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It’s been over 50 years since Nissan started producing cars with the iconic GT-R nameplate. The Japanese automotive company launched the Skyline GT-R in 1969 as a sportier version of the standard Nissan Skyline, and it was produced in five generations, ending in 2002. Subsequently, Nissan introduced a successor to the Skyline GT-R in 2007, known simply as the GT-R. Notably, it was the world’s first independent transaxle all-wheel-drive vehicle upon its introduction.
In 2019, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the launch of GT-R, Nissan announced the introduction of a limited production GT-R known as the GT-R50. Nissan is building the GT-R50 in collaboration with Italdesign, a leading company in the provision of development services for the automotive industry, which also celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. The GT-R50 is a spectacular no-limits reimagining of the GT-R sports car, and it is based specifically on the latest GT-R NISMO.
8 Powertrain
Simply put, the GT-R50 offers Japanese performance prowess at its best. It was based on the incredible GT-R NISMO, however, the GT-R50 is even more insane performance-wise due to its upgraded engine. To achieve a superior output, Nissan managed to get the 3.8-liter V6 engine tuned up with new parts that include fuel injectors, camshafts, cat, and a turbocharger.
All these help the mill to an output of 710 horsepower, a 110 horsepower increase over the standard NISMO. The torque was also increased to 575 lb-ft, a 94 lb-ft increase over the standard output.
7 Styling
Being a collaborative project, Italdesign and Nissan have their roles specifically mapped out in the fabrication of the awesome GT-R50. While Italdesign is tasked with developing, constructing, and engineering the GT-R50, Nissan, through its design centers in London and San Diego, crafted the car’s crisp and unique exterior and interior designs.
The highlights of the design include the elongated LED headlights, lowered roofline, a conspicuous power bulge on the hood, and several other gorgeous styling cues that make the GT-R50 such an incredibly unique car.
6 Hand Built
It’s also amazing to know that the entire GT-R50 is being fabricated and assembled completely by hand at the Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. factory in Moncalieri, Italy. An incredible automotive masterpiece, the fabrication of the GT-R50 starts with the latest GT-R NISMO which then gets reinterpreted with European-influenced sensibility.
The GT-R 50 is an incredible fusion of the most amazing of Japanese performance capabilities and the best of Italian craftsmanship, painstakingly delivered by hand through the most talented craftsmen in the business.
5 Interior
The interior of the GT-R50 is as tastefully finished as we’d expect of any such car that costs several arms and legs. Hence, the cabin of Italdesign GT-R50 is exquisitely adorned in two unique carbon fiber finishes which run through the center console, instrument panel, and door linings.
The interior also features seats that are draped in black Alcantara and black Italian leather. Furthermore, the car features bespoke steering made of carbon fiber and trimmed with Alcantara.
4 Exterior
The design gods at Nissan’s design centers went all out on the GT-R50’s exterior, making the front and back areas look like they are emerging from the bodywork. The massive bulge on the hood adds a pleasant unique touch to an exterior that features “samurai blade” cooling outlets behind the two front wheels and a massive adjustable rear wing fitted with two uprights.
Notably, the body is composed mainly of aluminum and carbon fiber and finished in “Liquid Kinetic Gray” with exclusive “Energetic Sigma Gold” accents.
3 Production Volume
For a specially built GT-R produced in celebration of the 50th anniversary of both the iconic GT-R nameplate and the Italdesign firm, the GT-R50 will be acquired only by the fiercest and some of the wealthiest of GT-R enthusiasts.
The reason is simple, according to the manufacturers, since the Italdesign GT-R50 is being produced in celebration of GT-R’s 50th anniversary, 50 units of the GT-R50 will be produced.
2 Pricing
Although age has started telling on the iconic GT-R, the 2022 model still didn’t come cheap, starting at about $115,000 for the base model. It expectedly gets costlier moving up the range, as the NISMO and the NISMO Special Edition start at more than $200,000.
However, though quite pricey as well, these GT-Rs don’t come close to the amazing Italdesign GT-R50 as the anniversary model has been slammed a dizzying $1.08 million price tag. Surely, it’ll take more than being a regular GT-R enthusiast to own one.
1 Bespoke
Originally, the GT-R50 was a mere concept car that wasn’t intended for production. However, the prototype had quite a strong global tour with appearances at the Goodwood, Nissan Crossing, Spa-Francorchamps, and several other places, thereby inspiring the production of a customer version.
Italdesign is tasked with building this customer version of the car, which has been pegged at 50 units in total. Notably, each of the cars will be tailored to each customer as they’ll be furnished with selection options, thereby making no two GT-R50 the same.