The Nissan Skyline is a legendary nameplate in the world of sports cars. It has a cult following that spans multiple generations and regions across the globe. Originally launched in Japan in 1957, the Skyline has undergone many metamorphoses, each iteration building on the last.
But it’s not all about the aesthetics that we are talking about. The Skyline also has a very rich and unique racing history with numerous accolades under its belt, including wins at the prestigious 24 Hours of Spa, 24 Hours of Nurburgring, and the Australian Touring Car Championship. The Skyline is much more than what it appears to be and in this article, we will reveal 10 fascinating facts about the Nissan Skyline that will delight you.
10. The Skyline’s Origins – from Prince to Nissan
The Nissan Skyline started its journey as a product of the Prince Motor Company in 1957 and then became a Nissan model after the two firms joined forces in 1966. The original Skyline was a four-door sedan or a five-door wagon with a 1.5L GA-30 engine. It was in 1964 that the Skyline transformed into a racing machine with the debut of the GT version, still under the Prince banner. The GT version signaled the Skyline’s transition from sedan to sportscar.
9. The First Generation Nissan Skyline
The Nissan Skyline entered its first generation from 1969 to 1972. The 1969 GT-R variant of the Skyline was a remarkable touring car that drew inspiration from the Nissan Prince R380 racing prototype. It used a four-valve Dual Overhead Cam engine for power and four-wheel independent suspension for its amazing handling.
The car crushed its rivals in Japan’s domestic touring races, winning 52 races in its first three years of competition. The first two-door model was launched in 1970 with a successful reception, but a global fuel crisis and a shift towards stricter emissions standards put an end to the Skyline GT-R for a while.
8. The Kenmari Skyline – the Last of the GT-Rs
The C110 generation Skyline was produced from 1973 to 1977 and was nicknamed the Kenmari because of the commercial with owners named Ken and Mary. It also had a GT-R version but only for 1973, which would make it the final GT-R branded Skyline until 1989. The C110 Skyline was also the first to feature the iconic round taillights that would become a signature of the Skyline design.
7. The Godzilla Skyline – A Twin-Turbocharged Monster
The R32 generation Skyline was introduced in 1989 and brought back the GT-R nameplate after a 16-year hiatus. It was powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.6L RB26DETT engine that produced 276 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, the R32 GT-R also featured an advanced AWD system called “ATTESA E-TS” that could vary the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels depending on driving conditions.
This enabled the R32 GT-R to dominate the Japanese Touring Car Championship, clean-sweeping all 29 races it entered from 1989 to 1993. It also earned the nickname “Godzilla” for its performance on the international racing scene, especially in Australia where it won the Bathurst 1000 twice.
6. The R34 Skyline – The Final Chapter of the Skyline Saga
The R34 generation hit the scene in 1999 and was the final Skyline to don the GT-R badge before becoming its model in 2007. This model was thoroughly improvised over its predecessor with some key mechanical changes like a stiffer chassis, a revised aerodynamic package, and a new six-speed manual transmission. A very notable thing is that these models featured a sophisticated multi-function display called MFD that could show various data such as boost pressure, oil temperature, g-force, lap times, and more. The R34 GT-R was also featured in several popular movies and video games, such as The Fast and the Furious franchise and the Gran Turismo series, making it one of the most recognizable and iconic cars of its era.
5. The Elements of Modern Skyline
The 1987 R32 is where the elements of modern Skyline began to come together. All-wheel drive was made available along with powerful twin-turbo engines for the return of GT-R models. The V-Spec II car became the ultimate Nissan Skyline of the time, but the limited run of 500 276bhp Nismo models meant they became real unicorns.
4. The R34 Marked a Stellar Period of Development
The R33 Skylines introduced better safety, but it was the R34 that marked a stellar period of development. A standard four-door model could still be had, however, GT-R development was moving at a pace.
Over just three years, it was transformed into one of the most potent performance cars of its era. This continuous fettling created many limited-run cars – there were 11 variations in total.
3. The Story Behind the Skyline’s Round Taillights
The Skyline’s design has changed over the years, but one thing that has remained consistent is its round taillights. The first Skyline to feature this design element was the C110 generation, which was produced from 1973 to 1977. The C110 was also known as the Kenmari, because of a commercial with owners named Ken and Mary. The round taillights have become a signature of the Skyline’s identity and heritage.
2. The Nissan Skyline’s Loyal Fan Base & Cultural Impact
Over the years, the Nissan Skyline has garnered a huge fan base around the world, especially among youngsters and car enthusiasts. And of course, collectors too. The major reason is the fact that Skylines can be highly customized to meet the unique preferences of any gearhead. Also, Skyline has been featured in many popular movies and video games, such as The Fast and the Furious franchise and the Gran Turismo series. Some of the most famous Skyline enthusiasts include Paul Walker, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Jay Leno, and Jeremy Clarkson.
1. The Nissan Skyline’s Future
The Skyline is still in production today with the latest model being the V37 generation, which debuted in 2014. For those of you who don’t know, the V37 Skyline is sold under the name of Infiniti Q50 and Q60 in various markets as Nissan owns INFINITI.
These models feature a hybrid or turbocharged engine and boast a very sleek design. The next generation of the Skyline is expected to debut in 2023, with rumors of a new GT-R variant and an electric powertrain.
