Carscape Team
The traditional sports sedan “Skyline Sedan” with state-of-the-art automatic driving technology and a monster with over 400 horsepower. The Skyline sedan is especially recommended for those who want to incorporate the latest self-driving technology into their own car, those who want to drive a high-power sports sedan, and those who want a sedan that combines a comfortable ride with high maneuverability.
It was once a sports sedan representing Japan.
Nissan Skyline is a car that has been sold continuously for more than 50 years since the first model appeared in 1957. Currently, only a 4-door sedan is available, but a 2-door coupe was available from the 3rd generation called Hakosuka to the 10th generation model, which was the last Skyline model equipped with an in-line 6-cylinder engine. In addition, the 3rd, 4th, and 8th to 10th generations were equipped with a special model called “GT-R” that realized high driving performance. Proud.
At first glance, the Skyline looks like an ordinary sedan, but it was called “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” because of its high driving performance comparable to that of a sports car. In addition, the skyline-based racing car has achieved brilliant results on the circuit, and the skyline has received high support from car enthusiasts.
Now the body size is the same as the crown
The current 13th generation Skyline was announced in November 2013 and went on sale in February 2014. The current model was introduced overseas as “Infinity Q50” earlier than the Japanese market, so it appeared with the emblem of Nissan’s premium brand “Infinity”, which is Toyota’s Lexus, instead of the Nissan emblem. This included Nissan’s message that the Skyline, which had been a Japanese exclusive car until the 10th generation, received high acclaim as a global model and was introduced to the Japanese market, but users were divided. .
By sharing the platform with the high-end model Cima, the current Skyline has an expanded body size of 4,815 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width, and 1,440 mm in height. Considering rival cars in terms of body size, Toyota Crown is a rival car that uses the same rear-wheel drive as the Skyline, and the drive system is FF (front-wheel drive), but Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda Atenza, etc. are applicable.
The Skyline in the era when it was equipped with an in-line engine was a sports sedan with practicality and high driving performance. However, from the 11th generation, which became a global model, emphasis was placed on practicality and texture rather than driving performance, and it may be said that the sports sedan color faded and changed to a sporty sedan.
High output and low fuel consumption for both hybrid and turbo
The current Skyline was only a grade called 350GT hybrid equipped with a hybrid system of 3.5LV type 6 cylinder petrol engine + motor at the time of release. In May of the same year, the 200GT-t equipped with a 2L in-line 4-cylinder turbo developed by Mercedes-Benz, which has a business alliance, was added, and the powertrain to be installed became two types.
Nissan’s unique 1-motor 2-clutch hybrid system produces a maximum output of 306ps for the engine and 68ps for the motor, and a maximum torque of 350Nm for the engine and 290Nm for the motor, giving a system maximum output of 364ps. Despite being so powerful, JC08 mode fuel efficiency is 16.8-17.8km/L, and both FR (rear wheel drive) and 4WD drive systems achieve excellent fuel efficiency.
On the other hand, the 2L in-line 4-cylinder turbo engine has a maximum output of 211ps and a maximum torque of 350Nm, which is a specification that emphasizes power compared to the Mercedes-Benz C class, but the JC08 mode fuel consumption is 13.0km / L, which is high output and low fuel consumption. They are compatible in a higher dimension. The combined transmission is an 8-speed AT for both engines, and the drive system is mainly FR, and 4WD is set for hybrid vehicles.
World-class advanced equipment for running
In addition, it is equipped with the world’s first steering system “Direct Adaptive Steering” that converts the movement of the steering wheel into electric signals to steer the tires. The sharp handling with no response delay provides the driver with a sense of security through “driving as intended” and high straight-line stability. In addition, all models are equipped with run-flat tires as standard equipment that can run about 150km at 80km/h even when the tires are completely deflated.
Well-equipped safety equipment
The safety equipment is also full of state-of-the-art features. PFCW (Forward Collision Prediction Warning) detects the distance and relative speed between the vehicle and the vehicle running two ahead, and if it determines that the vehicle needs to decelerate, the driver will be alerted by a display and a buzzer. call attention to “BSW (rear side vehicle detection warning)” and “BSI (rear side collision prevention support system)” are also adopted, which detect the next vehicle when changing lanes and reduce the risk of collision accidents. At the time, it was the first vehicle in Japan to adopt the BCI (Reversing Collision Prevention Support System), which reduces the risk of collision by detecting approaching vehicles when reversing.
Is the lack of changes after debut the flip side of the high degree of perfection?
After the debut, some improvements in December 2015 made the “Vision Support Package” standard equipment for upper grades, and some improvements in March 2016 included an omnidirectional driving support system as standard equipment for all cars, and December 2017. In the minor change of , we are changing the interior and exterior. Due to the high degree of perfection of the initial model, the change points in the minor change are considerably less than the normal minor change.
The current Skyline has a different number of modes, but both hybrid and turbo cars are equipped with a drive mode selector that allows the driver to change the individuality of the car according to the driving scene. This device is a function that can change the driving performance of the Skyline by combining the engine, transmission, steering, active lane control, etc. It also has a personal mode that allows you to make detailed settings for the driver’s preferences.
Running on par with European premium sedans
When you actually ride it, you can feel the high running performance that is comparable to European premium sedans such as BMW. On the other hand, it seems that the newly developed rear suspension and run-flat tire settings are not mature enough, and it is a bit disappointing that the unique hardness of the run-flat tires is reflected in the ride quality.
It seems that the Skyline, which was once a sports car, has lost its shadow and aims to achieve both high-quality luxury and sportiness like European cars. In that respect, it can be said that the Crown, which was reborn last year, is a rival of the current Skyline.
A high-end sedan that pursues driving performance and safety performance
Practicality required for a sedan, such as a comfortable rear space and a luggage space of 400L even for a hybrid vehicle, driving performance that makes the driver feel the joy of handling, and high safety performance. The appearance of the current Skyline is a good balance of these three points. And the grade where you can enjoy that feeling the most is the 350GT hybrid type SP.
*The content of the article is based on information as of April 2019.
