The Nissan Skyline is a series of compact and mid-size cars first produced in 1957.
Nissan Skyline Design and Introduction of a Classic
When it comes to Nissan's most influential models, you'd have to be crazy to leave the Nissan Skyline off the list. Not only does the Skyline actually predate the Nissan name, it is a platform that has played a central role in generating Nissan's reputation, especially around in motorsports. The first Skyline was produced by Fuji Prevision Industries in 1957. This company would later rename itself to the Prince Motor Company, and then merge with Nissan in 1967. It was a rather tall and boxy vehicle with some top-tier 1950s style taking many cues from American vehicles, and was available as a four-door sedan or five-door wagon. The first Skyline was powered by a 1.5L GA-30 inline-4 engine with 60 horsepower and could reach a top speed of 87 mph. A hand-built version known as the Skyline Sport used a larger 1.9L engine, as well as enhanced styling and overall performance. It would be the first precursor to the Skyline GT-R lineup that soon followed, forever changing automotive history.
Nissan and Prince Merger: Birth of the Nissan Skyline
In 1957, Nissan merged with Prince Motor Company, selling through a network of Nissan dealerships called Prince Stores. The production on Nissan-badged Skylines (C10) began in 1968. It was to be the more sport-focused alternative to the Nissan Bluebird. The first Nissan Skyline still used Prince's 1.5L inline-4 engine, although a 1.8L option was also now available. The exterior design dropped the more rounded and bubbly 1950s look in exchange for a more angular and aggressive appearance. This generation already was taking the performance-focused mission to heart. It was offered in 2000GT, 2400GT, and GT-R variants, with 2.0L, 2.4L, and 2.0L inline-6 engines, respectively. This was the first Skyline GT-R, tuned to produce an impressive 160 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque. The GT-R was a sedan at first, but then turned to two-door coupe body style. Weigh was reduced dramatically by removing as much equipment as possible, so it would perform well on the track. And it did not disappoint, winning 52 races in the first three years of competition.
Later Updates in the Face of the Oil Crisis
In 1972, the C110 Nissan Skyline was introduced. It was still available as a four-door sedan, five-door wagon, and two-door coupe body style, and still featured engine sizes ranging from 1.6L to 2.4L, with the GT-R variant holding onto its 2.0L DOHC inline-6 as before. Some emissions control systems were added to select models. The exterior shape began to gain sleeker lines and a slightly more aggressive look. It was commonly known as the "Ken and Mary" Skyline from a series of advertisements in Japan featuring a couple with those names driving the Skyline. This was a rough time for the performance auto market. As the oil crisis swept the globe, guzzling fuel for fun wasn't in demand, especially in large numbers. The GT-R lasted until 1973, when Nissan pulled out of motorsports and putting the Skyline GT-R to rest for the time being. The Nissan Skyline marched on in the face of the energy crisis, launching the C210 generation in 1977. It retained a similar engine lineup, now with a Nissan-first turbocharged 2.0L option on the new GT-EX variant, and also reverted to a more square and body appearance.
The R30 Nissan Skyline
In 1981, the R30 Nissan Skyline was introduced, along with eventually 26 different variants of it. The Skyline was still available in the many different body styles including sedan, coupe, and wagon, but the engine selection began to grow. The base was now a 1.8L inline-4 while the largest displacement was a 2.8L inline-6. A turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 and 2.0L inline-6 options were also now on the table. The Nissan Skyline RS (R30) is one of the most notable models from this era, using a 2.0L FJ20E engine with 148 horsepower and 133 lb-ft of torque, as well as the turbocharged FJ20ET in the 2000RS-Turbo with 188 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. Electronic interior and safety features were added, although many RS models kept interior equipment down to appeal to performance enthusiasts.
R31 Changes to the RB-Series Engines
In 1985, the R31 Nissan Skyline hit the production line. It kept with similar styling cues from the last generation, mainly sharp angular points with flat body panel surfaces and was known as the Seventhsu or 7th Sukarirain by owners, referencing its seventh-generation status as a Skyline. This generation brought in the new RB-series of engines, known as Red Tops due to the red cam covers, with 2.0L inline-6 options being the most popular, available in naturally-aspirated and turbocharged variants. 3.0L inline-6 engines and 1.8L/2.0L inline-4 engines were also available during this generation. Many advanced technologies came to the Nissan Skyline, including a new induction control system, four-wheel steering, and other significant engine improvements. The top trim level was the GTS-R coupe, used for Group A Touring Car racing which had homologation requires forcing Nissan to put out a street-legal version. It used a 2.0L RB20DET-R turbocharged inline-6 engine producing 207 horsepower in the street-legal version and a jaw-dropping 430 horsepower in the Group A model, which scored significant victories in the Group A Australia Touring Car Championship.
The Introduction of the R32 Nissan Skyline: Godzilla Name Sticks
In 1989, the R32 Nissan Skyline was released, now only available as a four-door sedan or two-door coupe. It stuck with the RB-series of engines, now adding a twin-turbo 2.6L inline-6 as the top choice on the Skyline GT-R, producing 316 horsepower, although the manufacturer's specs state a lower 276-horsepower rating due to a gentlemen's agreement between Japanese carmakers to avoid breeching that level. The styling took on a more modern look, with small round taillights being one of the most distinctive features of the R32 Skyline GT-R. It also used flared wheel wells, along with aluminum body panels and larger brakes and intercooler. The Skyline GT-R dominated the Japanese Touring Car Championship, taking the series title from 1989 to 1993, along with a long wave of victories in the N1 Super Taikyu from 1991 to 1997. It also overcame the Ford Sierra's dominance in the Australia Touring Car Championship. The widespread success led the Skyline GT-R to earn the Godzilla nickname, as a monster from Japan.
R33 & R34 Improvements: The End of the Skyline GT-R
The R33 Nissan Skyline came out in 1993 as the ninth generation. It received a more round exterior look, and kept the RB-series of engines from 2.0L to 2.8L inline-6, dropping the inline-4 options. The GT-R used a 2.6L twin-turbo RB26DETT inline-6, but another variant, the Nismo 400R, used a larger 2.8L twin-turbo RBX-GT2 inline-6 with 400 horsepower. An active limited-slip differential was now available. Nissan, like other Japanese carmakers, was under pressure to limit the power increases, so they made it wider and longer, and added a host of new technology with computer-based equipment, to improve racing performance. It was able to beat the previous R32 generation around the Nürburgring by over 20 seconds.
The tenth generation Nissan Skyline R34 was released in 1998. Looks became slightly more streamlined, while engine choices stayed relatively the same with 2.0L to 2.6L inline-6 options available. The GT-R R34 had many variants, topping out with the GT-R Nismo Z-tune with a 2.8L RB28DETT twin-turbo inline-6 engine producing 493 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. The Nissan Skyline GT-R ceased production in 2002. While a company in the US was able to import a few models despite not being 25 years past production, later troubles severely restricted the import. The GT-R name was shelved in 2002, and would eventually come back on its own platform away from the Nissan Skyline, and return in 2008 as the Nissan GT-R.
Latest Nissan Skyline and Infinity G35 Models
But the Nissan Skyline marched on. In 2001, a new generation was released, built on Nissan FM platform. It was still available as a four-door sedan and two-door coupe, but now switched to V6 engines from 2.5L, 3.0L and 3.5L displacement sizes. It was the first Skyline model exported to the United States, where it was sold under Nissan's luxury brand, Infinity, as the G35 model. This Nissan Skyline or Infinity G35 was renewed in 2006 as the 12th generation. It now added a five-door crossover SUV to the line, but kept all V6 engines, now reaching 3.7L in size with up to 325 horsepower. The Nissan GT-R hit the market during this generation, now as its own distinct model. The latest change to the Nissan Skyline came in 2014, and it is now only available as a four-door sedan. It has a 2.0L inline-4, a 3.0L twin-turbo V6, or a 3.5L hybrid V6 powertrain, and is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.