2008 Nissan Skyline GT-R

After getting teased with the GT-R Proto concept vehicle in Tokyo last year, our latest spy photos reveal the 2008 Nissan Skyline GT-R in near production trim. Scheduled for a debut at the 2007 Tokyo auto show, the next-generation Nissan Skyline will be the first version of Nissan's supercar to make its way to the U.S. With as much as 450 horsepower and all-wheel drive, Nissan's high-powered sports car will slot well above the current 350Z.

Although Nissan has shown several Skyline concept vehicles, details on the engine and transmission configuration have yet to leak out. Expect a large V6 with displacement bumped up to as much as 3.8 liters and twin turbochargers so the Skyline can compete with the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 Turbo.

Previous Skylines have used manual transmissions only, but there's speculation that this Skyline may use a seven-speed, paddle-shifted gearbox instead. Nissan also considered using rear-wheel drive given recent advancements in traction control technology, but has since settled on a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system.

Unlike its predecessors, this Skyline will ride on its own dedicated chassis which should help Nissan's engineers shed some of the weight that slowed down previous models. Some rumors even suggest Lotus was brought in to help tune the chassis. It looks like a diet may have already been started as this prototype is running wheels which look considerably lighter than those featured on last year's concept car.

Initial speculation suggested that because this Skyline could cost as much as $70K-$80K it would be sold under the Infiniti nameplate in the U.S. Those rumors have since been dispelled as Carlos Ghosn himself told dealers that it would be sold as a Nissan worldwide. With its debut scheduled for next fall's Tokyo auto show, expect to see the 2008 Nissan Skyline GT-R in showrooms in the spring of 2008.