Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R "Godzilla"

The R32 GT-R was introduced to Japan in August 1989 as Nissan's flagship performance vehicle and is eligible for import from it's introduction date right through until the end of it's production in 1994. Based on the Nissan Skyline range the name R32 is a common abbreviation of the chassis BNR32 and the name GT-R is short for "Grand Tourismo Racer".

These 2.6 litre twin turbo vehicles come with an AWD (all wheel drive) system called the ATTESA E-TS Pro & Super HICAS which assists with traction. Officially these vehicles were said to have 206 kw of power, however the factory GT-R is capable of 239 kw if a small yellow-marked physical restriction on the control lines of the electronic boost control is removed. This would make the vehicle capable of 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds! The reason for the restrictor is due to Japanese car politics, which also led to other power reductions by using a certain exhaust and ECU.

Due to Group A racing regulations (the "Evolution Regulation") 'Nismo' (Nissan's motorsport division) produced 560 Skyline GT-R 'Nismo' editions in 1990, which are the closest thing available to the Group A racing versions. The Nismo edition only comes in Gunmetal Grey and are extremely hard to come by as you can imagine and most were used for racing. The Nismo comes with additional front bumper ducts to improve airflow to the intercooler, a bonnet lip spoiler for improved airflow to the engine bay and a rear boot spoiler for down force purposes.

In 1991 the GT-R N1 model was also introduced to the line up on a small scale with 228 units produced. The engines were upgraded to the R32-N1 specification and the vehicle has weight reductions through the removal of the ABS, A/C, sound system, rear wiper, trunk carpet, and the use of light-weight head lights. These are only available in white and again, almost impossible to get.

The Nissan Skyline GT-R was introduced in 1991 to the Bathurst 1000, which then was a Group A racing tournament. The GT-R dominated on 'The Mountain' crushing all competition in 1991 & 1992 leading to it's monster from Japan nickname of "Godzilla". This was the major factor in Bathurst 1000 being restricted to V8 Supercar Racing as quite simply, nothing on the track could catch the GT-R.

February 1993 seen the introduction of the Nissan Skyline V-Spec ("Victory Specification") GT-R with Brembo brakes, a retuned ATTESA E-TA Pro system to the Nismo and N1 packages along with 17" BBS wheels. February 1994 seen the introduction of the V-Spec II with wider tyres being the only change.

Production Figures

Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R Produced from August 1989

Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R Produced from February 1993

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