50 cars for the 50th anniversary of Italdesign and the GT-R, at a million euros apiece
In news that’s been coming for a few months now, Nissan has finally confirmed a fifty-car production run for its GT-R50 collaboration with Italdesign.
Billed as “the ultimate expression of the GT-R”, it celebrates the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R in 2019 and Italdesign in 2018. To that end the Turin-based coachbuilder has amplified the recognisable design elements of the standard car to create something which is wider, longer, lower and, well, certainly isn’t going to get mistaken for a standard R35 any time soon. The design is particularly dramatic at the rear, where floating LED taillights and an enormous adjustable rear wing leave you in no doubt as to the car’s intent.
About that. The 3.8-litre V6 has been fettled to produce 720hp and 575lb ft. This comes thanks to NISMO-spec turbochargers – derived from those used in Nissan’s GT3 racer – revised camshaft profiles, higher-flow fuel injectors and optimised intake and exhaust systems. A reinforced six-speed dual-clutch transmission handles the extra power, while Bilstein adjustable suspension, Brembo brakes and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres keep everything pointing in the right direction.
The two-tone prototype seen at last summer’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was painted grey with gold accents, and while all cars are expected to follow its layout, Nissan says that the fifty customers will be given the opportunity to spec their preferred colour combination as well as pick out custom interior colours and packages. Once they’ve parted with €990,000 (before taxes and options) for the privilege, of course.
“The reaction from Nissan fans around the world – and potential customers of the GT-R50 – has greatly exceeded our expectations,” said Nissan’s global sports car director, Bob Laishley. “These 50 cars, which celebrate 50 years of the GT-R as well as 50 years of Italdesign, will be rolling tributes to Nissan’s engineering leadership and rich sports car heritage for a long time to come.”
Those wishing to express an interest in being among those fifty owners can visit www.GT-R50.nissan with deliveries set to begin in 2019 and continue into 2020. The rest of us will just have to keep on waiting for a new version of the standard car…
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