The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign prototype, announced online at the end of last month, will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester, England, later this week as it’s also revealed theItalian design firm aims to build around 50 units at a price upwards of 900,000 euros.
The first-ever collaboration between Nissan and Italdesign, this sportscar prototype commemorates the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R, coming up in 2019, and Italdesign, in 2018.
“The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the ideal setting to showcase the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, which combines power and artistry to celebrate 50 years of inspiring the dreams of our customers,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s senior vice president of global design.
“Just like the prototype itself, Goodwood is a celebration of design, performance, a little indulgence and a lot of love of historic and future automotive creativity," Albaisa added. "It’s the perfect setting to showcase a unique vehicle that will stir the imagination of people to dream even bigger.”
Pending the GT-R50 by Italdesign’s reception at Goodwood and other global appearances in the coming months, a customer version inspired by the prototype may be created, says Italdesign.
No more than 50 units would be produced by Italdesign – with each car being specially tailored for each customer – with a price estimated to start at about 900,000 euro.
The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign starts with Nissan’s latest GT-R NISMO and aims to re-interpret it with a more European-style – combining brute force with Italian craftsmanship and tailoring.
With a special power plant that boasts up to 120 PS over the stock engine, as well as chassis and driveline upgrades, its performance backs up the new look.
Italdesign developed, engineered and built the car while the distinctive exterior and interior designs originated from Nissan Design Europe and Nissan Design America.
Key design features include a pronounced power bulge on the hood, stretched LED headlights, a lowered roofline, and prominent “samurai blade” cooling outlets behind the front wheels. A large, adjustable rear wing, mounted with two uprights, completes the overall look. The exterior is finished in a Liquid Kinetic Gray colour, with distinctive Energetic Sigma Gold anniversary accents.
Inside, two different carbon fibre finishes are extensively used across the center console, instrument panel and door linings. The seats feature black Alcantara and black Italian leather. Gold accents echo the exterior treatment throughout the cockpit.
Underneath its new shape, the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign is all business. Drawing on Nissan’s extensive GT3 racing experience, the NISMO organisation enhanced the hand-assembled 3.8-litre V6 VR38DETT engine to produce an estimated 720PS and 780 Nm of torque.
A revised Bilstein suspension damping system and upgraded Brembo braking system help handle the extra power.
