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Italdesign’s Nissan GT-R50 prototype rocks

Created to mark a couple of 50th anniversaries

What the Skyline GT-R would look like after 50 years. PHOTO FROM NISSAN

While everyone waits for the all-new Nissan GT-R, the Japanese automaker unveils a meaner-looking GT-R50 prototype created by Italdesign Giugiaro. The numerical digits in the car’s name refers to a pair of important 50th anniversaries—the establishment of Italdesign and the appearance of the Skyline GT-R in 1968. This prototype is scheduled to debut in Europe “next month.”

We wonder if any of these lines would wind up on the next-generation GT-R. We’ll see soon. PHOTOS FROM NISSAN

According to a press statement, the GT-R50 was “developed, engineered and built” by Italdesign. Meanwhile, the exterior and interior designs are courtesy of Nissan Design Europe and Nissan Design America.

“How often do you get to ask, ‘What if we created a GT-R without limits,’ and then actually get to build it?” the statement quotes Nissan global design senior vice president Alfonso Albaisa as saying. “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. So to celebrate this convergence, Nissan and Italdesign created this custom GT-R to mark 50 years of engineering leadership.”

Which of this prototype’s angles is your visual favorite? PHOTOS FROM NISSAN

The GT-R50 is based on a production 2018 GT-R Nismo. It is 4,784mm long, 1,992mm wide and 1,316mm tall, while the standard GT-R Nismo measures 4,690mm, 1,895mm and 1,370mm. The 2,780mm wheelbase is identical to that of the production car.

The huge wing makes this a very busy-looking rear. PHOTOS FROM NISSAN

Besides the altered exterior dimensions, the GT-R50 has been given an enhanced 3.8-liter VR38DETT V6 engine that produces an estimated 710hp and 780Nm. That’s a significant improvement compared to the production GT-R Nismo’s 592hp and 652Nm.

It’s like Bruce Wayne ordered a custom GT-R Nismo. PHOTOS FROM NISSAN

Obviously, this is not the next-generation model that GT-R fans around the world are excited to see, but it should suffice in the meantime. So…happy 50th birthday, GT-R and Italdesign!



Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist for 26 years. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.



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