History of the BCNR33 Nissan Skyline GT-R

This is the history of the 4th generation Nissan Skyline GT-R, the BCNR33. This album here will only focus on the Japanese market models. 

All credits goes to the original owners ofthe photos. Special thanks to Aki Itoh himself for the information and photos that he provided at his blog in http\://www.r33gt-r.com/

The BCNR33 Nissan Skyline GT-R was first released in January 1995. It is the successor of the previous BNR32 Skyline GT-R. The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R were sold from year 1995 to 1998.

The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R is a more powerful version of the normal R33 Skyline as it had a stronger and reworked chassis, engine, transmission, brakes and suspension. The drivetrain of the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R was also upgraded to a 4WD layout instead being of rear wheel driven in the normal R33 Skyline.

Like its predecessor, the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R is powered by the 2.6 litre inline-6 RB26DETT engine though the engine control unit (ECU) of the BCNR33 had been upgraded to 16 bit from 8 bit on the BNR32 Skyline GT-R. The RB26DETT uses a parallel twin turbo system paired together with 6 independent throttle bodies. Official output figures for this engine would be 276hp with 368nm of torque.

The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R came equipped with double wishbone suspension on all 4 sides. They came equipped with Brembo brakes with 4 pistons up front and 2 pistons at rear.

The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R was also equipped with an electric driven Super HICAS rear wheel steering system that helps to steer the rear wheels to improve handling.

The four wheel driven BCNR33 Skyline GT-R came equipped with the ATTESA system which stands for Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain. But it was more than just a normal ATTESA system because it was named as ATTESA E-TS PRO. It is a complicated system that adjusts torque split through various sensors to monitor driving conditions such as road and speed conditions.

The dashboard of the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

Even though the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R is considered as a road going racing car, it wasn't a car with poor interior features.

The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R came with safety features like a driver's airbag (passenger airbag is optional) and rear seat belts. There are also features like electric powered retractable side mirrors, digital climate control panel and three gauges that measures front torque, engine oil temperature and boost pressure.

The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R was also sold in a higher spec variant known as V-Spec that stands for Victory. The V-Spec variant had several differences compared to the normal BCNR33 Skyline GT-R such as :

1. Active rear LSD
2. Faster ATTESA ECU
3. 10mm lower suspension
4. Stiffer spring and rebounding rates
5. Active LSD light on the dashboard
6. V-Spec rear sticker
7. Bridgestone Expedia S-07 tyres instead of Bridgestone RE010 tyres on the normal BCNR33.

The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R was also available in a higher performance version known as the V-Spec N1.

The V-Spec N1 was only available in white and was based on the V-Spec cars. One notable feature of the N1 would be the two air intake ducts on the front bumper, next to the license plate mount. The N1 spec had several performance upgrades compared to the normal and V-Spec BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

1. Turbo chargers used metal turbines
2. Thickness of piston second land increased from 4.0mm to 4.6mm
3. Changes to material used in con-rod bearings
4. Strengthened air inlet hosing
5. Use of air cooled oil cooler
6. Larger vanes in water pump
7. Strengthened areas around cylinder boss head bolt boss.
8. Thinner piston ring gap (top and second - from 1.5mm to 1.2mm)
9. Changes to cam profiles (the exhaust side overlap - 0 to 5 degrees)
10. Placement of 2 engine cooling slits
11. Air ducts in bumper
12. Elimination of screen in bumper
13. Placement of "hood top molding"
14. Use of multiple oil coolers (optional)
15. Change to shape of rear spoiler
16. Use of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) front undercover.

Even though there are many performance upgrades for the N1 spec, it also removed several creature comforts compared to the other BCNR33 such as no radio, no rear window wiper/washer, no UV blocking windows, no passenger airbag, and no air conditioning in order to reduce weight.

The year 1995 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R is also known as Series 1 as from next year onward, changes had been made to the BCNR33 and it will be called as Series 2 after that.

These are the colour options for the Series 1 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R which consists of :

LP2 – Midnight Purple
BN6 – Deep Marine Blue
QM1 – White
KL0 – Sparkling Silver
KN6 – Dark Grey Pearl
KH3 – Black
AN0 – Super Clear Red (special order optional color)

In 1996, some changes were made to the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R and it was known as Series 2. Externally it is pretty much the same as Series 1 with the exception of the "SKYLINE" lettering below the rear bonnet becoming more pronounced.

The interior itself received several changes compared to Series 1. The changes would be :

1. Addition of front passenger airbag as standard

2. Steering wheel design

3. Shape and material of dashboard surround

4. Shallower centre console

5. Removal of coin slot next to the side mirror controls

6. Relocation of rear antenna switch

In terms of colour option, most remained the same with a few changes.

LP2 – Midnight Purple

BN6 – Deep Marine Blue

QM1 – White

KR4 – Sonic Silver (replaced KL0)

KN6 – Dark Grey Pearl

KH3 – Black

AR1 – Super Clear Red II (special order optional color) (replaced AN0)

BT2 – Champion Blue (for LeMans cars)

The more pronounced "SKYLINE" lettering found on the Series 2 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

At this time, a special limited edition variant of the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R was released and was known as LM Limited. The LM Limited was released to commemorate Nissan's participation in 24 Hours of LeMans in 1996.

The BCNR33 Skyline GT-R LM Limited was painted in a special paint, BT2 - Champion Blue that is exclusive for this variant only. Like the normal BCNR33, it was available in normal and V-Spec form.

Some external changes for the LM Limited would be :
1. N1 Carbon fibre rear spoiler
2. N1 Front bonnet lip
3. N1 Front bumper ducts
4. Special GT-R decals on the C Pillar

A total of 188 units of the LM Limited were made by Nissan with 86 units of the normal variant and 102 units for the V-Spec.

The special GT-R decals on the C Pillar of the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R LM Limited

In 1996, the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R LM Limited is not the only limited model available for the BCNR33. Nismo themselves also released their own tuned version of the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R and renamed it as the Nismo 400R.

The Nismo 400R were sold at 12 million yen which is about slightly more than 2 times the price of any other BCNR33 Skyline GT-R. 44 units were built.

The Nismo 400R had a long list of difference compared to the normal BCNR33 Skyline GT-R as seen in this brochure here.

The GT-R emblem had been replaced by the 400R emblem. More aggressive aero kit in the form of bumpers, hood, wheel arches, side skirts and spoiler had also been added to the 400R. The wheels were also upgraded to 18 inch Nismo LMGT1 wheels with wider 275/35/R18 Bridgestone RE710 tyres.

Interior changes would be a metre cluster with 11,000RPM tachometre, 320kmh speedometre, Nismo triple gauges, titanium shift knob, 400R steering wheel and Nismo bucket seats.

Being a Nismo tuned machine, the 400R also received upgrade for all the mechanical parts such as the exhaust system, cooling system, power train system, suspension system and braking system. Even the headlamps had been upgraded to a HID lighting system.

The engine itself had been upgraded from the RB26DETT into the RB-X GT2 engine. Basically, it is a tuned, bored and stroked RB26DETT engine with 2.8 litre of displacement. Power had been bumped up to 395hp with 478nm of torque.

It appears that the Series 2 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R is a notable series for the BCNR33 because another limited variant of the BCNR33 was also made for this series. It is the Nismo GT-R LM. Don't confuse it with the earlier Skyline GT-R LM Limited because this is a completely different car.

First built in 1995, the Nismo GT-R LM is a special homologation model that was made to enable Nissan's participation in the 24 Hours of LeMans race. 6 units were made and only 1 unit was made as the road going model while the remaining 5 units were made for the LeMans race. It is a special car with a wide body kit and the drivetrain had been changed to rear wheel drive instead of being 4WD.

In year 1997, the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R was updated again and was known as Series 3.

External changes that were made for the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R would be :

1. New projector xenon headlamps
2. Larger front lip spoiler
3. N1 front bumper ducts for all variants
4. Left grill at the front turn indicator were cut to maximize air flow for the optional oil cooler
5. Right reverse lamp was changed to fog lamp
6. Only the outer lamps lights up during braking

The new xenon projector headlamps of the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

As seen in this photo, only the outer rear lamps lights up upon braking for the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

Over here you can see that the reverse lamp is on the left and the rear fog lamp is on the right for the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

The rear fog lamp and reverse lamp of the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

The optional oil cooler and cut out left grill at the front turn indicator was shown here.

The ABS system for the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R had been revised with a smaller actuator unit and reprogrammed logic to improve braking stability.

Interior wise, minor changes had been made for the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R such as :

1. Anti UV coating on glass
2. Door window glass changed to long life hydrophobic glass
3. Red accents on the interior instead of blue
4. Extra bracing at the rear floor area in the boot to improve body rigidity

The red accent on the door trim of the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R. Red accents can also be found on the seats.

The additional bracing at the rear floor area in the boot of the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R. It helps to improve body rigidity while at the same time, strengthening the rear crumple zone.

Colour options for the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R remains the same as the Series 2 with the exception of BT2 - Champion Blue for the LM Limited not available.

LP2 – Midnight Purple
BN6 – Deep Marine Blue
QM1 – White
KR4 – Sonic Silver (replaced KL0)
KN6 – Dark Grey Pearl
KH3 – Black
AR1 – Super Clear Red II (special order optional color) (replaced AN0)

Autech, a Japanese tuner that specializes in tuning and modifying Nissan vehicles, similar to Nismo, released a special version of the Series 3 BCNR33 Skyline GT-R. It was known as Nissan Skyline GT-R Autech Version 40th Anniversary. Your eyes are not deceiving you, this is a 4 door sedan version of the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Nissan Skyline, Autech used a body of a R33 Skyline 4 door sedan, fitted it with the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R drivetrain and parts, effectively making it a 4 door sedan BCNR33 Skyline GT-R. The engine itself is also the same RB26DETT engine like the normal BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

The front end of this car is the same as the 2 door coupe BCNR33 Skyline GT-R as the fenders, headlamps, grille, hood and bumper were carried over.

Of course, the body itself is not 100% the same as the normal R33 Skyline 4 door sedan as the rear fenders and doors had been widened by Autech to resemble the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

The rear end design such as the tail lamps, bonnet and bumper itself remained the same as the normal R33 Skyline 4 door sedan.

Just like the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R, the Autech Version 40th Anniversary had all the same parts and features carried over.

The wheels, brakes, suspension, bars, Super HICAS and ATTESA E-TS are the same. Though it is weird that the brochure did not name it as the ATTESA E-TS PRO.

Interior wise, the dashboard and front bucket seats of the Autech Version 40th Anniversary are the same as the ones found on the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R. The rear seats is a bit special as they are 2 seaters instead of 3.

Overall, the BCNR33 Nissan Skyline GT-R is a very special car itself. Many had overlooked it as the ugly ducking of the RB26DETT powered Skyline GT-R that consists of the BNR32, BCNR33 and BNR34 Skyline GT-R.

If you look at the history of the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R, you will find that this generation actually consists of a few unique traits that wasn't found on the BNR32 and BNR34 Skyline GT-R. It had a 4 door sedan Autech variant, a brand new fully tuned Nismo 400R model and a special wide body GT-R LM variant made for the LeMans. You don't really get these kind of variations for the older BNR32 and the newer BNR34. The Z-Tune model for the BNR34 is indeed a Nismo tuned model but those were actually recreated from used BNR34 models that Nismo themselves purchased back from owners, not an entirely new car like the 400R.

In terms of engineering and performance, the BCNR33 actually took a big leap compared to the BNR32 but when it comes to the BNR34, the leap wasn't really that big at all. Not even everything on the BNR34 is a step up from the BCNR33 like the headlamps because projector headlamps were totally omitted in the BNR34.

Design wise, the BNR32 and BNR34 had a squarish and boxy styling but only the BCNR33 had a curved organic styling which looks sleek for a sports car although some might say it makes it look tame compared to the aggressive boxy styling of the BNR32 and BNR34.

This post might not change people's mind about the BCNR33 but I hope that it makes people understand that the BCNR33 isn't really such a boring car like what people thought it was. The middle child of the RB26DETT powered Skyline GT-R may not be well loved by all, but it certainly stands and shines bright in its own unique ways, appreciated by those who can truly see what it is.

Lastly, thank you very much to my friend Aki Itoh for his great photos and information that he featured in his blog at http://www.r33gt-r.com/