Nissan Skyline Nismo Debuts For Japan: 414 HP, Only 1,000 Will Be Made

Nissan announced a new Nismo would debut on August 8, and that time has arrived. While there were rumors and speculation about a possible hybrid model, none of those came to pass. Instead, feast your eyes on the new Skyline Nismo, and take a good look. Only 1,000 will be made, and they're only available in Japan.

As you'd expect with a Nismo machine from Nissan, there are a few performance upgrades to accompany aesthetic touches. The suspension is "specially tuned" to reduce roll, though Nissan doesn't share exactly what's different. Sticky tires are mounted to exclusive 19-inch Enkei wheels that are lighter, wider, and stronger than those used on other Skylines. That allows for slightly wider tires at the rear, and when it comes time to stop, upgraded brake pads and a retuned ABS system shorten stopping distances.

Don't fret, horsepower fans. Nissan does infuse the Skyline Nismo with a few extra ponies for good measure. Similar (but not identical) to the recently revealed Nissan Z Nismo, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 now makes 420 metric horsepower. That's 414 in SAE speak, and torque is also up to 406 pound-feet (550 Newton meters). In the electronics department, there are sport and sport+ driving modes to make the most of the engine and suspension changes. The performance modes also change the shifting behavior of the Skyline's seven-speed automatic transmission.

Now to the aesthetics, which also bear resemblance to those on the Z Nismo. It wears a modest body kit with Nismo-specific front and rear fascias, side sills, upgraded driving lamps, and plenty of Nismo branding. Of course there's red trim with black along the bottom, and you'll find more of the same inside. It shares accommodations with the 400R, though you'll find Nismo branding on the available Recaro seats, center console, and instrument cluster.

Nissan says the Skyline Nismo will launch in September, and only 1,000 are planned for production. Two trim levels will be offered – 900 in standard guise and 100 Skyline Nismo Limited versions that receive gunmetal wheels and special branding. It's a homage to the classic S54A-1 Skyline GT from 1964, but they won't launch until later in 2024. Prices start at 7,880,400 yen, which converts to approximately $55,000 as of August 2023.