Nissan and design house Italdesign have created a sleek new a new prototype to commemorate the GT-R's 50th anniversary, with a limited-run version expected to follow.
Based on a 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo, the Nissan GT-R50 prototype has been teased with 12 images ahead of its public due to debut in Europe next month.
The fresh exterior and interior designs were created by teams at Nissan Design Europe in London and Nissan Design America, while Italdesign developed, engineered and built the car. As well as a new look, the GT-R50 features updated GT3-spec performance parts under its newly crafted bodywork.
Nissan's senior vice president for global design, Alfonso Albaisa, said the GT-R50 represents 'a GT-R without limits.'
“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," said Albaisa.
“So to celebrate, Nissan and Italdesign created this custom GT-R to mark 50 years of engineering leadership.”
The Nissan GT-R50 features a distinct golden inner element up front that stretches across the full width of the vehicle.
The bonnet has a more pronounced bulge and thin LED headlights stretch from the wheel arch to the lip above the cooling intakes.
The roofline has been lowered by 54mm and features a lower centre section with slightly raised outer portions.
The signature GT-R “samurai blade” cooling outlets behind the front wheels have gain 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, while the shoulder line tapers around the base of the rear window and draws toward the centre of the boot lid.
The GT-R’s twin round taillights have been reimagined as a separate “floating” feature with thin light rings and hollow centres. A large, adjustable rear wing, mounted with two uprights, completes the overall look.
The GT-R50 sits on custom wheels – 21 x 10 inches in front and 21 x 10.5 inches at the rear – fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. The exterior is finished in Liquid Kinetic Gray paint with Energetic Sigma Gold anniversary accents.
Inside the Nissan GT-R50, two different carbon fibre finishes are extensively used across the centre console, instrument panel and door linings, along with black Alcantara and black leather on the seats.
Gold accents from the exterior are also used on the instrument panel, doors and race car-inspired switchgear. The bespoke steering wheel’s central hub and spokes are made of carbon fibre, while the rim features a flat bottom and matching Alcantara trim.
Underneath the new shape, the Nissan GT-R50's engine draws on on Nissan’s GT3 racing experience, featuring a Nismo-enhanced 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT which produce an estimated 530kW of power and 780 Nm of torque.
Changes to the power plant include twin high-flow, large-diameter GT3 competition-spec turbochargers, larger intercoolers, a heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and bearings, high-flow piston oil jets, revised camshaft profiles, higher-flow fuel injectors; and optimised 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 and a revised suspension has been developed with BILSTEIN continuously adjustable damping system.
For braking, the GT-R50 features Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes with bright red calipers.
“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.
