What Is It?
Nissan GT-R Proto
What's Special About It?
The next-generation GT-R doesn't really need the hype, but that hasn't stopped Nissan from laying it on thick every chance it gets. The publicity machine started in 2001 when Nissan rolled out the initial concept, hinting that it might go into production. In 2003, Nissan made it official, announcing that a new GT-R would hit showrooms in 2007. Now here we are, two years later, finally getting a glimpse of what we can expect — yes, even in the U.S. — in another two years: the Nissan GT-R Proto coupe.
Like all GT-Rs before it, this version is big and muscular with fat fenders and a wide rear end. The signature round taillights are there, as expected, along with four very serious-looking exhaust pipes.
What sets this GT-R apart from its predecessors is its shape above the beltline, specifically the way the glass wraps around from the windshield. This is the first GT-R that isn't derived from a sedan, so Nissan's design team had a little more leeway with its design. In profile, the way the glass tapers down toward the back gives it a hunchbacked look like it's ready to unleash some serious power.
Up front, the GT-R Proto shows heavy influence from the wind tunnel. There's a huge central air intake in the deep air dam along with a pair of smaller inlets further up the hood. Slim quarter-panel vents not only look tough, they help smooth out the air over the wheels.
We wish we could tell you that there was another killer GT-R turbocharged V6 underneath all that bodywork, but Nissan officials didn't say a word about hardware or specs. We've heard numbers around 450 horsepower being thrown around, but Nissan insisted this was a styling prototype only.
What's Edmunds' Take?
This GT-R isn't exactly what we'll see in '07, but it's close. Sources inside Nissan tell us that everything but the front clip is pretty much finished. Judging by the size of the crowd at the press conference, they don't need to change a thing. — Ed Hellwig
Nissan GT-R Proto
What's Special About It?
The next-generation GT-R doesn't really need the hype, but that hasn't stopped Nissan from laying it on thick every chance it gets. The publicity machine started in 2001 when Nissan rolled out the initial concept, hinting that it might go into production. In 2003, Nissan made it official, announcing that a new GT-R would hit showrooms in 2007. Now here we are, two years later, finally getting a glimpse of what we can expect — yes, even in the U.S. — in another two years: the Nissan GT-R Proto coupe.
Like all GT-Rs before it, this version is big and muscular with fat fenders and a wide rear end. The signature round taillights are there, as expected, along with four very serious-looking exhaust pipes.
What sets this GT-R apart from its predecessors is its shape above the beltline, specifically the way the glass wraps around from the windshield. This is the first GT-R that isn't derived from a sedan, so Nissan's design team had a little more leeway with its design. In profile, the way the glass tapers down toward the back gives it a hunchbacked look like it's ready to unleash some serious power.
Up front, the GT-R Proto shows heavy influence from the wind tunnel. There's a huge central air intake in the deep air dam along with a pair of smaller inlets further up the hood. Slim quarter-panel vents not only look tough, they help smooth out the air over the wheels.
We wish we could tell you that there was another killer GT-R turbocharged V6 underneath all that bodywork, but Nissan officials didn't say a word about hardware or specs. We've heard numbers around 450 horsepower being thrown around, but Nissan insisted this was a styling prototype only.
What's Edmunds' Take?
This GT-R isn't exactly what we'll see in '07, but it's close. Sources inside Nissan tell us that everything but the front clip is pretty much finished. Judging by the size of the crowd at the press conference, they don't need to change a thing. — Ed Hellwig
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