After canceling the Skyline GT-R in 1973, Nissan revived the GT-R name in 1989. Nismo, or Nissan Motorsport International, originally designed the new R32 GT-R Skyline to have a 2350 cc straight six turbocharged engine, and produce 600 horsepower using a RWD drivetrain. Under Group A regulations, a turbocharged engine must multiply its engine displacement by 1.7, putting the new Skyline in the 4000 cc class, and requiring the use of 10 inch wide tires. Knowing that the new Skyline would be required to use 10 inch wide tires, Nissan made the decision to make the GT-R all wheel drive.

Nismo developed a special motorsport-oriented AWD system for the R32 Skyline called the ATTESA E-TS Pro. Although this assisted with traction, it made the car 100 kg heavier compared to other cars in the 4000 cc class. At that point, Nismo made the decision to increase the displacement to 2600 cc, and put the car in the 4500 cc class, where the car’s weight would be closer to competing cars. The new 4500 cc class also allowed for 11 inch wide tires.

This new 2.6L all wheel drive concept Skyline, designed by Nismo, was put into production by Nissan as the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R. Due to strict Group A homologation rules, Nissan was required to also sell a series of the Skyline GT-R which more accurately reflected the car they use in Group A racing. This series was called the Skyline GT-R “Nismo” edition.

The Skyline GT-R “Nismo,” introduced in February 22, 1990, has a total production of 560 units as required for the “Evolution” models regulation (over 500). Its purpose is to homologate a number of aerodynamic changes used in Group A racing. Changes include additional ducts in the front bumper to improve airflow to the intercooler, a bonnet lip spoiler to direct more air into the engine bay, and an additional boot lip spoiler to provide more downforce. The ‘Nismo’ GT-R was only available in Gunmetal Grey.

The Skyline GT-R ‘N1′ model, introduced on July 19, 1991, has a total production of only 228 units. Its introduction is for the homologation in Japanese N1 racing. The most notable change is in the engine, which is upgraded to the R32-N1 specification, including: more reliable ball-bearing turbo-chargers, higher capacity water and oil pumps, and a thicker block to aid endurance in N1 racing, which includes 24-hour events. The car is also lightened, by removing the ABS, air conditioning, sound system, rear wiper, trunk carpet, and uses light-weight headlights. No color options were available; all ‘N1′ cars were painted with a thin layer of Crystal White paint.

To celebrate the success of the GT-R in both Group N and Group A racing, Nissan introduced the Skyline GT-R V-Spec, or “Victory Specification,” car on February 3, 1993. The V-Spec added big Brembo brakes and a retuned ATTESA-ETS AWD system to the Nismo and N1 packages, as well as 17″ BBS wheels with 235/45/17 tires. The V-Spec has a list price of ¥ 5.260 million Yen or $43,213 USD.

Finally on February 14, 1994 the Skyline GT-R V-Spec II was released, the only change to the V-Spec was wider 245/45/17 tires. Total production of the V-Spec I and II is 1,453 and 1,303 units respectively. The N1 GT-R is now based on the V-Spec II.

Total production of the R32 Skyline GT-R was 43,394 units, with production starting on May 22, 1989.