In 1996, the fastest Nissan road car in Japan wasn't a standard GT-R. It was the NISMO 400R.

Forty-four were built. Each one started as a BCNR33 Skyline GT-R and went through NISMO's hands in a process that resulted in something most manufacturers wouldn't have dared call a road car. NISMO called it the 400R because the target was 400 horsepower. They overshot it.

What NISMO built

The RB26DETT engine in the 400R was rebuilt around N1 competition hardware. NISMO fitted larger Garrett T04 turbines, a full competition air intake system, race-specification fuel delivery, and a remapped ECU. Power came out at approximately 430 horsepower — nearly 70% more than the factory figure — while maintaining full road legality in Japan.

The suspension was completely redesigned. NISMO developed bespoke dampers, springs, and geometry settings specifically for the 400R, including a titanium front strut tower bar — the direct ancestor of the Titanium Tower Bar that NISMO sells in their catalogue today. Brembo brake hardware replaced the stock Nissan units front and rear.

Exterior changes included a full NISMO aero package (front under spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper), NISMO lightweight wheels, and a unique interior trim. Curb weight was reduced by around 100kg compared to the standard BCNR33 through systematic parts substitution throughout the car.

The performance

The 400R would do 0–60 mph in around 3.8 seconds in period testing. That put it genuinely alongside Ferraris and Porsches that cost three or four times the price. Contemporary road tests in Japan were stunned not just by the pace but by the drivability — the 400R was still a daily-usable car with a warranty.

Why you should care

The 400R is the proof of concept that led to everything NISMO builds today. The titanium tower bar spec, the competition suspension tuning philosophy, the approach to engine building — it all traces back to the 44 cars they made in 1996.

Values today? Known 400R sales have exceeded 200,000 USD in recent years, with pristine examples commanding significantly more. They're as rare as they are significant.

But the parts development that came out of the 400R programme is available right now. Genuine NISMO, the same engineering lineage, for your GT-R. That's what makes NISMO different from every other aftermarket brand.