- Extraordinary 2.6-litre twin-turbo I6 engine
- Close-ratio transmission has short-throws and positive shift action
- Traction from ATTESA-ETS all-wheel drive system makes for excellent dynamics
- Accurate steering
- Powerful brakes
- Supportive front seats…
- … may be too narrow for some
- Firm ride
- Rear seat occupants are below the rear window
Overview
Released in June 1991, the Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R was a two-door, high performance coupe. The R32 Skyline GT-R was powered by a 2.6-litre inline six cylinder engine (RB26DETT) which had double overhead cams and twin Garrett ceramic turbochargers; a five-speed manual transmission was standard. Although the GT-R’s official peak power output was stated as 206 kW, actual output has been estimated at 239 kW.
Although other R32 Skyline variants have been privately imported to Australia, the GT-R was the only variant to be imported by Nissan Australia, with Australian deliveries limited to 100 vehicles.
ATTESA-ETS and HICAS
The R32 Skyline was fitted with Nissan’s Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain Electronic Torque Split (ATTESA-ETS) all-wheel drive system which utilised an electronically controlled multi-plate wet clutch pack. In normal conditions, torque was directed to the rear wheels though up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque could be redirected to the front wheels according to inputs from wheel speed sensors which measured slip and a lateral G-force sensor. However, the front wheels also had a non-limited slip differential which enabled the all-wheel drive system to apportion different ratios of torque between the front wheels.
The Skyline GT-R was also fitted with a High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering (HICAS), a hydraulically controlled rear-wheel steering system which enabled the rear wheels to make small counter-steering movements to improve handling.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skyline GT-R | 2.6-litre twin-turbo petrol I6 (RB26DETT) |
5sp man. | 206 kW at 6400 rpm | 353 Nm at 4400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the R32 Skyline GT-R was limited to ABS.
Brakes
The GT-R had 324 mm diameter ventilated front discs with four-piston calipers and 300 mm rear discs with two-piston calipers.
Features
Standard features for the Skyline GT-R included 16-inch alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, climate control air conditioning, sports seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and power mirrors.
Historical note: Australian Touring Car Championship
In 1991, Skyline GT-Rs finished first and second in the Australian Touring Car Championship; the Skyline GT-R also won the Bathurst 1000 in 1991 and 1992. In January 1993, the Group 3A Touring Car racing category was modified and a three-class structure was introduced which excluded all-wheel drive and turbocharged vehicles.
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