Nissan Skyline

See also Nissan Skyline GT-R

The Nissan Skyline is an intermediate-size automobile range sold in Japan and other countries.

ALSI-1

The first Skyline was introduced in 1955, under the Prince marque in Japan. It featured a 1.5 L (1482 cc) GA-4 engine producing 60 hp (44 kW). It used a de Dion tube rear suspension and was capable of 80 mph (130 km/h). Prince Skylines were produced as 4-door sedans and 5-door station wagons.

The Skyline also spawned pickup truck and van lines called the Prince Skyway.

ALSI-2

The Skyline was updated with quad headlights for 1957. This model was powerd by the same 1.5 L engine and was produced through 1961.

BLRA-3

The Skyline Sport featured hand-built Michelotti bodies in stylish coupe and convertible versions. These cars used the 1.9 L (1862 cc) GB-30 engine, producing 83 hp (61 kW). Only a few were built.

S50

In 1961, the S50 series was launched. This was the second generation car, and became one of the more desirable cars in Japan. It was powered by the G-1 engine, a 70 hp (52 kW) version of the old GA-4.

In 1966, Nissan and Prince merged and the S50 also appeared with Nissan Skyline badging. This model lasted in production through 1967.

S54

Prince created a racing Skyline, the S54, for 1965. Also called the 2000GT, it used the larger 6-cylinder G-7 engine from the Gloria S40, though the engine compartment needed modification to fit that long engine. There were two versions produced:

• S54A – 1988 cc G-7 single-carb I6, 106 hp (78 kW)
• S54B – 1988 cc G-7 triple-carb I6, 127 hp (94 kW)

The B model featured three Weber 40DCOE-18 carburetors, a limited slip differential, 5-speed manual transmission, and power brakes. Both the B and A used front disc brakes with dual pistons.

S57

The S50 Skyline was updated to become the S57 in 1967. It used a Nissan engine, the OHC 1.5 L (1487 cc) G15. At 88 hp (66 kW), it was the most-powerful engine in the Japanese 1500 cc class.

C10

The C10 series of 1968, probably developed by Prince, got Nissan badging. There was no Prince equivalent on the market. It used Nissan's 1.5 L OHC G15 I4 like the S57. A 1.8 L G18 version was also available.

2000GT

The following year, the GC10 2000GT got a longer front end to accommodate a 2.0 L (1998 cc) L20 I6 engine. 105 hp (78 kW) was available from this new engine.

GT-R

The first GT-R Skyline appeared in February 1969. Called the PGC-10 internally, it used the 2.0 L (1998 cc) S20 I6. This new engine produced 160 hp (119 kW), equal to the best sports cars of the time, and was similar to the GR8 engine used in the Nissan R380 racing car.

The GT-R began as a sedan, but a 2-door coupe version was introduced in March of 1971. The cars were stripped of unnecessary equipment to be as light as possible for racing, and the cars performed well at the track. The sedan racked up 33 victories in less than two years, and the coupe stretched this to 50 through 1972.

C110

The C110 generation was produced from 1972 through 1977. There were four versions of the car:

• 1600GT – 1.6 L G16 I4
• 1800GT – 1.8 L G18 I4
• 2000GT-X – 2.0 L L20 I6, 130 hp (96 kW)
• 2000GT-R – 2.0 L S20 I6, 160 hp (118 kW)

For export in the 1970s, the C110 and GC110 Skyline was sold as the Datsun K-series, with models such as the Datsun 160K, 180K and 240K.

GT-R

The Nissan Skyline GT-R hardtop arrived in 1973 but was not officially exported. Only 197 GT-Rs were produced, and this was the last GT-R for more than a decade.

C211

The succeeding C211 and GC211 of 1977 continued to split the Skyline range into basic and six-cylinder models, the latter with a longer front end. This line continued through 1981. The Datsun 240K variants continued for export.

The GT-ES replaced the GT-R with a turbocharged engine, the L20ET, This was the first turbo engine to power a Japanese production vehicle. One notable aspect of the turbo versions was that they were not intercooled and there was no form of blowoff valve. It was not until the R32 powered with the RD20DET arrived that a factory blowoff valve and intercooler were fitted.

Models:

• 1600TI – 1.6 L L16 I6
• 1800TI – 1.8 L L18 I6
• 2000GT – 2.0 L L20 I6, 130 hp (96 kW)
• 2000GT-ES – 2.0 L L20ET turbo I6, 140 hp (103 kW)

R30

The names were brought into line with the Japanese home market with the launch of the FJR30 series in 1981, which was built on a C31 Laurel platform. The FJR30 was available in 2 and 4 door sedans as well as a 4 door hatchback and wagon version. The wagon was the ugly duckling of the range with different headlights and no turbo version available. The 2 door version had pillarless doors and the unusual feature of electric roll-down quarter windows for the rear seat passengers. The 4 door had traditional framed door windows.

Models:

• 1800TI – 1.8 L Z18 SOHC I4, 105 hp (77 kW)
• 2000GT/EX – 2.0 L L20E SOHC I6
• 2800GT – 2.8 L L28E SOHC I6
• 2000GT-EX – 2.0 L L20ET turbo I6, 140 hp (103 kW)
• RS – 2.0 L FJ20DE DOHC I4, 150 hp (110 kW)
• RS-X – 2.0 L FJ20DET DOHC turbo I4, 190 to 205 hp (140 to 151 kW)

1983

The 1983 R30 version now sported four wheel disc brakes and various engines, the best models being the twin cam 4 cylinder turbo FJ20 or the single cam 6 cylinder turbo LT20ET. Although making about the same power, the FJ-engined version was more of a racer with out as many heavy extras on the car (electric windows, air conditioning, etc). Nissan Glorias and laurels also used the LT series engines as well as some diesel variants.

R31

The HR31 Skyline of 1985 was a natural evolution on the HR30 shape and featured RB-series straight-6 engines, which would go on to make this car a legend with drivers all over the world. The design was slightly larger and more square than previous Skylines.

The R31 Skyline was also produced in Australia, with a 3.0 motor available in sedan or wagon form, as well as a four-cylinder version called the Nissan Pintara. The wagon had the same front style as the coupe and sedan—the only difference being that it lacked the four round brake lights that had been a consistent element of Skyline design. These cars were manufactured in Australia due to the heavy import laws which made it expensive to bring cars into Australia. They were also sold in South Africa in small numbers.

The R31 Skyline introduced many new techologies and features that were improved upon in later models. The HR31 was the first Skyline to be equiped with the new RB-series of engines. Also new to the lineup was the Diesel-powered variants, using Nissan's RD28, a 2.8 straight-6 engine. Another technological first for the R31 was the introduction of Nissan's proprietary 4-wheel steering system, dubbed HICAS (High Capacity Active Steering). The R31 series were also the only models in the Skyline family to feature a 4-door hardtop variation. These models were generally badged as the Passage GT.

Models:

• 1800I – 1.8 L CA18 DOHC I4, 100 hp (75 kW)
• Passage GT – 2.0 L RB20DE DOHC I6
• Passage GT – 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 180 hp (132 kW)
• GTS – 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 180 hp (132 kW)
• GTS-X – 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 190 hp (140 kW)
• GTS-R – 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 210 hp (154 kW)

R32

The BNR32 Skyline debuted in May 1989, beginning the revitalization of the model. This series was available as either a hardtop 2-door or 4-door sedan/saloon. It would feature several potent version of the RB-series straight-6 engines as well as an 1800 cc 4 cylinder GXE model. HICAS four wheel steering was available on most models, with the rear wheeels beeing hydraulically linked to the front steering.

R32 Models:

• GXi – 1.8 L CA18I I4
• GTS – 2.0 L RB20E I6
• GTS – 2.0 L RB20DE I6 (more common)
• GTS25 – 2.5 L RB25DE DOHC I6, 180 hp (132 kW)
• GTS-t – 2.0 L RB20DET turbo I6, 212 hp (156 kW)
• GTS4 – 2.0 L RB20DET turbo I6 (4WD)
• GT-R – 2.6 L RB26DETT turbo I6, 280 hp (206 kW)

The R32 also came in M spec level which had bigger brakes, bigger alloy wheels and leather bound steering wheel/handbrake/gearstick. Most Turbo R32s were M spec but a few were not—these had larger brakes than the non-turbos but smaller than the M spec.

Also based on the Skyline platform was the A31 Cefiro and C33 Laurel. All 3 cars are very popular in Japan (and other countries to which they are imported secondhand) for drift racing. In Japan, the RB engine is often swaped for an SR20DET (4 cylinder turbo) to make the car better balanced.

GT-R

Also new was a twin-turbo Skyline GT-R model with ceramic turbochargers, all-wheel steering, all wheel drive, and 280 hp (206 kW) at 6800 rpm. In reality, the RB26DETT engine produced more power than this, but it was not stated as there was a "gentlemens agreement" between the major japanese car makers not to produce production vehicles exceeding 206 kW (276 hp). This was also the first model since 1973 to have the GT-R badge. The GT-R had Super HICAS which was a more advanced four wheel system using electric actuators and a computer to control the system.

The GT-R also had a larger intercooler, larger brakes, and aluminum front wheel arches and bonnet. Apart from wearing the GT-R badge, other distinguishing features include wider front and rear wheel arches (also applies for the R33 and R34 GTR models) and a small grille under the flat bonnet. Inside was much the same as other models except that race seats were fitted, the turbo boost gauge and digital clock was removed from inside the instrument cluster. The clock was relocated to the left of the steering wheel into the instrument surround. Inside the instrument cluster the clock was replaced with a torque meter that indicated how much torque was being dellivered to the front wheels (0%-50%), beneath the climate control 3 auxiliary gauges were also fitted, oil temp, voltage and turbo boost.

This model soon earned the name Godzilla, for its impressive performance on the track. The R32 GT-R was introduced in the Australian Bathurst 1000 touring-car race to compete against Holden and Ford V8 saloons. However, the GT-R's impressive successes sounded the death knell of Group A Touring Car racing; with the formula being scrapped soon after. The HR32 GT-R Skylines also featured Super HICAS, the same type of 4 wheel steer the R33 model was to get.

R33

The slightly heavier R33 Skyline was introduced in August 1993 available as a 2 and 4 door, after the R32 ceased production in February. All models were 6 cylinder. Nissan took the unusual step of only fitting the single cam engine in the GTS model, the twincam that was in the R32 gts was discontinued. Some models came equiped with Super HICAS which is a computer-controlled four wheel steering system with a small electric motor on the rear differential. The RB25DE and RB25DET engines also got NVCS Nissan Variable Cam System on the inlet cam. This should not be confused with VTEC-type cam timing, as NVCS only adjusts the rotation of the cam and does not alter the lift or duration of the valves. NVCS engines can be identified from non NVCS RB engines by the cam gear cover—the NVCS RB has a bulge on the cam gear cover, at the end of the inlet cam. Another first for skylines came with the intorduction of a very rare 4 door GTR, this was released to celebrate nissans 40th anniversary. Two versions were avaiable of the 4 door GTR, the first from Autech (a nissan tuning subsidary) and another also from Autech but also worked by Nismo which is nissans race tuning department.

A wagon based on the R33 platform was released in September 1996, called the Stagea. It had a different body style than the R33 and was only available with an automatic transmission with the exception of the RS FOUR variant. This is the only four wheel drive manual transmission Nissan with the RB25DET engine. Presumably, a 5 speed 4WD Skyline equipped with an RB25DET would have been too close in performance the the much more expensive GT-R.

R33 models:

• HR33 GTS – 2.0 L RB20E SOHC I6
• ECR33 GTS25 – 2.5 L RB25DE DOHC I6, 190 hp (140 kW)
• ENR33 GTS-4 – 2.5 L RB25DE DOHC I6, 190 hp (140 kW)
• ECR33 GTS25T – 2.5 L RB25DET DOHC turbo I6, 255 hp (188 kW)
• BNCR33 GT-R – 2.6 L RB26DETT DOHC twin-turbo I6, 280 hp (206 kW)
• GT-R LM – 2.6 L RB26DETT DOHC twin-turbo I6, 305 hp (224 kW)
• 400R – 2.8 L RBX-GT2 DOHC twin-turbo I6, 400 hp (294 kW)

1995

The R33 Skyline (series 2) continued the concepts introduced in the R32, and furthered them. Driver airbags became standard in 1995, they were an option up until this time. The ignition system was also changed, with the ignition module no longer located on the cam covers. The turbo was also given a plastic compressor wheel. Throughout the time the R33 was produced there were quite a number of different styled lights and bumpers fitted, the actual body never changed. The R33 ceased production in February 1997.

GT-R

The BNCR33 GT-R version also had the same RB26DETT engine that the BNR32 was equiped with, although torque had been improved.1995 saw the GT-R get an improved version of the RB26DETT, the ATESSA-ETS all wheel drive system, and Super HICAS all-wheel steering. A limited edition model was created in 1996, called the NISMO 400R, that produced 400 hp (298 kW).

R34

In May 1998 the HR/ER/ENR34 addressed many of the concerns over the change from the R32 to the R33, with focused emphasis on sportiness.

Models:

• R34GT – 2.0 L RB20DE I6, 140 hp (103 kW)
• 25GT-V – 2.5 L RB25DE I6, 193 hp (142 kW)
• 25GT/25GT-X – 2.5 L RB25DE I6, 193 hp (142 kW)
• 25GT-t – 2.5 L RB25DET turbo I6, 280 hp (206 kW)

GT-R

In 1999, a revised chassis and incremental updates to the GT-R model proved once and for all that the R34 was one of the fastest all-around cars in the world. It has held many track records and won many JGTC championships.

V35

The Skyline is presently on its eleventh generation, the V35 series, which debuted in June 2001, and is sold in the North America as the Infiniti G35 and in Japan as the Nissan V35 Skyline, available in a rear wheel drive coupe or sedan. The 350GT8 is equipped with the "Extroid" CVT gearbox, and has an 8-speed +/- mode.

The new Skyline goes against the grain of previous models as Nissan have replaced the straight-6 RB series engine with the V6 VQ30DE/VQ35DE. Nissan has also left a turbo version out of the lineup. Nissan's series of turbo RB engines has developed a cult-like following with many bolt-on upgrades from Japanese race part suppliers like HKS and APEXi. Time will tell if the new generation Skyline and its engines do as well.

Models:

• 250Gte/GT/GT Four – 2.5 L VQ25DE V6, 215 hp (158 kW)
• 300GT – 3.0 L VQ30DE V6, 260 hp (191 kW)
• 350GT/GT8 – 3.5 litre VQ35DE V6, 280 hp (206 kW)

Films

The Skylines were in the movies The Fast and the Furious (R33) and the sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious (R34 GT-R). Also, was shown in the prelude in both DVDs of the two movies.

Trivia

The Skylines were known as "The Battle God Of Sports Car". Some people in the United States purchased or tried to purchased Skylines from Japan. Actor Paul Walker, who was in Fast And The Furious and the sequel owns one that costs him about $110,000 to send from Japan.

External links

• Skylines Australia ~ Greatest Skyline Resource on the net.
• Skyline History at JBSkyline.net
• G35 Driver – North American Enthusiast Website
• R31 Skyline Club ~ Information on R31 Skylines and RB motors
• Nissan Skyline pictures and pics