Nissan Used AI To Bring The New Skyline Back In Half The Usual Time

Earlier this year, Nissan teased the new Skyline sedan, and according to a new report, it could be here by the end of the year. Company CEO Ivan Espinosa told Nikkei Asia that the new sedan will be unveiled in the winter, which means it could arrive before 2026 comes to a close. While the outgoing Skyline took roughly 55 months to be developed, the new one will be completed in only 26 months, and the speed of this development program has been attributed, in part, to help from AI. "A big part of this is built on AI capabilities and the utilization of new tools, more digital tools in the design phase, in the testing phase, in the manufacturing phase," said Espinosa.

What to Expect From the New Nissan Skyline

Nissan has already confirmed that the new Skyline won't get a CVT, with a manual transmission rumored to be paired with the twin-turbocharged V6 in the Nissan Z, powering the rear axle. An all-wheel-drive variant with an automatic transmission may be offered to capture a broader portion of the market, but the new Skyline is being positioned as an enthusiast's sport sedan. Unfortunately, Americans won't get the Skyline, with an Infiniti Q50 likely to be offered on the same bones, but Nissan may make it possible for buyers to convert the Q50 into a Skyline with a factory-approved retrofit kit. As for the aesthetics, we still only have the shadowy teasers from April, but the new Skyline is said to be "aggressive and modern with proportions that recall the original." The teasers reveal a Skyline badge on the rear quarter panel and a black panel encasing the round taillights, as well as the classic 'S' badge on the nose, so there will be nods to the past, but the new car won't be retro. The Skyline nameplate turns 70 next year, so Nissan is reviving it at the right time for a big celebration.

Several Exciting Nissan Products on the Way

Along with news of the upcoming Skyline, Espinosa also mentioned that an R36 GT-R is in development, saying that Nissan will "share more details later on." Little has been revealed about the new GT-R, but we do know it won't be electric, with a hybrid setup looking increasingly likely. Elsewhere, Nissan is working on a new Xterra, and its improved financial situation means other interesting offerings may be in the works, including a new Silvia. There's also talk of a convertible Z, but the Skyline is the first taste of the reinvigorated Nissan under Espinosa's guidance, and that will set the tone for what to expect from the brand going forward. Hopefully, the sedan will be worthy of its storied name.

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