problems. "We can therefore eliminate the need for core supports, but it also means that we can use less glue in our sand packs, reducing the potential for gas-porosity," explains Struthers.
Cores aside, the real key to the quality of the castings is the delivery of the molten material. Oxide nucleaic porosity is endemic to gravity casting and not uncommon in other low pressure techniques. The Cosworth process, (which Cosworth Technology licenses to other manufacturers) employs a melting methodology (the primary component of which are enormous, constant volumes of molten metal undergoing long residency in the vat) that ensures aluminium is drawn from a very clean zone in the middle of the melt.
While not cheap, the process is considered the most cost-effective method to create the superior product required by some vehicle programmes. "A lot of the applications that we get involved with are on the edge of what the material can give, but using this process we can give the designers what they have designed," concludes Struthers.
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Autoweek:
No GTR for Tokyo
Despite intense speculation in Japanese automotive publications, Nissan says it has no plans to introduce the next-generation GTR coupe at this months Tokyo Motor Show. Nissan displayed a concept version of the GTR at the 2001 Tokyo show and the 2002 Geneva show, but isnt ready to premier a production car to replace the R34 GTR. Nissan ceased production of the R34 GTR in August 2002 because the cars engine was unable to meet increasingly strict emissions standards in Japan.
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Dow Jones Business News:
TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- Nissan Motor Co. will market from 2007 a new model of its flagship sports auto, the "GTR," as "a global car," president Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday at a round-table meeting with the media.
It will be the first time for Nissan to market the model globally. Ghosn said the company will launch the model in markets including the U.S., Europe and Japan.
The new GTR is expected to be the successor to the Skyline GTR model, which was launched in January 1998 and available only in Japan. Nissan stopped marketing that model in August 2002.
Ghosn declined to provide any sales targets for the new model.
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Tokyo Motor Show Press Briefing:
Carlos Ghosn
President and CEO
Another Nissan legend will be shown here in 2007 the GT-R. Development of the new GT-R is on schedule, and it is being engineered to claim its place among the worlds elite sports cars. More details will come closer to its launch.
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Autoweek:
Nissan Skyline GT-R coming to U.S., but not until 07
By MARK VAUGHN
NISSAN CHIEF CARLOS Ghosn confirms the Skyline GT-R will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007, with customer sales starting soon after that. The car will make around 400 hp and offer top-level driving performance.
Video game fans on these shores who have long enjoyed the high-speed thrills of the GT-R will have a chance to drive it (so long as they can pony up the cash). Ghosn says the car will be sold here.
Sure, but why the long wait? Well, its not as bad as the first proposal, which was for a 2008 or 2009 GT-R launch. And, if you havent noticed, Nissan has been working on a lot of other products latelyand doing a pretty good job with them, tooso there werent spare engineers to toil away on a fairly low-volume supercar. At one point, the company was looking for a partner to help share development of the GT-R, but could not find one with whom it was happy.
Ghosn says the GT-R will offer top performance worldwide, not just compared to our cars.
If you look at a car and think its a tiger, youre not going to be happy if you get in and drive it and its a cat, Ghosn explains.
Ghosn says the price will be relatively reasonable: You wont have the feeling youre being ripped off.
Thats still kind of vague, but it sounds like the GT-R will not be another half-million-dollar Enzo/SLR/Carrera GT supercar, at least not in the finance department.
The exterior will probably not look like the concept car shown at Tokyo two years ago, either, though the decision on which of many design proposals submitted has not been made.
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Autoweek:
Nissan predicts 1 million sales in U.S. with boost from new offerings
On the Infiniti side, John Capps, chairman of the Infiniti Dealer Advisory Board, said the wish list for Infiniti dealers is to get the third SUV and the GTR sports car.
"The GTR would be a good halo car for us, " said Capps, CEO of Plaza Motor Co. in St. Louis. "Many dealers are refurbishing their stores and expanding service and parts as we anticipate future growth."
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Autoweek: 911 specs, Nissan price
Weve already told you Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has promised the return of the Skyline GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, followed by worldwide salesUnited States included (AW, Nov. 3, 2003). Ghosn has said development time for a globally competitive car explains why the car wont appear until then, but now he has narrowed the field of sports cars to a key benchmark for the next GT-R: Porsches 911. It has really good performance while having an affordable price tag, says Ghosn.
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Autoexpress.com:
Product Planning Boss Patrick Pelata explains briefly GTR delay
Speaking w/Autoexpress, Product planning boss Patrick Pelata says it will now be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007, referring to the GTR. He told us: "A car such as the GT-R has to make technology breakthroughs. It takes time to find these solutions"
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Autoweek.com:
Nissan's boxy Cube, next-gen Skyline GT-R expected to come to U.S.
TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. is expected to sell the next generation of its tiny Cube and the high-performance Skyline GT-R sports car in the United States.
The Cube could become Nissan's youth-targeted Toyota Scion-fighter, and the Skyline GT-R would extend the Infiniti range.
"The next Cube and the next Skyline GT-R will be sold globally," says Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.
He wouldn't say where the cars would be sold, but analysts expect them to be in U.S. showrooms. Both cars are being engineered for North America.
"There are no global markets without America," says Tatsuo Yoshida of Deutsche Securities Ltd. in Tokyo.
The boxy 1.4-liter Cube will be redesigned in 2006.
Nissan stopped production of the 280-hp, 2.6 liter Skyline GT-R in 2002, but a new version is planned in 2007.
The Cube, which costs the equivalent of $10,890 in Japan, could counter the Scion brand. Toyota sold 7,675 units of the similarly shaped Scion xB in the United States during the first quarter of this year. The xB starts at $13,680, including destination.
The new tC sports coupe will be added to the Scion lineup in June. Toyota forecasts Scion sales to total 100,000 in the United States next year. The Scion brand now consists of the boxy xB and wedge-shaped xA hatchback.
Next year's redesigned Nissan Sentra will be larger than the current model, says Kunihiko Shiohara, analyst at Goldman Sachs (Japan) Ltd. He says the Cube could be needed for positioning below the Sentra.
Shiohara and other analysts expect Nissan to build the Cube at its Aguascalientes, Mexico, plant.
Analysts say the Skyline GT-R would help boost Infiniti's image. The car "could be the top brand among Infiniti sports cars," says Shotaro Noguchi of Mitsubishi Securities.
The new Cube and Skyline GT-R are among 28 new and redesigned models Nissan says it will introduce in the next three years.
The plan calls for annual global sales of 4.2 million units in the fiscal year ending in March 2008. Nissan expects to sell 3.38 million vehicles in the fiscal year which began in April.
Of the extra 820,000 sales, the Japanese automaker expects 250,000 to come from North America, 150,000 from Japan, 70,000 from Europe and 350,000 from other markets.
Nissan has ample cash to develop the models. It posted a record operating profit of $7.29 billion on a consolidated basis in the fiscal year that ended March 31.
The 11.9 percent jump from the previous year was driven by a 10.4 percent increase in global unit sales to 3.05 million, the first time Nissan sales have topped 3 million in 13 years.
That pushed Nissan's operating margin up by 0.3 percentage points to 11.1 percent. Net income also rose 1.7 percent to $4.45 billion on revenues of $65.60 billion, up 8.8 percent over the previous year.
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Infiniti GT-R
Nissan has recently registered the "Infiniti GT-R" trademark in Australia.
Obviously this means the US is bound to get the car under the Infiniti name as well as probably Europe.
Thanks to DCD for the find
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GTR 2007
Ever since the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R launched in 1998, few cars have been able to match it for sheer enjoyment behind the wheel.
While Skyline fans in Japan and the US have been able to bide their time with the new Skyline and Infiniti G35 sports sedan respectively, everyone else has had to make do with the (admittedly brilliant) 350Z.
And while the 350Z and G35 Skyline are by no means placid, the sheer muscle of the GT-R has left a large void in Nissan's line-up, and many are still waiting patiently for the new model.
As much as we wish we could say "The wait is now over," we can't.
But we do know that Nissan has just registered the name 'Infiniti GT-R' in Australia, with side notes along the lines of "super-coupe due 2007".
While Australia, like Japan, has never had the American-style twin-naming conventions of Nissan and Infiniti, this looks set to change over the next few years, and the next Tokyo Motor Show will shed some light on why the hallowed GT-R nameplate has been shelved for so long.
At present there is very little concrete evidence regarding the next generation Skyline/Infiniti GT-R.
An 8-speed automatic gearbox is one of the rumoured items to be making its debut, as are magnetic valves, but it's been so long between drinks for the GT-R that there are sure to be more surprises in store.
One of which will be the engine. The heart and soul of the latest model GT-R, the 1998 R34, was its RB26DETT inline, 2.6-litre 6-cylinder engine.
Though the manufacturer quoted the engine as outputting 280bhp or 208kW of power @ 6800rpm, that figure was very conservative, and the twin-turbo nature of the engine ensured copious amounts of torque - 392Nm @ 4400rpm to be precise.
So what's the word on the new Godzilla engine? Some insiders have changed their tune of a 6-cylinder turbo mill to a nat atmo V8, which probably wouldn't go down well with the traditionalists.
What about a more traditional inline six? Unlikely, as Nissan would have to go to the drawing board for that one.
At present the most likely candidate for the new GT-R will be the same engine used in the 350Z and other Nissan applications, the VQ35DE 3.5-litre quad-cam V6.
Feann Torr, one of our road testers, reviewed the 350Z back in August of 2003, and he was mightily impressed with its smooth yet torquey nature.
He said: "The final word on Nissan's V6 engine? Brilliant. And get this: There is even talk that Nissan will take this 3.5-litre engine and bolt on a pair of turbochargers for use in new 350kW+ R35 GT-R, set to hit the streets in 2005. Drool..."
Well, his prediction that the next generation GT-R will arrive in 2005 may be somewhat premature, but the twin turbo 3.5-litre V6 powertrain is close to the mark, possibly codenamed the VQ35DETT.
350 kilowatts is one number, but many of Nissans big wigs have been overheard in the past talking about the new car rivalling some of Porsche's. So can we expect even more power - 500bhp perhaps?
Even if this 350kW twin-turbo V6 engine did see the light of day in the 2007 GT-R, it would create one very quick thoroughbred car, especially is it tips the scales at under 1500kg (the R34 weighed 1666kg).
But on the topic of thoroughbreds, Nissan and its parent company Renault want to sell the new GT-R worldwide, so don't be surprised if some compromises are made to suit a myriad of regional design rules.
The new GT-R is likely to be AWD, like its predecessor, but whether a new version of the ATTESA system will be included is not yet known.
The ATTESA system in previous GT-R's used a 16-bit microprocessor to monitor the car's movements at something like 100 times per second, with sensors recording wheel rotation plus lateral and longitudinal acceleration. When one wheel slipped, it simply diverted more torque to the wheels with grip.
An upgraded version, perhaps with a 32-bit processor, of the ATTESA system could be implemented in the 2007 GT-R, though the R34's all-wheel-steering Super HICAS (the rear-wheels could be turned by 1°) system is less likely to make it into the 21st century GT-R.
Another big issue for many hardcore GT-R fans will be the styling, and what of the trademark circular tail lights that adorn the rear? In 2001 Nissan unveiled what it called the GT-R Concept, which looked to be modelled on a 350Z chassis - but even it came with the trademark circular tail lights.
And it was supposed to reach production in 2004. So much for that.
But notice how it was called the 'GT-R Concept', and not the 'Skyline' or 'Infiniti' GT-R Concept? After Nissan Australia registered the name Infiniti GT-R recently, it now makes sense, as the vehicle is almost guaranteed to be called the Skyline GT-R in the Japan and the Infiniti GT-R everywhere else in the world. And it's understandable, as even today the R32, R33 and R34 models are treated like aluminium alloy masterpieces.
But while the GT-R concept that appeared in 2001 is a good indication of how the new GT-R may look, some rumours suggest that the car will be more akin the 2004 model Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G35 sports coupe.
With the revelation of the GT-R Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show 2001, Nissan has finally ended these discussions. The radical GT-R Concept gives an impression of what the replacement of the Skyline GT-R (due 2004) might look like.
So, with the new skerrick of information that promises to end the speculation of when the legendary Nissan GT-R will makes its debut, all we have to do now is play the waiting game.
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Release date:
Good news for some, bad news for others.
If you were saving up for the Next GTR, Nissan Motor Co. just made your day. The project known as 'GTR' has been officially set for a release date of October 2007.
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The pics:
Video:
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A commercial for the GTR concept
http://skyline.lymz.us/upload/R35.wmv
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Thanks to Rezz at skylinesaustralia for the scan and translation 👍
Here it talks of the next GT-Rs driveline... rear wheels driven by the VQ32DETT through a driveshaft, and the front wheels driven by an electric motor. Hi-tech...
e-4WD... thats the replacement for ATESSA. Basically, the e-4WD system comes in the moment traction is lost in the rear wheels, with torque bias always to the rear. The timing, torque allowance etc is all finely tuned to assist cornering and turn-in. This really is the next phase of performance 4WD engineering. The front motor is supplied power by a Lithium battery which is recharged by a generator feeding off the VQ32DETT. My Japanese ability isn't that good, but I believe the motor-assisted turbos are fed from the Lithium battery aswell. Thats the pic of the Lithium battery above (the grey flat panel thing).
Sorry, the pics a little blurry, but here is a list of Carbon and Aluminium parts to be used in the next GT-R:
Carbon - Bonnet, Driveshaft, Rear diffuser and Seat frames
Aluminium - Roof, Suspension arms, Rear tailgate and Door panels.
Basically a pic of the GT500 engine, the next GT-R will have a slightly less peaky/powerful and more driveable version of this very engine.
Nissan/Nismo in colaboration with Cosworth tuned 3.2L V6 Twin Turbo with an estimated 470+ hp.
The VQ32DETT compared to the (current) top of the line VQ35DE. The main VQ32DETT differences comprise of: 3.2L capacity, dry sump, twin throttle bodies, Twin motor-assisted (spool up) turbos, NDIS Direct Ignition and separate intake manifold for each cylinder bank.
another CG pic They're calling it "Hybrid Supersports" and a "V35 bodied GT-R Prototype" has been spotted testing at a closed session at Nurburgring in Germany.
Article found on skylines australia www.skylinesaustralia.com
Car and driver : http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=29&article_id=8707
The illustration below depicts the upcoming Nissan Skyline GT-R. The GT-R version of the Skyline has always been a special high-performance offering in Nissan's lineup, and this one will continue that tradition. The GT-R probably has the record for the number of car-mag stories about a vehicle that has never been available in the U.S., and it remains high on our wish list.
Built on a new platform that is not shared with the standard-model Skyline, or Infiniti G35 coupe, as it's known stateside, it will likely make the GT-R far more expensive than run-of-the-mill G35 coupes.
There are conflicting reports out of Japan regarding the powerplant. One camp believes the GT-R will be powered by a Cosworth-developed twin-turbo version of the current 3.5-liter V-6, offering at least 450 horsepower. Others believe a new twin-turbo 3.2-liter V-6 will get the call.
To make sure the GT-R has supercar handling, chassis engineers from Lotus were selected to develop its steering, suspension, and drivetrain. Could this special Skyline so long denied to U.S. enthusiasts finally come to the States? "G35 GT-R" has a certain ring to it, but it's up to Nissan or Infiniti's product planners to decide whether it will come to our shores.
What would you guys do without me?
(thanks to krnsx at FA.com)
After years of rumors and intense lobbying by Nissan enthusiasts in the U.S., Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn announced that his company plans to release a fully redesigned version of the legendary Skyline GT-R by 2007. The new version will take its cues from the GT-R concept car that has made the rounds at various auto shows over the past several years, and unlike its predecessor the GT-R will make its way to the U.S. With the 350Z already occupying a steady spot in Nissan's lineup, look for the GT-R to come Stateside wearing an Infiniti badge. A prototype caught testing on Germany's grueling Nurburgring test track made the rounds wearing the shell of a current G35, but obvious signs of serious modifications indicate it was no ordinary Infiniti. The car is expected to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the fall of 2007 and go on sale later that year.
linkage: http://www.edmunds.com/future/2007/infiniti/gtr/100486033/preview.html?tid=edmunds.f.mmindex.content.num1.4.infiniti*
THANKS TO REZZ AND SKYLINESAUSTRALIA.COM FOR THIS! (AGAIN!) THOSE GUYS ROCK!
From "Best Car" magazine:
Yes, it's a lefthand drive "Infinity"... LHD in Germany remember!
A German photographer snapped these pics recently, remarking on how quickly the car was travelling around that part of the 'ring. A professional driver from Japan has been flown to Germany to carry out "overall" testing with emphasis on aerodynamics appraisal.
The test at Nurburgring wasn't about parts testing, but overall performance and handling, suggesting that the GT-R has entered the middle phase of development where engineers concentrate on the entire package rather than just seperate parts. The front bumper seen in the pic above isn't the final design!!! It's a just a quick bumper thats been made so the car has some kind decent airflow characteristics without any attention to styling.
The rear wing on the other hand does give a big hint as to what the final one will look like. The reporter from Best Car was suprised that the rear wing is just your generic late model FD3S RX-7 type wing with beefed up end plates. The wide fenders will make the GT-R 100mm wider than the current V35 Skyline Coupe, making it the same width as the current Porsche turbo. Some effort has been put forward to make the fenders blend in as a component of the complete aerodynamics package, one that will become one of the strongest merits of the car.
*sorry about the wonky pic*
Best Car couldn't report on much about the engine this time around, but were quick to point out that a "number" of different engine capacities are being tested, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5 and possibly a 4.0 (a la the V36 VQ41DE) but still retaining the electric spool-up twin turbo configuration. Also note the two air opening under each headlight on the pics above, they aparently feed each turbo, with a highly efficient intercooler design making use of the third opening. Power is still being set at about 460ps.
Just a final note, the engine is the ultimate "saving grace" for this V-series GT-R, and as far as Best Car can see, Nissan WILL NOT dissapoint in this area.
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Nissan Press Release - Tokyo Motor Show 2001
Nissan will continue building the GT-R in the 21st Century, providing the ultimate driving pleasure to even more people worldwide. In its next generation Nissan is looking to introducing the GT-R in other markets worldwide.
In pursuit of ultimate driving pleasure
Successive generations of the GT-R have consistently pursued the ultimate in driving pleasure. Over the years, the GT-R has continued to be a supreme-performance road-going car that delivers superb driving pleasure by responding faithfully to the driver's demands. Just sitting in the driver's seat of the GT-R produces a feeling of excitement that envelops the entire body.
Achieving the ultimate in driving pleasure means that the car must perform exactly as the driver expects. Meeting this expectation requires a faithful response to the driving actions executed by the driver, and the car must convey accurate information to the driver. In other words, the driver has to be able to judge the vehicle's state accurately and instantaneously. Then, through the car's consistently response to the accelerator pedal, steering wheel and brake pedal, the driver enjoys the pleasure of controlling the car at will. There is feeling of solid trust and oneness that forms between the driver and the car in this process, confidently bringing out both the driver's skill and the car's maximum potential.
Consistently providing the best specifications available in every era
If drivers are to enjoy the ultimate in driving pleasure, the car's potential must be raised to the utmost limits. Successive generations of the GT-R have truly incorporated superior specifications even among vehicles in this segment. With its unrivaled power, the engine has delivered outstanding acceleration and top speed combined with a driving sensation. A superior braking system has provided powerful braking performance, and an outstanding suspension has enabled the GT-R to corner with remarkable quickness.
The GT-R has been the showcase for the highest levels of acceleration, cornering and stopping capabilities. The delicate balance between the powerful engine and responsive suspension has been pushed as each system surpassed last generation technology.
As a result of that never-ending process, the GT-R has continued to embody the most advanced technologies available in every era.
Expanding the tradition globally in the 21st-Century
Successive generations of the GT-R have already established an unshakable position in Japan as a result of incorporating the highest levels of technology available in pursuit of ultimate driving pleasure. That superior performance transcended the oceans to make the GT-R the focus of envious looks the world over. Nissan is developing a new generation of GT-R for the 21st Century with the aim of placing it in the spotlight of the global stage, beyond the borders of the Japanese market.
The GT-R displayed at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show is a concept vehicle which delivers "Ultimate Driving Pleasure" with the best in world-class
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Early concept drawing
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Speculation:
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Best Car & Holiday Auto think that the engine used in the next GTR will be the VQ33DETT.
The new 3.3L alloy block V6 will use the stroke length from the VQ35 and the bore from the VQ30. It will use twin electronically assisted turbochargers, which is a first! Apparently two small electric motors will be attached to the turbine shaft spinning it at lower revs when no positive boost is being made thus eliminating turbo lag. Furthermore variable valve timing and variable valve lift will be used in order to achieve the 400ps that is predicted.
The M-spec will get a 6 speed CVT transmission while the V-spec a 6 speed MT. Active suspension will be used, along with 4 pot Brembos all round and huge 19" wheels.
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Auto Express article:
It's set to be Japan's fastest and most advanced supercar - but look under the skin and it's Britain's brains which will power Nissan's new GT-R! Exclusive pictures in the current issue of Auto Express magazine show how the new supercoupé will look when it storms on to our roads, and the cutaway detail reveals the technology which is set to make it the most advanced car in the world. But it's not only Nissan engineers who can claim the credit - our sources say British legend Cosworth has been called in to help tweak the engine, while Lotus is involved in fine-tuning the suspension.
The 'International Specification' GT-R, which will be sold throughout the world for the first time, is set to get a version of the 3.5-litre V6 engine used in the 350Z coupé, but will have electrically assisted twin turbochargers to boost power without sapping too much energy. Cosworth's expertise will be used to make sure the V6's block, head, pistons and crank are all strong enough.
Nissan knows it has to do something really special with the next GT-R, partly because the 350Z performs so well, but also as it's the first globally oriented version of the car, and expectations are high among the 'Playstation generation' of buyers who are familiar with the model from video games consoles.
The company has asked for around 400bhp and 490Nm of torque, but more realistic figures given emissions regulations are 350bhp and 450Nm. To reach production, the car must meet strict Euro4 exhaust regulations. The V6 will be mated to a six-speed Getrag gearbox, with a CVT due a year after launch in early 2005. The auto is undergoing final development, but apparent slippage trouble due to the excessive power has been plaguing prototypes. Insiders have confirmed the GT-R will incorporate an updated version of Nissan's Atessa 4WD system with an active limited slip differential. This new arrangement means torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels not only in response to traction loss, but also as a result of changes in the engine's output.
The FM platform used in the new range of Skyline and Infiniti G35 coupés in Japan and the US is basically good enough, but needs some fine-tuning to handle the extra power - and that's where Lotus comes in. A new hydraulic active suspension system, co-developed with Lotus, will feature. The Norfolk firm's expertise in this area will ensure the car handles like no other GT-R before, and can satisfy the soft-riding expectations of American buyers with the traction and high-speed handling required by the British and German markets.
Its brakes promise to be special, too, with larger Brembo discs controlled by a newly revised brake-by-wire unit which promises to give the sporty feel and feedback enthusiastic drivers demand.
But while the dynamics are groundbreaking, many fans will be disappointed by the looks. Although the car is clearly linked to the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show concept, some of the more aggressive touches have been watered down in favour of a more mainstream appearance. The final production version will debut at next October's Tokyo event. Peter Lyon
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Detroit- 12/24/2002
Infiniti has scrapped plans to reveal their latest project in the 2003 New York Auto Show, which procedes the Detroit Auto Show. Rumors are that this project is some variant ot the controversially styled Nissan GT-R concept that wowed the crowed at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show.
This car is said to be carrying a Twin Turbo V-6 simillar to the type found in their latest sports car, the 350z. A respected British Magazine also reports that this super GT will be cotuned by Coswort and Lotus. With AWD this car should easily pose a threat to the popular Porsche 911 turbo. A toned down version with Z-car grill treatment and overall front and G35 coupe lines is due to debut at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show.
Knowing the prowress of this car in the domestic Japanese market, GM and Ford are scrambling to counteract its potentially devastating effects. GM is rumored to reveal the faster more powerful 2005 Corvette in next years NAIAS and Ford has sped up plans to to release their GT super car. When asked in the 2002 Detroit Auto Show what he thought about this new Infiniti, GM CEO; Bob Lutz had this to say: "Its a heck of a hot rod, that we are just going to have to beat"
Rumors are that this car will be called the Infiniti X35 GT-R, but that seems to be pure speculation as of right now.
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Quote from CAR magazine:
In the Feburary issue of CAR Magazine, "Mr. GTR" Hiroshi Tamura revealed the following information when discussing the GTR project.
"Porsche 993 to 996 was a big step. Ferrari 355 to 360 was a big step. We must make an even bigger leap than that for the next-generation GT-R. What we are saying to customers is, be patient, trust us, we will make it for you".
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"Godzilla" set to roar again:
NISSAN will go head to head in a power war with the world's top sports-car manufacturers when its new GT-R sports coupe makes its debut this year -- and it could be heading to Australia.
Speaking at the Australian launch of the 350Z sports car this week, Nissan chief product specialist John Yukawa said the upcoming GT-R would break through the unofficial 206kW power limit, which Japanese manufacturers have adhered to for decades to appease their government.
And it won't be by a nose, either. Yukawa's benchmark for the new GT-R is Porsche's 911 Turbo, which pumps out 309kW and is regarded by many as the best sports car in the world. Expect to see a power figure of about 300kW when the GT-R is revealed at the Tokyo motor show this year.
"The GT-R will exceed 206kW (the Japanese limit)," said Yukawa. "The Porsche 911 Turbo has about 400hp -- we're aiming for that. Porsche is my ambition."
Japanese car makers have long been suspected of exceeding the self-imposed power limit and then simply quoting 206kW (or 280hp) to keep officials happy. Now that the decision has been made to abandon the agreement, Japanese performance-car makers can get serious about challenging their European counterparts.
The new GT-R is expected to be powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.
The rest of the GT-R package is a secret, though there have been clues. The styling is likely to show influences from the rakish GT-R concept car shown at the 2001 Tokyo motor show. Meanwhile, four-wheel-drive -- a signature of the model -- is a certainty.
Price is another unknown, although suggestions are that it will not be cheap, stretching beyond $150,000.
Previous GT-Rs have been built purely for the Japanese market, although 100 of the original -- and, some would say, the best -- R32 model were sold through Nissan dealerships between 1991 and 1993.
The new car, however, is designed with foreign markets in mind as Nissan continues its much-publicised revival under the guidance of leader Carlos Ghosn.
Leon Daphne, managing director and chief executive of Nissan Australia, said the new GT-R was on his wish list, though he stressed that any decision would come from Japan.
"When it's available in right-hand-drive, we'd like to take it," he said. "But it would be in very limited numbers."
The GT-R name has a glorious history in Australia, despite no presence in almost a decade.
The legendary R32 GT-R earned the nickname "Godzilla" for its performances in Australian touring car racing; it was ultimately ruled out of the competition through fear of upsetting car makers Ford and Holden.
Road-going models, many of which have been privately imported over the years, won similar favour for their explosive performance and excellent handling.
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Car and Driver:
Infiniti will begin offering an all-wheel-drive version of its hot-selling G35 sedan, fitted with Nissan's ATTESA E-TS (electronic torque split) system, in early December. Now comes word that an upcoming G35 platform mate, the Skyline GT-R, will get not only ATTESA E-TS but also a twin-turbo V-6 tuned by Cosworth. Producing in the neighborhood of 480 horsepower, the new V-6 features twin-turbo motor assist, a technology employed during off-boost periodssay, when idlingthat temporarily turns the GT-R into a naturally aspirated car. Here's how it works: When off boost, magnetic valves open to form a bypass that redirects exhaust gas around the turbos and directly into the precatalysts; when on boost, the valves close and channel exhaust gas into the turbos. The net effect is a car reportedly capable of meeting strict emissions regulations around the world. Don't expect to see the GT-R, likely labeled an Infiniti when it comes to America, till 2005 or 2006.
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Snooper Scoopers:
There is someone who lives in Norfolk identity unknown who spends his days lurking in bushes near the Lotus HQ, taking photographs of cars. Not just any old cars, but pre-production models shrouded in secrecy and previously unseen by the outside world. Then he goes home, downloads the digital images, picks up the phone and calls the editor of one of the car magazines. A fee is agreed and a deal is done, and this is how he makes his living.
Known in the industry as scoop photographers, people such as this are the motoring worlds version of the paparazzi, constantly on the hunt for new car designs still in the development and testing phase. Depending on the quality of the shot and on the amount of interest in the car, they can get paid between £90 and £1,000 per photograph.
Two months ago the unknown Norfolk photographer caused something of a stir in the motoring world when he captured images of the new Nissan Skyline and sold them to Autocar magazine. Not only was this the first ever sighting of the new car, it also exposed the fact that much of Lotuss work is for other, much larger manufacturers whod rather the world didnt know they need help.
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More speculation:
Power: 480ps (352kw!) @ 7200rpm
Torque: 58kg/m @ 4800rpm
The GT-R concept has been finalized. The new car will target the 911 Turbo as its primary competitor. The new GT-R will feature a VQ32DETT Twin-Turbo V6 engine. Estimated output will be over 480ps and over 420 lb/ft of torque .
In addition, it will also feature the improve active AWD system. The engine will be developed by a joint venture of Nissan and Cosworth. The new turbo system will feature a electronic Anti-Lag-system. Which means the turbine will be driven by an electic-powered motor when the thottle is lifted. The new chassis will be a brand new one (code: FR-L), which is composed of steel and Aluminum alloy. Suspension will be taken from the current Skyline (G35) with certain improvements made.
Estimated to be in the market in spring 2005, with a price tag of over $80K.
GT-R Engine: VQ32DETT V6 Twin-Turbo, featuring colaboration with Cosworth Technology for ;
. Direct in-cylinder petrol injection technology
. Variable valvetrain technology
. Displacement on demand technology
. Aluminium cast engine block
Garrett are said to have helped design the turbine anti-lag system using electronic assistance
. Turbine anti-lag system
Direct injection of fuel at high pressure into each cylinder gives the maximum control of engine performance with the elimination of bulky intake manifolds and their assorted fixtures. These systems require precise sensors and control by an electronic computer which in turn leads to large improvements in engine performance.
The new engine's expected to use Cosworth designs for high-pressure direct injection system, variable valvetrain technology and could even feature the revolutionary displacement on demand to meet strict emissions regulations.
Aluminium castings for the engine will be produced at the Cosworth foundry (in Worcester), to be shipped out to the facility.
Customers use Cosworth Technologys foundry service because it owns a process that promises a very high level of dimensional accuracy. The use of Zircon sand brings with it linear and low thermal expansion properties superior to those of conventional Silica. It also has the benefit of a similar bulk density to that of aluminium, limiting core buoyancy problems. "We can therefore eliminate the need for core supports, but it also means that we can use less glue in our sand packs, reducing the potential for gas-porosity," explains Struthers.
Cores aside, the real key to the quality of the castings is the delivery of the molten material. Oxide nucleaic porosity is endemic to gravity casting and not uncommon in other low pressure techniques. The Cosworth process, (which Cosworth Technology licenses to other manufacturers) employs a melting methodology (the primary component of which are enormous, constant volumes of molten metal undergoing long residency in the vat) that ensures aluminium is drawn from a very clean zone in the middle of the melt.
While not cheap, the process is considered the most cost-effective method to create the superior product required by some vehicle programmes. "A lot of the applications that we get involved with are on the edge of what the material can give, but using this process we can give the designers what they have designed," concludes Struthers.
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Autoweek:
No GTR for Tokyo
Despite intense speculation in Japanese automotive publications, Nissan says it has no plans to introduce the next-generation GTR coupe at this months Tokyo Motor Show. Nissan displayed a concept version of the GTR at the 2001 Tokyo show and the 2002 Geneva show, but isnt ready to premier a production car to replace the R34 GTR. Nissan ceased production of the R34 GTR in August 2002 because the cars engine was unable to meet increasingly strict emissions standards in Japan.
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Dow Jones Business News:
TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- Nissan Motor Co. will market from 2007 a new model of its flagship sports auto, the "GTR," as "a global car," president Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday at a round-table meeting with the media.
It will be the first time for Nissan to market the model globally. Ghosn said the company will launch the model in markets including the U.S., Europe and Japan.
The new GTR is expected to be the successor to the Skyline GTR model, which was launched in January 1998 and available only in Japan. Nissan stopped marketing that model in August 2002.
Ghosn declined to provide any sales targets for the new model.
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Tokyo Motor Show Press Briefing:
Carlos Ghosn
President and CEO
Another Nissan legend will be shown here in 2007 the GT-R. Development of the new GT-R is on schedule, and it is being engineered to claim its place among the worlds elite sports cars. More details will come closer to its launch.
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Autoweek:
Nissan Skyline GT-R coming to U.S., but not until 07
By MARK VAUGHN
NISSAN CHIEF CARLOS Ghosn confirms the Skyline GT-R will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2007, with customer sales starting soon after that. The car will make around 400 hp and offer top-level driving performance.
Video game fans on these shores who have long enjoyed the high-speed thrills of the GT-R will have a chance to drive it (so long as they can pony up the cash). Ghosn says the car will be sold here.
Sure, but why the long wait? Well, its not as bad as the first proposal, which was for a 2008 or 2009 GT-R launch. And, if you havent noticed, Nissan has been working on a lot of other products latelyand doing a pretty good job with them, tooso there werent spare engineers to toil away on a fairly low-volume supercar. At one point, the company was looking for a partner to help share development of the GT-R, but could not find one with whom it was happy.
Ghosn says the GT-R will offer top performance worldwide, not just compared to our cars.
If you look at a car and think its a tiger, youre not going to be happy if you get in and drive it and its a cat, Ghosn explains.
Ghosn says the price will be relatively reasonable: You wont have the feeling youre being ripped off.
Thats still kind of vague, but it sounds like the GT-R will not be another half-million-dollar Enzo/SLR/Carrera GT supercar, at least not in the finance department.
The exterior will probably not look like the concept car shown at Tokyo two years ago, either, though the decision on which of many design proposals submitted has not been made.
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Autoweek:
Nissan predicts 1 million sales in U.S. with boost from new offerings
On the Infiniti side, John Capps, chairman of the Infiniti Dealer Advisory Board, said the wish list for Infiniti dealers is to get the third SUV and the GTR sports car.
"The GTR would be a good halo car for us, " said Capps, CEO of Plaza Motor Co. in St. Louis. "Many dealers are refurbishing their stores and expanding service and parts as we anticipate future growth."
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Autoweek: 911 specs, Nissan price
Weve already told you Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has promised the return of the Skyline GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, followed by worldwide salesUnited States included (AW, Nov. 3, 2003). Ghosn has said development time for a globally competitive car explains why the car wont appear until then, but now he has narrowed the field of sports cars to a key benchmark for the next GT-R: Porsches 911. It has really good performance while having an affordable price tag, says Ghosn.
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Autoexpress.com:
Product Planning Boss Patrick Pelata explains briefly GTR delay
Speaking w/Autoexpress, Product planning boss Patrick Pelata says it will now be unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007, referring to the GTR. He told us: "A car such as the GT-R has to make technology breakthroughs. It takes time to find these solutions"
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Autoweek.com:
Nissan's boxy Cube, next-gen Skyline GT-R expected to come to U.S.
TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. is expected to sell the next generation of its tiny Cube and the high-performance Skyline GT-R sports car in the United States.
The Cube could become Nissan's youth-targeted Toyota Scion-fighter, and the Skyline GT-R would extend the Infiniti range.
"The next Cube and the next Skyline GT-R will be sold globally," says Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.
He wouldn't say where the cars would be sold, but analysts expect them to be in U.S. showrooms. Both cars are being engineered for North America.
"There are no global markets without America," says Tatsuo Yoshida of Deutsche Securities Ltd. in Tokyo.
The boxy 1.4-liter Cube will be redesigned in 2006.
Nissan stopped production of the 280-hp, 2.6 liter Skyline GT-R in 2002, but a new version is planned in 2007.
The Cube, which costs the equivalent of $10,890 in Japan, could counter the Scion brand. Toyota sold 7,675 units of the similarly shaped Scion xB in the United States during the first quarter of this year. The xB starts at $13,680, including destination.
The new tC sports coupe will be added to the Scion lineup in June. Toyota forecasts Scion sales to total 100,000 in the United States next year. The Scion brand now consists of the boxy xB and wedge-shaped xA hatchback.
Next year's redesigned Nissan Sentra will be larger than the current model, says Kunihiko Shiohara, analyst at Goldman Sachs (Japan) Ltd. He says the Cube could be needed for positioning below the Sentra.
Shiohara and other analysts expect Nissan to build the Cube at its Aguascalientes, Mexico, plant.
Analysts say the Skyline GT-R would help boost Infiniti's image. The car "could be the top brand among Infiniti sports cars," says Shotaro Noguchi of Mitsubishi Securities.
The new Cube and Skyline GT-R are among 28 new and redesigned models Nissan says it will introduce in the next three years.
The plan calls for annual global sales of 4.2 million units in the fiscal year ending in March 2008. Nissan expects to sell 3.38 million vehicles in the fiscal year which began in April.
Of the extra 820,000 sales, the Japanese automaker expects 250,000 to come from North America, 150,000 from Japan, 70,000 from Europe and 350,000 from other markets.
Nissan has ample cash to develop the models. It posted a record operating profit of $7.29 billion on a consolidated basis in the fiscal year that ended March 31.
The 11.9 percent jump from the previous year was driven by a 10.4 percent increase in global unit sales to 3.05 million, the first time Nissan sales have topped 3 million in 13 years.
That pushed Nissan's operating margin up by 0.3 percentage points to 11.1 percent. Net income also rose 1.7 percent to $4.45 billion on revenues of $65.60 billion, up 8.8 percent over the previous year.
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Infiniti GT-R
Nissan has recently registered the "Infiniti GT-R" trademark in Australia.
Obviously this means the US is bound to get the car under the Infiniti name as well as probably Europe.
Thanks to DCD for the find
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GTR 2007
Ever since the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R launched in 1998, few cars have been able to match it for sheer enjoyment behind the wheel.
While Skyline fans in Japan and the US have been able to bide their time with the new Skyline and Infiniti G35 sports sedan respectively, everyone else has had to make do with the (admittedly brilliant) 350Z.
And while the 350Z and G35 Skyline are by no means placid, the sheer muscle of the GT-R has left a large void in Nissan's line-up, and many are still waiting patiently for the new model.
As much as we wish we could say "The wait is now over," we can't.
But we do know that Nissan has just registered the name 'Infiniti GT-R' in Australia, with side notes along the lines of "super-coupe due 2007".
While Australia, like Japan, has never had the American-style twin-naming conventions of Nissan and Infiniti, this looks set to change over the next few years, and the next Tokyo Motor Show will shed some light on why the hallowed GT-R nameplate has been shelved for so long.
At present there is very little concrete evidence regarding the next generation Skyline/Infiniti GT-R.
An 8-speed automatic gearbox is one of the rumoured items to be making its debut, as are magnetic valves, but it's been so long between drinks for the GT-R that there are sure to be more surprises in store.
One of which will be the engine. The heart and soul of the latest model GT-R, the 1998 R34, was its RB26DETT inline, 2.6-litre 6-cylinder engine.
Though the manufacturer quoted the engine as outputting 280bhp or 208kW of power @ 6800rpm, that figure was very conservative, and the twin-turbo nature of the engine ensured copious amounts of torque - 392Nm @ 4400rpm to be precise.
So what's the word on the new Godzilla engine? Some insiders have changed their tune of a 6-cylinder turbo mill to a nat atmo V8, which probably wouldn't go down well with the traditionalists.
What about a more traditional inline six? Unlikely, as Nissan would have to go to the drawing board for that one.
At present the most likely candidate for the new GT-R will be the same engine used in the 350Z and other Nissan applications, the VQ35DE 3.5-litre quad-cam V6.
Feann Torr, one of our road testers, reviewed the 350Z back in August of 2003, and he was mightily impressed with its smooth yet torquey nature.
He said: "The final word on Nissan's V6 engine? Brilliant. And get this: There is even talk that Nissan will take this 3.5-litre engine and bolt on a pair of turbochargers for use in new 350kW+ R35 GT-R, set to hit the streets in 2005. Drool..."
Well, his prediction that the next generation GT-R will arrive in 2005 may be somewhat premature, but the twin turbo 3.5-litre V6 powertrain is close to the mark, possibly codenamed the VQ35DETT.
350 kilowatts is one number, but many of Nissans big wigs have been overheard in the past talking about the new car rivalling some of Porsche's. So can we expect even more power - 500bhp perhaps?
Even if this 350kW twin-turbo V6 engine did see the light of day in the 2007 GT-R, it would create one very quick thoroughbred car, especially is it tips the scales at under 1500kg (the R34 weighed 1666kg).
But on the topic of thoroughbreds, Nissan and its parent company Renault want to sell the new GT-R worldwide, so don't be surprised if some compromises are made to suit a myriad of regional design rules.
The new GT-R is likely to be AWD, like its predecessor, but whether a new version of the ATTESA system will be included is not yet known.
The ATTESA system in previous GT-R's used a 16-bit microprocessor to monitor the car's movements at something like 100 times per second, with sensors recording wheel rotation plus lateral and longitudinal acceleration. When one wheel slipped, it simply diverted more torque to the wheels with grip.
An upgraded version, perhaps with a 32-bit processor, of the ATTESA system could be implemented in the 2007 GT-R, though the R34's all-wheel-steering Super HICAS (the rear-wheels could be turned by 1°) system is less likely to make it into the 21st century GT-R.
Another big issue for many hardcore GT-R fans will be the styling, and what of the trademark circular tail lights that adorn the rear? In 2001 Nissan unveiled what it called the GT-R Concept, which looked to be modelled on a 350Z chassis - but even it came with the trademark circular tail lights.
And it was supposed to reach production in 2004. So much for that.
But notice how it was called the 'GT-R Concept', and not the 'Skyline' or 'Infiniti' GT-R Concept? After Nissan Australia registered the name Infiniti GT-R recently, it now makes sense, as the vehicle is almost guaranteed to be called the Skyline GT-R in the Japan and the Infiniti GT-R everywhere else in the world. And it's understandable, as even today the R32, R33 and R34 models are treated like aluminium alloy masterpieces.
But while the GT-R concept that appeared in 2001 is a good indication of how the new GT-R may look, some rumours suggest that the car will be more akin the 2004 model Nissan Skyline/Infiniti G35 sports coupe.
With the revelation of the GT-R Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show 2001, Nissan has finally ended these discussions. The radical GT-R Concept gives an impression of what the replacement of the Skyline GT-R (due 2004) might look like.
So, with the new skerrick of information that promises to end the speculation of when the legendary Nissan GT-R will makes its debut, all we have to do now is play the waiting game.
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Release date:
Good news for some, bad news for others.
If you were saving up for the Next GTR, Nissan Motor Co. just made your day. The project known as 'GTR' has been officially set for a release date of October 2007.
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The pics:
Video:
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A commercial for the GTR concept
http://skyline.lymz.us/upload/R35.wmv
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Thanks to Rezz at skylinesaustralia for the scan and translation 👍
Here it talks of the next GT-Rs driveline... rear wheels driven by the VQ32DETT through a driveshaft, and the front wheels driven by an electric motor. Hi-tech...
e-4WD... thats the replacement for ATESSA. Basically, the e-4WD system comes in the moment traction is lost in the rear wheels, with torque bias always to the rear. The timing, torque allowance etc is all finely tuned to assist cornering and turn-in. This really is the next phase of performance 4WD engineering. The front motor is supplied power by a Lithium battery which is recharged by a generator feeding off the VQ32DETT. My Japanese ability isn't that good, but I believe the motor-assisted turbos are fed from the Lithium battery aswell. Thats the pic of the Lithium battery above (the grey flat panel thing).
Sorry, the pics a little blurry, but here is a list of Carbon and Aluminium parts to be used in the next GT-R:
Carbon - Bonnet, Driveshaft, Rear diffuser and Seat frames
Aluminium - Roof, Suspension arms, Rear tailgate and Door panels.
Basically a pic of the GT500 engine, the next GT-R will have a slightly less peaky/powerful and more driveable version of this very engine.
Nissan/Nismo in colaboration with Cosworth tuned 3.2L V6 Twin Turbo with an estimated 470+ hp.
The VQ32DETT compared to the (current) top of the line VQ35DE. The main VQ32DETT differences comprise of: 3.2L capacity, dry sump, twin throttle bodies, Twin motor-assisted (spool up) turbos, NDIS Direct Ignition and separate intake manifold for each cylinder bank.
another CG pic They're calling it "Hybrid Supersports" and a "V35 bodied GT-R Prototype" has been spotted testing at a closed session at Nurburgring in Germany.
Article found on skylines australia www.skylinesaustralia.com
Car and driver : http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=29&article_id=8707
The illustration below depicts the upcoming Nissan Skyline GT-R. The GT-R version of the Skyline has always been a special high-performance offering in Nissan's lineup, and this one will continue that tradition. The GT-R probably has the record for the number of car-mag stories about a vehicle that has never been available in the U.S., and it remains high on our wish list.
Built on a new platform that is not shared with the standard-model Skyline, or Infiniti G35 coupe, as it's known stateside, it will likely make the GT-R far more expensive than run-of-the-mill G35 coupes.
There are conflicting reports out of Japan regarding the powerplant. One camp believes the GT-R will be powered by a Cosworth-developed twin-turbo version of the current 3.5-liter V-6, offering at least 450 horsepower. Others believe a new twin-turbo 3.2-liter V-6 will get the call.
To make sure the GT-R has supercar handling, chassis engineers from Lotus were selected to develop its steering, suspension, and drivetrain. Could this special Skyline so long denied to U.S. enthusiasts finally come to the States? "G35 GT-R" has a certain ring to it, but it's up to Nissan or Infiniti's product planners to decide whether it will come to our shores.
What would you guys do without me?
(thanks to krnsx at FA.com)
After years of rumors and intense lobbying by Nissan enthusiasts in the U.S., Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn announced that his company plans to release a fully redesigned version of the legendary Skyline GT-R by 2007. The new version will take its cues from the GT-R concept car that has made the rounds at various auto shows over the past several years, and unlike its predecessor the GT-R will make its way to the U.S. With the 350Z already occupying a steady spot in Nissan's lineup, look for the GT-R to come Stateside wearing an Infiniti badge. A prototype caught testing on Germany's grueling Nurburgring test track made the rounds wearing the shell of a current G35, but obvious signs of serious modifications indicate it was no ordinary Infiniti. The car is expected to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the fall of 2007 and go on sale later that year.
linkage: http://www.edmunds.com/future/2007/infiniti/gtr/100486033/preview.html?tid=edmunds.f.mmindex.content.num1.4.infiniti*
THANKS TO REZZ AND SKYLINESAUSTRALIA.COM FOR THIS! (AGAIN!) THOSE GUYS ROCK!
From "Best Car" magazine:
Yes, it's a lefthand drive "Infinity"... LHD in Germany remember!
A German photographer snapped these pics recently, remarking on how quickly the car was travelling around that part of the 'ring. A professional driver from Japan has been flown to Germany to carry out "overall" testing with emphasis on aerodynamics appraisal.
The test at Nurburgring wasn't about parts testing, but overall performance and handling, suggesting that the GT-R has entered the middle phase of development where engineers concentrate on the entire package rather than just seperate parts. The front bumper seen in the pic above isn't the final design!!! It's a just a quick bumper thats been made so the car has some kind decent airflow characteristics without any attention to styling.
The rear wing on the other hand does give a big hint as to what the final one will look like. The reporter from Best Car was suprised that the rear wing is just your generic late model FD3S RX-7 type wing with beefed up end plates. The wide fenders will make the GT-R 100mm wider than the current V35 Skyline Coupe, making it the same width as the current Porsche turbo. Some effort has been put forward to make the fenders blend in as a component of the complete aerodynamics package, one that will become one of the strongest merits of the car.
*sorry about the wonky pic*
Best Car couldn't report on much about the engine this time around, but were quick to point out that a "number" of different engine capacities are being tested, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5 and possibly a 4.0 (a la the V36 VQ41DE) but still retaining the electric spool-up twin turbo configuration. Also note the two air opening under each headlight on the pics above, they aparently feed each turbo, with a highly efficient intercooler design making use of the third opening. Power is still being set at about 460ps.
Just a final note, the engine is the ultimate "saving grace" for this V-series GT-R, and as far as Best Car can see, Nissan WILL NOT dissapoint in this area.
skylineGTR_guy
