Godzilla biography: more than 50 years of Nissan GT-R history.

For 40 years, it was nothing more than a Japanese legend. Unavailable here in the United States, the Nissan Skyline GT-R was a high-tech, high-performance coupe that we could only glimpse in Japanese magazines or experience virtually in video games. With all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, and a twin-turbo inline 6-cylinder engine, it was naturally the car we drooled over. And its nickname was Godzilla. How cool is that?

And when this car appeared in 2008, it did not disappoint. Power comes out of nowhere, and the all-wheel drive system hits it into the pavement, producing supercar performance. The experience is a bit digital and the looks are almost Japanese, but despite the annual price increases, this is one of the best performance values on the market.

However, many readers may not be that familiar with the GT-R's story due to its lack of a long history in Japan; the GT-R, which turns 50 in 2019, has solved that problem one generation at a time. Nissan has released videos of all six generations of the GT-R, and you can read the history below. While we are fully satisfied with the current car, we have high hopes for the seventh generation.

First generation, 1969-1972

The Skyline sedan had existed since 1957, but the GT-R made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the fall of 1968 and was launched in February 1969. Its heart was an S20 dual overhead cam 2.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that produced 160ps maximum output and 130ps maximum torque. The first-generation GT-R, known internally as the code KPGC10, had the nickname "Hakosuka," a combination of the Japanese words "box" and "skyline. Measuring 173 inches in length, with a wheelbase of 104 inches, and weighing 2,469 pounds, the car ran the quarter mile in 16.1 seconds and reached a top speed of 124 mph. It was also capable of cornering and won the JAF Grand Prix on its debut. 1971 saw the introduction of the coupe. 1,945 units of the first generation were produced.

Second generation, 1973

The second generation Skyline GT-R, code KPGC110, was offered only as a coupe and only in 1973; it was powered by an S20 inline six-cylinder engine and, like the first generation, had only a five-speed manual transmission. The car was informally dubbed "Ken & Mary" after the young couple's song used in the advertising campaign. Unfortunately, due to the oil shocks of the mid-1970s and stricter emission regulations, only 197 KPGC110 GT-Rs were built.

Third generation, 1989-1994

After a 16-year hiatus, the Skyline GT-R returned, this time as a showcase for much higher performance technology. The so-called R32 GT-R featured the new ATTESA all-wheel drive system, all-wheel "Hicas" steering, and front and rear multi-link suspension; a turbocharged RB26DETT 2.6-liter inline 6-cylinder produced 276 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Zero-60 mph was passed in 5.6 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds. The wheelbase was reduced to 102.9 inches, but the overall length was increased to 180.9 inches; the version built for FIA Group A racing produced about 550 hp and won the 1991 Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race. Total production was 43,394 cars.

Fourth generation, 1995-1998

The R33 generation was mostly just an evolution of the R32. The same engine was used, but torque was slightly increased to 264 lb-ft. The 0-60 mph time was reduced to 5.0 seconds, but the more significant achievement was a lap of the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 59 seconds. The monster R400 model was a larger turbo and displacement was increased to 2.8 liters, producing 395 hp. Only 44 units of the R400 were built when it went on sale in 1997. For most customers, the V. Spec model was the sportier choice, with a stiffer suspension, lower ride height, and an active limited-slip rear differential. The R33 race car was nicknamed Godzilla in Australia because of its ability to outperform Ford and Holden V-8 engines. It would eventually spread to production cars.

Fifth generation, 1999-2002

The R34 generation of GT-Rs benefited from the racing and testing of the previous two generations: 276 hp "nominal," less turbo lag, more torque, and a new Getrag 6-speed manual instead of a 5-speed. Body rigidity was also increased, aerodynamics were improved, and several weight-saving measures were adopted, including a carbon-fiber rear diffuser. The R34 GT-R was featured several times in the film Wild Speed, giving American car enthusiasts a taste of the unobtainable Japanese performance car.

Sixth generation, 2008-present

The first GT-R offered in the US, the R35, dropped the Skyline name. It was released in Japan in December 2007 and in the U.S. in July 2008 at a price of just under $78,000. The new engine was a twin-turbo VR38DETT 3.8-liter V6 producing 480 hp of maximum power and 430 hp of maximum torque; the Hicas all-wheel steering system was eliminated and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission replaced the six-speed manual. The multi-function display was created by the same programmers who created the video game Gran Turismo. Performance was greatly improved and has steadily improved since the R35's launch.

The R35 is now available for the 2020 model year along with a special 50th anniversary package to commemorate the milestone. The current base car produces 565 hp, while the Nismo model produces 600 hp. The top speed reaches 193 mph, and 0 to 60 is as fast as 3.2 seconds. Unfortunately, the base car is priced at $1153,235, and if you want the Nismo, it will cost you over $210,000. Godzilla has certainly grown up.