Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition revealed in New York

Nissan has unveiled the 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R in New York, set to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2019.

The special edition celebrates 50 years since the launch of the first GT-R, the 1969 PGC-10 sedan and subsequent KPGC-10 coupe (now affectionately known by its Japanese nickname Hakosuka).

The 50th Anniversary GT-R will be available in three colour schemes designed to reference liveries worn by the GT-R in the Japan GP series – the race series the original car was built for.

The hero colour for the car is the fan favourite 'Bayside Blue' which last appeared on the R34 GT-R between 1998 and 2002. The colour is complimented by white racing stripes.

Aside from the colour schemes, the 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R scores as standard a new grey interior colour scheme with a unique steering wheel and Alcantara trim throughout. There are also 50th Anniversary Edition-specific wheels.

For the 2020 model year, Nissan has re-worked the GT-R’s engine performance slightly. The 3.8-litre V6 (VR38DETT) still produces 421kW/633Nm but has tweaked turbos and exhaust manifolds to provide sharper engine response.

The six-speed dual-clutch transmission has also been re-worked for “more aggressive downshifts” which “results in reduced understeer”. Nissan has also given the GT-R a new titanium exhaust muffler with burnished blue tips.

While Nissan has confirmed the GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition will arrive in Australia in the second half of 2019, you’ll need to stay tuned closer to its release window for local pricing information.

Do you think Nissan has done the GT-R’s 50th birthday justice with the Anniversary Edition? Share your thoughts in the comments below.