FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1999

NEW 1999 SKYLINE GT‑R TO BE NISSAN FLAGSHIP IN THE UK

From October 1999, Nissan will offer UK customers the opportunity to purchase one of the world’s most coveted performance coupés, the Nissan Skyline GT‑R. Imported in response to the outstanding acclaim for the previous model, Nissan has refined and updated many aspects of the car’s features to further heighten the driving experience and increase its appeal.

“Nissan takes great pride in engineering excellent cars to drive and no car illustrates this more clearly than the highly acclaimed Skyline GT‑R. Following the outstanding reaction to the previous model we are delighted to be in a position to offer UK customers this exciting new Skyline GT‑R as our flagship model,” said Brian Carolin, Managing Director, Nissan Motor (GB) Limited.

“We are entering a very busy period of new model launches and the new Skyline GT‑R will play a key role in the continuing development and strengthening of the Nissan brand in the UK,” he continued.

As the only market in Europe where customers can officially buy a Nissan Skyline GT‑R, all UK customers will benefit from the full backing of Nissan’s comprehensive three years/60,000 miles warranty. Only one high-specification version will be available in the UK, which features leather upholstery as standard, hand-crafted and fitted by the world-famous Connolly company.

New 1999 Skyline GT‑R to be Nissan flagship in the UK…2

Changes to the latest Skyline GT‑R include:

·         New more aggressive styling

·         Increased grip

·         Increased rigidity by 56 per cent

·         Improved aerodynamics

·         Improved handling

The formidable 280PS 2568cc twin-turbo straight six-cylinder engine has been further developed to provide more torque and quicker turbo response and a new six-speed close ratio Getrag gearbox and 18-inch alloy wheels further enhance the driving experience.

As one of Japan’s most celebrated performance cars, the Nissan Skyline GT‑R has developed an immense racing pedigree that includes over 200 race wins, five consecutive championship wins in the All Japanese Touring Car Championships and the unofficial lap record for a production car at the world-famous Nurbürgring.  Every aspect of the Skyline GT‑R, from the aerodynamics to body rigidity, has been fine-tuned through competitive racing and 11 years of intense testing, producing one of the best race-bred coupés on the market. 

To be able to sell the Skyline GT‑R officially in the UK, Nissan has had to make numerous technical changes to bring the vehicle to European standards. Three oil coolers have been added, one each for the engine, gearbox and transfer box plus the standard ECU has been replaced with a European specification unit. On average, around 32 hours of technical work alone is carried out on each Skyline GT‑R before customers can take delivery of their new vehicle.

All new Nissan Skyline GT-Rs imported into the UK by Nissan will be exclusively available through one approved dealer – Middlehurst Motorsport in Lancashire.  However, a dedicated hotline has been set up

New 1999 Skyline GT‑R to be Nissan flagship in the UK…3

for interested people to receive further details Tel: 0990 545556.  Prices will be announced at this year’s London Motor Show, which will also be the Nissan Skyline GT‑R’s first public appearance in the UK and its official on-sale date, with first customers taking delivery in January 2000.  

ends…

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Andrew Roberts          Manager, Product Affairs                    01923 899930

E-mail                          andrew.roberts@nissan.co.uk

Gabi Whitfield  Press Officer, Product Affairs            01923 899930

E-mail                          gabi.whitfield@nissan.co.uk

25566c/