Nissan Skyline GT-R Prototype Testing

As one of the most notorious supercars on the planet, the R34 Nissan Skyline ceased production in 1999.  With massive dealer demand and Nissan enthusiasts around the globe calling for a successor, it was at the 35th Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 where Nissan unveiled the GT-R Concept confirming that the GT-R legend would live on.  Then after two years of silence and a growing restless public, Nissan announced at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show that the GT-R would be released in 2007.  Now with the launch of the production model getting closer, Nissan is set to unveil a near final production model called the GT-R PROTO in one week's time at the 39^th Tokyo Motor Show.  One week ago Nissan released some teaser design sketches of the Nissan GT-R PROTO Concept.  Stunning!

 

Seen here testing at the Nurburgring test track in Germany is a Skyline GT-R test mule wearing a heavily modified body of an Infiniti G35 Coupe.  To clarify, the G35 Coupe was named the Skyline in Japan since 2001 but never received an ultra-high-performance engine/drivetrain and therefore never lived up to it's predecessor's supercar status.  But that's all going to change now with the new GT-R.  Taking a closer look at these photos you'll notice the slightly more acute roofline, hood air-scoops, widened body with flared fenders, rolled out rear quarter panels and rocket launcher like dual exhaust pipes which is rumored to give way to 480hp from a 3.2 liter twin turbo V6 engine.  Sources say that the purpose of this particular testing session was to evaluate the GT-R's suspension which is being tuned by Lotus at their development center in England.  This GT-R will be exported globally and that includes US (under Infiniti brand) and Australia.  Look for a price tag around $80,000 USD.