After years of rumors, Nissan is officially reviving the Skyline. Reports earlier this year suggested the nameplate would return as a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan, possibly featuring a manual transmission. New details now clarify where the Skyline will fit in Nissan’s lineup.
The next-generation sports sedan is planned for a 2027 debut. It will feature rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and design cues inspired by classic Skylines from the 1960s and 1970s.
At a recent mobility show in Tokyo, Albaisa explained that the new Skyline “will be inspired by the past, but it won’t be a retro styling exercise.” The aim is to create a car that is “aggressive and modern, with proportions that recall the original, but with a design that looks ahead.”
Albaisa said the Skyline will occupy a unique spot in Nissan’s lineup—“somewhere between the Nissan Z and the GT-R”—blending pure performance with everyday usability. If approved, the 2027 Skyline will mark the long-awaited return of one of Nissan’s most storied nameplates.
The new generation is expected to take the form of a four-door sedan or fastback, capturing the expressive spirit of the late-1960s Skylines, particularly the models built between 1968 and 1970, which evolved into a more dynamic, flowing shape.
This return comes as Nissan restructures internally to redefine its lineup and revive several iconic models, including the Xterra.
It’s important to note that the new Skyline will not replace the GT-R, and the nameplate is unlikely to reach the US market. Nissan is developing a separate performance halo model to succeed the outgoing GT-R, while a new Infiniti performance sedan based on the same platform is expected to appear in the US.
Enthusiasts can look forward to several exciting developments from Nissan in the coming years.