This Forgotten Compact Sports Sedan Was The Four-Door Nissan Skyline We Never Got (2024)

The Nissan Skyline GT-R is one of the most revered, and almost mythical, sports cars in JDM lore. For those unfamiliar with it, the Nissan GT-R is the brand's halo sports car that became popular in the 90s and early 2000s in the U.S., mostly due to video games like “Gran Turismo ” and “Forza.” In the early 90s, the third-generation GT-R (R32) won the Japanese Touring Car Championship from 1990 to 1993, earning it the nickname “Godzilla.”

From that point forward, the legendary Nissan GT-R continued to evolve as the Japanese automaker gave it more power with every new generation. By the time the fourth-generation version came around (R33 designation), the GT-R was making 276 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. It even pulled off 0-60 mph times in about five seconds. After that, the R34 generation began in 1999. This was the most popular and powerful GT-R to emerge in the 90s as Nissan gave it more torque, a more rigid chassis, and a six-speed transmission. It was even available as a four-door sedan.

If you're familiar with the “Fast and Furious” franchise, you'll likely recognize the R34 Skyline GT-R and perhaps even wish to someday own one. Technically, you can, thanks to the ability to import older Japanese Domestic Market cars into the U.S. However, they can be quite expensive. There is a substitute, though, and it's a forgotten sports sedan that was sold here in the U.S. and still is.

The 2016 Infiniti Q50 Packs Power And Practicality

The Infiniti Q50 is a powerful sports sedan made by Nissan's U.S. luxury division. It replaced the Infiniti G37 for the 2014 model year and has been going strong ever since. However, if you're looking for the type of power that can be found in the Nissan GT-R, it's better to look at the 2016 model year as that's when the Red Sport 400 trim level debuted.

The Q50 Red Sport was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produced 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. That's a lot more power than the GT-R from the 90s ever made, so it should be a good substitute for anyone wanting a dose of speed.

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The 2016 Q50 was also very practical with its sedan body structure and modern creature comforts. Inside the Q50 were power-adjustable leatherette seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. Outside, the Q50 had standard LED headlights, a rearview camera, and an active-trace control cornering system. Needless to say, you can't get these updated features on an R34 GT-R.

Even the base-model Infiniti Q50 had some power

If the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is a little overkill, the base-model Q50 2.0t could suffice. Like the Q50 Red Sport, the Q50 2.0t came in a rear-drive configuration, but was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine instead. That engine made 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is decent for regular around-town driving, but it won't get your heart racing.

The Infiniti Q50 3.0t Was A Goldilocks Trim Level

If the Infiniti Q50 2.0t was too slow and the Q50 Red Sport was too fast, the mid-trim Q50 3.0t could be the answer for some buyers. The Q50 3.0t carries the same twin-turbo V6 engine as the Red Sport model, but it has 300 hp as opposed to 400. It's essentially the same model, but it has less boost from the turbos. Some would consider it the Goldilocks trim level.

How Fast Is the 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport?

The 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport Is Very Quick

The 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is the obvious choice for anyone looking for Nissan GT-R-like performance, but how fast is it? The editors at MotorTrend tested the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport when it was new, which included quarter-mile and 0-60-mph tests. “From a standstill, the Red Sport booked it to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and completed the quarter mile in 13 seconds flat at 109.2 mph,” the publication stated.

Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is fast, too

There's a difference between a car being “quick” and “fast,” and the Q50 Red Sport is both of them. The term “quick” refers to how quickly the Q50 can get up to speed, which is obvious based on the quarter-mile times. The term “fast” refers to how fast the car can go, like its top speed. In that case, the Q50 is fast with a top speed of 155 mph, which most can agree is pretty fast.

How Did The 2016 Infiniti Q50 Compare To The Nissan Skyline?

The R34 Nissan Skyline has a few tricks up its sleeve

The R34 Nissan Skyline was indeed a quick and fast car. But was it that much faster than the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport? The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R could reach 60 mph from a stop in only 4.6 seconds, and many publications claimed a quarter-mile time in the low 12-second range. This huge gap over the Q50 Red Sport's times is likely due to the Skyline's all-wheel drivetrain, which provided more grip. However, the Skyline wasn't just quick in a straight line, it could handle well thanks to its extensive chassis bracing, race-tuned suspension, and all-wheel-steering system.

R34 Nissan Skyline Vs. Infiniti Q50 Red Sport

Here is how the two cars stack up against each other:

How Much Does a 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport Cost?

If you're convinced that a 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport can satiate your desire for an R34 Skyline, you'll be relieved to know that it costs a fraction of what the “Godzilla” does. A nationwide search on CarGurus revealed that most 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport models are priced anywhere between $15,000 to $23,000, depending on the car's condition and mileage.

How much does an R34 Nissan Skyline cost?

On the other hand, an R34 Nissan Skyline can cost anywhere between $50,000 and $80,000 since it needs to be imported. We found that the four-door versions cost a little more due to their rarity. Basically, you can buy four Q50 Red Sports for the price of a GT-R.

Is the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport a good substitute for the R34 Skyline?

Yes, considering most R34 Skylines are selling for supercar prices, we would say that the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is a better choice. Pricing aside, the Q50 Red Sport is also a better pick due to its modern interior features, availability of replacement parts, and ability to accept modifications, if 400 horsepower isn't enough.