MotorTrend supposedly has it on good authority from a source within Nissan that the automaker is looking into producing a four-door version of the Nissan GT-R. The model, which would be badged an Infiniti but wouldn't carry over many of the design elements of the two-door GT-R, might be exactly what disgruntled dealers here in the U.S. want. Although it's possible, it won't be easy since the FM platform would have to be stretched within an inch of its life to accommodate an extra set of doors and usable rear seats. However, the new model could still utilize the same suspension pickup points, and, more importantly, the turbocharged 3.8-liter powerplant, all-wheel-drive system and rear-mounted dual-clutch gearbox.It's likely that the four-door flagship wouldn't benefit from all the carbon fiber body panels as the coupe, instead using a steel body. That won't do it any dynamic favors, but it would continue to keep the GT-R at the head of the pack while giving Infiniti a new super sedan to do battle with AMG, BMW's M lineup, the IS-F and Audi's RS-line of products.
However, we don't buy Mike Connor's assertion that a "four-door GT-R would have about as much credibility in Japan as a four-door Corvette would here in the U.S." Ummm... Mike, they made one. Actually, they made quite a few, and aside from the four-door R33s and R34s having a considerable following in Japan, we want one here, too.
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fred @ Feb 18th 2008 3:42PM
There is a 4-door Corvette. It's called the CTS-V.
Carlos @ Feb 18th 2008 3:46PM
Yeah, the GT-R has never been like the Corvette. It's more an M3/M5 sort of car... a souped up version of an entry-level sport/luxury car (the Skyline) whose base versions were always available in coupe and sedan form. I think the GT-R version was always a coupe, but there were other versions in between the base and GT-R models that you could get as a sedan. Like an inline-6 turbo RWD version.
It makes sense, and a sedan would be good differentiation from the GT-R.
Franz @ Feb 18th 2008 3:50PM
I said this in a previous blog. This is the only way I can see it making sense for Infiniti. Do you guys remember the Nissan Intima concept? I'd like to see something like that with the GT-R's running gear in it:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/nissan-intima-concept/
stefan @ Feb 18th 2008 4:00PM
The skyline GTR R33 autech was a sedan, and the first GTR was availible as a sedan. This would be probabley based on the G35 (skyline) or M35 (fuga).
the intima was the concept for the new teana (JDM maxima).
Franz @ Feb 18th 2008 4:14PM
I know it was. I'm just saying something with a basic shape like that... kinda CLS-esque... four door coupe is what the market is branding them nowadays... would make a great 4 door version of the GT-R for Infiniti. It wouldn't be too hard for Nissan to design that body or something similar around the FM platform.
Noe @ Feb 18th 2008 4:00PM
the beige one doesnt look half bad!! i'd rok it! lol sorry 17 yr old talking
Seoultrain @ Feb 18th 2008 4:20PM
Nice move. Fills two roles at once:
1. Infiniti's long-needed halo
2. ultra-performance sedan
Done (and priced) right, this will be a great car.
Too much Mitsubishi in the blue one's grille, and the beige looks more like a Maserati with Ferrari taillights. The real design will likely be better.
Gardiner Westbound @ Feb 18th 2008 4:33PM
I hope Infiniti doesn't catch the GM disease, where every division has to have a version of every model. Models proliferate until the brands become indistinct and none make money. The EX is priced so close to the FX it is already one brand too many
wrussi @ Feb 18th 2008 4:43PM
wasnt that how the skyline was over in japan? i think its stupid WHAT they should have done in the first place is introduce the GTR as an infiniti that would have given the car more brand name and therefore an increased demand.
hey at the end of the day i dont think i'll ever buy the sedan or coupe so who cares they can do whatever they want.
James @ Feb 18th 2008 4:45PM
except the FX doesn't appeal to most female drivers, which the EX is specifically targeted towards
Gardiner Westbound @ Feb 18th 2008 5:24PM
The wife loves her FX. I'm only allowed to drive it to the gas station, fill it up, get it washed, and drive straight home.
tkmedia @ Feb 18th 2008 6:00PM
Skip the sedan, add a estate (station wagon) version.
DIRETTORE @ Feb 18th 2008 6:16PM
* SWEEEET MOTHER GD!
SuperFantabulous! Sometimes 4 doors look better than 2 doors! Ie. Bentley Continental GT, Masterati Quatroporte. This will give the Maser a run for the money.
Steel makers have come a long way to compete with aluminum & now have lightweight steel products designed to be easy to use & repair.
Red @ Feb 18th 2008 6:31PM
Just a correction, but GT-Rs have not been available as sedans since the C10 in 1971, having been introduced only two years earlier. Skylines, the basic (and pretty slow) models were available as either coupe or sedan, but after the C10 coupe was introduced in 1972, GT-R trims have had two doors, including both R33 and R34. Not the four doors as was alluded to here (I think). The current Skyline is available as the Infiniti G sedan.
psarhjinian @ Feb 18th 2008 9:07PM
The FM would be stretched to offer four doors? Ummmm... Isn't the G35 sedan an FM derivative?
WillDaThrill @ Feb 18th 2008 10:47PM
NO, NO, NO!!!!!! Not every sports car needs a friggin family oriented four door. WTF are you thinking. Please stop, soccor moms drive SUV's damn you!
TBlueMax @ Feb 18th 2008 11:53PM
Heck, the last time this was discussed, I recall mentioning a CLS-type 4-door coupe w/GT-R drivetrain would be a good fit for Infiniti. Base it on the M-platform (a stretched FM if I recall correctly), reinforce the frame to handle the extra power, and market it as a halo vehicle for the brand. I guess I'm not the only one thinking the same thing.
Here's the post and comment from Feb 11, 2008:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/nissan-considering-infiniti-gt-r/
"Would make perfect sense to stuff the GT-R powerplant into an Infiniti 4-door coupe (i.e. CLS) and market it as the performance/luxury halo for the brand without competing with the Nissan GT-R."
Sillbeer @ Feb 19th 2008 1:39AM
Um, you're right about their being a 4-dr Skyline GT-R originally (the PGC10), but there was a very limited run of an R33 GT-R in 4-door guise done by Autech. This was based on the R33 sedan, but had R33 GT-R running gear and wider panels front and rear grafted on, and GT-R interior treatment:
http://www.gtchannel.com/files/aut1.jpg
http://www.gtchannel.com/files/aut2.jpg
A very rare car.
A 4-door version of the R35 though is an amusing concept though.
Cheers
Brendan
Zane @ Feb 19th 2008 1:42AM
Makes perfect sense to me. It'll be like the M3 sedan of the Nissan world. I can betcha they'd sell more Infiniti GT-RSs than Nissan GT-Rs.
GhostDoggy @ Feb 19th 2008 5:10AM
This is probably my #1 problem with today's automakers. Let's take a two-door car and family-ize it for the sake of marketing.
I do not have a family, but a wife. I have no need for more than two doors, and I love the original concept cars that went into production as two-door vehicles. Ba$tardozing it by adding family-access is just wrong.
I hated it when Chrysler did it to the 300 and then some other cars, and now Nissan wants to baby-stroller style coupes.