Monday 27th October 2008

4-Door GT-R On The Cards

Go, go, GTO, er... GT-R

---

To Infiniti and beyond

A super-saloon spin-off from the Nissan GT-R could soon be giving BMW’s M5 a run for its money round the Nurburgring.

Unconfirmed reports from Japan say Nissan engineers are actively evaluating a four door built on a stretched version of the GT-R platform, with a view to introducing a new flagship to the luxury Infiniti brand in 2011.

The new Infiniti saloon will feature all the chassis technology that has let the GT-R coupe show a clean pair of heels to Porsche around the Nurburgring recently (controversial!), but the high cost of the coupe’s 473bhp twin turbo V6 means it won’t be featured. Instead, latest reports say we should expect to see a retuned version of the 5.0L V8 engine currently powering the Infiniti FX50 ‘off-roader’ shoehorned under the bonnet of the ‘Infiniti GT-R’.

Sources suggest an output of around 420bp is on the cards, significantly down on the output of European super-saloon rivals. However, with the GT-R’s intelligent ATTESA-ETS AWD system and six-speed dual-clutch transaxle carried over, it will be interesting to see how the lack of outright muscle translates into track times – although Nissan insiders have apparently conceded that any Infiniti flagship will be tuned for luxury before ultimate performance.

[Tony*T3]

Some say its already 37 seconds faster round the 'Ring than the new Porsche Panamera...

[gtoblue]

This actually won't be happening. The rumours appeared in Jap mags a while back and they are purely photoshopped images to sell mags. Nissan aren't thinking of doing this a)because it would be silly and b)its not what the GTR is about

[fastgerman.com]

M5 please!

[lap_time]

gtoblue said:

This actually won't be happening. The rumours appeared in Jap mags a while back and they are purely photoshopped images to sell mags. Nissan aren't thinking of doing this a)because it would be silly and b)its not what the GTR is about

[mitch78]

lap_time said:

gtoblue said:

This actually won't be happening. The rumours appeared in Jap mags a while back and they are purely photoshopped images to sell mags. Nissan aren't thinking of doing this a)because it would be silly and b)its not what the GTR is about

That will be the Autech version then.

I don't see why they wouldn't make a 4 dr version of the new one if it sells more cars, they might not badge it as a GT-R though.

Edited by mitch78 on Monday 27th October 11:22

[lap_time]

mitch78 said:

lap_time said:

gtoblue said:

This actually won't be happening. The rumours appeared in Jap mags a while back and they are purely photoshopped images to sell mags. Nissan aren't thinking of doing this a)because it would be silly and b)its not what the GTR is about

http://www.autech.co.jp/HISTORY-SV/R33S01/images/r33s01-1.jpg

That will be the Autech version then.

I don't see why they wouldn't make a 4 dr version of the new one if it sells more cars, they might not badge it as a GT-R though.

Edited by mitch78 on Monday 27th October 11:22

Yeah I realise that. Only having a larf.

If the car is made, I would probably see it as being badged an Infiniti as the article suggests, which I agree, would make it likely to be named something other than GTR.

Edited by lap_time on Monday 27th October 11:26

[gtoblue]

Yeah ok you win on that argument, but I think you'lll find that there weren't ever any official 4 door GTR's, they did a 4 door version on the 34 too but still only in single turbo . But not for the 35. The skyline badge which has moved over to infiniti is the new 4 door car for Nissan

[Ricky944s2]

Have these not been called 'Chasers' in the past?? Ive seen R33 & R34s off them, usually going sideways round roundabouts!!!!

[fastgerman.com]

Edited by fastgerman.com on Monday 27th October 11:59

[BT52]

The GTR was always a coupe version of a 4-door Skyline.

The whole point of rebranding to GTR with no mention of Skyline was to distance it from the cheap mundane 'Skyline' brand (locally that is).

[mitch78]

Yeah, but that doesn't mean that they won't build a 4 door Infinity version, using the same running gear as the GT-R but a different body, and give it another name. Still keeps the GT-R brand identity completely separate, but gives the possibility of a good handling Infinity to attract buyers from M5s, E-class AMGs etc...

[mitch78]

lap_time said:

Yeah I realise that. Only having a larf.

Don't take it the wrong way, I meant that there was previously a 4 door GT-R, just letting people know you hadn't been playing with photoshop!

And that was an official 4 door GT-R, Autech were commissioned by Nissan to build them.

Edited by mitch78 on Monday 27th October 12:22

[silly chap]

gtoblue said:

Yeah ok you win on that argument, but I think you'lll find that there weren't ever any official 4 door GTR's, they did a 4 door version on the 34 too but still only in single turbo . But not for the 35. The skyline badge which has moved over to infiniti is the new 4 door car for Nissan

the very first skyline GTR of 1969 was only available as 4 door initially.

[gofasterrosssco]

I think the point being made in this story is not that Nissan will be making a 4-door GT-R, but may use some of the technology developed for the GT-R in another, Infiniti-branded car.

And why not. Cars like the GT-R are developed (partly) so the new technology can be used in other models in the manufacturers line up, so this shouldn't really be much of a surprise...

[lap_time]

mitch78 said:

lap_time said:

Yeah I realise that. Only having a larf.

Don't take it the wrong way, I meant that there was previously a 4 door GT-R, just letting people know you hadn't been playing with photoshop!

And that was an official 4 door GT-R, Autech were commissioned by Nissan to build them.

Edited by mitch78 on Monday 27th October 12:22

Ah I get you. Sorry for the misunderstanding! Cheers.

@ Ricky944s2 , I'm not too sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but the only 'Chaser' I can think of is actually a four door Toyota with a 1JZ.

Edited by lap_time on Monday 27th October 13:29

[john_r]

gofasterrosssco said:

I think the point being made in this story is not that Nissan will be making a 4-door GT-R, but may use some of the technology developed for the GT-R in another, Infiniti-branded car.

Hence the headline... "4-Door GT-R On The Cards"

[silly chap]

the information i have is that the car will make an appearance at the end of 2010 in north america first.

it seems also that this car may have come about as a result of slower sales in the GTR's prime market (USA) and the new car is to address the problem of older buyers not taking as well (sales) to the GTR's focused performance.

Nissan are trying to cover all potential markets with the car.

Also i have heard and read that the Panamera features very heavily on Nissans radar with this car and is it comes out later than the Porsche will seek to eclipse it as the Coupe GTR has the 911.

Could be wrong of course.

[tombstone]

and with 'special tyres' no doubt........

[Collaudatore]

tombstone said:

and with 'special tyres' no doubt........

and hand built engines which have a "varied output"

[dele]

Ricky944s2 said:

Have these not been called 'Chasers' in the past?? Ive seen R33 & R34s off them, usually going sideways round roundabouts!!!!

Thats the Toyota Chaser mate