New Nissan Skyline Nismo review: A delightfully old-school performance saloon

Even after switching from the standard drive mode to Sport or even Sport Plus, the Nismo accelerates without any theatrics. No showmanship, no synthetic sound, no aggressive tugging of the steering wheel. Instead there’s traction and stability to instil a supreme amount of confidence. The gears engage more abruptly now and hold on to the revs longer for you to enjoy the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 a bit more. 

It might be a sensible saloon at heart, but the Skyline Nismo’s steering, engine, transmission, suspension have plenty of character. This is a car that demands respect, but it also bestows trust; those who drive it in such a manner are rewarded. 

Our route leads to that seemingly endless circular track around the incredibly popular Daikoku rest stop. In the enormous car park, the Skyline confidently rolls out among Japan’s other high-performance heroes: Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, Subaru WRX STi, Honda S2000, Lexus LFA, and the ‘Godzilla’ GT-R.

At first glance, the Skyline seems completely out of place. Four doors, classic proportions, no exaggerated spoiler, no dramatic design. You could even call it understated. At its core, the Skyline is exactly what BMW and Mercedes have been perfecting in Europe for decades, and just like with the Germans, the appeal lies in the contrast. By day, a business car; by night, a performance machine.