Nissan Skyline GT-R R35 Concept Photos

Originally posted by Chris
Personally, I think they should be able to make a GT-R profitable. Look at the Honda S2000, 5000 cars and making money. SO it can be done.

You do know that Honda doesn't earn money by producing S2000. The R&D money is re-gained when other models uses some of the technology developed for S2000. Last year Honda sold almost 10000 S2000 so much about the 5000 a year plan. The market was mostly in the US market whereas rest of world have turn cold.

Originally posted by Skyline R35
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p7d642bb2219395ee4f942c86bff14747/fe2b029b.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p57d6850cec1e64952d140b8ef79a34c8/fe2b028b.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/pa1a6bf331b29b2aaf643e46af3702cb4/fe2b0287.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p3b7674277def049d38147bb7ca72963c/fe2b0221.jpg.orig.jpg

hope the pix work, and sorry for the large size

You didn't happen to post it on Superhonda did you? I saw those pics about 6 months ago. By the way you should go apply at Nissan.

i dont like those wheels

yeah, i think we did post some pix of my friend's model on that site, mine might have been there as well. his was an acura concept, here's a shot, the quality of the pic isnt as good tho....

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p9b4a4ced8422859e0296810ebc30c6aa/fe2ad5f6.jpg.orig.jpg

about my wheels, well, i should have came up with my own design, i know... but i'm in love with the TE37's, so i tried to replicate those..

Everything is under speculation. It is true that Nissan was in trouble prior to the buy-in by Renault (60-40 split). To say that they got in trouble mainly due to different platforms is not all true. A lagging economy, worser than the US (review economics in Japan since the economic bubble burst during the late 80s) more than likely accelerated decline in profit margins in all sectors. We witnessed unprecedented layoffs (unheard of before), bankruptcies by major firms, major corporate scandals, improper management and mismanagement, etc. What came about from 1997 to present during the aftermath is more relaxation of foreign firms operating in Japan, making it more hospitable to foreign corporate takeovers/buyouts/bailouts of what had been traditionally Japanese-owned business. We saw that with the heavy influx of banking/investment powerhouses, like Merrill-Lynch and the introduction of Citibank. In summary, there aren't that many big Japanese businesses left that aren't co-managed/co-invested by foreign money and management teams. With that came new ideas (thinking outside the box; efficiency assessments, et al) and the push for efficiency in areas that can most benefit from it (shedding off tired platforms, eradicating holdover depts where automization can do the job, harnessing new technology, etc.) Nissan is in that mode now.

As to chassis sharing, Nissan has been sharing chassis with many of their lines previous to the Renault marriage. Case in point is the S13/S14/S15 line, whether it be Silvia/180SX. Also, let's look at the Skyline family- plain old Skyline, Skyline GT, Skyline GTS-t, and GT-R. Even the Stagea (stationwagon on steroids) shared the same chassis. Leopard and Laurel. We can go on and on. It should also be stated that all of the cars have shared popularity with many segments of the Japanese market, and that the market analysis folks in Japan have done a great job on finding out what the customers on their home turf want.

In summary (again), everybody is on the efficiency trip (as should be; an edict to good business practice). Moppie, I agree with you on the sharing of same basic underlying platform and reskinning. Anything else is merely speculation. Good business practice also tells you don't shoot your show-winning horse (GT-R sales have always been good), and don't try to feed your specialized market what you feed to the mases (GT-R isn't meant for everybody; never was) or you soon lose them to someone else (BMW M3). We in Japan have not been told RB26DETT is a dead option, and Junya across the street at Nissan Red Stage in Nagatsuta (got a kick-a$$ JTCC R34 in the showroom) tells me likewise.

Dale
SKR Performance

Well, they certainly kept this one quiet! The surprise star of last week's Tokyo Motor Show was Nissan's next-generation GT-R sports car. Only hours before its debut, the company wouldn't confirm its supercar was waiting in the wings.
But with the silver paintwork barely dry, Nissan president Carlos Ghosn unveiled the flagship concept. Rest assured it will be built, and when it hits Europe, probably in two years, will be badged GT-R. The familiar Skyline name won't appear as that's reserved for a four-door model, the 300 GT. That goes on sale in the US next year and should come to Europe in 2003.

As with previous GT-Rs, the latest model has a huge front airdam and grille, plus Ferrari-style tail lights. Other features, including the headlights, are from Nissan's 350Z coupé. The company remained tight-lipped about mechanical details, and there may be a good reason for that. The GT-R will face tough competition from Japanese rival Honda, which is set to replace the NSX with a new model that may be powered by the hi-tech petrol/electric hybrid system used by the Dual Note car seen in last week's issue. Rumours are rife that Nissan plans an electrically assisted mechanical set-up for the

GT-R, as this would beat Japanese engine output rules by using electric power. Lightweight motors mounted in the wheel hubs will not only increase output, but also aid traction. On a more conventional note, a company source hinted that in place of the current

GT-R's 2.6-litre straight-six, the newcomer will boast a tuned version of the 350Z's 3.5-litre V6 with twin-turbos pumping out more than 400bhp. The computerised four-wheel drive of the current model remains, and a seven-speed CVT gearbox is planned.

source: autoexpress.co.uk

again... nothing but speculation

Good point Da Hawxxx with regards to the electrical hybrids. As everyone knows with the current Japanese law of 280hp max from the factory, using electrical assistance is a loophole. Of course, I am certain with the right tuning, the petrol side of the house can be tapped for more horses, but then again, doing that could potentially upset the balance between the electrical side and the petrol side. What do I know, I'm not an electrical engineer.I suppose we are at the dawn of a new era of tuning. I know that the electrics do kick a$$, as witnessed at Pikes Peak (you don't need to take into consideration the atmosphere, etc when running on electric) when the electrical entrants just wailed on the forced induction guys.

I suppose someone versed in the area of hybrids could help shed light on this subject.

Dale
SKR

Just had a thought about the engine choice discussion...

Nissan is really proudly pushing their 'front-midship' (FM) configuration, where the engine is located behind the front suspension, but in front of the driver. A V-6 would obviously fit well into such a small sandwiched space (and hence the short hood length) but wouldn't an RB inline-6 negate this whole FM promotion? Yes, it would fit (if a V-8 can be shoehorned into a Miata, then this can be done) but the balance and weight distribution of the car would change.

Nissan's new Altimas, 350Zs, Stageas, and G35/Skyline GTs all use the same new corporate chassis from the XVL concept car, and all use the same VQ-series motor. The GT-R will probably end up with the same underpinnings, mechanical and structural, but with reinforcements and power adders for 'GT-R duty'. And that's not a bad thing at all. The RB was heaven-sent, but the VQ is a really nicely developed powerplant, as well.

GT-R isn't meant for everybody; never was BY Shin-Kai Racing

Good point, guess it's soo true......... GT-R just isn't ment for me ;)

Originally posted by Shin-Kai Racing
Good point Da Hawxxx with regards to the electrical hybrids. As everyone knows with the current Japanese law of 280hp max from the factory, using electrical assistance is a loophole.

Its not a LAW. Its a voluntary gentlemens agreement with in the manufactors. There is nothing stopping them from breacking it, and its pretty common knowledge that if you dyno a R34 GTR, or a 22B inpreza, or a new WRX STI or an EVO VII you will find there more than 280hp at the crank.
Even the NSX has 300hp in its latest form.

tell that to the guys at autoexpress, feeling kinda offended

Originally posted by Da Hawxxx
tell that to the guys at autoexpress, feeling kinda offended

:confused: Don't be offened by it, its a common miss conception.

Ooooh kay, Moppie. I guess my being a half-Japanese native who works and lives part of the year in Yokohama and with the automotive aftermarket parts folks doesn't qualify my statement that 280hp is all that you will see posted as for hp figures on an all petrol-powered performance car you buy off the lot in Japan without doing the aftermarket tuning you need to crack open the bottle to unleash the dormant hps lying in wait (a lot of words there).

Explain it to me when I take my car to the Land Tax Office (LTO) for inspection and they nail me for for anything posted over 280 on the dyno that I didn't give them knowledge of beforehand (mandatory requirement of taking your car to the LTO for any mods done over factory). A gentlemen's agreement, you say.

There's no law for being over 280hp, but you better damn sure take your car in to have the shaken (paperwork) adjusted and pay your fees for the change or you will be penalized. I don't agree with it, but it is the law.

Dale
SKR Performance

Then how does Honda explain a 300hp NSX?
I think your getting confused with having a factory car with 300hp and having a modified car that used to have say only 250hp and now has 350hp.
The factory car with more than 280hp is quite legal, but the car modified from stock needs the extra paperwork.
Otherwise how does Ferrari sell cars there? or does this law only a apllie to the domestics? In which case how do you explain the R35s and EVO VII all having more than 280hp at the flywheel? (which I have seen on standard cars imported here.)

There is no law that says the manufactures have to keep their cars under 280hp (it is a gentlemans agreement). However if you have a car with hp over what the manufacture has listed then you have to pay a tax on it. Now that is law.

No matter what country taxes are taxes and they are a part of the lab:(

Originally posted by R35
There is no law that says the manufactures have to keep their cars under 280hp (it is a gentlemans agreement). However if you have a car with hp over what the manufacture has listed then you have to pay a tax on it. Now that is law.


Thank, you. You put it far clearer than I could.

It been prophersied in most of the magazines that the gentlemans agreement won't last much longer.
Technology has reached a point where 280hp is too easy to each, and they are getting tired of just smothing out the Torqie curve.
I would expect the new GTR to be in the 300hp+ range, and that all the other manufactors will follow suit.
The age of the true Japanese super car is about to be upon us, everything before was just getting the technology sorted, and preparing the market palce for cars that will be able to compete head to head with the greats like Ferrari and porshe not only in terms of measured performance (which they now come pretty close to) but also in terms of driver involvment, and in asthetic apeal. (which is something the likes of Ferrari have always been best at).
Only the Japanese cars will be cheaper, more reliable and more avliable to the masses. (alibit the rich ones. :D )

Originally posted by Shin-Kai Racing
Personally, I like the RB26DETT, and yes, it will fit. Anything else will be a pain in the a$$ to work on with very limited room. I can imagine that you'd need a trained moneky to access areas where humans could not without completely removing the engine. Heh! Heh!

Dale
SKR Performance



I like the new concept. It needs a RB26DETT. Besides, this is the engine that powers all GTRs. A V6 just doesn't seem right. Maybe it's just me. I hope Nissan sticks with its 1000+HP capable motor. :toothless

About the 280 gentlemen rule, i don't know much, but i know that the BMW's M3's stock is 333, and m5's are 394, so they aren't really agreeing to it. Also, all the AMG Benz are more than 300, around 300-370 maybe. The Lexus GS is also at the 300 hp mark, but those cars are heavy....so i guess that cancels out. Still, i hope it will be more than 280....

This is what I remember however if I am wrong then please correct me.

Basically it states this; The Japanese government doesn't want Japanese manufacture to advertise cars with over 280ps. For many reasons such as environmental and safety etc. However it doesn't mean they can't produce cars over 280ps. All the japanese supercars have over 280ps.
There has been 3 cars that have broken this mutal agreement. One was a limited amount Skyline race car that had 400+hp. The other being Honda NSX. The last one happen recently with the introduction of Nissan Cima(Q45). Traditonally Japanese manufacture have complain because rest of the world's supercar doesn't get effected by this mutal agreement. One of their concerns was being shorthanded on marketing. Dodge etc could market the Viper for it's full 450hp while Japanese manfucature can't.

Also one more thing there is another way around the 280ps Gentleman agreement which is through eletric motors. That's why you see Nissan and Honda making hybrid concept supercars. The hp generate from electric motor doesn't have to be included in the 280ps. Therefore allowing the Japanese manufacture to change their marketing to better position themselves.

The German manufactors also have a gentle agreement right? stock cars won't pass 250 km/h ( about 160 m/h i believe ) only Porsche is breaking that agreement, i believe AMG and M too.

I think the german agreement only applies to sedans, and lesser models. (if there is such a thing) Mostly for cars that dont have the areodynamics for extremly high speed travel.
Its more to stop them getting in trouble if people get carried away and fly off the road at 300kmh in thier new 540i :)

To clarify my point- when I bought my R32 GT-R (new), as well as my R33 GT-R (new) (both gone from the stable now), hp rating on the paperwork was 280hp. Yes, I do agree, there was plenty more underneath the hood, and I don't think myself or the dealer were fooled by paper hp rating. As R35 states and as I stated, anything done to extract the additional ponies trapped underneath the guise of say, emissions control, etc. must be documented and paperwork must be filed with LTO in Japan to stay legal. I found out the hard way as a dumba$$ just once (isn't it funny how your friends never say anything to you with regards to a hazard until after the fact? Everyone's a critic/subject matter expert on things that don't happen to them), but I didn't go down that road again with my pants down.

At this point, I think we're flogging a dead horse.

Here's something interesting to read:

Sure, many in Japan still do mods and don't document, but these are the same guys who go through the painstaking measures of removing all aftermarket goodies and reinstalling the OEM pieces prior to inspection in order to try to get by on the cheap. These same guys end up going back through the effort of removing the OEM pieces and then reinstalling the aftermarket stuff. As of late, the omari-san (police)have been roving around in packs with roadblock stuff and a van full of tools and corraling the late night car meet folks and doing on the spot inspections on cars (don't try to haul a$$; you will get chased down by the guys on superbikes). Cars found with undocumented mods have the mods removed there right on the spot courtesy of the cop-provided "detuning" staff. If your car is rendered immobile, oh well, you get fined for that, the illegal mod and you get to also pay the tow fee and the impound fee, as well as your court fees. The reason for the crackdown is because of the increase in vehicle/vehicle-related deaths found mostly with modded cars, stupid bench racers, wangan runners who can't judge the inversely proportional relationship of speed/distance/time and stationary/slow-moving objects.

Dale
SKR

Dont you hate it when dumbasses are stupid and ruin it for the rest of us???
Look at Germany. on the Autobahn, there are less deaths per distance travelled than on the Interstates, or on average all the country's roads.
And they drive up insurance rates, etc,etc, :(

and a seven-speed CVT gearbox is planned

CVT's dont have gears, they are CONTINOUSLY VARIABLE. You may be able to select certain 'ratios' (belt length and pulley size), but it is not REALLY gears.

7-sp? wow

In Malaysia, it's always easy to mod a car and get it approved by the authority. No fixed rule. But as far as I know certain things are not allowed namely, engine swaps may be made but engine mounting muat be the same - no welding etc. The general rule is that the safety aspects must also be improved proportionately to the increase ion power ie brakes must be chaneged, suspension upgraded. Noise level from the exhaust is also limited to a certain dB.
But hell, enforcement is so lacking over here that almost all modded cars do not have approval:D As opposed to the Japanese authorities, the authority over here can't for their life differentiate a turbo from a air filter:hehehe: All they know is whether an exhaust is too loud or the spoiler is too big or whether the tinted glass is too dark! And to them the fastest car on the planet is a Porsche! Everytime you are stopped for speeding you will be asked "can this car go any faster than a Porsche?" If you go to the station to pay your fine, the officer will ask "is your car a Porsche?". The other day I was filling up at a petrol kiosk and 2 officers came and asked "is this a Skyline? Is it faster than a Porsche?" (that was an improvement because they actually know it is a Skyline! But the Porsche question will always be there!!:eek:
Some of them can be cheeky. My friend was stopped in his F355 doing about 160kph (1oomph) and the officer asked why he was not doing 260kph like a Porsche!
So, if you drive a Porsche here, your the king and won't be stopped for anything!

Originally posted by R33
In Malaysia, it's always easy to mod a car and get it approved by the authority. No fixed rule. But as far as I know certain things are not allowed namely, engine swaps may be made but engine mounting muat be the same - no welding etc. The general rule is that the safety aspects must also be improved proportionately to the increase ion power ie brakes must be chaneged, suspension upgraded. Noise level from the exhaust is also limited to a certain dB.
But hell, enforcement is so lacking over here that almost all modded cars do not have approval:D As opposed to the Japanese authorities, the authority over here can't for their life differentiate a turbo from a air filter:hehehe: All they know is whether an exhaust is too loud or the spoiler is too big or whether the tinted glass is too dark! And to them the fastest car on the planet is a Porsche! Everytime you are stopped for speeding you will be asked "can this car go any faster than a Porsche?" If you go to the station to pay your fine, the officer will ask "is your car a Porsche?". The other day I was filling up at a petrol kiosk and 2 officers came and asked "is this a Skyline? Is it faster than a Porsche?" (that was an improvement because they actually know it is a Skyline! But the Porsche question will always be there!!:eek:
Some of them can be cheeky. My friend was stopped in his F355 doing about 160kph (1oomph) and the officer asked why he was not doing 260kph like a Porsche!
So, if you drive a Porsche here, your the king and won't be stopped for anything!

so what do you drive?

As stated in his story, R33 drives an R33 GTR.....

So if you drive a Porsche they won't give you speeding tickets?

Put a sticker on your R33 that says: 'I EAT PORSCHE'S FOR BREAKFAST'

;)


But ehm, lil'question, have someone seen the concept GTR in REAL life?

It can be just as bad over here. People think Vipers are the masters of the universe. They also think hummers are bitchin-fast.
One guy thinks his Ford Power Stroke is super-fast. He had the dumbassedness (can we make that a word??) to suggest it would be faster than a 200hp 323 GTX (0-60 in low 6s). Oh well. Life goes on:rolleyes:

Welcome to my world Chris, I live in kentucky and if I was lucky enough to have a GTR here, people would pull up next to me in trucks with glasspacks and rev it up. Also all the wanna be street racers in camerys with no mods accept for a tip big enough to fit my head into would pull up and try to run me. Oh well, to bad I don't have a GTr or I'd spank um all :D

lmao Gonthrax. I know the feeling---I'm in Tulsa, OK. I'd have a bunch of hicks w/ their glasspacks in their 1970 Ford Pickups trying to rev at me! They'd probably think I was driving a "kit-car" or something. There are so many people here that I do SCCA racing with that don't know what the Skyline GT-R is. I've even been asked what model of Honda my 240SX is! Damn this state sucks when it comes to cool cars.

well guys if i could actually modify my car i would because it only has 69 bhp and a top speed of 100 mph.... my sentra can however eat old minivans for lunch and compete with grandma anyday:D i might just go and have an identity crisis and put a GT-R emblem on the front grille and try to pass it off as an R-31...people where i live don't know about Skylines other than the ones in Gran-Turismo...then i'd see my car on the home page of www.beaterz.com or something

69 hp, stunning!

I so want a crappy-looking car, so I can blow away hicks in trucks. That would taste soooo sweet.

and the bad thing is that before i thought that it had at least 105 bhp or something:o

Well, maybe the massive carbon deposits in the engine has bumped the compression, helping you to make a little more power:D

true i need a tuneup and maybe some NOS(N2O) in there to make it fast...could also be that it's a 2 door lightweight sedan....i wonder does anybody have a modified 1988 Nissan Sentra around here? :D

Hey folks-

I was talking to Nissan insiders this past weekend (in Japan), and I am convinced that we're going to see the RB26DETT for a long time. I know there are folks out there who will say otherwise, but we shall see.

Dale
SKR Performance

Located somewhere under the sun

Thats good to hear:)

Originally posted by Shin-Kai Racing
Hey folks-

I was talking to Nissan insiders this past weekend (in Japan), and I am convinced that we're going to see the RB26DETT for a long time. I know there are folks out there who will say otherwise, but we shall see.

Dale
SKR Performance

Located somewhere under the sun

Weren't they testing a 3.5L TwinTurbo engine? It was said to put out in excess of 400+hp.

Car manufacturers always have something going on with design/test of things such as engine platforms, structures, ergonomics. Playing with these does not necessarily mean that is what we'll see as a production model/option. In the automotive industry, things are designed and tested oftentimes 2-3 years in advance prior to any release. This allows them to do many types of analysis, such as cost, efficiency, durability, drive-to-failure, etc. The RB26DETT is a proven platform. If they modify it in anyway, add new features, etc., it would not surprise me.

I'm just happy to hear that the US is "under heavy consideration" for the GT-R. Off the record, I think foreign car makers have realized that the US is ready for performance-based vehicles on par with what is in Japan and Europe. We have demonstrated over the past 10 years that we are worthy and can support the burgeoning sports car market. I think the next move needs to come from our banking sector to bring about a 10-12 year car loan that will allow most of us to obtain financing to be able to buy what each of us thinks is the best out there. If the Japanese and Euro carmakers see this, we will see more from them. Of course we have DOT to contend with, but we've all have lived with DOT for years. So what if my R35 will carry an additional 250-300 pounds of stuff the DOT deemed was necessary to ensure my safety and the safety of the environment, as long as you don't give me the "second best option".

Dale
SKR

Made a video of what I saw at the Tokyo Motor Show 2001:

www.TokyoDV.com/motorshowvideo

There's a clip of the GT-R, but my favorite is the Benz F400..

Enjoy when you have time..

Freedom

Those were good, thanks!:flash:

TokyoDv, I love you man, those were excellent videos! Especially those Dunlop girls singing and dancing to my favorite Puffy song, "Nagisa ni matsuwaru etc"! Priceless! Kani tabe ikou...

The Merc looks like a batmobile. The BMW M3 CSL can't be beat.

Jinushuan,

I'm glad you liked them!.. I tried to capture that uniquely Japanese cute and cuddley feel.. The Dunlop Girls tippify that..

Thanks again for the feedback!

TokyoDV

www.TokyoDV.com

You know what would be a great idea, visiting the major international car shows: Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Detroit. And maybe New York as well. I plan to do this in the near future (after college?). Maybe I'll time my BMW purchase and do a European delivery to match the Frankfurt show. :D

I've even been asked what model of Honda my 240SX is! Damn this state sucks when it comes to cool cars.

96SECHICK, I know what you mean. I live in Norman, OK and I have had about a dozen people ask me what kind of Honda or Acura my car is. To top it off, one of the people who asked owned an SE-R. I think that it is because around hear people think that the only car imported from Japan is a civic. I have pointed out to several people that Toyota and Lexus are the same but they still think that a Lex is European.

Damn redneck hillbillies.

Originally posted by G20t Driver
Damn redneck hillbillies.

LMAO. I agree with you sooooo much on that one!!! :bandit:

Ugh, are there still parts of the U.S. stuck in the stone age? Where I used to reside near one of the Southern California import racing heartlands, this problem had finally passed on by the mid-90's, but I guess there are still some areas lacking. I even remember a cop once long ago referring to my 200SX as a 'modified Honda'. These days in my area, cops can pick out everything from a J-spec front clip converted Integra, to legal Greddy exhaust systems.

WE are behind the stone age! It can be utterly pathetic. Which can be good (if I rip out a cat, they will be none the wiser!:D )

Yes, some people around here are still in the Stone Age. Namely, the ones that drive 70's and 80's pickup trucks and camaros(that would also be the majority of the cops). Cops here are pretty dumb, you could do anything to your car and tell them it came that way. Turbochargers were once illegal here if it didn't come on the car stock, but since there were more and more production cars with turbos they couldn't tell if it was stock or not. They finally legalized it and found other dumb things to ticket for.

About the Skyline concepts, I believe that all the concepts are quite overwhelming to all of us. We all love the new looks and also dislike them, but I believe if Nissan has created the great cars we have right now, that we do not have to worry about the new generation of Skyline's coming out in the near future. Unless they start to go and make it into an economy car. Then we have the right to be upset...

The original skyline had 4 doors, and was really a POS (This was 30 some years ago, though).

For those interested, you can find some official info on the Infiniti G35 from the Infiniti website at www.infiniti.com.

:coolguy: :coolguy:

The rear end looks different and something about the front... Does not scream Skyline. Screams "I'm a redesigned Maxima". Sorry, just my thoughts.

Dale
SKR

I'm siding with S-K. It's NOT a Skyline GT-R. It looks like Nissan took some leftover sheet metal, hammered it together, welded it up, and said 'hey, let's make this hunk into a car.'

It being the Skyline, you know that it's going to be their most powerful car, period. There's no option otherwise, unless they want to KILL the Skyline. It has a reputation.

Now, people were screaming "IT'S COMING TO THE US" over the LHD. Allow me to point something out - LHD is optional in Australia, there are still some Asian countries which are LHD or allow LHD, and all of Germany is and remains LHD. Not to mention Mexico and some countries south of the US. In short, LHD does not directly equate to US market.

Besides, we ALL know what happens if it comes to the US market. It'll be de-balled to pass emissions, making it another target for Corvettes. Which will let the scam-artist import companies make a bundle selling stupid pieces to at least make it look 'faster.' *sigh*

Why can't they just leave the body alone and make improvements to the chassis?! I *LIKE* the four door R34! :P

There is no R35 Skyline - it's called the V35; cos of the V6 engine I guess.

The GTR concept is not a Skyline, and won't be even when/if it enters production - it's just retaining the GTR name, not the Skyline name.

The bit that implies that Nissan will market it in the US isn't the fact that the concept car is LHD - it's the fact that on the Nissan website it talks about widening the market: "Nissan will continue building the GT-R in the 21st Century, providing the ultimate driving pleasure to even more people worldwide. In its next generation Nissan is looking to introducing the GT-R in other markets worldwide."

The V35 is the Skyline GT sedan. The chassis designation for the GT-R should still be undisclosed to the public, but who cares, it's not wrong to call it R35; after all a concept is a concept--nothing's etched in stone just yet.

Originally posted by Shin-Kai Racing
The rear end looks different and something about the front... Does not scream Skyline. Screams "I'm a redesigned Maxima". Sorry, just my thoughts.

Agreeable, but I believe that's what Carlos Ghosn actually wants. He has stated time and again that the current cars from Nissan are technologically acceptable, but far too uninspiring in appearance. To most of us the R34 GT-R is one of the most aggessive looking cars, but if you compare the body to the competition, it does look somewhat dated, and like a family car (hence the presence of the sedan counterpart). You don't see a sedan Supra or NSX sharing body lines with a sedate sedan sibling in the lineup.

Now the GT-R concept shows the huge difference between the sedan and coupe bodies. They even went as far as to create a somewhat fastback design on the GT-R to distinguish itself. Therefore, it makes sense that the concept doesn't "scream Skyline". Kind of sad, but not unreasonable.