The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign concept is headed to production

Produced in Italy, the prototype GT-R50 by Italdesign debuted in June 2018, and will continue to do its rounds all over the world, with its next appearance being at the Fuji Speedway’s NISMO Festival on Dec. 8. Clearly the concept has been a hit, because Nissan is actually sending it to production—50 examples will be built and sold for $1.13M. For more than a million bucks, a dressed-up R35-generation Nissan GT-R (a car launched in 2007) can be yours, commemorating both the GT-R’s and Italdesign’s 50th anniversaries.

The production car will be displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Nissan says most of the planned 50 units are already spoken for, but there are a few reservations remaining, and Japanese customers can still grab a GT-R50 through SCI Co. Ltd. Meanwhile, international buyers should visit www.GT-R50.nissan, or contact Italdesign directly at aporta.gtr50@italdesign.com. Subject line: I’ve got $1.13 million, send special Nismo please.

Founded in 1968 by Aldo Mantovani and the master himself, Italdesign Giugiaro became part of Lamborghini’s holdings in 2010, which itself is owned by Audi. While most Italdesign-badged limited editions are based on the Lamborghini Huracán these days, Nissan’s latest special GT-R is essentially the latest Nismo version under a new carbon-fiber body, with a twin-turbo V-6 tuned to produce 710 horsepower instead of the standard 600.

Like the design or not, the 50th anniversary R35 GT-R is a true collectors’ item. And with this much performance onboard, plus a dash of Italian style, not a bad one, either.