Nissan Skyline

Nissan Skyline: generations: what actually changed

The catalogue lists 12 generations of Nissan Skyline. Treat each named generation as a separate choice: 13 generation is not a restyle of 12 generation.

The catalogue lists 12 generations of Nissan Skyline. Treat each named generation as a separate choice: 13 generation is not a restyle of 12 generation.

13 generation (from 2013-11-01, stop not measured) is the only Sedan. Tank 70 l (10 l less than the 80 l Coupe tanks of 11 generation and 12 generation). Ground clearance 130 mm on all three versions. Two engine types appear here and nowhere else in the line: a 1991 cm³ Turbo 4 Inline, and a 3498 cm³ Hybrid 6 V-shaped. Power ceiling 306 hp. Kerb weight 1760–1840 kg — 110 kg heavier than the heaviest 12 generation 3.7 MT (1650 kg), 210 kg heavier than the 12 generation 2.5 AT RWD (1580 kg). 0–100, top speed, fuel use, CO2, eco class, gross weight, and wheels: not measured.

12 generation (2006-11-01 to 2009-12-31, Coupe) and 12 generation, restyling (2010-01-01 to 2014-05-31, Coupe) share the 333 hp 3.7 MT, 333 hp 3.7 AT, 330 hp 3.7 AT, and both 2.5 AT (225 hp RWD and 225 hp AWD). The restyling drops the 3.5 AT (315 hp, 3498 cm³, Gasoline, 5-speed Automatic, 1590 kg). That is the arithmetic of the facelift: one fewer engine, same 3696 cm³ 6 V-shaped peak (333 hp), same 80 l tank. The 333 hp 3.7 AT (5-speed Automatic, 1620 kg) is 30 kg lighter than the 333 hp 3.7 MT (6-speed Manual, 1650 kg) in both generations — the automatic is the lighter car. The 330 hp 3.7 AT (7-speed Automatic, 1610 kg) sits 3 hp and 2 Nm below the 333 hp pair (363 Nm vs 361 Nm) at the same 7000 / 5200 rpm.

11 generation (2001-06-01 to 2007-09-30, Coupe) is the last generation with a 3.5 MT and the only one with a 3.5 CVT. Peak 280 hp (two versions), down 53 hp from the later 333 hp 3.7. Lightest measured kerb here: 2.5 AT RWD 1470 kg. Clearance splits: 125 mm on the 272 hp and 280 hp 3.5 cars that list 125 mm, 140 mm on the 2.5 AT, 3.0 AT, 3.5 CVT, and the 272 hp 3.5 cars that list 140 mm.

10 generation (1998-05-01 to 2001-05-31, Coupe) is where 0–100 is densely measured, and where the catalogue’s power outlier sits: 3.8 DCT at 1200 hp / 882 kW / 1400 Nm, 3799 cm³, Gasoline, 6 V-shaped, Turbo, Robotic 6, RWD, 1150 kg, 105 mm clearance, fuel 98, wheels 255/35 R18 and 265/35 R18. That is 315.9 hp/l and 0.96 kg/hp — 867 hp above the 333 hp 3.7 of 12 generation, 610 kg lighter than the 13 generation 2.0 AT. The same generation’s street Turbo 2.5 MT (280 hp) is the measured 5.4 s car. Two 2.0 AT at 155 hp differ only in timed figures (10.3 s / 201 km/h vs 10.5 s / 199 km/h) at the same 1350 kg; two 2.0 MT at 155 hp are 9.2 s / 215 km/h vs 9.4 s / 213 km/h at 1330 kg.

9 generation (1993-08-01 to 1998-04-30, Coupe): Turbo 2.5 MT 250 hp, 6.0 s, 249 km/h, 1360 kg; Turbo 2.6 MT AWD 280 hp, 5.5 s, 268 km/h, 1500 kg. Tank 72 l on most versions (65 l on one 130 hp 2.0 MT).

8 generation (1989-05-01 to 1993-07-31, Coupe): first 280 hp 2.6 MT AWD in the set (5.8 s, 250 km/h, 1430 kg, 135 mm). Turbo 2.0 at 215 hp in RWD and AWD. Floor is 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT at 91 hp (13.0 s / 169 km/h and 14.0 s / 165 km/h).

7 generation (1985-08-01 to 1989-04-30, Coupe): all twelve versions are 2.0 at 1998 cm³, 115–190 hp. Manuals that list mass are all 1300 kg; automatic mass is not measured except where listed as none. Turbo starts at 2.0 MT 180 hp and 2.0 MT 190 hp.

6 generation (1981-08-01 to 1985-07-31, Coupe): 105–130 hp, 4 Inline, clearance 170 mm (highest in the catalogue among versions that list it). Tank not measured.

5 generation (1977-01-01 to 1981-12-31, Coupe Hardtop): 95–120 hp, 60 l tank, 160 mm clearance. The 115 hp 1.8 MT4 / 1.8 MT5 / 1.8 AT (Distributed injection (multi-point)) sit 10 hp above the carburetor 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT at 105 hp, same 1770 cm³ and 1050–1055 kg. The 6 Inline 2.0 MT4 / 2.0 MT5 / 2.0 AT at 115 hp are 125–130 kg heavier than the 105 hp 1.8 manuals and make 5 hp less than the 4 Inline 2.0 MT at 120 hp — more cylinders, not more power.

4 generation (1972-10-01 to 1976-12-31, Coupe): every listed kerb is 1240 kg. Boost, tank, clearance, 0–100, top speed: not measured. Peak 150 hp on 2.4 AT / 2.4 MT. The 1.8 AT is labelled Manual, 3 speeds in the English gearbox field.

3 generation (1968-01-01 to 1972-12-31, Coupe): one version, 2.0 MT, 160 hp / 118 kW / 180 Nm, 1989 cm³, Gasoline, 6 Inline, Carburetor, Manual 5, RWD, top speed 195 km/h. Mass, tank, clearance, 0–100: not measured. That 160 hp is 65 hp above the 5 generation 95 hp 1.6 MT and 51 hp below the 7 generation 190 hp Turbo 2.0 MT.

Engine specs by version

Use the names exactly. Same name, different power or drive: they are different cars.

13 generation (Sedan)

Both Hybrid 3.5 AT share 10.6 compression, 95.5 × 81.4 bore × stroke, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 95. The 2.0 AT is Direct injection (direct), 9.8 compression, 83 × 92, fuel 95. Power per litre: 2.0 AT 106.0; both 3.5 AT 87.5. The four-cylinder is the higher-strung engine; the Hybrid six is the higher-output engine at the same 350 Nm.

12 generation and 12 generation, restyling (Coupe)

All of these: Gasoline, 6 V-shaped, boost No, Front, longitudinal, Distributed injection (multi-point), fuel 95. Wheels on the 3.7 cars: 225/50 R18 and 245/45 R18. 2.5 AT wheels: not measured.

11 generation Distinguish the 3.5 AT at 272 hp from the 3.5 AT at 280 hp, and the 3.5 MT at 272 hp from the 3.5 MT at 280 hp. 2.5 AT 215 hp RWD is Automatic 4, Direct injection (direct), 1470 kg, Front, longitudinal. 2.5 AT 215 hp AWD is Automatic 5, same 215 hp, 1580 kg (+110 kg), Front, transverse. 3.0 AT 260 hp, 2987 cm³, 1490 kg, 87.0 hp/l. 3.5 CVT 272 hp, Variable, 1550 kg.

10 generation Turbo vs naturally aspirated NA 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 200 hp, 255 Nm, 2498 cm³. Turbo 2.5 AT 280 hp, 333 Nm; Turbo 2.5 MT 280 hp, 363 Nm — same 280 hp, +30 Nm on the manual. 2.6 MT 280 hp AWD, 392 Nm, 2568 cm³, Manual 6 (the only 6-speed Turbo AWD here). 3.8 DCT 1200 hp, Turbo, Robotic 6, Direct injection (direct), fuel 98.

9–3 generation engines stay Gasoline. Turbo appears from 7 generation 2.0 MT 180 hp upward. Carburetor is 3 generation 2.0 MT, 5 generation 1.6/1.8/2.0 sixes, 6 generation 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT. Central injection (single-point or single- point) is 4 generation only.

Performance, mpg, horsepower and torque

0–100 km/h is not measured for 11 generation, 12 generation, 12 generation, restyling, 13 generation, 6 generation, 5 generation, 4 generation, and 3 generation (except top speed 195 km/h on the 3 generation 2.0 MT). City / highway / combined fuel use is not measured on any version in this set. Do not read a blank mpg column as “the car uses no fuel.”

Measured 0–100, fastest to slowest among versions that list it: 10 generation 2.5 MT Turbo 280 hp 5.4 s → 9 generation 2.6 MT 280 hp 5.5 s → 8 generation 2.6 MT 280 hp 5.8 s → 9 generation 2.5 MT Turbo 250 hp 6.0 s → 10 generation 2.5 AT Turbo 280 hp 6.3 s → 10 generation 2.5 MT 200 hp RWD 6.8 s → 9 generation 2.5 AT Turbo 245 hp 7.2 s → 9 generation 2.5 MT 200 hp 7.5 s (and 2.5 MT 190 hp RWD 7.5 s) → 10 generation 2.5 MT 200 hp AWD 7.6 s → 10 generation 2.5 AT 200 hp RWD 7.9 s → 9 generation 2.5 AT 190 hp 8.0 s → 9 generation 2.5 AT 200 hp 8.1 s → 10 generation 2.5 AT 200 hp AWD 8.4 s → 10 generation 2.0 MT 155 hp 9.2 s and 9.4 s → 10 generation 2.0 AT 155 hp 10.3 s and 10.5 s → 9 generation 2.0 MT 130 hp 10.8 s → 8 generation 2.0 AT 125 hp 11.1 s → 8 generation 1.8 MT 91 hp 13.0 s → 8 generation 1.8 AT 91 hp 14.0 s.

AWD on the 10 generation 2.5 200 hp costs 0.8 s on the manual (7.6 vs 6.8) and 0.5 s on the automatic (8.4 vs 7.9), and 110 kg / 90 kg extra kerb (1450 vs 1340; 1460 vs 1370). Turbo on the 10 generation 2.5 MT (280 vs 200 hp) cuts 1.4 s versus the NA RWD 2.5 MT (5.4 vs 6.8) at +70 kg (1410 vs 1340).

Top speed measured peak: 9 generation 2.6 MT 268 km/h. 10 generation Turbo 2.5 250 km/h; 8 generation 2.6 MT 250 km/h. 5 generation ceilings are 160–170 km/h. 13 generation top speed: not measured.

The only CO2 figure in the entire model: 247 on the 12 generation and 12 generation, restyling 2.5 AT RWD 225 hp. Eco class: not measured everywhere.

Dimensions, weight in kg, tank, wheels

Kerb weight span among measured cars: 1045 kg (6 generation 1.8 MT) to 1840 kg (13 generation 3.5 AT AWD). Gross weight: not measured on every version.

kg/hp (measured mass only), selected: 10 generation 3.8 DCT 0.96; 12 generation 3.7 AT 333 hp 4.86; 12 generation 3.7 AT 330 hp 4.88; 12 generation 3.7 MT 4.95; 13 generation Hybrid 3.5 AT RWD 5.75; 13 generation 2.0 AT 8.34; 4 generation 1.6 MT 12.4.

Clearance: 105 mm (10 generation 3.8 DCT); 125 mm (some 11 generation 3.5); 130 mm (13 generation all; most 12 generation 3.7; 10 generation 2.6 MT); 135 mm (12 generation 2.5 AT RWD and 3.5 AT 315 hp; 8 generation 2.6 MT); 140–150 mm on many 7–11 generation cars; 160 mm 5 generation; 170 mm 6 generation. 3 generation and 4 generation clearance: not measured.

Tanks: 70 l 13 generation; 80 l 11–12 generation; 65 l most 10 generation and 7 generation; 72 l most 8–9 generation; 60 l 5 generation and the 8 generation 1.8 / 125 hp 2.0 AT. 6 generation, 4 generation, 3 generation tank: not measured.

Wheels that exist in the data: 12 generation 3.7 225/50 R18 and 245/45 R18; 11 generation 280 hp 3.5 MT / 3.5 AT 225/50 R17 and 235/50 R17; 10 generation 3.8 DCT 255/35 R18 and 265/35 R18; 6 generation 2.0 AT 165/80 R14 and 185/70 R14. All other wheels: not measured.

Front and rear suspension on the modern cars: Independent, spring / Independent, spring. 5 generation rear: Dependent, spring. 6 generation 1.8 rear: Dependent, leaf spring. Brakes on 11–13 generation: Ventilated disc front, Disc ventilated rear. Earlier cars use Disc / Drum or Disc / Disc as labelled.

Which version to choose

Daily sedan, new-range Skyline. 13 generation 2.0 AT: 211 hp, 350 Nm at 3500 rpm, Turbo, 7-speed Automatic, RWD, 1760 kg, 70 l. You get the catalogue’s best hp/l in the current sedan (106.0) and Hybrid-matching torque 1500 rpm earlier. You give up 95 hp versus either 3.5 AT. Fuel use, 0–100, top speed: not measured — do not assume it is slower than the Hybrid on the road; the data do not say.

Same sedan, more hp. 13 generation 3.5 AT Hybrid RWD: +95 hp, 0 kg versus the 2.0 AT, torque still 350 Nm but at 5000 rpm. AWD on the other 3.5 AT is +80 kg for the same 306 hp. Choose AWD only if you need AWD; the numbers do not pay you in power.

Lightest 300-plus-hp Coupe. 12 generation or 12 generation, restyling 3.7 AT 333 hp (1620 kg) or 3.7 AT 330 hp (1610 kg). The 330 hp car is 10 kg lighter and 3 hp down. The 3.7 MT is 30 kg heavier than the 333 hp automatic. Wheels listed; 0–100 not measured.

If you specifically want the 315 hp V-shaped six. Only 12 generation 3.5 AT (not the restyling): 315 hp, 358 Nm, 1590 kg, 5-speed Automatic, 135 mm clearance. That is 18 hp below the 333 hp 3.7 AT and 18 hp above the later Hybrid 3.5 AT, at 170 kg less than the Hybrid RWD sedan.

Measured sprint, 280 hp Turbo. 10 generation 2.5 MT Turbo: 5.4 s, 250 km/h, 1410 kg, 5-speed Manual, RWD. The 2.5 AT Turbo is 0.9 s slower (6.3 s) at +20 kg. If you want AWD at 280 hp with a measured time, 9 generation 2.6 MT (5.5 s, 268 km/h, 1500 kg, 5-speed) or 8 generation 2.6 MT (5.8 s, 250 km/h, 1430 kg). 10 generation 2.6 MT is 280 hp / 392 Nm / Manual 6 / 1550 kg, but 0–100 and top speed are not measured.

The 1200 hp row. 10 generation 3.8 DCT is in the data: 1200 hp, 1400 Nm, 1150 kg, Robotic 6, RWD, 105 mm, fuel 98. It is not a substitute for a 155 hp 2.0 AT of the same generation; it is a different machine on every measured axis.

Manual 2.5 without turbo. 10 generation 2.5 MT 200 hp RWD: 6.8 s, 235 km/h, 1340 kg — 1.4 s slower than the Turbo 2.5 MT, 80 hp down, 70 kg lighter. AWD on that 200 hp manual is 7.6 s and 1450 kg.

11 generation if you want CVT or a 3.0. 3.5 CVT 272 hp, 1550 kg. 3.0 AT 260 hp, 1490 kg. 3.5 MT 280 hp is 1540 kg with 225/50 R17 and 235/50 R17; 3.5 MT 272 hp is 1520 or 1530 kg depending on the row. Several 3.5 AT 272 hp list kerb as not measured.

Oldest high-rev six. 3 generation 2.0 MT: 160 hp at 7000 rpm, 195 km/h, Carburetor. Mass not measured, so kg/hp is not measured.

Lightest, cheapest-to-specify commuter in the old range (no prices given). 6 generation 1.8 MT 105 hp, 1045 kg, 9.95 kg/hp, Carburetor, 170 mm. 5 generation 1.6 MT 95 hp is 1050 kg with a 60 l tank and 160 km/h. The injected 1.8 MT5 at 115 hp is the same 1050 kg as the 105 hp carburetor 1.8 MT with +10 hp and 165 km/h.

Reliability / problems. This dataset has no failure counts, service intervals, or known-fault lists. Reliability is not measured here. What the numbers do show: later cars are heavier (1760–1840 kg vs 1045–1240 kg), tanks grew then shrank (60 → 80 → 70 l), and fuel labels move from 92 to 95 (98 only on 3.8 DCT).

Search note on R32 / R33 / R34 / GT-R. Those chassis nicknames are not fields in this catalogue. Match a car by generation dates and the exact version string (2.6 MT, 3.7 MT, 3.8 DCT, and so on), not by a code that is not in the row.

Pick by the arithmetic: 2.0 AT sedan if you want 350 Nm from 1991 cm³; Hybrid 3.5 AT RWD if you want 306 hp at 1760 kg; 3.7 AT 333 hp if you want 4.86 kg/hp in a Coupe; 2.5 MT Turbo 10 generation if you want a 5.4 s figure that actually exists; 2.6 MT 9 generation if you want 268 km/h on paper. Everything else is a named compromise between those poles, and where the sheet says not measured, it is not measured.