Skyline R-chassis Models

Last time I talked about the chassis codes. This time in this short guide I will talk about the models and clear up myths about the names that have spread like wildfire about this well-yet-little-known car.
Wikipedia has been known for false information, and the Nissan Skyline is no exception.
Since everyone knows about the GT-R, I will omit the special versions such as the V-Spec, and focus more on the non-GT-R models that are still relatively unknown to many of you.

R31

The R31 was the first car to be sold with the Nissan RB motor, however it was only available as a 2.0L in Japan, or 3.0L in Australia. There was also a Diesel variant called the RD28. I will only cover the Japanese and Australian models here.

1800 (and submodels) - CA18. 4-door Sedan and Stationwagon.
GT - RB20E. Sedan Only, pillar-less hardtop (Passage and Excel).
GT D - RD28 2.8L SOHC diesel.
GT 24-Valve - RB20DE DOHC.
GT Turbo - RB20ET SOHC turbo.
GT 24-Valve Turbo - RB20DET DOHC turbo.
GTS - RB20DET 2.0L n/a. Coupe and Sedan.
GTS Turbo, GTS-R - RB20DET 2.0L DOHC turbo. Coupe.
GTSX - RB20DET 2.0L turbo. Coupe and Sedan.
Silhouette - RB30E 3.0L SOHC. Sedan only.
GXE 3-0 - RB30E 3.0L SOHC. Sedan and Stationwagon.

There was no GT-R for this generation, however the GTS-R is often considered to be the R31 equivalent.

R32

The R32 Skyline was first produced in 1989 as a GT-R and as a series of lower-spec non-GT-R’s with 5 options for the motor. HICAS 4-wheel steering was an option in the GTS25 and GTS-t models, however not all are equipped with 4WS.

GXi - CA18i bottom-spec. Only available in 4-door sedan.
GTE - RB20E bottom spec SOHC. Only available in 4-door sedan.
GTS - RB20DE 2.0L n/a DOHC. Coupe and Sedan, very popular.
GTS25 - RB25DE 2.5L n/a. Coupe and Sedan.
GTS-t - RB20DET 2.0L turbo. Coupe and Sedan.
GTS-4 - RB20DET 2.0L turbo. Coupe and Sedan, 4WD and 4WS.
GT-R - RB26DETT 2.6L twin turbo. Coupe only, 4WD and 4WS.

Any non-GT-R is a GTST - wrong!

How to tell apart from GT-R:
Low-level spoiler, or no spoiler.
Smaller bumper without air ducts.
Bonnet overhangs front.
Fenders aren’t as wide.
Doesn’t have the boost-gauge cluster above the stereo.
Has auto-gear display or aero up/down switches where clock should be.

R33

The R33 Skyline began production in 1993 with the GT-R and a new series of lower-spec models. Nissan had simplified the options to only 3 choices of motors for the GTS models. The RB20DE and RB20DET were no longer available, however the RB25DET was now available in the GTS25t. There were no GTS-t’s for the R33 generation. Later R33 series changed from the hydraulic HICAS 4WS system to the electric super-HICAS.

GTS - RB20E 2.0L SOHC bottom-spec. Available as 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe available 1995 to 1998.
GTS25 - RB25DE 2.5L n/a. Coupe and Sedan. 4WS optional 1995 to 1998.
GTS-4 - RB25DE 2.5L n/a. Coupe and Sedan, 4WD.
GTS25t - RB25DET 2.5/L turbo. Coupe and Sedan, 4WS in all versions except type-G.
GT-R - RB26DETT 2.6L twin turbo. Coupe only, 4WD and 4WS.

There is no way of telling if it's a sedan by model name/chassis code - true!

How to tell apart from GT-R:
Badge is on front grille.
Bumper is smaller without air ducts.
Fender indicators sit flush inside the fenders.
Low-level spoiler, or high level not adjustable.
Rear fenders aren’t as wide.
GT-R has only one reverse light.

R34

The R34 was introduced in 1998, however the R33 GT-R was still in production this year along with the R33 40th anniversary model. The R34 GT-R was first produced in 1999 and continued production until 2001. The RB20DE was brought back, and all motors features variable valve timing.
Nissan changed the names by placing the numbers in front of the letters.
Super-HICAS was optional only for the 25GTt and was standard in the 25GT-FOUR model.
There is a series of enigmatic X models for each R34 which are only available as sedans (excluding the GT-R), for example 25GTX-FOUR and 25GTX, however not all sedans are X models.

GT - RB20DE 2.0L n/a DOHC. Coupe and Sedan.
25GT - RB25DE 2.5L n/a. Coupe and Sedan.
25GT-V - RB25DE 2.5L n/a. Coupe and Sedan, has up-rated brakes and gearbox from the turbo models.
25GT-FOUR - RB25DE 2.5L n/a. Coupe and Sedan, 4WD with super-HICAS 4WS.
25GTt - RB25DET 2.5L turbo. Coupe and Sedan, super-HICAS optional. Often referred to as “GTT”.
GT-R - RB26DETT 2.6L twin turbo. Coupe Only, 4WD and 4WS, Z-tune stroked to 2.8L.

It's not a GT-R, it must be a GTT - wrong again!

How to tell apart from GT-R:
Bonnet overhangs front.
Has smaller bumper that scoops into engine bay.
Has bubble-cluster, pop-up screen, or sunglass tray on dashboard instead of fixed LCD screen.
Has thinner fenders all-round.
Both reverse lights are clear.
No spoiler, lip-spoiler, low-level spoiler or high-level not-adjustable.

FAQ’s:
Wikipedia says there is an Autech version, why isn’t it listed?
-Autech is a tuning company that turns sedans into GT-R’s - even the Bluebird and Primera. They do some interesting work, particularly with n/a motors, but they are more of a specialist vehicle than a mass-produced car.

Wikipedia and all my chav m8s say it’s a GTT, why don’t you?
-I have looked on parts look-ups and have a spreadsheet of the chassis codes and models and nowhere does it say “GTT”. It appears to have started the same way everyone calls the R32 and R33 “GTST”, but has become very widespread due to it being banned in most of Europe and North America at the time of its release, thus there is a lack of information.

Why is there no V35 Skyline?
-What’s there to say? The number is the displacement and FOUR means 4WD, all are V6 n/a auto. The Infiniti G35 is the non-Japan equivalent. Unlike the Skyline, auto and manual are both available, and the displacement follows the model generation (3.5L G35, 3.7L G37).

Why is there no R30?
-The models area bit of a mess for the R30 and R31 and there is nothing I can tell you that Wikipedia can’t already. I tried to simplify the R31 to the best of my knowledge, however there are a few omissions.

This content was originally posted by a Car Throttle user on our Community platform and was not commissioned or created by the CT editorial team.