How The 2024 Nissan Skyline Nismo Could Spell Trouble For American Muscle Cars

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The 2024 Skyline NISMO-Tuned VR30DDTT Engine Showcases Spellbinding Performance

Nissan’s motorsport division recently added a 2024 NISMO version to the sporty Z coupe lineup. It was only a matter of time until they did so for the Skyline lineup, sold as the Infiniti Q50 in the US. Drawing inspiration from Nissan’s storied motorsports heritage (think the R34 Skyline GT-R NISMO Z-tune), it boasts incredible performance thanks to the modification of the VR30DDTT engine.

The Nismo-Tuned VR30DDTT Engine

The VR30DDTT is a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 that’s often praised for its tuning potential and being one of the most reliable V6 engines ever made. Without any revamps, it already puts out 300 ponies and 295 lb-ft of torque. In Nissan’s lineup, we’ve seen it under the hoods of the Nissan Z and range-topping performance-oriented trim level, the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400, making 400 horses. NISMO has decided to shake things up a little.

Now tuned even better by NISMO engineers who developed the Nissan Z GT500 racing class engine for the Super GT series, the latest 2024 Skyline NISMO knows no bounds when it comes to power and specs. Built for the average buyer yet designed with the racetrack in mind, its menacing looks give a very reasonable warning about the kind of horsepower and performance it carries. In fact, the NISMO team made modifications to the already great VR30DDTT engine, bringing its power up to 414 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft.

With numbers like these, plus a stiffer suspension, stickier performance tires, and lower ride height, the 2024 Skyline NISMO is bound to challenge racers all over the world and be among the fastest versions of the 13th V37 generation. True, it’s no match in terms of power going against 700 horsepower American monsters, but the way you can put its 414 horses to use as a complete package and not sticking solely to the straights and quarter miles might capture a couple of muscle car customers. Plus, the Skyline NISMO is rear-wheel drive, bringing a familiar feel to those switching over from American-bred rides.

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The Skyline Comes Equipped With NISMO’s Cutting-Edge Racing Technology

Racing-Tech Improvements In The New Skyline NISMO (2024)

• NISMO-tuned suspension and bespoke stabilizers
• Redesigned front and rear bumpers and side sill covers for better aerodynamics
• Moldings on the front bumper, lower grille and fog lamps, and the surf lines that reduce aero drag and enhance downforce
• Better adhesive on the front and rear windshields for improved body rigidity
• Updated brakes with better pads and a revised antilock braking system (ABS)
• Stickier and specially developed Dunlop SP Sport MAXX GT 600 performance tires. Includes 20 mm wider tires at the rear for better grip
• Wider, lighter and more rigid NISMO-exclusive Enkei 19-inch aluminum wheels
• Redesigned grille opening cross-section and shape of the internal air guide for improved cooling performance

From the thought put into the better performance tires and the inclusion of NISMO-exclusive Enkei wheels (wider, stronger, and lighter), Nissan says the 2024 Skyline NISMO is an intelligent car throughout: fast and grippy but also safe and practical. Improving on this is the tuned suspension and special stabilizer bars that help reduce roll when turning while also maximizing ground contact on uneven road surfaces.

NISMO also slightly modified the exterior (redesigned the front and rear bumpers) to ensure better aerodynamics and downforce. Special adhesive comes from the Nissan GT-R NISMO, gluing both the front and windshields with more rigidity without increasing the overall weight.

Nissan says stopping distance is shorter, aided by upgraded brake pads with outstanding fade-resistance properties, which work together with a modified antilock braking system (ABS). Meanwhile, a redesigned grille provides air-flow heavy, natural cooling to the components under the hood.

Standard, Sport, or Sport+: You Choose How To Drive It

Nissan thought of speed, driving freedom, and fuel economy as well. Buyers get three driving modes, which change how the engine revs, the car’s suspension qualities, and how drivers engage with the seven-speed automatic transmission

• Standard Mode – delivers a normal driving experience meant for everyday use and cares for your wallet in terms of fuel economy.
• Sport Mode – this is where things get interesting: the shifting schedule changes to NISMO-tuned orders, resulting in higher rpm.
• Sport+ Mode – this is a high-performance mode meant for the track, squeezing every bit of built-in technology, allowing for high RPMs for better responsiveness and driving feel that make NISMOs what they are in essence: a division centered around racing.

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2024 Nissan Skyline NISMO-Exclusive Features

From its low, wide stance and NISMO-modified exterior, the 2024 Skyline NISMO certainly boasts the looks of a proper high-performance sports sedan. To set it apart from the regular version and indicate that this is a NISMO model, it sports unique features on the outside.

Exterior Features

• Specially developed and extended NISMO front/rear bumpers and side sill covers. All come accentuated with red details
• NISMO-exclusive fog lamps
• NISMO logos on the body
• Paint options: White Pearl, NISMO Stealth Grey, Dark Metal Grey, Red, Black

Of particular note, there is an even more exclusive version of this 2024 Skyline called Skyline NISMO Limited (only 100 units), which has special features which include

• A unique NISMO Limited emblem
• Hand-assembled engine
• Takumi label displaying the details of the craftsman who assembled the engine at Nissan’s Yokohama Plant
• Special serial plate displaying the production number (1 – 100)
• Race-inspired matte gunmetal wheels

Interior Features

The 5-seater interior of the 2024 Nissan Skyline NISMO gets a similar premium fit and finish to the popular Skyline 400R. These include

• The NISMO metal emblem on the center console is engraved with the serial number of the limited production run
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel sporting a NISMO-exclusive red center mark at the 12-o-clock mark
• A speedometer adjusted to now read up to 280 kph (174 mph), and a red-ringed tachometer featuring a NISMO logo
• NISMO-tuned Recaro sports seats (front) and a NISMO-exclusive rear seat accentuated with a red centerpiece
• Seat Back Trim made of carbon material (installation panel, center cluster, door trim)
• Suede upholstery for centralized pressure to ensure firm positioning even in sharp corners and grand touring comfort

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The 2024 Skyline NISMO Enters The Markets With A Competitive Price Tag

Nissan says it will produce the Skyline NISMO and the Skyline NISMO Limited in editions of 1,000 and 100, respectively. The price of the 2024 Nissan Skyline starts at ¥7,880,400 and goes up to ¥8,470,000. Converted to USD as of mid-March 2024, the price ranges between $53,293 and $57,281. The Skyline NISMO Limited costs more, with a sticker price of 9,479,800 ($64,127). Nissan says there will be only 100 units, and that will pay tribute to the classic S54A-1 Prince Skyline GT on its 60th anniversary.

Since everyone loves an overwhelmingly fast car filled to the brim with ear candy and technological differentiation at a good price, we compared the Skyline NISMO to its likely rivals in the American market.

Skyline NISMO Pricing vs. American Muscle Cars

Notice how Nissan priced the 2024 Skyline NISMO at a reasonable middle point? This is why the 2024 Nissan Skyline NISMO could spell trouble for American muscle cars. As of today, there are no official plans to export the 2024 Skyline NISMO outside of Japan, but if the brand eventually decides to sell the model in the US, it will pose a serious threat. Also, Nissan could decide to give the American equivalent, the Infiniti Q50, the same NISMO treatment, which will bring competition to available muscle cars. According to Nissan, production of the Skyline NISMO started in September last year, and the last 100, which will be all Limited trims, will come out this summer.

Yes, it’s not a new GT-R or a spiritual successor to the legendary GT-R R34 either, but it’s still an attention-grabbing model that is sure to trick some at the red light. After all, there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes with morphing your standard Skyline into Sport+ mode and smoking everyone around. We’re glad Nissan hasn’t left their racing substance aside, even if it’s only for a thousand units.

Sources: Nissan Japan, Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge