Automotive

Here’s Gran Turismo’s Most Iconic R33 Skyline In Real Life

Here's Gran Turismo's Most Iconic R33 Skyline In Real Life

Nissan’s Nismo division supposedly planned to build 100 Skyline GT-R Nismo 400Rs for 1997, but only 44 left the factory before the R33 got discontinued the following year. This is chassis #037 at full throttle.

It should be yellow, right? Well, that unattainable über-Skyline you lusted after digitally in Gran Turismo and watched getting trashed around in real life by Best Motoring happens to be so rare that I almost forgot it existed at all.

With a 2.8 liter RB-X GT2 engine tuned to produce 395 horsepower at 6,800rpm and 347 foot pounds of torque at 4,400 up front, the 400R gave the most hardcore Skyline enthusiasts a car with superb balance and all the oversteer you wouldn’t expect to get from an all-wheel drive machine.

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The 400R got the full Nismo kit. Stiffer and lower suspension, active limited-slip differential at the rear, a handbuilt engine and brakes straight off a racing car. That’s why it feels much younger at speed than it is.

Evo’s Jethro Bovingdon had a blast in this very special Nissan. And we are extremely jealous.

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This can also beat any stationery Aston Martin Vantage V8 you happen to own.

Photo credit: Evo


Contact the author at mate@jalopnik.com.

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