Nissan-Italdesign stunner confirmed for production - yours for R16 million

Nissan has just confirmed limited-edition production of the stunning Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, after a concept vehicle was shown earlier in the year and billed as the ultimate expression of the company’s track monster.

Only 50 units of the Japanese-Italian sports car will be built and the order books are open, for a price of 990,000 Euro (R16m) before taxes and options.

The car’s exterior is virtually unchanged from the prototype, and it's powered by a NISMO-tuned twin-turbo 3.8-litre V6 engine thrusting out 530kW - an impressive 122kW power hike over the standard Nissan GT-R, through all-wheel drive.

The car is a collaboration between Nissan and Turin-based Italdesign, the world-renowned coach-builder. Together they created this piece of automotive art in commemoration of the 50th anniversaries of the GT-R in 2019 and of Italdesign in 2018. 

While the prototype vehicle was finished in a special grey with gold accents, reminiscent of the colours which adorned the first GT-R that went racing, customers who have R16m to spare will be able to specify their preferred colour combinations for the production version. They also will be able to choose interior colors and packages.

And just because you are South African doesn’t mean you can’t have one.

“It’s a global programme”, says Janus Janse van Rensburg, product manager for GT-R at Nissan SA. “If anyone from this country is interested in the limited edition GT-R50 they can approach Nissan SA and we will put them in touch with Italdesign who will assist in the purchase,” he continued. Maintenance of the car will be ably taken care of by existing, specialist GT-R dealerships.  

"The reaction from Nissan fans around the world – and potential customers of the GT-R50 – has greatly exceeded our expectations,” said Bob Laishley, global sports car programme director at Nissan. "These 50 cars, which celebrate 50 years of the GT-R as well as 50 years of Italdesign, will be rolling tributes to Nissan’s engineering leadership and rich sports car heritage for a long time to come.”

Customers who wish to own a GT-R50 may start by visiting www.GT-R50.nissan and contacting Italdesign to create their own bespoke car. Deliveries will begin in 2019 and will continue through 2020.