The Nissan GT-R Through the Years

The next time you stop by your local Nissan Dealership, make sure to take a look at the new high-performance Nissan GT-R. This sportscar is a global icon for the Nissan brand, but it also has a rich history.

Little did you know that a trip to a Nissan dealership could turn into an educational opportunity. Here’s a brief history of the GT-R through the years.

It Started With the Skyline

In 1969, Nissan acquired a small Japanese automaker called Prince. Prince specialized in motor racing, so it’s no surprise that Nissan developed the first Skyline GT-R performance car. This sporty vehicle was based on the Nissan Skyline coupe. The fame that came from this first generation helped put Nissan on the map and become somewhat of an icon for this brand.

Nissan launched the second generation of the GT-R in 1972 but cut production in 1973 due to new emission standards. Luckily, this cut in production wasn’t the last time we would see this incredible car.

Return of the GT-R

In 1989, the GT-R was reintroduced and became an instant hit. From here, Nissan created several special versions of the GT-R that never appeared at a Nissan dealership but still took the world by storm.

For example, the R32 model entered a number the Japanese Touring Car Championship in 1989 and won every race in which it participated. Over a span of four years, the R32 took home 29 championship titles.

Nissan took this racing car to a new level with the R33 in 1995. It became even faster due to its improved body stiffness and weight distribution. Nissan also launched a new traction control all-wheel-drive system called ATTESA E-TS PRO.

Things really got crazy in 1998 when the R34 hit the scene. This twin-turbo inline-six-powered beast came with a shorter wheelbase and better aerodynamics to make it even faster than previous models.

The GT-R Comes to America

It wasn’t until 2008 that Nissan dealership locations in the US put this car on American roads. Nissan dropped the “Skyline” name and added a potent twin-turbo V6 engine that created a solid 473 horsepower. The GT-R became an instant legend, as it outpowered most American muscle cars without sacrificing style.

The Nissan GT-R became so popular that special editions of this powerhouse sold out almost immediately. For example, the 50th anniversary GT-R T-Spec Special Edition became an instant collectible. Shoppers rushed to their local Nissan dealerships hoping to snag one.

The only special edition to outsell the 50 T-Spec was the 2020 Nismo Special Edition. This monster created 600 horsepower, thanks to new turbochargers. It also came with a carbon-fiber hood with clear paint. This reduction in weight helped propel this rig into the record books.

Today, you’ll see the GT-R at more than just a local Nissan dealership. This iconic ride has made appearances in movies like Fast and Furious and is a popular option in video games. Next time you see a GT-R, you’ll know more about the history of this grand sportscar.