Refreshed Nissan Skyline can partly drive itself

Nissan launched the refreshed Skyline in Japan today.

NISSAN Motor has just unveiled the new Skyline — not the GTR, the Skyline.

That out of the way; the new Skyline arrives fitted with ProPILOT 2.0 technology, which Nissan explains is a driver-assist system that can navigate certain highways even if the driver is not holding the steering wheel. ProPILOT 2.0 uses the vehicle’s navigation system in maneuvering the car on a predetermined route — which must pass on designated roadways. But while the system allows for hands-off driving, this can only be done while the car is cruising, and it can do so only on one lane.

Nissan says the system continuously checks if the driver’s attention is on the road. If the driver fails to respond to an alert while driving, the system turns on the hazard lights and reduces the vehicle’s speed until coming to a stop.

“The Skyline is a symbol of Nissan technology, and at 62 years, it has the longest history of any Nissan model,” said Asako Hoshino, Nissan executive vice-president.

The Skyline nameplate debuted in 1957.

“With the latest advanced technologies, including ProPILOT 2.0, the new Skyline offers customers an even more exciting and confident driving experience.”

The new Skyline comes in four grades: GT, GT Type P, GT Type SP and 400R. The first three variants are powered by either a 300hp, 3.0-liter V6, or the VQ35HR-HM34 hybrid engine. The 400R gets the same VR30DDTT 3.0-liter V6 engine but which has been tuned to produce 400hp.

Refreshed in the Skyline is its front end design, which now wears the brand’s V-Motion grille. Located here is the radar sensor the ProPILOT 2.0 uses. At the rear, the new Skyline gets taillamps with LEDs forming a circle, recalling a longtime signature of the nameplate.

The car goes on sale in Japan in a couple of months.