The Future of the Nissan GT-R: Uncertain but Promising
Nissan has consistently asserted that the GT-R will return, but the form it will take remains uncertain. The automaker is currently exploring various options, including electric, combustion, and hybrid powertrains.
According to Guillaume Cartier, Nissan’s chief performance officer, there is “no clear plan” for a new supercar as the company is “exploring different routes.” The 2003 Hyper Force concept, a quad-motor electric vehicle with 1,341 horsepower, was a potential glimpse into the future of the GT-R, but nothing has been confirmed.
With the R35 production having ended, fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the R36. Nissan CEO and President Ivan Espinosa stated earlier this year that the company wants the GT-R “nameplate to one day make a return.” However, he added that there is no “precise plan finalized today” and that the GT-R would “evolve and emerge in the future.”
A Hybrid Supercar: A Likely Outcome?
Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan USA’s chief product planner, echoed Espinosa’s sentiments, saying that “The GT-R would be back, without a doubt.” While there is no concrete plan, a hybrid supercar is a likely outcome. Pairing a higher-powered combustion engine with potent electric assist could result in a more powerful GT-R.
The Ferrari 296 GTB and Lamborghini Temerario are examples of hybrid supercars, producing 817 and 908 horsepower, respectively. A hybrid GT-R would likely surpass the R35’s twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which produced 600 hp and 481 pound-feet of torque in the Nismo version.
A New GT-R: A Matter of Time
While Nissan is revamping its lineup and working to turn around the struggling automaker, an all-new, low-volume supercar might be beyond the company’s current budget considerations. Nevertheless, the company is already working on an R35 successor.
As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, we can expect to hear more about the next-generation GT-R soon. Until then, fans will have to remain patient and hopeful that the iconic sports car will return in a form that will exceed expectations.
