Report: Next-Gen Nissan Skyline Will Be An EV SUV – RIP Skyline?

Of many Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) nameplates, the Nissan Skyline is probably one of the most historic ones out there. Borne out of a merger between Prince Motor Company and Nissan, the Nissan Skyline started off its life as a four-door sedan, with multiple iterations along the way, including a slew of high-performance models under the GT-R variant.

Now that Nissan has omitted the ‘Skyline’ name from the GT-R sportscars name, the Japanese marque reportedly decided to continue the Skyline’s legacy, in the form of an electric SUV crossover.

Render Photo of the Rumoured Nissan Skyline EV Crossover. Photo Credit: Best Car Web

As reported by Japanese automotive magazine/website Best Car Web, Nissan is planning to launch a new EV SUV model based on the Ariya SUV, where it will carry the Skyline nameplate. Although plans to continue producing next-gen Skyline sedans under the pipe since last decade, the automaker is said to ultimately decided to change the bodystyle of the Skyline into a crossover as an attempt to ride on its sudden unprecedented popularity globally.

2009 Nissan Skyline Crossover

At this point, it is important to note that there has been a Skyline-badged crossover in the nameplate’s long history. Originally launched in 2009, the Nissan Skyline Crossover was basically a JDM-exclusive Infiniti EX SUV wearing a Nissan garb above it. This Skyline Crossover is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol mill, codenamed VQ37VHR, rated at 320 HP.

In our attempt to ‘alleviate’ some thoughts on this revelation, Best Car Web’s report also suggested that this next-gen Skyline EV SUV will come with a sporty, coupe-esque silhouette, instead of being a roomy peoplemover. Intended to break the North American market, the future Skyline EV is said to be harnessing a dual-motor setup capable of delivering over 400 HP to boot – possibly making it the most powerful non-GT-R Skyline ever made.

2023 Nissan Ariya SUV

For comparison, the Nissan Ariya, the model that this rumoured Skyline EV is said to be based on, boasts a maximum power output of 389 HP, granting it a 0 to 60 MPH (96 KM/H) sprint time of only 5.1 seconds. Perhaps the possibility of seeing a new Skyline that can finish a 0 to 100 KM/H drag in sub-5-seconds region might not sound that bad after all.

As for now, nothing has been confirmed nor denied by Nissan, in spite the Japanese auto magazine claimed to obtain this scoop directly from an internal source. Best thing to do is wait, or perhaps for JDM purists, crossing their fingers in hopes that this will just be a rumour at the end of the day.