Tuesday 26th March 2019

Special edition GT-R and 370Z due next month

Nissan to celebrate 50 years of its performance models at the New York Auto Show

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While Nissan may not be the first name that comes to mind when discussing sports car heritage, particularly with nothing new for a decade, there's no denying the impact certain models have had over the past 50 years. Think of the 240Z, those incredible early Hakosuka Skylines, the return of the Z-car with the 350Z and various GT-Rs across the past 30 years.

To mark that amazing heritage, Nissan is bringing a 370Z and GT-R 50th Anniversary to the New York show next month. Nissan has form for doing this - the current GT-R receiving a 45th Anniversary special five years ago and the 370Z the same a decade back - but you would have to hope for a little more effort than a paint job and extra equipment to mark 50 years of Nissan sports cars. Particularly so given both models are approaching the end of their lifecycles.

For now Nissan has only released this teaser image, stating that the 'Ultimate Dream Garage' will be revealed the New York show. Show-goers are being told to "come experience a garage 50 years in the making". That would imply something pretty significant, though there's no way of knowing for the moment.

The picture does show one of the Italdesign GT-R50 cars confirmed for production last year, so New York could well see the debut of the production version as deliveries are due soon. Imagine if the other 50th Anniversary GT-R used its 720hp version of the twin-turbo V6...

Thankfully, the media days for the New York show are April 17th and 18th, so we've not long to find out just what these 50th Anniversary Nissans are all about. More news as we get it!

[great_kahn]

Not sure what is older and more played out, Madonna's p**** or Nissans sports car lineup.

[BrettMRC]

great_kahn said:

Not sure what is older and more played out, Madonna's p**** or Nissans sports car lineup.

Not a fan then?

[toppstuff]

Well i like them.

GTR remains an epic car which IMO has matured well.

The 370Z is old school for sure but it has a certain charm.

Both will be gone soon, but it doesnt take away the fact they remain rare and interesting

[Gecko1978]

While I can't say for sure I suspect the GTR in any form is still very fast around most tracks an A to B and also likely very reliable and relatively cheaper to run than rivals. Hard not to like it of course that's not the same as liking it more than stuff by other OEM's

[wab172uk]

Having previously owned a 370Z GT, the car is getting a bit long in the tooth now. Great cars, but coarse engine and an awkward driving position spoil the car.

I'd like to see an all new 370Z now. It's be nice if they kept the V6, but sadly, as with everything now, it's no doubt be a Turbo 4.

Caymans might be more nimble. Z4's might have better interiors, but the Nissan was proper old school.

[borat52]

Gecko1978 said:

While I can't say for sure I suspect the GTR in any form is still very fast around most tracks an A to B and also likely very reliable and relatively cheaper to run than rivals. Hard not to like it of course that's not the same as liking it more than stuff by other OEM's

Throw £5k at a standard GTR and you're at about 670bhp and it'll still go around a track quicker than all but the latest exotics.

It's not quite as sensational as it used to be back in 2009 relative to the competition but it cannot be beaten for value plus as you say it's something that you've got confidence will start every morning and being not particularly special if it gets a scratch in the car park its not the end of the world.

[C7 JFW]

Good news, pleased to hear it!

[GranCab]

Madonna's piano ?

[MonkeyButler]

Panda, Madonna's a big Fiat fan apparently..

[ambuletz]

wab172uk said:

Having previously owned a 370Z GT, the car is getting a bit long in the tooth now. Great cars, but coarse engine and an awkward driving position spoil the car.

I'd like to see an all new 370Z now. It's be nice if they kept the V6, but sadly, as with everything now, it's no doubt be a Turbo 4.

Caymans might be more nimble. Z4's might have better interiors, but the Nissan was proper old school.

if it's the turbo 4 route i'd like to see them bring back the celica.

[Babw]

ambuletz said:

wab172uk said:

Having previously owned a 370Z GT, the car is getting a bit long in the tooth now. Great cars, but coarse engine and an awkward driving position spoil the car.

I'd like to see an all new 370Z now. It's be nice if they kept the V6, but sadly, as with everything now, it's no doubt be a Turbo 4.

Caymans might be more nimble. Z4's might have better interiors, but the Nissan was proper old school.

if it's the turbo 4 route i'd like to see them bring back the celica.

That unicorn car the Nissan Celica?

[C.MW]

Old doesn't equal bad so why so much hate? The most pathetic comment I've seen in a long while on PH.

great_kahn said:

Not sure what is older and more played out, Madonna's p**** or Nissans sports car lineup.

[DanielSan]

Babw said:

ambuletz said:

wab172uk said:

Having previously owned a 370Z GT, the car is getting a bit long in the tooth now. Great cars, but coarse engine and an awkward driving position spoil the car.

I'd like to see an all new 370Z now. It's be nice if they kept the V6, but sadly, as with everything now, it's no doubt be a Turbo 4.

Caymans might be more nimble. Z4's might have better interiors, but the Nissan was proper old school.

if it's the turbo 4 route i'd like to see them bring back the celica.

That unicorn car the Nissan Celica?

[mhurley]

Do they sell many 370Zs in the UK? Can't remember the last time I saw one. Think the shape is long in the tooth now

[Big GT]

borat52 said:

Gecko1978 said:

While I can't say for sure I suspect the GTR in any form is still very fast around most tracks an A to B and also likely very reliable and relatively cheaper to run than rivals. Hard not to like it of course that's not the same as liking it more than stuff by other OEM's

Throw £5k at a standard GTR and you're at about 670bhp and it'll still go around a track quicker than all but the latest exotics.

It's not quite as sensational as it used to be back in 2009 relative to the competition but it cannot be beaten for value plus as you say it's something that you've got confidence will start every morning and being not particularly special if it gets a scratch in the car park its not the end of the world.

I'm not a big GTR fan, but for the money nothing touches it performance wise. I'm not sure what other cars have come out since 2009 that make the GTR less sensational or special as it was back then?

[Babw]

What the GTR can do to your perception of physics will not get old. You can get a little desensitised if you drive one daily but it will never get old.