New Nissan GT-R Celebrates 50 Years of Japanese Supercar Supremacy

Godzilla is more of a monster than ever.

Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition Promo
Nissan

Nissan honored 50 years of the GT-R with a special “50th Anniversary Edition” of the Japanese supercar at the New York International Auto Show

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Godzilla, as the vehicle is known among gearheads, gets a double-heat treated “Bayside Blue” paint coat for the first time since the GT-R34, along with blue accents on the wheel spokes and bronze brake calipers. “Pearl White” with red stripes and “Super Silver” with white stripes round out the 50th anniversary colorways. 

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The commemorative model also receives a decked out interior. In addition to the eight-inch touchscreen, driver-oriented cockpit and hand-selected Nappa leather featured on all 2020 GT-Rs, the 50th Anniversary Edition has high-end Alacantra microfiber on the headliner and sunvisors, as well as one-of-a kind trim on the steering wheel and shifter.

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Under the hood is the stock 2020 GT-R’s 565-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 and a pair of brand new turbochargers that Nissan engineers designed to be 5 percent more efficient. 

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That may not sound like a big deal, but the automaker claims that the upgraded turbos provide sharper engine response in an out of corners. Combined with a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission tuned to make aggressive downshifts, these upgrades should make Godzilla even more of a monster on the track. 

2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO. 

Speaking of the track, Nissan also unveiled a new iteration of the motorsports-team-designed NISMO model that produces 600 hp thanks the GT-R GT3 race car turbos. That technically makes it the most powerful production GT-R ever made.

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Car and Driver has further details: 

The NISMO benefits from a more serious diet that helped it shed about 67 pounds. These weight savers include more extensive carbon-fiber in the front end and lighter components elsewhere.

The NISMO’s front fenders in particular now feature scalloped vents as seen on the GT-R GT3 race car that aid aerodynamics and engine cooling and add downforce. The ultimate street-legal GT-R also gets lighter 20-inch wheels with a new nine-spoke design.

They’re wrapped in a set of newly designed Dunlop tires that provide a bigger contact patch for higher cornering force and better steering response.

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Both GT-R models go on sale this summer. Which Godzilla  would you get? 

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