The Nissan Skyline GT-R, either as a single model or two separate ones, is a nameplate that doesn’t need an introduction. The three letters have been blessing Nissan’s range-topping performance car for over 50 years with the 1969 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R being the first one. Nissan’s crown jewel was a force to be reckoned with, which resulted in the GT-R getting one of the coolest car nicknames ever – Godzilla. The tradition of punching above its weight continued with the now-aging R35 GT-R, which is still a proper supercar slayer. With that said, the R36 generation of the Nissan GT-R is on its way, and it seems hybridization will be a part of it. However, an independent project shows what a 2023 model could look like if the Skyline and GT-R nameplates were never separated, and this one hits right in the heart of JDM enthusiasts.
Bringing the Iconic Names Back Together
It is well-known that, in 2007, Nissan separated the Skyline and GT-R designations into two different models. The R35 and from the looks of it, the R36 too, are simply called the GT-R while the Skyline name; reserved for the JDM versions of what we know as Infiniti G35, G37, Q50, and Q60. There’s even a Skyline Crossover, which is what we know the JDM version of the Infiniti EX as. And you thought Mitsubishi did dirty with the Eclipse.
1990s JDM Vibes
In this hypothetical representation, done by graphic designer, Roman Miah and Avante Design, the Skyline and GT-R names were never separated after the R34 model. It is for this reason that the “2023” model seen here combines traits from both the iconic Skyline R34 GT-R and the long-lived R35 GT-R. It is not the first rendering of a modern Godzilla reminiscent of the 1990s, but it is, arguably, the best one yet.
The R34 GT-R featured a design that's very characteristic of Japanese cars from the 1990s. The R33 was in a way a bit too soft, but the R34 regained some of the R32's boxiness. With that said, the design of this, sadly, the fictional model has combined the best of the R34 with the functionality of the R35. The overall proportions are nearly identical to what we have seen on the R35 with the front end retaining the same sloping angle, which on the real car, resulted in a drag coefficient of 0.26 Cd.
The headlights come straight from the R34, but are the modern LED kind – something you can do in the real world too. The upper grille is more interesting as the bumper does not envelop it completely like on the R34 GT-R. Rather, it continues right up to the hood line like on the lesser R34 GT-T model.
The side profile remains largely unchanged from the R35, except for the R34-specific line on the rear fenders. The rear haunches also seem stretched a bit giving off R33 GT-R LM vibes. Behind the front wheel arches, there are air extractors, which are a throwback to the R34 NISMO’s uniquely-shaped front fenders, which featured air extractors in the upper corners.
The sheer number of throwbacks to the iconic R34 GT-R and other models (at least according to us) is mind-boggling, and it all fits together nicely. There is even a dark-orange version, which we believe to be a throwback to the main antagonist's car from the 2003 Need for Speed Underground.
To no surprise, the Skyline R34 GT-R vibes continue at the rear where the quad round taillights look more like LED variants of the R34 pieces. The same goes for the rear wing, which is heavily inspired by the 1999 GT-R. The only place where the independent designer has restrained himself is the rear diffuser, which features two exhaust tips as opposed to the R35’s four.
The R34 only had one. With hybridization said to be on the agenda, the R36 GT-R will likely not be any lighter, but an R34 throwback would have been a good decision, regardless. Unfortunately, looking at Nissan’s latest design concepts, the next GT-R will probably not look anything like what we see here, but it is a nice execution of neo-retro design nonetheless.