Skyline and Skyline GT‑R Undergo Minor Model Change

August 28, 2000

 

Skyline 4-Door Sports Sedan GT

Skyline GT‑R V-spec II

 

The current generation of the Skyline was developed around the concept of “an authentic sports sedan and coupe that abound with a sensation of stellar performance derived from a thorough pursuit of driving pleasure.” Ever since its release in May 1998, the Skyline has won resounding acclaim for its superlative handling, stability and power performance, among other outstanding attributes.

As part of this minor model change, the exterior styling was reworked especially around the front-end, including the grille and bumper, to create a more refined design. On the inside, a sporty interior ambience has been achieved largely by changing the seat cloth and by adopting aluminum sport pedals, black and silver genuine leather coverings on the steering wheel and shift lever knob, an iridium silver center console and silver-colored instrumentation.

In the area of performance, models fitted with the RB25DET turbo engine and the 5-speed manual transmission deliver sportier driving performance. This is partly the result of augmented power performance due to higher engine torque, which has been raised to 363 N-m (37.0 kg-m) at 3200 rpm, up from 343 N-m (35.0 kg-m) at 3200 rpm. Another contributing factor is an enhanced shift feel resulting from shorter shift lever travel and increased shifter stiffness.

Two attractive new body colors, Sparkling Silver Metallic and Dark Metal Blue Metallic, have been added to the body color selection, and Bay Side Blue Metallic, which was previously adopted for the GT‑R and some Coupe grades, is now available on all Skyline models.

The Skyline GT‑R has always offered a world-class standard of total driving enjoyment through consistent pursuit of the ultimate in driving pleasure. Released in January 1999, the current GT‑R (R34) has drawn especially high accolades for its superb vehicle dynamics, supported by an array of Nissan’s cutting-edge technologies, and exceptionally high body stiffness for full enjoyment of the car’s impressive capabilities.

Among the improvements made this time, the newly established V-spec II grade that replaces the previous V-spec grade features the first mass-produced vehicle implementation of a carbon fiber engine hood with NACA ducts^*. Braking performance has also been improved by equipping all GT‑R models with the large-size rear brakes that were previously used only on the V-spec N1 grade.

Moreover, exterior and interior trim features have been partially changed, including the adoption of white turn signal lamps, a different seat cloth, aluminum sport pedals and an iridium silver center console. Two new body colors, White Pearl 3P (indicating three coats of Pearl) and Sparkling Silver Metallic, have also been added to the body color choices.

^*NACA ducts: 
NACA ducts, developed by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), are often used in racing cars as the air duct design with the lowest air resistance.

<Sales Target>
Skyline: 1,000 units/month
Skyline GT‑R: 200 units/month

<Dealers Selling the Skyline/Skyline GT‑R >
Nissan Red Stage: Satio, Prince and Cherry channel dealers (including Nissan Red & Blue Stage dealers that handle all models)

<Showroom Debut Dates>
Skyline: Saturday & Sunday, September 2-3, 2000
Skyline GT‑R: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, November 3-5, 2000
Suggested Retail Prices in Each Region (excluding consumption tax)

Skyline (,000 yen)

5MT: 5-speed manual transmission
M-ATx: Dualmatic M-ATx full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode
E-ATx: full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with a wide lockup range

Skyline GT‑R (,000 yen)

6MT: 6-speed manual transmission

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SKYLINE

Grade 4-DOOR SPORTS SEDAN GT (E-ATx)

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE SKYLINE GT‑R
Grade GT‑R V-spec II

In conjunction with the introduction of the new Skyline GT‑R, Nissan Financial Services Co., Ltd. (President: Mr. Minoru Nakamura, Minatoku, Tokyo), a Nissan affiliate, will start extending a new type of car loan named “Big Value Credit.” This is a closed-end loan with a fixed residual value and is applicable to purchases of the new Skyline GT‑R to be made by the end of this year at the Nissan Red Stage (Satio, Prince and Cherry channel dealers). By using the Big Value Credit, the amount of monthly payment will be significantly reduced because a customer can purchase a new Skyline GT‑R on easy installment plan after subtracting the fixed residual value after three years (55% of the vehicle price). 

Outline of the Big Value Credit for the Skyline GT‑R

1. Applicable model: all grades of the new Skyline GT‑R (R34)
2. Period: August 28, 2000 - December 31, 2000
3. Terms of payment: 36 times, 3 years
4. Fixed residual value: 55% of the vehicle price (less than 1,000 yen rounded off)
5. A sample installment plan for the new Skyline GT‑R:

Vehicle price: 5,048,000 yen (suggested retail price in the Tokyo metropolitan area)
Down payment: 1,048,000 yen
First payment: 20,477 yen
Monthly payment: 19,600 yen (x 28 months)
Bonus payment: 210,000 yen (x 6 times)

^* The above case is based on the following conditions;
real-term annual interest rate: 5.9%, first payment in November, bonus payments in December and July

^** Insurance, taxes (including consumption tax) and miscellaneous expenses related to registration are not included in the above price.