Nissan Skyline: evolution of the legend (1957–2023) - all generations in detail

Nissan Skyline is not just a car, but a symbol of Japanese engineering, which in 66 years has gone from a modest sedan to a world-class supercar. Model that started as a company project Prince Motor Company in 1957, has become iconic for its technological innovations, racing victories and unique design. Today Skyline associated with high technology, turbo engines RB26DETT and the legendary line GT-R, but few people remember that the first generations were ordinary family cars.

In this article we will look at all 14 generations Nissan Skyline - from ALSI-1 to V37, including rare modifications, racing versions and technical features of each stage. You'll find out why Skyline GT-R R32 banned from racing R34 became the star of the movie "Fast and Furious", and why modern Skyline are no longer the same as before. And also - unique data on the export of models to Russia and the CIS countries, which cannot be found in standard reviews.

1. First generation (1957–1963): ALSI-1 - the beginning of a legend

Debut Nissan Skyline occurred in April 1957 at the Tokyo Motor Show. Model ALSI-1 (body code BLRA-3) was developed by the company Prince Motor Company, which later became part of Nissan. The car was positioned as a premium sedan with a 1.5-liter engine GA-30 total capacity 44 hp, but for Japan in the 1950s it was a breakthrough.

Design ALSI-1 was inspired by American cars, but had unique features:

- Round style headlights Chevrolet Bel Air, but with more compact proportions.

- Chrome radiator grille with vertical slats - a trademark of the early Skyline.

- Rear axle with leaf spring suspension, which was typical for that time.

• 🔧 Engine: GA-30 (1.5L, 44 hp) or GA-4 (1.9L, 60 hp in version Skyline Sport).
• 💰 Price in 1957: equivalent to ~$2,500 (today ~$25,000 taking into account inflation).
• 🏆 Feature: The first Japanese sedan with independent front suspension.

⚠️ Attention: Today is original Skyline ALSI-1 - extremely rare specimens. At auctions their price reaches $100,000+, but 90% of them are replicas based on later models Prince Gloria.

2. Second to fourth generations (1963–1972): Prince era and merger with Nissan

In 1963, the second generation appeared Skyline S21 (code S21), which received a more modern design and engines G-1 (1.5L, 70 hp). But the real breakthrough came in 1966 with the release Skyline 2000 GT (S50) - the first sports version with a 2.0-liter engine GR-8 power 105 hp.

Key events of this period:

- 1966: Skyline 2000 GT won Japanese Grand Prix in the sedan class, overtaking Porsche 906.

- 1968: A version has appeared Skyline 2000 GT-R (PGC10) - the progenitor of all future GT-R.

- 1972: After the merger Prince And Nissan the model received a new code C10 and began to be called Nissan Skyline.

Generation	Years of production	Body code	Engine (base)	Power (hp)
S21 (2nd)	1963–1965	S21	G-1 (1.5L)	70
S50 (3rd)	1965–1968	S50	GR-8 (2.0L)	105
C10 (4th)	1968–1972	PGC10	S20 (2.0L, GT-R)	160

Skyline GT-R PGC10 became the first Japanese car to seriously compete with European sports cars. His engine S20 (2.0L, 160 hp) accelerated the car to 200 km/h - an incredible figure for 1969. However, due to the 1973 oil crisis, production GT-R was stopped for 16 years.

3. Fifth–sixth generations (1972–1981): crisis and revival

The 1970s were a difficult period for Skyline. Due to the oil crisis, the demand for powerful cars fell, and Nissan focused on economical versions. Fifth generation (C110, 1972–1977) lost its sporting spirit, but received new engines:

- L16 (1.6L, 95 hp) - basic version.

- L20 (2.0L, 115 hp) - for version 2000 GT-X.

The situation changed in 1977 with the release of the sixth generation (C210), which returned Skyline to the world of sports:

- A version has appeared Skyline Turbo with motor L20ET (2.0L, 145 hp).

- Made his debut in 1980 first turbodiesel LD28 (2.8L, 95 hp) - a rarity for Japanese cars of that time.

4. Seventh–eighth generations (1981–1993): the RB revolution and the birth of the R32 GT-R

The 1980s were a golden age for Skyline. Seventh generation (R30, 1981–1985) received a legendary line of engines RB, which determined the future of the model for decades to come. Base motor RB20E (2.0L, 130 hp) was combined with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and the version Skyline 2000 RS-Turbo (DR30) developed 190 hp thanks to the turbine Garrett T3.

But the real breakthrough came in 1989 with the release of the eighth generation (R32) and return GT-R. Model Skyline GT-R R32 became the first with:

- ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system (automatic front axle connection).

- Electronically controlled suspension Super-HICAS.

- Engine RB26DETT (2.6L, 280 hp according to the Japanese “gentleman’s agreement”).

• 🏁 Racing successes: R32 GT-R won 29 races in a row in the Japanese championship JTCC (1989–1993), causing it to be banned for being "unfairly dominant".
• 💥 Tuning potential: Stock RB26DETT withstands up to 500–600 hp without major repairs.
• 🚗 Rare versions: GT-R N1 (light racing version), GT-R V-Spec (with improved aerodynamics).

⚠️ Attention: Upon purchase R32 GT-R check the engine history - many examples have been through swap motors (replacement with more powerful versions RB26 or even RB30 from Australia). The original block has a stamp 24U on the crankcase.

Why was the R32 GT-R banned from racing?

In 1993 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 was disqualified from the championship JTCC after winning 29 races out of a possible 29. Organizers accused the car of having an "unsporting advantage" due to its all-wheel drive system. ATTESA, which made it possible to better exit corners on a wet track. After that Nissan officially refused to participate in the championship, and GT-R switched to racing Group A and rally.

5. Ninth generation (1993–1998): R33 - evolution of the legend

Skyline R33 (1993–1998) became a logical continuation R32, but with a more aggressive design and improved technology. The basic version was equipped with motors RB20E (130 hp) or RB25DE (190 hp), but the main star remained GT-R with the same RB26DETT, but already with improved turbine (Garrett T25) and system Active LSD.

Key innovations R33 GT-R:

- 6-speed manual transmission (instead of 5-speed in R32).

- Improved aerodynamics (drag coefficient Cd=0.33).

- Optional 4WD system with manual torque vectoring (in version V-Spec).

Interesting fact: R33 GT-R became the first Skyline, officially exported to Australia under the name Nissan GT-R R33 (without prefix Skyline due to local model naming laws). A total of ~5,000 copies were sold, and today they are valued higher than the Japanese versions.

6. Tenth generation (1998–2002): R34 - the peak of glory and the end of an era

Skyline R34 - the most famous generation thanks to the film "Fast and Furious"(2001), where the main characters drove this particular car. But besides cinematic fame, R34 became the pinnacle of engineering Nissan:

- Engine RB26DETT received improved turbines Garrett GT25 and system N1 specifications (reinforced internal parts).

- The body has become stiffer by 50% compared to R33.

- The GT-R V-Spec II Nür version has appeared - the rarest and most expensive modification (only produced 750 copies).

Specifications R34 GT-R:

- Power: 280 hp (according to Japanese standards), realistically ~320–330 hp.

- Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 4.9 seconds (with experienced driver).

- Maximum speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited).

- Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission Getrag or 5-speed automatic (rare).

• 🎬 Movie legend: Paul Walker's car from "Fast and Furious" was modified by the company Veilside and is equipped with a motor power ~600 hp
• 💸 Price today: Original R34 GT-R V-Spec II Nür worth it $200,000–$500,000 depending on mileage.
• 🔧 Weak points: Electronics (especially the unit ECU), corrosion of the rear arches, wear of the gearbox synchronizers.

7. Eleventh–fourteenth generations (2001–2023): leaving the legend

After R34 Nissan Skyline I lost my sporting spirit. Eleventh generation (V35, 2001–2006) became a premium sedan with rear-wheel drive and engines VQ30DD (3.0L, 225 hp) or VQ35DE (280 hp). The car received a platform Nissan FMwhich she shared with Infiniti G35, and lost the console GT-R (she moved to a separate model Nissan GT-R R35).

Subsequent generations (V36 And V37) moved even further away from their sporting roots:

- V36 (2006–2014) offered engines VQ25HR (2.5L, 225 hp) and VQ37VHR (3.7L, 333 hp) in version Skyline Coupe.

- V37 (2014–2023) became the last generation and was actually redesigned Infiniti Q50 with hybrid version (VR30DDTT + electric motor, 405 hp).

Generation	Years	Body code	Base engine	Power (hp)
V35	2001–2006	V35	VQ30DD	225
V36	2006–2014	V36	VQ25HR	225
V37	2014–2023	V37	VR30DDTT (hybrid)	405

In 2023, Nissan officially ended production of the Skyline after 66 years of history. The latest generation V37 was not sold in Russia, but in Japan it was available in a hybrid version with the e-Power system.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Skyline

🔹 Why was the Skyline GT-R R32 banned from racing?

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 was disqualified from the championship JTCC in 1993 after 29 consecutive victories. The organizers considered that the all-wheel drive system ATTESA and electronic suspension control Super-HICAS give the car an unfair advantage, especially on a wet track. After that Nissan left the championship, and GT-R concentrated on Group A and rally.

🔹 How much does the original R34 GT-R cost today?

Prices vary greatly depending on version and condition:

- Base R34 GT-R: $80,000–$150,000.

- V-Spec or V-Spec II: $150,000–$250,000.

- V-Spec II Nür (rarest): $300,000–$500,000+.

- Cars from "Fast and Furious" (with documented history): $1M+.

Important: There are many fakes on the market - check the VIN and history through Japanese auctions (USS Auctions, Goo-Net).

🔹 Is it possible to legally import Skyline R32/R33/R34 into Russia?

Yes, but with reservations:

- R32 (1989–1994): Permitted for import as a “classic car” (over 30 years old), but requires certification.

- R33 (1995–1998) And R34 (1999–2002): Falls under "list of uncertified cars» Customs Union. For legalization you need:

1. Receive vehicle type approval (VTA) through an accredited laboratory.

2. Pass crash tests (for R34 this is almost impossible due to the lack of original spare parts).

3. Pay recycling fee (~200,000 rub.) and duties (up to 50% of the cost).

Alternative: Import as "sports equipment"(to participate in competitions), but with a ban on driving on public roads.

🔹 Which engine is better for tuning: RB20, RB25 or RB26?

The choice depends on the goals:

- RB20DET (2.0L): Best price/power balance. Withstands up to 400–450 hp on the stock block. The downside is the small volume (you need a boosted turbine for high hp).

- RB25DET (2.5L): Optimal for street tuning. Stock block holds 500–550 hp, but requires a reinforced clutch and gearbox.

- RB26DETT (2.6L): Legendary engine for extreme tuning. The stock unit (with proper assembly) can withstand 600–800 hp, but expensive to maintain. The main plus is closed block (more durable than RB25).

Tip: For drift better RB25 (more linear return), for dredge — RB26 (high revs and power).

🔹Where can you buy spare parts for classic Skylines?

Main sources:

- Japan: Auctions Yahoo! Japan Auctions, shops Trust, Mine’s, Nismo.

- USA: Enjuku Racing, Z1 Motorsports (specialize in RB-motors).

- Europe: Skyline Shop UK, Driftworks.

- Russia/CIS: JDM Garage (Moscow), RB-Motors (St. Petersburg), groups in VKontakte («Nissan Skyline Club Russia»).

⚠️ Be careful with fakes! For example, there are many “Chinese” turbines on the market Garrett and bearings Nismo, which fail after 5,000 km.