The Nissan GT-R50 By Italdesign Is Like Godzilla In An Armani Suit

Nissan and Italian design firm Italdesign have collaborated for the first time and created a prototype vehicle called the Nissan GT-R50.

Based on the 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo, the GT-R50 commemorates the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R and Italdesign, and will make its debut in Europe next month.

While Italdesign is responsible for developing, engineering and building the car, the exterior and interior designs were created by the teams at Nissan Design Europe in London and Nissan Design America.

Key exterior features of the GT-R50 include a distinct golden inner element that stretches across almost the full width of the vehicle, a pronounced bulge on the hood, thin LED headlights which stretch from the wheel arch to the lip above the outer cooling intakes, low roofline (54 mm lower than the standard GT-R), "samurai blade" cooling outlets with a gold inlay, 21-inch wheels, ‘floating’ taillights, an adjustable rear wing, and Liquid Kinetic Gray paint with Energetic Sigma Gold anniversary accents.    

Inside, the GT-R50 by Italdesign features two different carbon fibre finishes across the centre console, instrument panel and door linings, along with black Alcantara and fine black Italian leather on the seats.

Gold accents echo the exterior treatment across the instrument panel, doors and the futuristic race car-inspired switchgear. The bespoke steering wheel's central hub and spokes are made of carbon fiber, while the rim features a flat bottom and matching Alcantara trim.

Powering the prototype is Nismo’s hand-assembled 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT engine producing 720 PS and 780 Nm of torque.

The power plant also includes optimized twin high-flow, large-diameter GT3 competition-spec turbochargers and larger intercoolers, heavy-duty crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and bearings, high-flow piston oil jets, revised camshaft profiles, higher-flow fuel injectors and optimized ignition, intake and exhaust systems.

A reinforced dual-clutch sequential six-speed rear transaxle and stronger differentials and drive shafts direct the power to the wheels.

A revised suspension has also been developed, featuring the Bilstein DampTronic I continuously adjustable damping system.

For braking, the Brembo six-piston front and four-piston rear brakes feature bright red, clearly visible calipers.

"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 Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan's senior vice president for global design.