- Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa confirms a next-gen Skyline sedan is coming.
- The “Heartbeat” model for Japan features GT-R inspired taillight graphics.
- Reports suggest a 2027 launch with a possible twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6.
The Nissan Vision presentation included many interesting announcements for upcoming models such as the Juke, Rogue (X-Trail) and XTerra SUVs, but it was a sedan that caught our attention. We’re talking about the new generation of the Skyline that has been confirmed for production.
The successor of the aging V37 Skyline that has been around largely unchanged since 2014 is destined for the Japanese market. It is one of Nissan’s upcoming “Heartbeat” models alongside the body-on-frame Xterra designed for the US.
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The upcoming sedan was announced by Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO of Nissan, along with a series of revealing teasers:
“And finally, a name that represents the origin and soul of Nissan. Skyline: a re-imagined icon of Japanese engineering and driving passion with performance and precision” adding “Skyline is a heartbeat model, a symbol of Japanese engineering and driving performance infused with raw emotion.”
The teasers reveal a traditional three-box silhouette with retro-infused styling cues. The front end appears to be inspired by the Nissan Skyline C10 (Hakosuka), featuring a slim grille and aggressive headlights. The same applies to the sculpted rear fenders, complete with Skyline lettering.
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At the back, the model adopts quad round LED graphics reminiscent of the R34/R35 GT-R, while the taillight clusters are similar to the R30/R31 generations. We can also see hints of a bi-tone livery adding an extra dose of nostalgia.
While technical specifications remain under wraps, Japanese media suggest the new Skyline will ride on an updated version of the RWD architecture currently employed by the V37 generation.
Powertrains will likely include an hybrid option, allowing it to comply with future emission regulations. However, the highlight is the rumored return of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine which powers the outgoing Skyline 400R/Nismo and the Nissan Z, making the perfect case for a performance variant.
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Nissan has yet to set a target date for the market launch of the new Skyline in Japan, but local media speculate it could arrive in 2027. The model could be mechanically-related to the upcoming Infiniti Q50S for the US market which is also expected to debut next year.
If you are wondering about the highly anticipated R36 GT-R, this wasn’t mentioned in the presentation. The future performance flagship was initially imagined as a fully electric sports car with solid-state batteries, but there have also been reports about a hybrid powertrain.
