Category Diecast
Scale 1/18
Details
Nissan Skyline GT-R
Known as the "Holy Grail of Japanese Performance Car", the Nissan Skyline GT-R is a legendary Japanese sports coupé in the Nissan Skyline range. Dubbed "Godzilla" by Wheels magazine in Australia when released there in 1989, it was rated by many motoring magazines, includingWheels, as providing performance and handling equal or superior to that of European icons like the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari Testarossa, at a considerably lower price. Even the Skyline's home-market competitors like the Honda NSX, Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mazda RX-7 have struggled alongside the GT-R since it was first released. Since the Skyline GT-R became a popular car for street racing in Japan, that has led to countless appearance in video games, beginning with its debut in 1994 for the SNES game Zero 4 Champ R and most notably the Gran Turismo series, as well as the occasional appearances in feature films, anime, and manga.
3RD 1989–1994 (E-BNR32)
Concept
After canceling the Skyline GT-R marquee in 1973, Nissan revived the GT-R again in 1989. At the time Nissan was competing in Group A Racing, with the 1988 Nissan Skyline GTS-R (a 2000 cc turbocharged RWD car). Nismo (Nissan's motorsport division) wanted to retire the GTS-R, in favor of a more competitive vehicle. The Nissan Skyline R32 chassis had just been designed, and was chosen as a base to build a more competitive Group A race car.
Nismo originally designed the new R32 Group A Skyline to have a 2350 cc Straight 6 turbocharged engine, and produce 600 horsepower (450 kW) using a RWD drivetrain. Under Group A regulations, a turbocharged engine must multiply its engine displacement by 1.7, putting the new Skyline in the 4000 cc class, and requiring the use of 10-inch-wide tires. Knowing that they would be required to use 10-inch-wide tires, Nismo made the decision to make the car all wheel drive. Nismo developed a special motorsport-oriented AWD system for this purpose called the ATTESA E-TS Pro. Although this assisted with traction, it made the car 100 kg heavier, and heavier compared to other cars in the 4000 cc class. Nismo then made the decision to increase the displacement to 2600 cc, and put the car in the 4500 cc class, with the car's weight near-equal to competing cars. The 4500 cc class also allowed for 11-inch-wide tires.
Price $150.00
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