Finally, after 3 years of speculation and various pictures of what the new Skyline might look like, the wait was over in 2001. Rumors stating the Skyline would be dropped in favor of the new Z-Car proved not to be true, when on June 18th, 2001 the V35-series of the Nissan Skyline was released.
Initally available only in sedan bodystyle, the V35 presented a cut into the Skyline's design history as radical as the model change from the R31 to the R32. In contrast to its predecessors, the inline-6 RB-series engines were not retained and replaced by V6 items. At its introduction, the V35 came powered by two engines, a 2.5l V6 with 215 hp (250GT) and a 3.0-liter V6 with 260 hp (300GT). With these engines, Nissan marked a new step of the Skyline towards the luxury-sedan segment, since there was no low-powered entry level model anymore.
However, despite the absence of a turbocharged sports model, the V35 Skyline's FM-platform proved to be a worthy basis for sporty handling. A 3.5-liter V6, shared with the 350Z sports car and Infiniti G35, optionally mated to an 8-speed CVT was introduced with the 350GT model in 2002, as was an all-wheel-drive 250GT-Four version using ATTESA-ETS. A 350GT sports coupe joined the lineup in 2003. The sedans came in variations of the following trims: GTe, 250GT, 250GT-Four, 250GT Premium, 300GT, 300GT Premium, 350GT Premium, and 350GT-8. A GT-R version was not available.
Infiniti G35
Additionally, the Skyline finally made its long-awaited US debut for Nissan's luxury-brand Infiniti in spring 2002 as a 2003 model. The Infiniti G35 came powered by the 350GT's 3.5-liter V6, which in the US initially produced 260 hp. Both a 6-speed manual and a 5-speed automatic were available. The Infiniti G35 received several acclaims in the US, including MotorTrend's Car of the Year in 2003 and a three time listing on Car and Driver's 10Best list.
An exciting Sport Coupe featuring a slightly stronger engine rated at 280 hp was introduced half a year after the launch of the sedan.
For 2005, the G35 sedan received a minor exterior revisions, as well as revised suspension settings, bigger brakes, and an upgraded interior. In addition, the 3.5-liter V6 was upgraded to produce 280 hp, while an all-wheel-drive version similar to the Japanese GT-Four, the G35x, joined the lineup. In contrast to Japan, however, the G35x was powered by the 3.5-liter V6 common to all Infiniti G35's.
The Nissan Skyline V36-Series was introduced in November 2006. An evolution of the previous V35, the V36-Series was initially available only in a sedan bodystyle, powered by 2.5-liter (250GT) and 3.5-liter V6 engines (350GT) with rear-wheel-drive. The 2.5-liter V6 engine was also available with all-wheel-drive in the 250GT. In 2008, the 3.5-liter V6 was replaced by a 3.7-liter powerplant with 330 hp in the 370GT. Overall, available trims included the 250GT, 250GT-Four, 350GT and 370GT.
A sports coupe joined the lineup in 2007. The coupe was available only with the 3.7-liter V6 and rear-wheel-drive in 370GT trim.
Infiniti G
In conjunction with the V36 Nissan Skyline lineup, the Infiniti G35 sedan was redesigned for 2007. The coupe followed in 2008, when the engine was replaced by a 3.7-liter V6. The G37 sedan received the same engine for 2009. The same year, the Infiniti G37 convertible joined the lineup. Both the Infiniti G37 sedan and coupe are also available with all-wheel-drive.
In 2010, the Infiniti G37 sedan, coupe and convertible were also introduced to the European market.
A performance oriented G37 IPL coupe was introduced in the US for the 2011 model year. In addition, the entry-level Infiniti G25 powered by a 2.5-liter V6 expanded the lineup. The Infiniti G25 comes in sedan bodystyle only and is available with all-wheel-drive.
R35 Nissan GT-R
The future of the GT-R was unclear since the production demise of the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R in 2002.
However, Nissan supported the hopes that a new GT-R would be introduced with a radical concept for the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show. Another concept, the Nissan GT-R Promo, followed at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show an gave an outlook at the way the final production version would look like.
On October 24th, 2007 Nissan finally ended the uncertainty with the release of the new R35 GT-R in Japan. In contrast to its predecessors, the new Nissan GT-R dropped the "Skyline" part of its name. And the changes did not end there. The R35 Nissan GT-R also received a new engine, the VR38 DETT producing a staggering 480 hp at 6,400 rpm and 430 lb-ft (583 Nm) at 3,200 rpm of torque, and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Fortunately, despite these changes the character of the previous GT-R generations as everyday useable supercars with four seats was retained, as was the ATTESA-ETS all-wheel-drive system.
For the first time in its history, the GT-R entered the US market for the 2009 model year. In 2009, a performance-oriented SpecV version was added to the lineup.
A facelift of the whole lineup followed in 2011 (US: 2012 model year). In the wake of that facelift, the lineup was also expanded by a Club Track version for track-day oriented drivers. On the other side, the lineup was expanded by a luxurious EGOIST trim with a full-leather interior.
Following the tradition set by previous generations of the GT-R, the R35 Nissan GT-R was taken to racing right from the first year of its production. In addition to Group N racing, the Nissan GT-R also successfully competes in the GT500-class of the Japanese Super GT championship since 2008. In its inaugural year, the NISMO GT-R won the Driver's championship, while several race victories followed in the succeeding seasons.
Since 2010, the Nissan GT-R races in the FIA GT1 World Championship.
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