History of the BNR34 Nissan Skyline GT-R

This is the history of the 5th generation Nissan Skyline GT-R, the BNR34. This album here will only focus on the Japanese market brand new models. 

All credits goes to the original owners of the photos.

The BNR34 Nissan Skyline GT-R was first released in January 1999. It is the successor of the previous BCNR33 Nissan Skyline GT-R. The BNR34 Nissan Skyline GT-R was sold from year 1999 to 2002. 

Like every other Nissan Skyline GT-R before it, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R is a more powerful version of the normal R34 Skyline as it had a stronger and reworked chassis, engine, transmission, brakes and suspension. The drivetrain of the BNR34 Skyline GT-R was also upgraded to a 4WD layout instead being of rear wheel driven in the normal R34 Skyline.

Design and styling wise, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R returned to a boxy, angular and squarish design, similar to the 3rd generation BNR32 Skyline GT-R. Meanwhile for its direct predecessor, the 4th generation BCNR33 Skyline GT-R had a curvy organic styling and design. 

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R's design and styling were also highly influenced by aerodynamic factors as this is one major sector where the BNR34 improved over its predecessor.

Similar to its previous two predecessors, the 3rd generation BNR32 and 4th generation BCNR33 Skyline GT-R, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R is also powered by the same 2.6 litre inline-6 RB26DETT engine parallel twin turbo system paired together with 6 independent throttle bodies. Official output figures for this engine would be 276hp with 392nm of torque. Horsepower figure remained the same as the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R but torque figure had been increased to 392nm from 368nm in the BCNR33. 

The major visual and appearance difference for the RB26DETT engine in the BNR34 Skyline GT-R would be its colour as it was painted in red instead of black like its predecessors. The wording on top of the engine was also changed to SKYLINE GT-R NISSAN instead of NISSAN TWIN CAM 24 VALVE on its predecessors.

The brakes for the BNR34 Skyline GT-R are similar with its predecessor the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R as they are Brembo brakes with 4 pistons up front and 2 pistons at rear. 

Visual difference between the BCNR33 and BNR34 brakes would be the colour as the BNR34 had gold calipers with red BREMBO wording instead of black calipers with white BREMBO wording on the BCNR33. 

The wheel size for the BNR34 Skyline GT-R was also upgraded into 18 inch with 245/40/R18 Bridgestone Potenza RE040 tyres. Its predecessor the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R had 17 inch wheels with 245/45/R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE010 tyres.

The transmission is one of the major upgrade for the BNR34 Skyline GT-R as it was equipped with a 6 speed manual transmission made by Getrag.

Like the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R also adopted a similar double wishbone suspension setup on all 4 sides. 

The electric driven Super HICAS rear wheel steering system that helps to steer the rear wheels to improve handling was also equipped on the BNR34 Skyline GT-R.

Nissan's four wheel drive system, the ATTESA E-TS  was also equipped to the BNR34 Skyline GT-R. ATTESA stands for Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain. It is a complicated system that adjusts torque split through various sensors to monitor driving conditions such as road and speed conditions.

As mentioned earlier, the aerodynamic of the BNR34 Skyline GT-R was much improved over its predecessor, the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R. Over here you can see that flat underbody panels were added to the BNR34 Skyline GT-R to improve aerodynamic.

The dashboard of the BNR34 Nissan Skyline GT-R. 

Although the BNR34 is considered as a road going racing car, it still came with a good amount of interior features such as a digital climate control panel, electric powered retractable side mirrors, 4 air bags and a LCD Multi Function Display at the centre of the dashboard.

The mileage odometre on the BNR34 Skyline GT-R was also changed to a digital display unit instead of an analog unit on its predecessor. 

The RPM tachometre on the V-Spec variant is also slightly different as readings below 3000RPM are compressed in scale. 

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R no longer uses additional analog gauges to display engine information and readings as it had an LCD panel to display all these information. There are several mode selection choices to display on the LCD screen.

The LCD Multi Info Display (MFD) panel on the BNR34 Skyline GT-R shows several kinds of reading such as :

1. Boost pressure 

2. Throttle input

3. Injector output

4. Engine oil temperature

5. Radiator water temperature

For V-Spec models, additional engine intake and exhaust temperature are also shown on the MFD panel.

The front seats of the BNR34 Skyline GT-R were also upgraded to semi bucket seats that provides more additional side support and two harness holes compared to the seats on the BCNR33 Skyline GT-R.

During launch, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R can be had in the normal variant or the higher spec V-Spec variant that stands for Victory.

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R V-Spec variant had several differences compared to the normal variant such as: 

1. ATTESA E-TS PRO 

2. Active LSD

3. Front diffuser

4. Rear carbon diffuser 

5. Brake air duct

6. Stiffer suspension setting

7. Intake and exhaust temperature shown on MFD

8. Different RPM tachometre

The year 1999 BNR34 Nissan Skyline GT-R, also known as Series 1 was available with several colour options which consists of :

1. Bayside Blue (TV2)

2. White (QM1)

3. Sonic Silver (KR4)

4. Athlete Silver (KV2)

5. Black Pearl (GV1)

6. Active Red (AR2)

7. Lightning Yellow (EV1)

Active Red (AR2), Lightning Yellow (EV1) and Sonic Silver (KR4) are considered as rare colours as they were only available for Series 1 BNR34 Skyline GT-R.

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R can also be had in an even higher performance variant known as V-Spec N1. 

The V-Spec N1 was only available in white (QM1) paint and was based on the V-Spec cars. Externally, it had very little visual difference with the V-Spec variant. It had upgraded performance parts while some creature comforts were removed to reduce weight. 

The performance related upgrades for the V-Spec N1 would be:

1. N1 engine block (stamped 24U)

2. N1 ball bearing steel turbochargers

3. Larger rear brakes and rotors (322mm)

4. Larger engine oil cooler 

For the removed creature comforts, it would be:

1. No rear fog light

2. No rear wiper 

3. No UV Cut Glass

4. Reflector door markers

5. Resin hand brake lever

6. Resin centre console lid

7. No rear boot lid trim

8. No audio system

9. No air conditioning system

10. No remote control key

11. No glove box lamp

12. Black unpainted side mirrors

A special limited colour BNR34 Skyline GT-R known as Midnight Purple II (LV4) was released at the end of January 1999. It had a limited production run with special kind of purple paint that gives out a different hue depending on lighting conditions.

Few months later in October 1999, another special limited colour BNR34 Skyline GT-R was released. The Midnight Purple III (LX0) was also a limited production unit and it had a different kind of colour hue compared to the earlier Midnight Purple II (LV4). 

The wheels for the BNR34 Skyline GT-R Midnight Purple III were also painted in a lighter shade of silver compared to the normal BNR34 wheels.

In October year 2000, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R was updated with several changes and was known as Series 2 from now on. 

Externally, the Series 2 is very similar with the Series 1 with the major difference being the front bumper signal indicators changed to clear indicators instead of orange indicators in Series 1. 

For Series 2 BNR34 Skyline GT-R, the VIN plate had been changed to silver and the engine bay was painted according to the body colour unlike Series 1 with blue VIN plate and black painted engine bay.

The rear brakes for Series 2 were also upgraded to larger size with larger rotors, from 300mm to 322mm, which is the same as the ones found on the earlier V-Spec N1.

For the Series 2 BNR34 Skyline GT-R, the V-Spec variant had been replaced by the V-Spec II.

There aren't many major difference over here except for the front hood that was made out of carbon fibre with a NACA duct vent.

Colour options for the Series 2 BNR34 Skyline GT-R had been changed slightly with Active Red (AR2), Lighting Yellow (EV1) and Sonic Silver (KR4) removed from the lineup. One new colour was added to the lineup, White Pearl (QX1). The colour options for Series 2 are:

1. Bayside Blue (TV2)

2. White (QM1)

3. Sparkling Silver (WV2)

4. Athlete Silver (KV2)

5. Black Pearl (GV1)

6. White Pearl (QX1)

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R V-Spec N1 was replaced by the V-Spec II N1. It doesn't have much changes except for the earlier listed Series 2 changes and the major change could be black unpainted carbon fibre hood with NACA duct vent.

In May 2001, a new variant was added to the BNR34 Skyline GT-R lineup. Known as M-Spec, it was marketed as a more comfortable and luxury version of the BNR34 Skyline GT-R. The M on the M-Spec stands for Mizuno, which who happens to be Nissan's Chief Engineer back then. 

The M-Spec was based on the V-Spec II but with several changes such as the removal of the carbon fibre hood and was replaced by the normal aluminum hood.

Being a comfort oriented car, the M-Spec had a different type of suspension and rear stabiliser bar compared to other BNR34 Skyline GT-R. The shock absorber is a special ripple control shock absorber.

Interior wise, the seats for the M-Spec were wrapped in leather with heated seats function. 

The interior stitching for the M-Spec are all gold coloured as well.

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R M-Spec can be had with 4 different colour options:

1. Silica Brass (EY0) 

2. Black Pearl (GV1) 

3. Pearl White (QX1)

4. Sparkling Silver (WV2)

Silica Brass (also known as Silica Breath) EY0 is the signature colour for the M-Spec as it is only available for the M-Spec cars.

It is also during this time in May 2001, the Athlete Silver (KV2) colour option was dropped from the BNR34 Skyline GT-R lineup. 

Other colour options remained the same with Silica Brass (EY0) added to the lineup for M-Spec cars.

In January 2002, two new variants were added to the BNR34 Skyline GT-R lineup. Known as Nür spec that stands for Nürburgring, the famous race track in Germany. 

The Nür spec BNR34 Skyline GT-R can be had in two different variants which is the V-Spec II Nür and M-Spec Nür.

The Nür spec variants had their RB26DETT engine painted in gold with a gold VIN plate. 

The engine itself came with many N1 spec items such as :

1. N1 engine block

2. N1 turbochargers

3. N1 weight balanced pistons

4. N1 piston rings

5. N1 reinforced conrods 

6. N1 oil pump

7. N1 water pump

8. N1 exhaust manifold

9. N1 air hose

The N1 ball bearing steel turbochargers, N1 block and N1 pistons found in the Nür spec cars. 

The speedometre reading of the Nür spec cars were also increased to 300kmh instead of 180kmh found in other BNR34 Skyline GT-R.

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R Nür Spec can be had with the colour codes of the late Series 2 cars with some special exception. 

The Silica Brass (EY0) colour still remains an exclusive M-Spec colour, hence is only available for the M-Spec Nür variant. 

A new colour, Millennium Jade (JW0) is the exclusive colour for the Nür spec variants, available for both the V-Spec II Nür and M-Spec Nür.

Lastly, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R is a very iconic car itself. It is likely the most famous Skyline GT-R ever and it is also the last car that carries the Skyline GT-R nameplate as the newer R35 Nissan GT-R had lost the Skyline name. 

The BNR34 Skyline GT-R was heavily featured in movies, video games and various kinds of media that gave rise to its popularity, even among non car enthusiasts. Prices of BNR34 Skyline GT-R had been rising every year with no signs of decline shows how popular the demand is for this car. 

Even Nismo themselves bought used units of the BNR34 Skyline GT-R and rebuild them into more powerful variants like this Z-Tune example pictured here. There are still many other Nismo tuned variants of the BNR34 Skyline GT-R such as the Clubman Race Spec being one of the newer Nismo variants. Even though they were rebuilt from used BNR34 Skyline GT-R, these Nismo tuned examples were sold at a much higher price than brand new BNR34 at the the dealership back then. 

If there is one car that Nissan is most famous for, the BNR34 Skyline GT-R is probably the one that deserves this title. A car that many car enthusiasts and even non enthusiasts dreamed to own at some point in their lives.