Between 1969 and 1974, and again between 1989 and 2002, Nissan produced a high performance version of its Skyline range called the Nissan Skyline GT-R. This car proved to be iconic for Nissan and achieved much fame and success on road and track. The Nissan GT-R, although no longer carrying the "Skyline" badge, has heritage in the Nissan Skyline GT-R. Like the Skyline GT-Rs R32 through R34, the Nissan GT-R is all-wheel drive with a twin-turbo 6 cylinder engine; however, the evolutionary, incremental changes between Skyline models R32 through R34 have been done away with. The four-wheel-steering HICAS system has been removed, and the traditional straight-6 RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a new V6 VR38DETT. Because of the GT-R's heritage, the chassis code for the all-new version has been called CBA-R35, or 'R35' for short, carrying on the naming trend from previous Skyline GT-R generations. The GT-R has also retained its Skyline predecessor's nickname Godzilla.

 Concepts

Two concept vehicles were displayed at motor shows prior to the unveiling of the production model. The first concept was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2001 to preview what a 21st century GT-R would look like. At the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan unveiled a redesigned concept, the GT-R Proto, stating that the production GT-R would be 80-90% based on this concept.

 Production

The production version of the GT-R has debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, its launch in the Japanese market was 6 December 2007. The U.S. Official launch was July 07, 2008. Universal Nissan in Los Angeles provided a customer with delivery at 12:01 am, on July 07, 2008. Canadian launch was in July 2008, respectively. Europe will be the third market, where it is expected to be launched late in the same year. The large time distance between these releases is due to Nissan having to build GT-R performance centres where the car is serviced. Also the engine and rear-mounted dual-clutch gearbox are built by hand, limiting production to around 1000 cars a month.

Fujimi is probably one of the finest car kit makers in the world. Their kits of the last several years have all had rave reviews from builders for their engineering and fidelity to detail. It also helps that they have chosen some pretty impressive subjects for their releases. This one on the Nissan GT-R continues that.

I should first point out that the kit instructions are predominately in Japanese with only a few English terms for paint colors and the usual warnings. Like many of their other car kits, this one has a full chassis and interior, though no motor so is in effect, a curbside. The extremely low profile wheels carry equally low profile tires molded in rubber or vinyl. Each corner includes a complete dual disc brake assembly and it appears that the front wheels may be steerable as the tie rod just snaps into place. What engine and transmission detail there is will be pretty well hidden behind a skid plate.

The interior is well laid out and highly detailed. The kit comes with some chrome trim items for the rear view mirrors and interior trim. The body is superbly molded with very light mold seams, though some sanding of these will be needed. All of the details of head and tail lights is also provided. I found it a bit odd that the hood is not only separate, but is hinged at the rear. Obviously a boxing with a full engine must be in the works on down the road. I find it particularly helpful that Fujimi has included a full set of window masks. This is a huge help in painting if one is going to do so with the car pretty well complete. To be honest, when I have built the few cars I have, I've painted all the body components and the main body itself prior to construction. Perhaps I've been doing it wrong.

The instructions are superbly illustrated, showing the colors that parts need to be painted prior to construction. The nicely done decal sheet is large for a car kit and includes instrument dials some component ID tags and a series of numbers for license plates so you can custom make your own Japanese plates.

In all, an excellent new kit from Fujimi. There are a raft of car modelers out there who enjoy building super cars from all nations and this one certainly fills the bill. It should make into an outstanding replica when finished.

http://en.wikipedia.org

November 2008

My thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local hobby shop or on-line store.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.