The ultimate Nissan GT-R is coming in 2020

It’s not too late to own a piece of automotive history.

The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign started as a concept, but like all great ideas it was too good to just build one.

Nissan teamed up with the Italian design studio in 2018 to celebrate their 50th anniversary and build the ultimate GT-R in the process. Unveiled at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed it’s bold new design struck a cord with Nissan fanatics and a plan was hatched to put the car into production.

Just 50 examples are being made and the two companies have just confirmed that the first examples will be built in 2020, with one to be on display at the Geneva Motor Show in March, before customers get their hands on them later in the year.

Italdesign gave the GT-R a complete design, creating a fresh look for a car that is already over a decade old. A more aggressive grille, slimmer headlights, a sleeker side profile and a bolder rear end are the hallmarks of the Italian firm’s makeover.

2020 Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign.Inside the cabin was restyled too, with a simpler steering wheel and dashboard layout, finished off with liberal use of carbon fibre and Alcantara.

Nissan’s engineers didn’t sit idle, they added more power – bumping the GT-R’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 up to 530kW power and 780Nm of torque. That’s thanks to GT3-specification turbochargers and intercooler as well as uprated pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, camshaft profile and exhaust system.

There’s also been major changes to the chassis to improve the handling. New adjustable dampers from Bilstein improve the ride while Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres enhance the grip. Upgraded six-piston Brembo brakes have been bolted on to help the stopping power.

With only 50 being made Nissan and Italdesign set the price at €990,000 ($1.6m) and orders have been underway for months, but there are reportedly still several available for those with the resources.

As the company explains, the car is bound to be a collector’s item.

“Our customers have relished the personalized experience provided by Italdesign, who have a long tradition in the exclusive field of ultra-rare, bespoke high-performance vehicles,” said Bob Laishley, global sports car program director at Nissan. “Their experience with the GT-R50 has been incredible and I can say first-hand that each car will certainly be a standalone masterpiece.”