Nissan GT-R50 By Italdesign World Tour Continues With North American Debut At Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

by Nissan | August 22, 2018

Exclusive GT-R50 by Italdesign set for featured role during Nissan motorsports celebration at famed Laguna Seca racetrack Aug. 23-26

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the first-ever Japanese featured marque in the 44-year history of the annual Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Nissan is bringing a starting grid of some of the most significant race cars in company and motorsports history. Along with legendary championship machines, such as the BRE Datsun 510 and GTP ZX-Turbo, will be one of Nissan's newest ultra-supercars – the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign.

Nissan collaborated with Italdesign to design and create the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, the ultimate expression of the current GT-R supercar. With a projected 720 horsepower, it delivers extraordinary dynamic performance, while its exterior and interior styling reflect the very best bespoke Italian craftsmanship.

Laguna Seca is the latest stop in the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign world tour, following the world debut at 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, UK, and a parade lap at the Spa 24 Hours race in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. Following its North American debut, the GT-R50 by Italdesign will return to the home of Nissan in Japan.

Among the special events planned for the GT-R50 by Italdesign will be demonstration laps on the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca circuit throughout the weekend and participation in a planned race car caravan from the track through the streets of Monterey and Carmel, California to a gathering at the Quail Lodge on Friday, August 24. Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan's global design chief, will be riding in the GT-R50 by Italdesign during the drive, providing commentary on its design and performance.

The first-ever collaboration between Nissan and Italdesign, the Nissan GT-R by Italdesign prototype could become the blueprint for an extremely limited run of hand-built production vehicles. The vehicle commemorates the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R, in 2019, and Italdesign, in 2018.

If sufficient concrete customer interest is registered, a customer version inspired by the prototype may be created. No more than 50 units would be produced by Italdesign – with each car tailored for each customer – with a price estimated to start at around $1.2 million.

Nissan at the 2018 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The organizers of the 2018 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (RMMR) are recognizing Nissan this year as the first-ever Japanese featured marque. Held annually during Monterey Car Week, which features the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, the RMMR is one of the most prestigious vintage racing events in North America.

More than 50 Nissan/Datsun race cars have registered to compete on track at RMMR this year. These include IMSA champion Steve Millen in his Daytona and Le Mans-winning Nissan 300ZX Turbo and Hall of Fame racer John Morton driving the BRE Datsun 240Z. Comedian and vintage car collector Adam Carolla will drive his SCCA National GT-1 Championship 300ZX Turbo, originally raced by Paul Newman.

A variety of historic Nissans also will be on display, including the original BRE Datsun 510 John Morton drove to the 1971 and 1972 SCCA titles, the GTP ZX-Turbo Geoff Brabham piloted to eight consecutive wins and an International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) driver's championship in 1988 and Bob Sharp's four-time SCCA C-Production Champion 240Z.

Nissan North America has curated a special collection of 14 cars in its paddock area display, three of which are making U.S. debuts: the 1969 Japan Grand Prix winning Nissan R382 and the one-of-a kind Nissan R390 GT1 road car.

In addition, Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the brand's vision for bringing leading technologies to the market, will be on display through the 2019 Altima and the 2018 Nissan LEAF, featuring ProPILOT Assist, and the all-new Nissan Formula E race car, which previews the next generation of Nissan motorsports.

In addition to the collection of special cars, Nissan's large paddock display will host Adam Carolla's popular 'CarCast' podcast live from noon to 1 p.m. PDT, Saturday, August 25. Legendary driver, designer and car builder Peter Brock will join Carolla to talk about the beginning of BRE and the team's run to history more than 50 years ago.

For more information on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, including race schedules, entry lists and up-to-the-minute event updates, go to www.weathertechraceway.com/rolex-monterey-motorsports-reunion. Spectator tickets are available at http://www.weathertechraceway.com/ticket-information.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and INFINITI vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infinitiusa.com, or visit the U.S. media sites nissannews.com and infinitinews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co.

Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2017, the company sold 5.77 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.9 trillion yen. On April 1, 2017, the company embarked on Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, a six-year plan targeting a 30% increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2022, along with cumulative free cash flow of 2.5 trillion yen. As part of Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company plans to extend its leadership in electric vehicles, symbolized by the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is today the world's largest automotive partnership, with combined sales of more than 10.6 million vehicles in calendar year 2017.

Photo credit: Nissan
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