FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 October 1997 SKYLINE GT-R UK DEBUT
The Nissan Skyline GT-R is Japan’s most celebrated supercar and now it is coming to Britain. With more than 200 motor racing victories to its credit, the Skyline has dominated Japanese and international motorsport since 1969, including 24 hour race wins at Spa and the Nürburgring.
It features the world’s most advanced chassis with computer controlled four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and limited slip differential, making it one of the best handling and most rewarding cars to drive on either road or track.
Power comes from a 280 PS, 2.6 litre engine. This six cylinder, 32 valve unit has twin turbochargers to give the Skyline blistering performance – 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds and a (limited) top speed of 155 mph.
While this latest model of the Skyline GT-R has been on sale in Japan since 1995, it is possible only now to import it into the UK because of a change in the type approval regulations. This Single Vehicle Type Approval (SVA) allows Nissan to sell the Skyline in Britain by making only a small number of changes to the Japanese specification. However, numbers are limited to just 100 units, which Nissan expects to have sold by 1998.
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
Electronic Torque Split (ETS)
This is the electronically controlled four-wheel drive system, called ATTESA-ETS PRO, which via a series of sensors and two wet multi-plate clutches feeds torque to the front wheels when extra traction is needed.
In normal driving conditions 100 per cent of the Skyline’s torque is directed to the rear axle, leaving the front wheels free to steer. Speed sensors on all four wheels, combined with longitudinal and lateral G sensors, along with a throttle opening sensor and a brake light switch, analyse the vehicle’s traction and stability, as well as every nuance of the driver’s input, every 100th of a second. Up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque can be directed to the front wheels via a transfer box and a hydraulically operated clutch.
Active Limited Slip Differential (A-LSD)
This system ensures that both rear wheels are performing at 100 per cent of their performance potential. Sensors on each rear wheel detect when one of the wheels is starting to slip and automatically sends more torque to the other.
Each wheel has its own multi-plate clutch so that the amount of torque can be infinitely varied and controlled via the central computer. Adjustments are made every 100th of a second.
Four-wheel steering (HICAS)
With the objective of eliminating understeer, the Skyline GT-R features a state-of-the-art four-wheel steering system called Super HICAS.
Via the vehicle’s many sensors this system measures the steering input, the rate at which the wheel is being turned, the speed, the yaw rate of the car and the lateral (cornering) forces acting on it. It then decides the appropriate amount of rear wheel steer to apply.
An electric motor acts on a small steering rack to turn the wheels, to a maximum of just 0.5 degrees.
When entering a bend at speed the HICAS system will first turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels to help the car turn into the bend. Then, to settle the car in to a stable cornering attitude, the rear wheels turn the other way – in the same direction as the front wheels.
RB26DETT Engine
The Skyline GT-R’s RB26DETT engine is a 2.6 litre, straight six unit with four valves per cylinder and twin ceramic turbochargers. It was developed to meet the All Japan Touring Car Championship regulations of the late '80s, which limited engine capacity to 2.6 litres for turbocharged engines. It is not used in any other Nissan vehicles.
The Skyline uses two Garrett T3/T25 hybrid turbos, created especially for the GT-R to create maximum power with minimal turbo lag. They work in parallel on three cylinders each, delivering 0.85 bar of boost.
It develops 280 PS at 6800 rpm and 271 lb ft of torque at 4400 rpm.
Skyline in the UK
At £50,000, the Skyline GT-R is Nissan’s most expensive car. “But in terms of performance and sheer enjoyment per pound, the Skyline is an unbeatable package,” explains Brian Carolin, Nissan’s Marketing Director. “There really is no other car that comes close for the money.”
Although the Skyline GT-R is only being launched officially in the UK for the first time this year, demand has been growing for some time. “Since we announced our intention to launch the Skyline GT-R in the UK with full dealer back-up and a three year warranty, we have been inundated with customer enquiries,” says Carolin. “We have already taken around 30 deposits and we expect this number to increase dramatically at the Motor Show. We only have 100 cars to sell between now and the end of 1998, but realistically we expect to have sold out by the middle of next year at the latest.”
ends...
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Graham Biggs Product Affairs Manager 01923 899930
E-mail: graham.biggs@nissan.co.uk
Adrian Atkinson Product Press Assistant 01923 899930
E-mail: adrian.atkinsion@nissan.co.uk
21872/141097