The special-edition GT-R Nismo goes on sale in North America this fall. It does not come with a Happy Meal.
The Nissan GT-R is renowned worldwide as the Japanese brand's top-tier image car, a 600-hp mean machine with a hand-built engine, stratospheric sticker and legions of rabid fans.
Now, Nissan's fast car is also selling fast food.
As of last week, McDonald's Japan has been packing a toy version of the GT-R into its Happy Meals as a giveaway goody. Nissan announced the tie-up while unveiling a 2022 model-year special edition of the GT-R's Nismo high-performance version.
Among the upgrades — a clear-coated carbon-fiber hood to cut weight and lend a track-ready look. Also, a new Stealth Gray body color. It also is adorned with Nissan's minimalistic restyled brand logo.
A limited number of the special-edition GT-R Nismo vehicles — the real one, not the McDonald's freebie — will go on sale this fall in North America.
The toy version is made by Tomica, Japan's answer to Hot Wheels or Matchbox.
Also offered in the "Happy Sets," as they are called in Japan, are toy versions of the Toyota 86, Mitsubishi Delica D:5 van and Suzuki Jimny off-roader.
Toyota, for its part, did not mention the marketing move in any of its official media materials.
Nissan Chief Product Specialist Hiroshi Tamura, who arranged a specially wrapped metallic gold GT-R for the affair, described the McDonald's collaboration as an "uncompromising pursuit."
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