Nissan is introducing the next generation Skyline GT-R in Japan at the end of 2007, and in a first for Nissan; the Skyline GT-R will be available in North America for 2008. The new Skyline will carry the Nissan badge worldwide unlike the current North America version of the Skyline that carries the Infinity G35 name.

Nissan first introduced the Skyline GT-R Proto, or prototype, at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show. In 2003, Nissan president Carlos Ghosn announced that Nissan would release the new GT-R worldwide. Later, a newer redesigned version of the GT-R Proto would be seen at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Even at this point, there was great speculation to whether or not the new Skyline would keep the Nissan name or if it would be sold under Nissan’s luxury vehicle line Infinity, due to the high price tag. Well in 2006, Carlos Ghosn confirmed that the new Skyline would carry the Nissan name worldwide to maintain the GT-R’s heritage.

Nissan has kept the exact engine specs a secret but most automotive publications speculate that the Skyline will either have a naturally aspirated V8 or a twin-turbo V6 engine. The new GT-R’s suspension is being tuned by exotic automaker Lotus while the engine is being tuned at Cosworth’s racing development center in England.

The new Nissan Skyline GT-R is estimated to cost $65,000 USD.