The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign has made its Middle East debut at Dubai Autodrome, as part of a global tour.

The showcase of the GT-R50 prototype in the region followed its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. The sports car is on a global tour that has encompassed Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Monterey Motorsports Reunion in the U.S and Nissan Crossing in Japan.

Following the success of this tour, a unique and exclusive limited edition, inspired by the prototype, is being produced for enthusiast customers. The production run will be limited to no more than 50 vehicles in the world.

Nissan collaborated with Turin, Italy-based Italdesign to create the model, based on the latest Nissan GT-R NISMO. The GT-R50 celebrates the convergence of two key anniversaries; 50 years of Italdesign shaping the automotive world, and 50 years of Nissan generating excitement through the iconic GT-R.

The 50 GT-R50s set to be produced celebrate half a century of engineering leadership. The cars pay tribute to Nissan’s legendary takumis – craftsmen who have hand-built every GT-R engine for the past 50 years. While the prototype vehicle was finished in a special gray with gold accents, customers will be able to specify their preferred color combinations for the production version. They also will be able to choose interior colors and packages.

Watch: The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign – the ultimate expression of the GT-R

Commenting during the launch, Kalyana Sivagnanam, Regional Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Nissan AMI and President of Nissan Middle East: “Continuing our long and proud motorsport heritage in the Middle East, we are thrilled to bring the exclusive GT-R50 to customers and fans in the region. The Nissan GT-R is one of the world’s most iconic supercars, and the GT-R50 by Italdesign is the GT-R taken to the next level, with no compromise in performance, styling or craftsmanship. The GT-R50 is the perfect embodiment of the Nissan brand and an ultra-limited collector’s edition for true enthusiasts who want to own the very best Nissan has to offer.”

Watch: An Idea Coming to Life: Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign

The Nissan GT-R in the Middle East

The Nissan GT-R, whether on the road or on the track, has been a strong symbol of Nissan’s engineering excellence for the last half a century. It has also held a special place in the hearts of Middle East consumers, and its popularity is continuing to grow. Monthly sales figures show that Nissan is on track to double its share of the premium sports car market by the end of fiscal year 2018 compared to 2016, making the Gulf one of the largest markets for the GT-R anywhere in the world.

The Middle East is also the location where the GT-R broke a Guinness World record in 2016, for the fastest ever vehicle drift. Driver Masato Kawabata (Japan) reached staggering 304.96 km/h (189.49 mi/h) while driving a Nissan GT-R NISMO at Fujairah International Airport.

“It is fitting GT-R50 is making its regional debut here as the GT-R nameplate has a special connection with customers in the Middle East,” added Juergen Schmitz, Managing Director of Nissan Middle East. “GT-R, like Nissan, offers something genuinely different from anything, or anyone, else and is an important differentiator for Nissan in the Middle East. GT-R is the perfect mirror of our brand, reflecting the boldness that defines Nissan. This exclusive 50th Anniversary Edition is further proof of Nissan engineering and advanced technology.”

Precision + craftsmanship + brute force

The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign starts with Nissan’s latest GT-R NISMO and re-interprets it with a European-style sensibility – combining brute force with Italian craftsmanship and tailoring. With a special power plant that boasts up to 120PS over the stock engine, as well as chassis and driveline upgrades, performance backs up the new look.

Italdesign developed, engineered and built the car. The distinctive, crisp exterior and interior designs originated from Nissan Design Europe and Nissan Design America. Key design features include a pronounced power bulge on the hood, stretched LED headlights, a lowered roofline, and prominent “samurai blade” cooling outlets behind the front wheels. A large, adjustable rear wing, mounted with two uprights, completes the overall look. The exterior is finished in a Liquid Kinetic Gray color, with distinctive Energetic Sigma Gold anniversary accents.

Inside, the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign reflects its modern, high-performance pedigree. Two different carbon fiber finishes are extensively used across the center console, instrument panel and door linings. The seats feature black Alcantara® and fine black Italian leather. Gold accents echo the exterior treatment throughout the cockpit.

Underneath its new shape, the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign is all business. Drawing on Nissan’s extensive GT3 racing experience, the NISMO organization enhanced the hand-assembled 3.8-liter V6 VR38DETT engine to produce an estimated 720PS and 780 Nm of torque. A revised Bilstein suspension damping system and upgraded Brembo braking system help handle the extra power.