Nissan Skyline

Skyline

The Nissan Skyline, a Japanese automotive legend, boasts a rich history marked by continuous evolution and iconic status in the world of performance cars. Known for its powerful engines, rear-wheel-drive layout, and sporting pedigree, the Skyline's heritage is steeped in motorsport success. While known for the iconic GT-R variant, different generations of the Skyline featured a variety of engine choices, ranging from inline-six to V6 configurations. Its evolution has seen stylistic shifts and technological advancements, but its core appeal of exhilarating performance and engaging driving dynamics has remained consistent. Often modified and customized by enthusiasts, the Skyline holds a special place in automotive culture, representing both performance and Japanese automotive innovation.

Generations

First generation (Prince Skyline, 1957)


The Nissan Skyline First generation (Prince Skyline, 1957) marked the humble beginnings of an automotive legend. Produced by the Prince Motor Company before its merger with Nissan, this model was a compact sedan available in various body styles, including a two-door sedan and a four-door sedan. It featured relatively modest specifications for its time, with a choice of small inline-four engines. Its significance lies not in groundbreaking technology or performance, but rather in establishing the foundation for a car line that would eventually become synonymous with performance and sportiness. The first-generation Skyline was a rather basic vehicle by today's standards, primarily focusing on providing affordable transportation within the Japanese market. This generation represents a crucial first step in the long and storied history of the Skyline nameplate.

Second generation (Prince Skyline, 1963)


The Nissan Skyline Second generation (Prince Skyline, 1963) demonstrated a clear evolution from its predecessor. Still under the Prince banner, this generation incorporated a more modern design and featured improvements in both performance and comfort. The engine lineup expanded to include more powerful options, and a wider range of body styles became available. While still not a performance icon, the second generation began hinting at the sporty lineage the Skyline would later cultivate. Significant advancements were made in the car's handling and overall driving experience, although it retained its primary role as a practical family sedan. This generation showcased a noticeable step up in quality and refinement compared to its debut, laying the groundwork for the future sporting aspirations of the Skyline.

Third generation (C10; 1968)


The Nissan Skyline Third generation (C10; 1968) marked a significant shift in the Skyline's identity. Following Prince's merger with Nissan, the C10 Skyline introduced a sportier image with more aggressive styling and a wider range of performance-oriented engine options, including the iconic GT-R variant which debuted in this generation, albeit initially in limited numbers. This generation showcased a clear emphasis on improved handling and dynamics, attracting a younger, more performance-conscious driver demographic. Despite still offering sedans and wagons, the C10 cemented the Skyline's move towards performance with its more powerful engine choices and a stiffer chassis, laying the foundation for its future reputation as a legendary sports car.

Fourth generation (C110; 1972)


The Nissan Skyline Fourth generation (C110; 1972) built upon the sporty image established by its predecessor. The C110 introduced a more streamlined and sophisticated design while retaining the performance focus that had gained the Skyline popularity. The GT-R continued to evolve, becoming more powerful and refined. This generation also offered a broader range of engine options to cater to diverse preferences, from economical engines to powerful GT models. Though relatively less widely known than later generations like the R32 GT-R, the C110 contributed significantly to solidifying the Skyline's reputation for sportiness and performance handling within its period. The ongoing development of the GT-R variant further cemented the Skyline's place in Japanese automotive history.

Fifth generation (C210; 1977)

The Nissan Skyline fifth generation (C210), produced from 1977 to 1981, marked a significant shift towards a more luxurious and comfortable driving experience compared to its predecessors. While still offering sporty versions, the C210 emphasized a more refined ride and introduced larger engines, including the L20E and L28 straight-sixes. This generation saw a wider range of body styles, from sedans and coupes to hardtops and wagons, catering to a broader market. The styling leaned towards a more boxy and conservative aesthetic, reflecting the design trends of the late 1970s. Technological advancements were less dramatic than later generations, focusing primarily on improved fuel efficiency and ride quality. Despite its less aggressive styling, the C210 remains an important step in the Skyline’s evolution towards the performance-oriented models that would follow.

Sixth generation (R30; 1981)

The Nissan Skyline sixth generation (R30), launched in 1981, represented a departure from the previous generation's focus on comfort. While still offering a range of body styles, including sedans and coupes, the R30 introduced a more aerodynamic and aggressive design language. This was further emphasized by the introduction of the sporty RS-Turbo and the iconic 2000RS-R. These models featured turbocharged engines, significantly boosting performance and solidifying the Skyline's reputation as a performance car. The increased power output was complemented by improvements in handling and braking. The R30 also marked a shift towards a more sophisticated interior, with improved ergonomics and materials. Its combination of sporty performance and a more refined package made it a popular choice, establishing the Skyline as a serious contender in the Japanese performance car market.

Seventh generation (R31; 1985)

The Nissan Skyline seventh generation (R31), launched in 1985, continued the R30's focus on sporty performance but with a noticeably more mature and refined design. While offering a similar array of body styles, the R31 aimed for a more upscale feel. This generation saw the introduction of the powerful RB20DET engine in the GTS-R model, further solidifying the Skyline's performance credentials. However, this generation also expanded the range to include more luxury-oriented trims, showcasing a broader appeal. This balance, between performance and luxury, is perhaps the most defining characteristic of the R31. While not as revolutionary as some subsequent generations, the R31 played a vital role in bridging the gap between earlier, more basic Skylines and the high-performance monsters that were to follow. The R31 also introduced various improvements to handling and chassis technology.

Eighth generation (R32; 1989)

The Nissan Skyline eighth generation (R32), released in 1989, is arguably the most legendary generation of the Skyline. The R32 GTS-R, particularly, became a legend thanks to its phenomenal success in motorsport, particularly its dominance in the Japanese Touring Car Championship (JTCC). This success was due to its revolutionary all-wheel-drive system (ATTESA E-TS), advanced aerodynamics, and the potent RB26DETT twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. The R32's chassis was incredibly stiff and well-balanced, setting a new benchmark for handling. Beyond the performance-focused models, the R32 offered a range of body styles and trim levels, making it accessible to a wider audience. Its impact on automotive culture and performance car engineering remains substantial to this day, making it a highly sought-after classic.

Ninth generation (R33; 1993)

The Nissan Skyline ninth generation (R33), launched in 1993, built upon the success of its predecessor, the R32, but with subtle yet important changes. While retaining the iconic RB26DETT engine in its GT-R variant, the R33 underwent a significant redesign, featuring a more aerodynamic and refined body. The overall size increased, providing more interior space and comfort. While maintaining its reputation for high performance, the R33's handling characteristics were slightly softened compared to the sharper R32, offering a more comfortable daily driving experience. Improvements were made to the all-wheel-drive system and suspension, further refining the already impressive dynamics. The R33 GT-R, although less aggressively styled than its predecessor, continued to be a highly competitive and sought-after performance car, cementing its place in Skyline history.

Tenth generation (R34; 1998)

The Nissan Skyline R34, produced from 1998 to 2002, represents the pinnacle of the Skyline's iconic GT-R lineage for many enthusiasts. This tenth-generation model solidified the GT-R's legendary status with its potent RB26DETT twin-turbo inline-six engine, producing around 280 PS (though significantly more horsepower was achievable with modifications), advanced all-wheel-drive system (ATTESA E-TS), and sophisticated suspension. Its aggressive styling, featuring distinctive teardrop headlights and bulging fenders, contributed to its enduring popularity. The R34 GT-R is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, making it a significant piece of automotive history and a symbol of Japanese performance car engineering. Different variants existed, including the standard GT-R, the Nürburgring-tuned M-Spec, and the limited-production Z-Tune.

Eleventh generation (V35; 2001)


The Nissan Skyline V35, launched in 2001, marked a significant departure from its predecessors. This eleventh-generation model abandoned the iconic RB engine in favor of a more modern VQ series V6 engine, offered in various displacements and configurations, including naturally aspirated and forced induction options. The V35 shifted towards a more refined, luxury-oriented approach, focusing on comfort and handling rather than pure, unadulterated performance. While lacking the raw power and visceral feel of the R34 GT-R, the V35 introduced technological advancements like improved suspension systems and enhanced safety features. The GT-R nameplate was temporarily discontinued with this generation, replaced by the 350GT and other performance-oriented variations. This generation aimed for a broader appeal, moving away from the exclusively performance-focused image of previous Skylines.

Twelfth generation (V36; 2006)


The Nissan Skyline V36, introduced in 2006, continued the evolutionary path set by its predecessor. This twelfth-generation Skyline refined the design language, adopting a more sophisticated and contemporary aesthetic. The VQ series V6 engine remained the core powerplant, offering a range of variants, including the powerful 3.7-liter VQ37VHR. The V36 further emphasized luxury and comfort, boasting a more refined interior and improved ride quality. Advanced features like improved handling and stability control systems were incorporated. The performance-oriented versions offered respectable power and handling capabilities, but the overall focus remained on a balanced blend of luxury and performance, differentiating it considerably from its legendary GT-R forerunners. The GT-R was spun off as a standalone model in 2007.

Thirteenth generation (V37; 2014)


The Nissan Skyline V37, launched in 2014, represented a significant redesign, marking the thirteenth generation. The V37 further refined the luxury and comfort elements established in the previous generations, while also incorporating advanced technologies. The model featured a more sculpted and modern exterior design, along with a significant upgrade to the interior. Engine options were primarily based on the VQ series V6, though with improved efficiency and performance. The V37 focused on delivering a premium driving experience with a balance of comfort, technology, and refinement, continuing the move away from the raw, performance-centric image of the earlier GT-R-equipped Skylines. This generation marked the end of the Skyline nameplate in many markets, with the model largely being discontinued in favor of other Nissan offerings.