A stone throw away at Nissan Motors headquarters in Japan, the operations board had to downgrade the number of platforms shared by their passenger cars from a modest 12 to a minimalist of 6.  This is because of the worst economic crisis that hit Japan since the 1950's.  The good news is that in these 6 chassis, Nissan retain one of the most unique and the most revered of all current sports cars that Nissan has ever built: The 4-wheel drive Skyline GT-R.

Nissan Skyline GT-R

Please understand that the Skyline isn't just a model in Nissan Motors Japan.  The Skyline is an entire line-up of sports-inclined cars that include everything from a sedate 2-door 2.0-liter coupe to a 4-door family mad wagon to of course, the best known, the GT-R.

The previous Skyline GT-R had its publicity because of its experience with the Japanese Touring Car Championship.  After dominating this series, it even went on to compete in the LeMans 24 hours in both GT1 and GT2 categories.  Though it didn't win in both, Nissan should be proud of their GT2 cars, which were stock road versions with minor upgrades.  Because of its competitive pedigree, the GT-R was considered one of the most desirable sports cars in Japan.  

The GT-R was different in two ways: first its looks and second the way it interacts with the driver.  The GT-R doesn't look like a sports car.  Rather, it looks like a sports coupe with an aggressive looking aerokit.  All in all, it was made to look as civilian as possible if you are to compare it to the likes of a Ferrari 355 or a Porsche 911 or even Honda's NSX.  However, be surprised that it can trample these three so-called sports cars, and this is where its performance kicks in.  Powered by a 2.5-liter inline-6 with twin ceramic turbo chargers, the GT-R has 280 horsepower.  Moreover, it has computer controlled steering and suspension system, which compensates for a driver's 'stupidity' while driving this car on the road.  In effect, there is no wheel spin, no slips, and no slides.  The GT-R always ends up in the right side of the road every time.  However, having the Skyline GT-R still rear-biased all the time means that there's no barrier from you having fun.

The new Skyline GT-R is no different either.  Using the same formula as before, Nissan Motors Japan changed the looks to sometime more aesthetically sound, the engine was retained but minor suspension tweaks and the addition of a 6-speed gearbox made sure that the Skyline GT-R is still the safest, friendliest and smartest sports car around.

Nissan Cefiro

The 1999 Cefiro being sold here model is actually four to five years old in Japan, and it comes to no surprise that Nissan is ready to change this with an all-new car.  In May of 1998, Nissan Motors Japan gave the world a first glimpse of the new Nissan Cefiro, which will debut late this year.  

Japanese Cefiro has bold S-Class like headlamps which look classifer than the previous one.  Cornering and foglamps integrate better as well.  Grille is probably the old chessy factor in this whole front side.
 
Little has changed from the old Cefiro to the new.  However, new side lines make the bardge size seem smaller (a look borrowed from BMW).  Lower profile tires and spoiler don't match executive's looks.
 
When people demanded a new face to change the boring 200 SX, Nissan came up with this rather American muscle car looking piece.