It’s Almost Here…. Get ready for Japan’s Corvette, the Nissan GT-R PROTO
AUTOWEEK
Posted Date: 10/7/05
Nissan unveiled the GT-R Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001, giving hope the GT-R legend would continue into the 21st century. Then at the 2003 Tokyo show, the company announced the next-generation GT-R would roll out in 2007. Now the launch of the newest production model is just two years away, and the new GT-R’s development has moved ahead again with the reveal of the GT-R PROTO. And this time, the GT-R, the first new one in eight years, will come to the States.
The GT-R PROTO’s design is meant to express GT-R heritage from the first model (codenamed PGC10, launched in 1969) through R34 (1999), in a new and expressive form. For the first time in GT-R history, the car will be designed as a specific body style, not derived from a sedan. The front end’s center air intake is designed to optimize airflow, as well as to strongly link the identity of the GT-R from R34 to GT-R Concept (2001). The front fenders’ shape reflect the aero work Nissan did to optimize airflow around the tires.
The rear of the GT-R PROTO has the signature four-ring tail lamps to provide a visual link to previous GT-Rs. Four large-bore exhaust pipes complete the purposeful look.
Drivetrain and suspension details are sketchy at this point, but our spies tell us the car will be a stout performer. Rumors from Japan say the all-wheel-drive Skyline will be powered by a 450-hp, twin turbo V6 engine. Lotus might have a hand in tuning the suspension.
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