Just 50 up for grabs.
Japanese automaker Nissan last week unveiled the GT-R50, a collaborative project between themselves and storied design firm Italdesign, to celebrate the golden jubilees of both companies. And while it was previously touted as a one-off, devil-may-care edition, there seems to be quite a buzz around it and responding accordingly, Nissan & Italdesign say they might just make a few.
Or 50. For €900,000 (or about $1.415-million) a pop.
“The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ideal setting to showcase the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, which combines power & artistry to celebrate 50-years of inspiring the dreams of our customers. Just like the prototype itself, Goodwood is a celebration of design, performance, a little indulgence, and a lot of love for the history and future of automotive creativity. It’s the perfect setting to showcase a unique vehicle that will stir the imagination of people to dream even bigger.” — Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President (Global Design), Nissan
To the trained eye, there’s no escaping its GT-R roots. Under the skin you’ll find a heavily-reworked 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo, though its aesthetic revisions are more than enough to justify its hallowed place. There are gold elements everywhere, signifying the golden jubilee of Nissan & Italdesign, contrast beautifully against the Liquid Kinetic Grey paint. The shiny stuff surrounds the grille and appears almost like a separated element, flanked by slim LED headlights that are underscored by vertical front cooling intakes.
The roofline’s been lowered some 54mm over the standard car, with an even lower central portion denoting a very modern take on the classic ‘double bubble’ roofs of old racing cars. That roof touches down in a widened, beefy rear that makes the car look squat and taut, while the GT-R’s “Samurai sword” air vents sitting behind the front wheels have been lengthened and painted in gold, with a GT-R50 badge sitting below it.
Coming round the rear, the GT-R50’s most striking elements show themselves. Designed to look somewhat modular, the rear windscreen has been made longer than the standard car, and the taillights have received a reimagination by hollowing out the quad-round units and giving them a ‘halo’ look that appear to float, almost. Above those sit an active rear spoiler which, when retracted, looks unbelievably sleek.
While the exterior has been heavily revised and pushed far away from the donor car, the cabin’s changes were slightly less outlandish and feature more familiar elements. There’s plenty of gold abound, while the dash has been given a race-inspired revision. The dash and steering wheel have been upholstered in Alcantara, while the seats receive smatterings of black Italian leather.
The GT-R50 is more than just an (extensive) aesthetic exercise, though. Under the bonnet, the boffins at Nissan’s motorsports division have made merry with the venerable 3.8-litre biturbo V6 mill, and have extracted from it some 530KW and 780Nm, signifying a jump of 88kW and 128Nm. The performance boost comes thanks to GT3-specification turbos, larger intercoolers, throughly-redeveloped internals, and enhanced ignition, intake, and exhaust systems. Further, a revised six-speed dual-clutch transmission and optimised ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system ensure that all that grunt can get to the ground efficiently, thanks in no small part to reinforced diffs and driveshafts.
In addition, there’s also things like Bilstein DampTronic continuously-adjustable dampers, Brembo disc brakes (six piston callipers up front, and four piston callipers at the rear), all of which hide behind unique 21-inch allow wheels. There are also special Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres front and rear, ensuring grip.
We frankly think the Nissan GT-R50 is a gorgeous thing, though it might not be to all tastes. Its 50-unit limited production run depends on the reaction it receives at Goodwood, so for the sake of it, we’re hoping that fans will not only be at the Festival of Speed and demanding they make it, but prospective buyers are ready with their chequebooks.
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