Among car enthusiasts, especially those who are just beginning to immerse themselves in the world of the Japanese automobile industry, there is often a persistent misconception about the existence of the model Nissan Skyline R35. Having heard about a powerful two-door coupe and learned that it is a Skyline, newcomers automatically assign it the R35 body index, following the logic of previous generations. However, technically and historically such a car has never existed in nature, and this confusion did not arise out of nowhere.
In fact, the car that everyone used to call the R35 is an independent model called Nissan GT-R. This significant event in the history of the concern occurred in 2007, when the company's management made a strategic decision to separate the flagship sports car coupe from the line of sedans and station wagons. It was at this moment Skyline and GT-R officially separated, stopping their joint evolution within the same chassis.
Understanding this difference is critically important not only for general erudition, but also for the correct selection of spare parts, assessing the liquidity of a car in the secondary market and communication in a professional environment. If you look for parts for the Skyline R35 in catalogs, you simply won’t find the components you need, since technically it’s a completely different car with a different platform. Let's figure out exactly how this transformation took place and why the body markings went out of whack.
⚠️ Attention: Trying to buy spare parts for the "Skyline R35" by VIN will result in an error in the catalogs, since in the Nissan database this body is listed exclusively as a GT-R (DBA-R35), and not as part of the Skyline family.
Historical break: When the GT-R came into its own
Long time acronym GT-R was only a designation for a top-end, sports modification of a regular sedan or coupe Nissan Skyline. Starting from the legendary KPGC10 and ending with the epoch-making R34, these cars shared a common platform, engines (in basic versions) and even interior elements with civilian versions. However, by the beginning of the 2000s, it became obvious that the sports direction required a unique engineering base, incompatible with the mass production of comfortable sedans.
In 2001, Nissan announced the GT-R Proto concept, which visually and technically had nothing in common with the then Skyline V35. This was a signal to the market: something special is being prepared. The official break occurred in 2007 with the release of the model we know today. Nissan GT-R received its own body index, its own PM platform and stopped wearing Skyline nameplates on the stern. From now on, the R35 is always a GT-R, never a Skyline.
While the sports car went into free swimming, the name Skyline continued to live, but as a model range focused on comfort and everyday driving, gradually losing its sporty flair. In Japan, these cars were sold under the Nissan brand, and in export markets (USA, Europe) they were often released under the name Infiniti (models G35, G37, Q50). Thus, the “civilian” Skylines continued their numbering (V35, V36, V37), bypassing the R35 index.
Technical differences between the R34 and R35 platforms
To finally close the question of why Skyline R35 - this is a myth, just look at the technical stuffing. Predecessor, Skyline R34 GT-R, was based on a platform that was an evolution of Nissan's older rear-wheel drive chassis. In turn, the “new” R35 (simply GT-R) received a revolutionary platform for the brand PM (Premium Midship). This is a fundamentally different architecture, where the transmission is moved to the rear wheels for ideal weight distribution.
The engines also highlight the huge gap between the last "real" Skyline and the new GT-R. If the R34 was equipped with an RB26DETT series engine, then the R35 received a completely new unit VR38DETT. This is not just an upgrade, but a completely redesigned engine, hand-assembled by one specialist at the Yokosukka plant, as evidenced by the nameplate on the intake manifold.
The table below shows a comparison of key characteristics, which clearly demonstrates that we are facing different eras and different philosophies of automotive manufacturing:
| Characteristics | Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R | Nissan GT-R (R35) |
|---|---|---|
| Years of manufacture | 1999–2002 | 2007–present |
| Engine | RB26DETT (2.6L inline 6) | VR38DETT (3.8L, V6) |
| Transmission | Manual transmission 6-speed | Robot GR6 (DCT) |
| Drive | Full (ATTESA E-TS) | Full (ATTESA E-TS Premium) |
| Platform | Skyline (evolutionary) | PM (unique) |
It is important to note that the gearbox is GT-R R35 is a separate masterpiece of engineering. The hand-assembled twin-shaft dual-clutch robot is capable of processing colossal torque that the classic mechanics of the R34 simply could not cope with in modern conditions. Technology difference Between these two cars there is more than 10 years of intensive development, which in the automotive world is equal to a lifetime.
Why is the VR38DETT assembled by hand?
Each VR38DETT engine is assembled by one master mechanic ("takumi") from start to finish. Once assembled, he attaches a nameplate to the engine. This is done to ensure the highest quality control of the assembly, since the tolerances in the motor are extremely small, and the automatic line could miss microscopic defects that are critical for the forced versions of Nismo.
The fate of the Skyline name after 2007
Bye GT-R conquered the world on tracks, name Skyline continued to be used in Japan to refer to sedans and coupes, which were known as Infiniti G-series. After the R34 came the V35, V36 and V37 generations. None of them received the "R" index, since the letter "R" in Nissan nomenclature is reserved exclusively for racing versions Racing. Since regular Skylines were no longer racing monsters, they lost the right to this letter in the index.
In 2013, another metamorphosis occurred: in Japan the model was renamed Nissan Skyline Hybridand then just in Nissan Skyline, completely abandoning the domestic division with Infiniti. However, even the most powerful versions with a motor VR30DDTT (for example, in the V37 body) were never called GT-R, much less received the R35 index. They remained simply top-end Skylines.
There is also a coupe version called Nissan Skyline Coupe (CV36), which was produced in parallel with the advent of the GT-R. Outwardly, it might resemble a sports car, but under the hood it had conventional naturally aspirated or turbocharged V6s, and the drive was often rear-wheel only. This was the last gasp of the classic Skyline before the model finally turned into a business sedan.
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a "Skyline R35" on the secondary market, there is a 99% chance that you will encounter either a scam or a seller who simply does not understand the topic. There is no real Skyline with this body index.
Body indices: Confusion in numbering
Nissan's body designation system can confuse even the most experienced car enthusiast. Letter "R" (R32, R33, R34) historically meant the GT-R generation. Letter "V" (V35, V36, V37) stood for regular Skylines (or Infiniti G). Omitting the R35 number in the Skyline line and assigning it to a separate GT-R model is not a cataloging error, but a marketing and engineering move.
The logic here is simple: having created a car that has almost nothing in common with the Skyline (except for the nameplate on early concepts), engineers could not call it V35 or V36, since these would be civilian sedans. But it would be incorrect to fit it into a number of R-bodies as a continuation of the R34 due to a complete change of platform. So a Solomonic decision was made: keep the R-index (as a symbol of racing heritage), but drop the Skyline name.
For those involved in tuning or searching for body parts, this difference is critical. Body panels, optics, suspension elements GT-R R35 and Skyline V37 absolutely incompatible. Even the mounting holes may be off by several millimeters, making direct swapping impossible without serious cutting and welding of the metal.
When ordering glass or optics, always use the VIN code. The names "Skyline" or "GT-R" in spare parts catalogs may be used incorrectly by sellers, and the VIN eliminates the error.
How to tell a real GT-R from a regular Skyline
If you see a car being sold as a "Skyline R35", take a close look at the details. First, pay attention to the back: this one has GT-R there are four round lights (two on each side) and a massive diffuser. On regular Skylines (V-bodies), the headlights have a completely different, often elongated shape, and the exhaust pipes may be hidden or have a different location.
Secondly, check the interior. B GT-R Recaro seats (or quality Nissan equivalents) are standard, and the instrument panel has a distinctive "tilt" towards the driver with a huge tachometer in the center. Regular Skylines have a more utilitarian, comfort-oriented interior with a classic dashboard. Also, in the GT-R you won't find the "Skyline" designation on the dashboard or sills, there is a GT-R logo emblazoned there.
- 🏁 Nameplates: On the rear of the GT-R, only "GT-R" and "Nissan" are written. The inscription "Skyline" is missing there.
- 🔧 Engine: Under the hood of the GT-R you will see a huge plastic cover with the inscription "VR38DETT" and a master's plate. Skylines have motors of the VQ or VR30 series, but without a name mark.
- ⚙️ Transmission: The presence of an automatic transmission selector (robot) with a Manual mode and a starter button separate from the key is a sign of a GT-R. Skylines often have a classic automatic or manual transmission with a regular key.
It's also worth looking at the documents. In the PTS or Japanese auction sheets (Auction Sheet), the model will be clearly stated: for GT-R - DBA-R35 or ABA-R35, for Skylines - UA-V35, DBA-V36 and so on. The letter R at the beginning of the model code is a sure sign that this is GeTeR and not its civilian counterpart.
☑️ Check before purchasing GT-R
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it true that Nissan is planning to release a Skyline R35 in the future?
There are currently no official plans to revive the Skyline name for the R35. Moreover, in 2026, Nissan announced the end of production of the Skyline sedan in Japan, finally closing this page of history. The future of the GT-R name is also in question, with rumors of a hybrid powertrain for the (next generation) but it will no longer be called Skyline.
Is it possible to legally replace the nameplates on a Skyline V37 with a GT-R?
Technically, it is possible to replace nameplates, but legally this can create problems when passing inspection or registration if changes are not made to the documents. In addition, an experienced inspector or buyer will immediately notice a discrepancy between the body, engine and VIN code, which will raise suspicions of theft or illegal design.
Why is the Infiniti G37 called Skyline?
Infiniti G37 (CV36/V36 body) is the export name of the Japanese Nissan Skyline Coupe/Sedan. They are the same machine, designed for different markets. In Japan it was sold as the Nissan Skyline, and in the US and Europe as the Infiniti G37. However, neither version is related to the GT-R R35.
What engine is on the Skyline R35 if there is no such car?
Since "Skyline R35" is a misnomer for the Nissan GT-R, it has the corresponding engine - VR38DETT. This is a 3.8-liter V6 twin-turbo, which was not installed on any of the civilian Skylines (V35-V37).
How much does a real Nissan GT-R R35 cost today?
Price for Nissan GT-R R35 highly dependent on the year of manufacture, condition and version (Black Edition, Nismo, Track Edition). On the secondary market, prices can vary from 4 to 15 million rubles and higher for fresh copies. Civilian Skylines (V36/V37) are much cheaper, which often provokes scammers to try to pass them off as "R35".
The Nissan Skyline R35 does not exist. R35 is the body index of the independent Nissan GT-R model, which since 2007 has no direct connection with the Skyline line of civilian sedans.