Nissan Skyline
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The Nissan Skyline, and then the Skyline GT-R, is easily among the most impressive and popular performance vehicles to ever grace the road, easily earning it a spot on our list. The R33 arrived in 1993 and was a bit heavier than its predecessor, the R32. This model was the safest of the Skylines to date and was offered as either a coupe or sedan. For this generation, all Skylines had a 6-cylinder engine of some sort. That generation also saw the introduction of the newest HICAS 4-wheel steering system known as Super HICAS. Instead of hydraulic HICAS, it relied on electric actuators for steering the rear.
The R33 version also the new choice of an active limited slip differential, as opposed to the standard viscous LSD system. That unit locked up the rear differential if a wheel lost traction. The V-Spec models had Active LSD standard. Another interesting note for these mid-‘90s models is the 4-door GT-R, an incredibly rare model released for Nissan’s 40th anniversary. Depending on the model year and trim of the Nissan Skyline you look at, the R33 may have a range of body kits and different lighting, but the chassis and body are always the same. Later models have tapered headlights towards the grill and a reshaped leading edge on the hood.
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The R34 Skyline arrived as the ’90s were fading away as a 1999 model. This is when the environmentally friendly NEO engine arrived. The R34 GT had the NEO engine and a 5-speed transmission, making it the most efficient of any Skyline with a straight-6 so far. The R34 GT-R is also definitely of note, with its revised chassis, engine adjustments, and an impressive display unit on top of the dashboard that was ahead of its time.
