The fourth generation Nissan Skyline GT-R—built from 1995 to 1998 and known internally as the R33—is often overlooked by enthusiasts. It replaced the famous R32 model that reintroduced the nameplate to the world and quickly reached legend status. And it was succeeded by the R34 Skyline GT-R, which became a global sensation after Paul Walker drove it to stardom in The Fast and the Furious. But the accolades other Skyline GT-Rs have received shouldn’t diminish the R33’s own well-earned merits.

Like the R32, the R33 Skyline GT-R was powered by Nissan’s twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter RB26 six-cylinder engine, which was nominally rated at 276 horsepower but objectively made well in excess. And like the R32, the car mated the engine to a five-speed manual transmission and sent its power and prodigious torque curve to all four wheels. The R33 was slightly larger and heavier than the Sklyine GT-R it replaced, but was also slightly more aerodynamic, stiffer, and better balanced. The R33 also received an updated version of Nissan’s Super-HICAS rear-wheel-steering system. Overall, the driving experience felt more planted and predictable than the R32, especially at higher speeds.

Like other Skylines, the R33 had plenty of special editions. The GT-R V-Spec added an active limited-slip rear differential, revised rear steering programming, and upgraded brakes, all of which translated to a more track-capable version of the standard car. The V-Spec also introduced underbody diffusers and other changes aimed at improving high-speed stability. In 1997, Nissan released the Nur-tuned 400R under the NISMO banner—a heavily reworked GT-R featuring a 2.8-liter RB-X GT2 engine that produced 400 horsepower, upgraded aerodynamics, strengthened driveline components, and extensive chassis enhancements. Built in extremely limited numbers, the 400R stands today as one of the most collectible GT-Rs ever made and a milestone in Nissan’s performance history.

Today the R33 Skyline GT-R is beginning to be viewed as something more than a bridge between the legendary R32 and the fan-favorite R34. The model advanced the GT-R formula with more usability, but still preserved the raw potential and tunability that helped make the car so popular. Whether as a standard GT-R, a track-oriented V-Spec, or the ultra-rare 400R, the R33 solidified the Skyline’s reputation as one of the most advanced and capable performance cars of the 1990s.