Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition Celebrates 50 Years of Godzilla

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"Celebrating 50 years isn't something you do every day, which is why Nissan used the eve of the New York auto show to launch the GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition. The high-performance model is celebrating its golden jubilee with a special edition that will come in three trims-GT-R Premium, GT-R Track Edition, and GT-R Nismo. The special GT-R pays tribute to the model's rich heritage, which began in 1969 when the original ""Hakosuka"" Skyline GT-R debuted in Japan, with new interior details, unique paint colors, and special badging."

"Distinguishing the special edition models should be easy thanks to the three different two-tone exterior color combinations that are meant to represent the GT-R's historical racing liveries. We're sure the most popular will be Bayside Blue (or Wangan Blue, as the color has come to be known unofficially), as it hasn't been offered since the R34 generation. Bayside Blue cars come with white racing stripes on the hood, roof, and trunk. The wheels come with blue accents on the spokes, and the exhaust tips have been painted in blue to combine with the new exterior colors. The other two-color combinations are Pearl White with red stripes and Super Silver with white stripes. All models will come with a 50th Anniversary badge on the back, as well as ""50th Anniversary"" script written above the rear license plate housing."

Inside, all models will have a gray interior and come with a unique steering wheel and shift knob, as well as special embossed seats, Alcantara headliner with unique stitching, and Alcantara-wrapped sun visors.

For 2020, the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine is getting a new pair of turbochargers, which Nissan says provides sharper response from the engine in and out of corners. The exhaust manifolds also get optimized turbo flange attachment points, which will make it easier to tune the GT-R without touching the manifold. The engine still produces 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque, and it's still mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with R mode. A new titanium muffler should reduce weight while looking cool with burnished exhaust tips.

Nissan says that the suspension has been tuned to provide better cornering stability and a smoother ride, but didn't specify what exactly was changed. Braking should be a little better thanks to a new brake booster that improves the response with less pedal travel.

If you're looking for a middle ground between the base GT-R and the hardcore Nismo variant, you'll be pleased to hear the GT-R Track Edition now makes the same horsepower as the Nismo. The engine comes with newly redesigned turbos from the GT3-series race car, which gives it the same 600-hp, 481-lb-ft output as the top Nismo model. The optional carbon-fiber roof and Brembo calipers and carbon ceramic rotors (16.1 inches in front and 15.3 inches in the rear) complement the package.

There's no doubt that Godzilla is aging quickly, but it's also undeniable the GT-R is still an incredible car to drive. Stay tuned for driving impressions once we can get our hands on the special edition models.

Source: Nissan