It’s hard to believe the Nissan GT-R in its current R35 format has been with us for 11 years, such is the level of its technological achievement and performance. A re-bodied version by famed Italian design house Italdesign has been created to commemorate 50 years of the two marques. Appropriately enough, it is called the GT-R50.
Using the more powerful GT-R NISMO as a basis, the car has been transformed both inside and out. It develops 720PS, or 530kW, and 780Nm from its twin-turbo VR38DETT hyper-donk. Expanding on this, senior vice president of global design at Nissan, Alfonso Albaisa, said:
“How often do you get to ask, βWhat if we created a GT-R without limits,β and then actually get to build it?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.”
Significant body changes include a 54mm lower roofline with a wedgier profile thanks to a revised centreline. The front cooling duct aft of the front door has been enlarged, finished in Energetic Enigma Gold that contrasts the Liquid Kinetic Grey finish. These accents can also be found along the rear, front intake and rear window of the car. At the front the headlights are thinner with concept-like LEDs that cascade into that golden, gaping maw of a mouth.
21×10-inch front and 21×10.5-inch rear custom wheels with a unique five-spoke design sit within 255/35 and 285/30 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, front and rear, respectively. There’s an adjustable rear spoiler, with floating ring type taillights that are very similar to the 2020 Vision Gran Turismo created in conjunction with the Gran Turismo racing game series.
The interior receives a new digital instrument display, Alcantara and black Italian leather contrasted with gold accents and two different types of carbon fibre finish used on the centre console. There is also a unique steering wheel.
If you’re thinking of rushing down to the Nissan dealership to buy one, think again β this is a one-off prototype. But, it might hold clues for the future of the Nissan GT-R. What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.