Production of the limited-run Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign has just started at the design house’s manufacturing facility in Turin, Italy. Each GT-R50 model is hand-assembled by Italdesign and owners are being encouraged to spec their vehicles to pay homage to a GT-R model from the past. One of the first customer examples built has been inspired by the 1972 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R that was custom built for the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show. It is painted in a special color dubbed Verde Kenmeri.
Elsewhere, two of the other Nissan GT-R50
models now bound for their owners took design inspiration from the original
concept that was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2018. Production
of the car is capped at just 50 units worldwide and prices start at just over US$ 1.1 million, or roughly ten times more than the original R35 GT-R.
The most obvious difference between the
GT-R50 and the regular model it is based on is the unique bodywork. This
includes distinctive headlights, an overhauled front fascia with a unique
grille, a double-bubble roof, and a completely revised rear fascia that
includes a hydraulic rear wing and special LED taillights.
From a performance standpoint, Nissan’s
engineers massaged the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 so it now delivers 710 hp. Among
the key upgrades made included the fitment of turbochargers from the GT3 race
car, larger intercoolers, and unique pistons, connecting rods, bearings, and a
heavy-duty crankshaft. The six-speed dual-clutch transmission has also been
strengthened and the car comes standard with continuously variable dampers from
Bilstein.
