Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs
Upcoming Skyline GT-R to be badged as an Infiniti… maybe
The question over whether the upcoming US-spec Skyline GT-R will be sold as an Infinity or as a Nissan is said to have been answered, with the luxury brand name being attached to the supercar when it reaches American soil for the '08 or '09 model year. While this decision is attributed to the shopping desires of those who are looking to drop $65K on a supercar, one also has to wonder if this doesn't free up a bit of room in the Nissan for the 350Z to gain some much-needed horsepower.
Read on for more thoughts on the GT-R's chances in the sub-supercar segment.
And while were on the subject of stuff under the hood, one also have to wonder if the Skylines rumored 400+ HP will be enough for it to maintain its Gran Turismo-inspired reputation. Without a doubt, the car will be a technological masterpiece, but its going to be up against some fierce competition in its price range (hint: zee-oh-something), and vehicles $20K less expensive will be sporting perhaps 100 HP more (thatd be the car no longer named after both a horse and a snake). This will be where the fanboys speak up and state that EB just doesnt get it, and that may be true - but Id still like to see how this car can be expected to compete with something 10% lighter and 20% more powerful. Lets hope that Nissan turns the wick up - way up - on whatever turbocharged monstrosity makes its way into the GT-R.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JZeke 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
It will either have to compete on price (fighting the Z06, Viper and Ford GT on performace-for-dollar bragging rights) -- or desirability, which catapults it into the ring with the 911, Maserati Coupe, Aston V8 Vantage and Ferrari 575... yes Ferrari.
If Infinity goes down a cautious path with both pricing AND performance, this car will be a dud, no matter how cool it looks. It has to hit the ground running on a very clear cut path.
Personally, I hope its more a Z06 fighter, with 500hp or so, for less than $70,000.
Reply
MattB 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
I don't think it'll be a Z06 fighter in the slightest.
Z06 has a completely different market.
Reply
RJP 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
You misspelled Infiniti, as Infinity, rookie.
Reply
ede 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
I agree with MattB: would someone looking at a brute-force American "sub-supercar" even consider a Japanese AWD tech-marvel? Personally, the Skyline is just my kind of car.
And it certainly has NOTHING to do with the 575...
Reply
Tom W 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
If the Corvette became available with optional AWD, the GT-R wouldn't stand a chance. But if the price is the same, choosing between a RWD Corvette or a AWD GT-R would be a difficult decision for me. I don't care if it's called a Nissan or a Infiniti.
Reply
Luke_S 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
Its going to be a technological masterpiece, i'm certain of this much! I don't think power is the most relevent factor here (it's going to sprint to 100kmh quicker than most!), let's see how well it goes around corners comparitively with cars costing twice as much; I think we're going to be pleasantly surprised! Can you ever really compare a Nissan to an Aston Martin or a Ferrari? I don't think so personally... This car is going to be a ballet dancing brute of a machine and that's exactly what it needs to be!
Reply
Gandhi 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
Well, I think the fact that the GTR sports turbo charging inducates that upping the horsepower rating should not be that difficult, if the base engine block is good. Look at what all the tuners did to the last Supra turbo.
Considering how long this car has been in development, and that Lotus is said to be heavily involved in its development, I think we will see 450 hp, may be even more. I dont think it will come with 400 hp. Heck, Infiniti corporate V8 sports 340 hp, which will be upped closer to 400 hp in couple of years. No way the GTR will have "only" 400 hp. Unless, it is a very lightweight car, which it wont be with that AWD system.
Reply
VW_guy 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
I don't think that it should wear the "Infiniti" name. It's a Nissan and should stay that way. Infiniti is for the snooty people that would never use the vehicle the way it was intended.
Maybe they should revive the Datsun lable and put it on the Skyline.
Reply
Chizzle 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
I would like to see a cheaper Nissan version as well. IMO badging it as an Infiniti is not such a good idea because the majority of people who really know about the Skyline are in that $35K to $45k range car buyers. Unless Infiniti sells it for that much I don't think it'll hit the target market it should be aiming at.
Reply
djSyndrome 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
"I don't think that it should wear the "Infiniti" name. It's a Nissan and should stay that way."
You do realize that the vaunted G35 is actually called a Skyline in Japan, right?
Reply
spdracerut 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
I do NOT believe the Skyline will compete with the Z06 directly but more likely a 911 carrera or turbo. Reason I say this? The Z06 is able to achieve its low price because of a relatively cheap interior and I doubt you'll find a interior that "cheap" on the upcoming Skyline. I think Nissan has heard enough complaints in that department with the 350z, Altima, and G35. They won't make the same mistake twice.
So it may compete with the Z06 on performance but not price. I'm thinking more of a performance and quality match of the 911 turbo for less cost.
Reply
Sam Sugar 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
I'm also looking forward to this car. However great the Z06 is, for realists, who understand that most driving time isn't racing at ten-tenths, the GT-R will be a better option than the US cars for a number of reasons.
1. Interior quality - for some reason US manufacturers can't get away from cheap hard plastics and tacky accents. My sisters VW Golf has a nicer interior than a Z06. There's no reason for that.
2. Economy - when you're not pushing the GT-R it'll get much better fuel economy than a 5.7 or 6.0 small-block.
3. Style - outside the US the Corvette has a very mixed image. Kind of thuggish and crass. Outside the US it's also not that cheap (compared to M3's, M5's and 911's). The GT-R will be a 'cooler' ride to many (and don't say image isn't important - these are sports cars and image is everything).
In all, HP and 0-60 isn't everything. Ferrari don't play that game, Nissan don't either (the stock GT-R's have always been fast but the 'insane' rep is a tuner thing). If the GT-R has kerbside appeal, the numbers won't matter. That's why the most popular 911 in the US is the relatively slow and flexy convertible.
Reply
Mike 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
Sam on #2, I guarantee you that the GT-R will not have better gas mileage thatnt the Corvette. Heck my RSX-S has only slightly better gas mileage.
Reply
Sid Ghosh 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
"However great the Z06 is, for realists, who understand that most driving time isn't racing at ten-tenths"
Sam, I don't know where you got your Z06 information but no one ever said the car is about 0-60 and HP. The reason the Z06 is such a genius is because of the fact that it not only has more HP/$ than most other supercars, it also handles, grips, corners and rides like the best of them.
I'm sorry to say this but while I can't wait to see the new GT-R, it's no Corvette beater. As for image? Haha. The Corvette is not only a storied historic marque, the new model is also regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever built. In Europe as well.
Reply
J 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
Man just imagine, in four or five years we will have a toyota V10 supercar, a honda V10 supercar, skyline, and probably a new rx-7. damn, i can't wait.
Reply
ZipperSeven 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
More of like a Subie WRX STi and Lancer Evo MR competitor really.
I've been a longtime fan of the Skyline, and I'll welcome and American version here no matter what it's called.
Reply
Christian 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
It'll be overrated and we'll never hear the end of it, just like the previous generations of Skylines. Putting a little joke car like this in the same categroy as Aston, Ferrari and even Corvette is laugable. Its Nissan. I agree its a Subi/Evo killer, otherwise its a gimicky, classless pile of poop. Its the new Supra basically, if it comes here.
Reply
.sara 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
Interesting. I saw what I swear was a G35 last week (Pico Blvd, West L.A.) but had a Skyline badge across the butt. Had the Infiniti badge on the trunk and wheels, though.
We thought someone had just got a little overzealous; perhaps not!
Reply
Dues 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
Corvette is going to start pissin on its pants
Finally Japanese domination on sports car category begins. Just like Passenger car and sub compact category :)
Reply
Dues 10:26PM (12/18/2005)
btw, us manufacture should just stick with making trucks since that's all they are good at. :)
Reply