The year 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Nissan’s legendary GT-R while 2018 marks the 50th founding anniversary of the highly acclaimed styling and engineering specialist firm Italdesign. To signify the concurrence of these two landmark events, designers, engineers and coach-builders from the two companies came together to produce a re-imagined and upgraded GT-R; christened ‘Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign.’ It has made its first official public appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018.
“The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ideal setting to showcase the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, which combines power and artistry to celebrate 50 years of inspiring the dreams of our customers…. [it is] a unique vehicle that will stir the imagination of people to dream even bigger.” – Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President of Global Design, Nissan.
The GT-R50 is the first-ever collaboration between Nissan and the Lamborghini owned Italdesign. They have produced only one GT-R50. However, “pending the GT-R50 by Italdesign’s reception at Goodwood and other global appearances in the coming months, a customer version inspired by the prototype may be created. No more than 50 units would be produced by Italdesign – with each car tailored for each customer – with a price estimated to start at about €900,000;” according to a joint statement by the two companies. This point was reiterated by Joerg Astalosch, CEO of Italdesign who said that Nissan and Italdesign “have the target that soon this ‘monster’ of a vehicle will change the lives of 50 very select enthusiasts. Their wait will soon be over.”
The GT-R50 is based on Nissan’s latest GT-R NISMO that was re-interpreted with a European-style sensibility and built with Italian craftsmanship and tailoring. The improvements were not just cosmetic. Its hand-assembled 3.8-liter V6 VR38DETT engine has been enhanced by NISMO to produce an estimated 720PS and 780 Nm of torque. This is an increase of 120PS over the stock engine. A reinforced dual-clutch sequential six-speed rear transaxle with stronger differentials and drive shafts direct the power to the wheels. To handle the extra power, the chassis, the Bilstein suspension damping system and the Brembo braking system have all been upgraded.
Gold dominates the rear. It has a wide track with taut, muscular flares around the wheels. The rear window line dramatically descends longer and deeper than on the standard car. Combined with more gold elements, it appears as a separate modular element of the rear structure. The iconic twin round taillights have been reimagined as a separate “floating” feature with thin light rings and hollow centres. A large, adjustable rear wing, mounted with two uprights, completes the overall look.
The interior of the GT-R50 features two different carbon fibre finishes that are used extensively across the centre console, instrument panel and door linings. The seats are covered with black Alcantara and fine black Italian leather. Gold accents echo the exterior treatment across the instrument panel, doors and switchgear. The steering wheel features a flat bottom, is made of carbon fibre with matching Alcantara trim.
“By joining forces now with our partners at Nissan, we brought a true GT-R fantasy to life.” – Joerg Astalosch, CEO of Italdesign.
“Although this is not the next-generation GT-R, it is an exciting celebration of two anniversaries in a provocative and creative way – wrapping one of Nissan’s best engineering platforms and Japanese design with Italian coachbuilding”, said Albaisa.
