WHEN THE "GODZILLA" CAME TO LIFE - NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R

NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R

Nissan Skyline GT-R

All the good things people say about these cars are perfectly true. The Skyline GT-R series is one of the finest car series ever. Perfectly built to kill it’s rivals, the Skyline GT-R R32 was the hero of it’s time. It was 1991 when Skyline got it’s nickname – “THE GODZILLA”. It all started back in 1989 when it was first put into production. With homologation in the FIA's Group A class always in mind, Nissan's engineers developed a 2.6-liter twin turbo straight-six engine dubbed RB26DETT. The street version of this engine made about 320 horsepower stock though it produced more than 600 horsepower in race trim. To cope with the prodigious power, Nissan engineers fit the R32 GT-R with an advanced all-wheel-drive system called ATTESSA E-TS, apparently taking inspiration from the Porsche 959. Quickly, the GT-R emerged as a hero in Group A racing. Skyline GT-Rs won all 29 races of the Japanese Touring Car Championship entered, took victory at the 1991 Spa 24 Hour race and decimated the competition in Australian racing. The GT-Rs victories in Australia – three Group A Championships between 1990-1992 and 1st place at the Bathurst 1000 in 1991 and 1992 – led the local press to call the GT-R "Godzilla”. Since then, every Skyline GT-R is called “Godzilla”, and follows the same path of beating every rival to the death. The R34 Skyline GT-R which was introduced in 1999 is considered the Best Skyline ever and many enthusiasts still call it the Best Sports Car and Dream of owning one – Me Too!!

NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R (R32) – (1989 – 1991)

R32 was introduced in 1989 for the first time. It was available as either a 2-door coupe or 4-door hardtop sedan, all other bodystyles were dropped. It featured several versions of the RB-series straight-6 engines. The RB26DETT engine actually produced 320 PS, but it was unstated due to the Japanese car makers' "gentlemen's agreement" not to exceed 280 PS. The engine was designed for 500 bhp in racing trim. The car could reach from 0-100 kmph in just 5.9 seconds.It’s top speed was also limited to 180 kmph. Also available was an 1,800 cc 4-cylinder GXi model. Most models had HICAS four-wheel steering, with the rear wheels being hydraulically linked to the front steering. The 2.5-litre GTS-25 became one of the first Japanese production cars to feature a 5-speed automatic transmission. A total of 43,934 units were made.

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32

NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R (R33) (1993 – 1998)

R33 was introduced in 1993. Slightly heavier than the R32, it is available in coupe and sedan bodystyles. The new R33 used the same 2.6 Liter twin-turbo engine as the R32 and it also shared the same gearbox but the R33 was safer than R32 rated 3.8 out of 5. 5 way airbag system and internal crash bars made this vehicle significantly safer than previous models. Some models came equipped with a new version of the HICAS 4-wheel steering system called Super HICAS. This computer controlled system was first used on the R32 GT-R. Super HICAS used electric actuators to steer the rear, as opposed to the hydraulic HICAS. Though R33 had the same power (280 PS), it was faster with a top speed of 250 kmph and 0-100 kmph time of 5 seconds. In 1995 the GT-R received an improved version of the RB26DETT, the ATTESA-ETS four-wheel-drive system, and Super HICAS 4-wheel steering. A limited edition model was created in 1996, called the NISMO 400R, that produced 400 bhp from a road-tuned version of Nissan's Le Mans engine.[43] A stronger six-speed Getrag gearbox was used. An R33 GT-R driven by Dirk Schoysman lapped the Nordschleife in less than 8 minutes. Though it was often said to be the first production car to break 8 minutes, the limited run Jaguar XJ220 had already achieved a 7'46" lap. A total of 217,133 units were sold.

Nissan Skyline GT-R R33

NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R (R34) (1999 – 2002) – BEST SKYLINE

In May 1999, Nissan introduced the Skyline GT-R R34 along with the more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly RB25DET NEO engine. The R34 GT powered by the RB20DE NEO, coupled with a five-speed gearbox, became the most fuel-efficient straight-six Skyline to date. The R34’s engine keeps the general layout of straight six-cylinder configuration with twin overhead camshafts and four-valves per cylinder and twin turbochargers. It had 280 PS of power and reached 250 kmph. It was capable of reaching from 0-100 in 5 seconds. The R34 was much more advanced in many areas. It also has better power delivery and more torque than it predecessor. Also the R34’s body is stiffer and the aerodynamics of the car have been improved. The Nissan Skyline R34 GTR has cut weight in many areas. From the light alloy wheels, which save over 7.7kg, the rear diffuser is now made from a lightweight carbon fibre. The R34 turbos received a ball bearing core. The R34 N1 turbos had a metal exhaust wheel, and ball bearing center section. The turbo outlet pipes were changed from cast to formed metal outlets. The intercooler outlet side and rear turbo dump pipe had temperature probes fitted in the V-spec models. The biggest feature and most significant feature to the R34 GT-R that wasn't seen on any other model skyline was the display unit at the top of the dashboard. This display unit was very significant for the car at its time. This display showed many of the cars engine stats including boost pressure, oil temp, water temp and more. As a 1999 car this kind of technology was very rare and advanced at the time.

Other Models Of R34 –

_ GT-R M·spec – Leather interior, softer suspension with "Ripple Control" dampers, heated seats.

_ GT-R NISMO S-tune- The S-tune was an M·spec but with further modifications to components in the engine block.

_ GT-R NISMO Z-tune – 2.8 L (bored and stroked) RB26DETT Z2 twin-turbo I6, 500 PS (368 kW, 540 Nm) Z1 and Z2 (Only 20 made)

Nissan Skyline GT-R R34

Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 Interiors

APPEARANCES

The Skyline Series has prominently appeared in Fast And Furious movie series. The 1995 R33 Skyline GT-R was featured in The Fast And The Furious, 1999 R34 Skyline GT-R in 2 Fast 2 Furious, 1996 R33 Skyline GT-R in The Fast And The Furious : Tokyo Drift, 2002 R34 Skyline GT-R in Fast And Furious 4 and a 1971 Skyline GT-R in Fast Five.

Nissan Skyline GT-R in 2 Fast 2 Furious

Nissan Skyline GT-R in Fast And Furious 4

The R34 Skyline GT-R has appeared in so many racing video games including Need For Speed – Underground 1 & 2, Carbon, Undercover, Shift 1 & 2 and NFS : 2015. It is also featured in Forza series, Forza Horizon series, Project Cars, The Crew, Real Racing 3, Gran Turismo series, Etc.