After years of rumors and speculation, Nissan has officially brought back the Skyline. Earlier this year, Reports suggested The iconic nameplate will return – although it never went away in Japan – as a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan, possibly with a manual transmission. Now, new details reveal exactly where the upcoming Skyline will fit into Nissan’s lineup.
according to Auto Expressthe Japanese automaker is preparing the next generation of the sports sedan to debut in 2027. The new model will feature rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and design cues inspired by the classic Skylines of the 1960s and 1970s.
This year Japan Mobility Exhibition In Tokyo, Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s global design director, confirmed to Auto Express that the new Skyline “will be inspired by the past, but it will not be an exercise in retro design.” He explained that the goal is to create a car that is “aggressive and modern, with dimensions reminiscent of the original, but with a design that looks to the future.”
According to Alfonso Albaisa, the Skyline will occupy a unique position in Nissan’s lineup – “somewhere between the Nissan Z and the GT-R” – blending pure performance with everyday usability. If the project receives official approval, 2027 could mark the long-awaited return of one of the most iconic names in Nissan’s history.
Nissan Skyline 400R Limited
Photo by: Nissan
Albaisa also hinted that the new generation will take the form of a four-door sedan or fastback, a trend supported by previous reports. He said the design will embody the expressive spirit of the Skylines of the late 1960s, especially those built between 1968 and 1970, when the model evolved from a traditional three-box sedan to a more dynamic, streamlined shape.
The news comes as Nissan continues major internal restructuring efforts aimed at redefining its lineup and reviving many of its most iconic models – including the Xterra, among others. In this context, the return of the Skyline seems like a natural progression.
However, it is important to note that the upcoming Skyline will do just that no It will serve as the successor to the GT-R, and unfortunately, the nameplate itself is unlikely to make it to the US market. Nissan is still developing a new performance halo model to replace the previous R35 GT-R. As for the Skyline, a high-performance Infiniti sedan based on the same platform is still expected to appear in the United States in the near future.
Either way, enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to from Nissan over the next few years.
