Nissan Skyline R34 (1998–2001)

A shorter, stiffer car than the R33

The R34 reversed part of the R33's growth. Japanese Wikipedia records the GT-R as 75 mm (3.0 in) shorter than the R33 GT-R, with a 55 mm (2.2 in) shorter wheelbase and a front-to-rear weight distribution of about 55:45. Auto-data.net lists the R34 wheelbase at 2,665 mm (104.9 in) for both the saloon and the GT-R.

Wikipedia adds that the shorter body came mainly from a reduced front overhang. The coupé and the four-door saloon were kept, but in Germany's Wikipedia entry the turbocharged GT-T is the only regular version noted as a saloon as well as a coupé.

The engines changed too. In May 1998 the RB range switched to the NEO cylinder head, with solid valve lifters, revised camshafts, smaller combustion chambers and lower emissions, which earned it Japan's low-emission vehicle (LEV) classification. The R34 was the last Skyline built around an inline six: its successor moved to V6 engines. The full guide to all Skyline generations traces that change.

Engines and the 280 PS ceiling

All R34 engines were 2.0 to 2.6-litre straight sixes. The table gives the rated outputs in kW, followed by the metric PS figure used in Japan.

The turbo 2.5-litre reached the same official 280 PS as the GT-R. That was the limit Japanese manufacturers had agreed not to exceed in published figures. Wikipedia says independent tests of the GT-R suggested about 244 kW (332 PS) at the flywheel, and that the Nür engine produced more than 246 kW (334 PS).

For the R34 GT-R, the RB26DETT's turbochargers moved to ball bearings while keeping ceramic exhaust wheels. Torque rose to 392 Nm, a figure that Japanese and German Wikipedia agree on.

Inside the BNR34 GT-R

The GT-R was the car that defined the R34. Its six-speed manual was developed with the German company Getrag, replacing the five-speed of earlier GT-Rs. Brembo brakes stayed standard, now with gold calipers and larger mounting bolts, and the car ran on 245/40ZR18 tyres and forged 18 × 9J BBS wheels.

The most talked-about feature was the multifunction display. A 5.8-inch screen in the centre of the dashboard showed seven live readings, including boost pressure up to 1.2 bar; the V-spec added intake and exhaust gas temperatures. Nismo later sold an optional version with a lap timer and G-force meter.

ATTESA E-TS Pro, introduced on the R33 V-spec, appears in Wikipedia's account of the R34, although the page is inconsistent on whether base cars received it. Super HICAS was carried over with minor changes.

Performance claims vary. Wikipedia quotes 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, while German Wikipedia gives about 4.9 seconds and a top speed limited to 180 km/h (112 mph). German Wikipedia lists a kerb weight of 1,540 kg (3,395 lb).

R34 dimensions

The table uses auto-data.net figures. GT-R length and wheelbase are consistent with the reductions from the R33 GT-R recorded on Japanese Wikipedia.

Crash-test status

No Euro NCAP, IIHS or other independent crash-test result for the R34 was found in the sources checked for this page, so no rating is quoted. Without a published score, each imported example has to be judged on its condition, accident history and equipment.

From V-spec to Nür: R34 GT-R versions

German Wikipedia counts 64,623 R34s in total. GT-R figures are given as 11,578 by Wikipedia, excluding the Z-tune, and 11,344 by German Wikipedia.

• GT-R and V-spec (1999): the V-spec, with 4,193 built, has firmer suspension, lower ground clearance and a carbon rear diffuser. A Midnight Purple II colour was offered on 300 V-spec cars at launch, according to Japanese Wikipedia.
• V-spec II (2000): introduced with the 2000 update; 1,855 built, with a carbon-fibre bonnet and NACA duct, aluminium pedals and larger rear brake discs.
• M-spec (May 2001): 366 built, with ripple-control dampers, heated leather seats and an aluminium bonnet. The "M" refers to chief engineer Mizuno.
• V-spec II Nür and M-spec Nür (2002): announced on 24 January 2002 as a limited run of about 1,000 cars, with upgraded turbochargers, gold valve covers and a 300 km/h speedometer. Wikipedia counts 718 V-spec II Nür and 285 M-spec Nür.
• N1 versions: 38 V-spec N1 and 18 V-spec II N1, built as racing bases.
• Nismo Z-tune: Nismo rebuilt used GT-Rs with a 2.8-litre engine and Sachs suspension. Sources give about 368 or 373 kW (500 or 507 PS) and agree that fewer than 20 were completed.

Choosing an R34

Outside Japan, the R34 is mostly found as a used import. In the United States the 25-year import rule, which made the R32 eligible in 2014, reached the first R34 GT-Rs built in early 1999 in 2024.

• 25GT-t: rear-wheel drive with the same rated 206 kW (280 PS) as the GT-R, in coupé or saloon form.
• GT and 25GT: the naturally aspirated NEO sixes with 114 kW (155 PS) or 147 kW (200 PS), simpler cars without turbochargers.
• GT-R V-spec or V-spec II: the core performance versions, with V-spec chassis changes.
• M-spec and Nür: the rarest series-production GT-Rs and the most sought-after.

Among Japanese performance cars of its time, the R34 GT-R is usually set against the Toyota Supra and the Honda NSX. Its successor as Nissan's flagship performance car is the stand-alone Nissan GT-R (R35); other models are listed in the Nissan catalogue and among other Japanese cars.