Based on a
production 2018 Nissan GT-R NISMO model, the unique car commemorates the 50th
anniversaries of both the GT-R and Italdesign
YOKOHAMA, Japan/TURIN, Italy – 2 July 2018 - Nissan and Italdesign have created a new
prototype vehicle – the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign – in their first-ever
collaboration.
Based on a production 2018 Nissan
GT-R NISMO model, the unique car commemorates the 50th anniversaries of both
the GT-R and Italdesign and will make its debut in Europe next month.
“How often do you get to ask,
‘What if we created a GT-R without limits,’ and then actually get to build it?”
said Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s senior vice president for global design. “This
is a rare window in time when two big moments intersect: 50 years of Italdesign
shaping the automotive world and 50 years of Nissan generating excitement
through our iconic GT-R. So to celebrate this convergence, Nissan and
Italdesign created this custom GT-R to mark 50 years of engineering
leadership.”
Italdesign developed, engineered
and built the car. The distinctive, crisp exterior and interior designs were
created by the teams at Nissan Design Europe in London and Nissan Design
America.
Design
at its best
Starting at the front, the Nissan
GT-R50 by Italdesign features a distinct golden inner element that stretches
across almost the full width of the vehicle. The hood has a more pronounced
power bulge, and the thin LED headlights stretch from the wheel arch to the lip
above the outer cooling intakes.
Dominating the side view, the
distinctive roofline has been lowered by 54 millimeters and features a lower
center section, while the slightly raised outer portions give the roof profile
a muscular look. The signature GT-R “samurai blade” cooling outlets behind the
front wheels have gained more prominence with a gold inlay and extends from the
bottom of the doors to the shoulder line.
The rear highlights the car’s
wide track with taut, muscular flares around the wheels. The shoulder line
tapers around the base of the rear window and draws toward the center of the
trunk lid. In a dramatic fashion, the rear window line descends longer and
deeper than on the standard car. Combined with more gold elements, it appears
as a separate modular element of the rear structure.
The GT-R’s twin round taillights
have been reimagined as a separate “floating” feature with thin light rings and
hollow centers, mounted so as to join the outer buttress and the central
portion of the trunk structure. A large, adjustable rear wing, mounted with two
uprights, completes the overall look. Custom wheels – 21 x 10 inches in front
and 21 x 10.5 inches at the rear – accentuate the car’s bold stance. The
exterior is finished in Liquid Kinetic Gray paint with distinctive Energetic
Sigma Gold anniversary accents.
Inside, the Nissan GT-R50 by
Italdesign reflects its modern, high-performance pedigree. Two different carbon
fiber finishes are extensively used across the center console, instrument panel
and door linings, along with black Alcantara® and fine black Italian leather on
the seats. Gold accents echo the exterior treatment across the instrument
panel, doors and the futuristic race car-inspired switchgear. The bespoke
steering wheel’s central hub and spokes are made of carbon fiber, while the rim
features a flat bottom and matching Alcantara trim.
Pure
performance plus
Underneath the new shape, the
Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign is all business. Drawing on Nissan’s GT3 racing
experience, the NISMO organization enhanced the hand-assembled 3.8-liter V6
VR38DETT engine to produce an estimated 720ps and 780 Nm of torque.
Changes to the power plant
include optimized twin high-flow, large-diameter GT3 competition-spec
turbochargers and larger intercoolers; heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons,
connecting rods and bearings; high-flow piston oil jets; revised camshaft
profiles; higher-flow fuel injectors; and optimized ignition, intake and
exhaust systems. A reinforced dual-clutch sequential six-speed rear transaxle
and stronger differentials and drive shafts direct the power to the wheels.
A revised suspension has been
developed, featuring the BILSTEIN DampTronic® I continuously adjustable damping
system. For braking, the Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes
feature bright red, clearly visible calipers. Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires,
sized 255/35 R21 in the front and 285/30 R21 in the rear, add a level of grip
needed to harness the engine’s power.
“Although
this is not the next-generation GT-R, it is an exciting celebration of two
anniversaries in a provocative and creative way – wrapping one of Nissan’s best
engineering platforms and Japanese design with Italian coachbuilding,” said
Albaisa
Nissan GT-R 50 by Italdesign prototype key specifications
Base vehicle
Nissan GT-R NISMO
Overall length
4784mm / 188.3 inches (Standard NISMO: 4690 mm / 184.6 in)
Overall width
1992mm / 78.4 inches (Standard NISMO: 1895 mm / 74.6 in)
Overall height
1316mm / 51.8 inches (Standard NISMO: 1370 mm / 53.9 in)
Wheelbase
2780mm / 109.4 inches (identical)
Engine
3.8-liter VR38DETT by NISMO;
720 ps (estimated) @ 7100 rpm
780 N-m (estimated) @ 3600-5600 rpm
Driveline
Mid-mounted front engine / rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive
Gearbox
Reinforced dual-clutch sequential 6-speed rear transaxle
Suspension
BILSTEIN DampTronic® I damping system
Brakes
Brembo, with 2-piece floating drilled disc
Front: 6-piston monoblock caliper; 390 x 32.6 mm Rear: 4-piston monoblock caliper; 380 x 30mm
Wheels (inches)
Front: 21 x 10J Rear: 21 x 10.5J
Tires
Michelin Pilot Super Sport; Front: 255/35 R21 Rear: 285/30 R21
