In their first ever collaboration, Nissan and Italdesign have jointly developed a prototype GT-R, badged GT-R50, to commemorate the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R and Italdesign.
Based on a production 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo model, Italdesign developed, engineered and built the car, while the distinctive, crisp exterior and interior designs were created by the teams at Nissan Design Europe in London and Nissan Design America.
Drawing on Nissan’s GT3 racing experience, Nismo has enhanced the hand-assembled 3.8-liter V6 VR38DETT engine to produce an estimated 720ps and 780Nm of torque. Changes to the power plant include optimized twin high-flow, large-diameter GT3 competition-spec turbochargers and larger intercoolers; heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and bearings; high-flow piston oil jets; revised camshaft profiles; higher-flow fuel injectors; and optimized ignition, intake and exhaust systems. A reinforced dual-clutch sequential 6-speed rear transaxle and stronger differentials and driveshafts direct the power to the wheels.
A revised suspension has also been developed, featuring the Bilstein DampTronic I continuously adjustable damping system. The braking system consists of Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes. The car runs on Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires in size 255/35 R21 at the front and 285/30 R21 at the rear.
“Although this is not the next-generation GT-R, it is an exciting celebration of two anniversaries in a provocative and creative way – wrapping one of Nissan’s best engineering platforms and Japanese design with Italian coachbuilding,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s senior vice president for global design.