For the first time ever, Nissan and Italdesign have collaborated to create a one of a kind car. The result of this partnership is the Nissan GT-R50 Concept car.
The prototype car is based on a production 2018 Nissan GT-R NISMO model. It was created to commemorate the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R and Italdesign.
The special car was developed, engineered and built by Italdesign. The exterior and interior designs were created by the Nissan Design Europe and Nissan Design America teams.
The Nissan GT-R50 Concept by Italdesign features a distinct golden inner element at the front which stretches across the width of the vehicle. The car features sleek LED headlamps which extend all the way from the wheel arch to the lip above the outer cooling intakes. The GT-R50 also gets a revised hood with a more pronounced power bulge.
The distinctive roofline of the Nissan GT-R has been lowered by 54 mm and features a lower center section. The slightly raised outer portions give the roof profile a muscular look. The signature GT-R “samurai blade” cooling outlets behind the front wheels are finished in gold and extends from the shoulder line to the bottom of the doors.
The rear of the concept car has been redesigned to highlight the car’s wide track with taut, muscular flares around the wheels. The shoulder line tapers around the base of the rear window and draws toward the center of the trunk lid. The rear window line descends longer and deeper than on the standard car. The center section of the rear end finished in gold appears as a separate modular element of the rear structure.
The iconic twin round taillights of the GT-R have been reimagined as a separate floating feature with thin light rings and hollow centers. A large, adjustable rear wing which is mounted with two uprights, completes the overall look. The exterior of the Nissan GT-R50 Concept is finished in Liquid Kinetic Gray paint with distinctive Energetic Sigma Gold anniversary accents.
Inside, the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign reflects its modern, high-performance pedigree. There are two different types of carbon fibre finishes that have been extensively used across the center console, instrument panel and door linings. The seats are finished along with black Alcantara and fine black Italian leather.
Just like on the exterior of the car, there are gold accents across the instrument panel, doors and the futuristic race car-inspired switchgear. The bespoke steering wheel’s central hub and spokes are made of carbon fibre, while the rim features a flat bottom and matching Alcantara trim.
Under the hood of the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign sits a hand-assembled 3.8-liter V6 VR38DETT engine developed from Nissan’s GT3 racing experience. This motor produces around 720 PS of power and 780 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a reinforced dual-clutch sequential six-speed gearbox.
The engine has been modified to include optimized twin high-flow, large-diameter GT3 competition-spec turbochargers and larger intercoolers. The motor also gets heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and bearings along with high-flow piston oil jets, revised camshaft profiles, higher-flow fuel injectors and optimized ignition, intake and exhaust systems.
Changes to the power plant include optimized twin high-flow, large-diameter GT3 competition-spec turbochargers and larger intercoolers; heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and bearings; high-flow piston oil jets; revised camshaft profiles; higher-flow fuel injectors; and optimized ignition, intake and exhaust systems. The car also gets reinforced rear transaxle, stronger differentials and drive shafts.
The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign also features a revised suspension that includes the BILSTEIN DampTronic I continuously adjustable damping system. Stopping power comes from the Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes which feature bright red painted callipers. The 21-inch custom wheels of the car are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, sized 255/35 R21 in the front and 285/30 R21 in the rear.