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The Fastest Nissan Skyline Models, Ranked by Top Speed

The 1997 R33 GT-R NISMO 400R ranks as the fastest Nissan Skyline at a published claimed 186 mph, ahead of the R34 GT-R V-Spec at 165 mph.
Entry480 Date Time7 min MechanicCarCody Team

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The fastest Nissan Skyline in this ranking is the 1997 R33 GT-R NISMO 400R, with a published claimed top speed of 186 mph. It is followed by the R34 GT-R V-Spec at 165 mph. Because these figures come from published specifications and rankings rather than one standardized independent test program, they should be read as claimed or reported top speeds—not perfectly like-for-like test results.

The fastest Nissan Skyline in this ranking is the 1997 R33 GT-R NISMO 400R, with a published claimed top speed of 186 mph. That puts it ahead of the 1999 R34 GT-R V-Spec, which is listed at 165 mph. The result may surprise enthusiasts who associate the R34 most strongly with Skyline performance, but this ranking is based on reported top speed—not cultural impact, motorsport reputation, or collector desirability.

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The figures below come from published specifications and rankings rather than one standardized independent test program. They should therefore be treated as published, claimed, or reported top speeds, not perfectly like-for-like test results.

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The fastest Nissan Skyline models, ranked

Rank Model Published or claimed top speed Why it matters
1 1997 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R NISMO 400R 186 mph Limited-production R33-based performance model with a 400 PS RB-X GT2 engine and extensive NISMO hardware.
2 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec 165 mph Later-generation GT-R with the RB26DETT engine, six-speed manual transmission, and enormous cultural significance.
3= 1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-T Type-M 155 mph Rear-wheel-drive turbocharged R33 variant.
3= 1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R V-Spec 155 mph All-wheel-drive R33 GT-R variant with a reported top speed matching the GTS25-T Type-M in the source ranking.
5 1973 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R 124 mph Historically important C110/Kenmeri-era GT-R powered by the 2.0-liter S20 inline-six.

1. 1997 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R NISMO 400R — 186 mph

The NISMO 400R is the clear top-speed winner in the researched ranking. Its reported 186-mph maximum is not attributed to an ordinary R33 GT-R specification; the 400R was a substantially re-engineered, factory-developed performance derivative.

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NISMO’s official specification lists an RB-X GT2 inline-six enlarged to 2,771 cc. It was rated at 400 PS at 6,800 rpm and 47.8 kg-m of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine used an N1-spec metal-turbine turbocharger, a reinforced actuator, and a larger high-strength intercooler.

The rest of the car was upgraded to match the engine. NISMO specified a 400R-specific titanium exhaust, dedicated engine computer, twin-plate clutch, carbon-fiber driveshaft, NISMO suspension, reinforced bushings and mounts, Brembo brakes, forged 18-inch wheels, and dedicated aerodynamic components. In other words, the 400R’s position at the top of this list came from a complete performance package rather than a power increase alone.

The 186-mph figure is a published or claimed figure from the ranking source; NISMO’s official specification confirms the engine and chassis equipment but does not, in the cited material, independently state that top-speed number. The ranking source also reports that 44 examples were produced. That production count should be treated as attributed source information rather than as independently verified Nissan production data from the official specification excerpt.

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For collectors, the 400R is also the most specialized car in this comparison. A Nissan Skyline GT-R model car can be a safer way to represent this rare variant than assuming a readily available full-size example is accessible or authentic.

2. 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec — 165 mph

The R34 GT-R V-Spec ranks second with a claimed top speed of 165 mph. It is one of the most recognizable Japanese performance cars ever built, but recognition should not be confused with the highest published maximum speed in the Skyline family.

Nissan’s historical material dates the R34’s introduction to 1998 and the R34 GT-R’s introduction to 1999. The GT-R used a twin-turbocharged RB26DETT inline-six and a six-speed manual transmission. Nissan’s overview lists 327 hp for the R34 GT-R, while other specifications in this subject use Japanese PS ratings and different presentation conventions. Those figures should not be treated as directly comparable dyno measurements.

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The R34’s second-place result makes the comparison especially interesting. It is newer than the R33, technologically sophisticated, and arguably more famous, yet the heavily modified NISMO 400R is reported to be 21 mph faster at the top end. The distinction is between a regular GT-R variant and an unusually powerful, limited-production derivative.

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3=. 1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-T Type-M — 155 mph

The rear-wheel-drive R33 GTS25-T Type-M is listed at 155 mph, tying the R33 GT-R V-Spec in the researched ranking. That is a notable result because the GTS25-T Type-M is not the all-wheel-drive GT-R flagship.

The car belongs to the turbocharged R33 performance range but should not be described as equivalent to an R33 GT-R mechanically or dynamically. Its rear-wheel-drive layout and different specification give it a distinct identity. The shared 155-mph figure is simply the published number used by the source ranking; it does not establish that the two cars would perform identically in acceleration, cornering, or real-world testing.

3=. 1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R V-Spec — 155 mph

The R33 GT-R V-Spec is also listed at 155 mph. It uses the GT-R formula that made the Skyline famous: a twin-turbocharged inline-six, all-wheel drive, and a chassis developed around high-performance driving.

Its tie with the rear-wheel-drive GTS25-T Type-M is a reminder that top speed alone does not describe a car’s overall performance. The GT-R’s all-wheel-drive system, braking, suspension, and traction advantages can matter more in acceleration and on a winding road than a small difference—or lack of difference—in published terminal speed.

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5. 1973 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R — 124 mph

The 1973 Skyline 2000 GT-R is listed at 124 mph. It is the slowest model in this top-speed comparison, but its historical importance is far greater than the number suggests.

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This early C110, or “Kenmeri,”-era GT-R used a 2.0-liter S20 inline-six. It predates the turbocharged engines and advanced all-wheel-drive systems that later defined the R32, R33, and R34 GT-Rs. Its place in Skyline history comes from the revival of the GT-R identity and the significance of the S20 engine, not from matching the terminal velocity of later turbocharged cars.

Why the R32 GT-R still matters, even though it is not the winner

The R32 is an essential part of the story because it created the technical foundation later Skylines developed. Nissan’s Heritage Collection identifies the 1989 BNR32 as a Skyline GT-R powered by a 2,568-cc RB26DETT producing 280 PS and 353 N·m, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The same specification lists multilink suspension and ventilated disc brakes.

Nissan’s Skyline Heritage history records that the R32 generation launched in May 1989, became more compact than its predecessor, and brought back the GT-R name after a 16-year absence. The GT-R combined a 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six with the full-time ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system, front and rear multilink suspension, and SUPER HICAS rear-wheel steering.

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That technical reset explains why the R32 is the baseline for understanding the later cars. The R33 refined the formula, the R34 made it more sophisticated and culturally prominent, and the NISMO 400R pushed the R33 platform far beyond standard GT-R specification. The R32 is not included in the five-position ranking above because the supplied ranking does not provide a corresponding top-speed figure for it.

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What “fastest Skyline” means here

This list uses published or claimed top speed as the definition of fastest. The numbers come from sources that do not represent one uniform independent testing program, so differences in test conditions, measurement methods, gearing, speed limiters, tires, and source conventions may affect comparisons.

The list also includes identifiable factory-developed road-car variants, not tuned aftermarket cars, race cars, or undocumented internet claims. That is why the NISMO 400R remains in the ranking: although it is highly modified and limited in production, it is an R33-based road-going performance model with documented NISMO engineering hardware.

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Finally, the R35 GT-R is excluded. It is the successor to the Skyline GT-R in performance terms, but Nissan no longer used the Skyline name for the R35. Including it would change the subject from the fastest Skyline models to the fastest Nissan GT-R models.

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Final ranking

  1. 1997 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R NISMO 400R — 186 mph claimed
  2. 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec — 165 mph claimed
  3. 1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-T Type-M — 155 mph reported
  4. 1995 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R V-Spec — 155 mph reported
  5. 1973 Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R — 124 mph reported

By the published figures used here, the answer is decisive: the NISMO 400R is the fastest Skyline model in the ranking, while the R34 GT-R V-Spec is the fastest standard-style GT-R variant listed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest Nissan Skyline?

The 1997 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R NISMO 400R is the fastest model in this ranking, with a published claimed top speed of 186 mph.

Why isn’t the R35 GT-R included?

The R35 GT-R is excluded because it is not branded as a Skyline. This article ranks Skyline-branded vehicles and factory-developed Skyline derivatives only.

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Is the R34 Skyline faster than the NISMO 400R?

No. The R34 GT-R V-Spec is listed at a claimed 165 mph, while the R33 GT-R NISMO 400R is listed at 186 mph. The R34 remains more culturally famous, but it is not the top-speed winner here.

The Bottom Line

Bottom line: The 1997 Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R NISMO 400R ranks as the fastest Skyline in the researched comparison, with a published claimed top speed of 186 mph. The R34 GT-R V-Spec follows at 165 mph, while the R33 GTS25-T Type-M and R33 GT-R V-Spec are both listed at 155 mph.

Quick Recap

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