What GTR Means? A Deep Dive into Nissan‘s Legendary Gran Turismo Racer

The GTR abbreviation stands for Gran Turismo Racing, originating from Nissan‘s famous Skyline GT-R model. But what exactly does GTR mean when it comes to defining this automotive icon? Let‘s take a comprehensive look at the GT-R‘s illustrious 50+ year history of dominating tracks and streets worldwide.

Origins: From Skyline GT-R to Standalone Supercar

The GT-R legend begins in 1969 with the launch of the first Nissan Skyline GT-R (PGC10) exclusively in the Japanese market. As Nissan explains:

"We named it ‘GT-R‘ to identify it as a Gran Turismo racer that people could enjoy driving freely on any kind of road, or – as the first two letters suggest – as a ‘Grand Touring‘ car equally suited to long-distance driving."

The 1969 Skyline GT-R (KPGC10) introduced the GT-R legend. Image credit: Wiki Commons

Over the next 40 years, successive Skyline GT-R generations earned a reputation for dominating on both track and street. The 1989-1994 R32 GT-R era was particularly significant, as this "Godzilla" GT-R began humiliating established European sports cars like the BMW M3 in motorsport competitions.

Then in 2007, Nissan introduced the R35 generation GT-R as a stand-alone vehicle separate from the Skyline lineage. This marked the GT-R‘s elevation from Nissan‘s luxury coupe stable into an elite high-performance brand of its own. No longer a "Skyline", but the one and only Nissan GT-R.

By The Numbers: GT-R Generations and Sales

The Nissan GT-R has endured across multiple generations since 1969:

GT-R Generations	Production Years	Number Sold
PGC10	1969-1972	1,349
KPGC110	1973–1977	1,860
KPGC10	1977–1980	1,453
R32	1989–1994	43,394
R33	1995–1998	16,668
R34	1999–2002	12,476
R35	2007–present	Over 160,000*

*Still in production – sales are combine R35 models globally. Source: Wikipedia

Impressively, over 160,000 GT-Rs have been sold worldwide since the R32 was introduced in 1989. As both a road car and racing icon, the Nissan GT-R enjoys universal appeal across continents that only seems to grow stronger with time.

Unmatched Performance Kitchen – Under the Hood

So what enables the Nissan GT-R to back up its imposing reputation with raw speed and handling decades after its introduction? Here are some of the key mechanical elements that make the GT-R one of the world‘s premier supercars year after year:

• Twin-turbo 3.8L V6 – Hand-built by Nissan‘s elite "Takumi" master engine builders, the GT-R powerplant churns out 565-600 hp depending on trim. The engine combines immense grunt with reliability and surprising fuel efficiency.

• ATTESA E-TS AWD system – This advanced torque split technology seamlessly sends power to the wheels with the most traction. Traction control is also tuned perfectly to allow for controlled slides upon enthusiast request.

• Independent transaxle AWD – Separating the dual-clutch transmission and transfer case optimizes weight distribution for incredible handling balance and control.

• Bilstein DampTronic suspension – Continuous damping control instantly adapts to road conditions and driving style by crunching data from 11 individual sensors.

Combine these bleeding-edge mechanical elements with a stiff chassis and active differentials, and you have a 4-seater that can humble million-dollar supercars on both road and track. The GT-R remains the performance bargain of the century.

GT-R Trims – Godzilla Offers Options

The Nissan GT-R family includes several trim levels catering to varying degrees of performance needs and budgets:

Trim	Horsepower	Start Price	Notes
GT-R Premium	565 hp	$113,540	The "base" GT-R still embarrasses supercars
GT-R Track Edition	600 hp	$150,740	Adds NISMO goodies to chase lap records
GT-R NISMO	600 hp	$212,435	Fastest, most track-focused variant from the factory
GT-R50 by Italdesign	710 hp	$1.1 million	Ultra-exclusive 50th Anniversary Edition

With the exception of the 7-figure GT-R50 unicorn, interested buyers can experience mind-bending GT-R performance for between $100k and $200k – relatively affordable in the supercar arena. But make no mistake – even the "entry-level" Premium GT-R variant punches far above its weight class, as evidenced by its sub-3 second 0-60 mph time.

Dominating Motorsport Events to Become Godzilla

The GT-R‘s domination across motorsports – particularly in the Super Taikyu series – birthed its larger-than-life "Godzilla" persona. AutoCar describes how the R32 GT-R earned the nickname:

The R32 earned the ‘Godzilla’ nickname when it swept almost every race it entered in the late 1980s and early 1990s… The R32 was far superior to the best Europe could offer at the time, which also earned it the ‘Giant Killer‘ moniker.

From the Group A R32 GT-R to today‘s GT-R NISMO GT3 competing in prestigious international GT3 classes, Nissan motorsports variants have demonstrated the GT-R‘s world-class capabilities for decades. Although no longer directly production-based, the latest GT-R NISMO GT3 still conjures the spirit of Godzilla with its 600 hp twin-turbo V6 powerplant.

Here‘s a visual timeline highlighting GT-R generations that dominated the racing world under the Godzilla nickname:

GT-R racing heritage spans 50+ years. Image credit: Nissan

Technical Marvel at an Attainable Price

Unlike unattainable seven-figure supercars, the Nissan GT-R has long delivered extreme performance at relatively affordable prices:

Nissan GT-R Cost Over Time

Generation	Starting MSRP	Adjusted for Inflation
R32 (1989)	¥4,500,000	$113,000 in today‘s dollars
R35 (2008)	¥6,800,000	$77,000 in today‘s dollars
R35 (2021)	$113,540	Unchanged since 2008

Car and Driver highlights the GT-R‘s value equation:

"The GT-R has always been a performance bargain, with capability comparable to cars costing two and three times more. A $100,000 GT-R will run down a $300,000 supercar."

Consider the base 2021 GT-R Premium clocked 0-60 mph in a scant 2.9 seconds while starting under $120,000. Where else can such supercar acceleration be obtained for a sum most people can realistically finance? The GT-R remains a uniquely accessible supercar thanks to Nissan‘s mastery of technical innovation on a mass production scale.

The Ongoing Legacy of Skyline DNA

Despite dropping the Skyline name in 2007, the GT-R proudly continues the Skyline GT-R‘s 50+ year legacy as Nissan‘s performance flagship. As Nissan puts it:

"The GT-R delivers a heart-pounding driving experience virtually unmatched by any production car past or present. It is a potent combination of turbocharged six-cylinder engine, advanced all-wheel drive system and exceptional handling."

The GT-R represents both a departure from and evolution of the Skyline‘s place in Nissan‘s hierarchy:

• Departure – No longer marketed as a luxury coupe. Reborn as a standalone sports car brand.

• Evolution – Maintains Skyline GT-R‘s signature all-wheel drive performance and racing spirit.

Make no mistake – the GT-R descends directly from a royal bloodline of track and tuning icons. The Skyline DNA is strong with this one.

Importing a GT-R to America – Here Be Monsters

Due to conflicting vehicle regulations, getting a GT-R to America directly from Japan involves jumping through hoops:

• GT-Rs under 25 years old cannot be legally imported due to lacking US safety certifications. The "Show and Display" collector car exemption only applies to production cars over 25 years old.

• Importing a 1989-1999 Skyline GT-R is possible but extremely difficult due to Motorex company‘s past monopoly on bringing R32 GT-Rs to US shores in the 1990s. Their now defunct business means no more loopholes.

• Buying a GT-R already legally converted to left-hand drive in another country is realistically the only way to own one in the US. However, it will not meet emissions and lack some safety features for street use. Not for the timid.

In summary, the Skyline GT-R remains forbidden fruit for American buyers who must admire Godzilla from afar or take the grey market plunge. The R34 Skyline I drooled over in Gran Turismo as a kid remains a pipe dream here. I‘ll just keep honing my virtual driving skills until we hit the 25 year mark!

The Evolution of Godzilla in Gran Turismo

As a lifelong gearhead and avid gamer, I‘ve spent countless hours pushing the limits of Skylines and GT-Rs in the Gran Turismo series over the years. The games‘ meticulous attention in digitally recreating the GT-R mechanics, sounds, and handling quirks is incredible.

While games will never fully capture the g-forces and auditory assault of a real 600 hp all-wheel drive monster, Polyphony Digital gets us awfully close. Here‘s a look at the GT-R‘s evolution across Gran Turismo generations on PlayStation:

Game	Year	GT-R Model
Gran Turismo	1997	R32 Skyline GT-R V-Spec II
Gran Turismo 2	1999	R33 Skyline GT-R V-Spec
Gran Turismo 3	2001	R34 Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Nur
Gran Turismo 5	2010	R35 GT-R SpecV
Gran Turismo Sport	2017	R35 GT-R NISMO (2017)

It‘s been rewarding to watch both the real and virtual GT-R evolve side-by-side into the true performance monsters they are today. My racing sim cockpit setup doesn‘t provide the full sensory experience of course, but attacking turns in a GT-R via wheel, pedals and VR visor takes engagement and realism to the next level. I can only imagine the rush of piloting the real thing… one day!

Conclusion: GT-R Delivers Thrills with Universal Appeal

In the end, the Nissan GT-R (and the Skyline GT-Rs before it) have secured a place in gearhead lore because it transcends niches. Hardcore motorsport fans revere the GT-R‘s racing prominence. Import tuner enthusiasts grew up idolizing the Skyline‘s style and mod potential. Gamers like myself have paved virtual roads and raceways with the GT-R for decades now. And anyone who simply loves performance automobiles respects the GT-R‘s engineering might.

Whether you admire Godzilla for its design, electronics, customization culture, race pedigree, accessibility, or sheer mind-bending speed – the GT-R delivers something magical. In a world of hyper-priced supercars with little connection to non-billionaires, we need the GT-R now more than ever.

Here‘s to another 50 years of GT-R performance innovation, racing glory, and bringing smiles to enthusiasts across economic strata. Long live Godzilla!