- the next-generation nissan gt-r has been rumored since at least 2013, but a new report reveals potential details about the future sports car’s powertrain.
- speaking with autocar, nissan ceo makoto uchida said the company is assessing ways to electrify the gt-r.
- hybridization could help the gt-r improve its acceleration times while also enhancing fuel efficiency.
it feels like an eternity since the current generation nissan gt-r first went on sale—back in 2008, barack obama was elected, the first "twilight" movie premiered, and t-pain and flo rida’s “low” dominated the airwaves. and for nearly ten years, rumors have swirled regarding the successor to the r35 gt-r. nissan provided a glimpse at what a future gt-r could look like with the 2020 vision gran turismo concept in 2014, and back in 2013, nissan said to expect some form of hybridization on the next generation. now, a decade later it appears that plan is still on track, according to a recent report from autocar stating that the next gt-r will feature a hybrid powertrain using a v-6 gasoline engine.
autocar spoke with nissan ceo makoto uchida, who said, "we are looking at how we can do it electrified.” currently, the gt-r is powered by a twin-turbocharged v-6 with up to 600 horsepower, good for a sub-three second sprint to 60 mph. and while the gt-r is on the more fuel-efficient end of the sports-car spectrum, returning an epa estimate of 18 mpg combined, emissions regulations mean that adding electrification could become necessary to keep the gt-r compliant. along with boosting the fuel efficiency, the addition of electric motors could help with acceleration, as their instantaneous torque could sharpen the gt-r's tire-squealing launches.
what’s not yet clear is if the next gt-r will be built on a new platform. back in 2018, nissan design chief alfonso albaisa told autocar “we’re definitely making a new platform,” but gt-r sales have tailed off sharply since then and the global pandemic and resulting semiconductor chip shortage may have shifted priorities. nissan launched a new generation of the z car earlier this year, which, while heavily restyled, sits on the same fm platform as its 370z predecessor. the gt-r could take a similar path, with all-new styling and an updated powertrain but riding on the same bones as the r35.
albaisa had also previously described how he likes the gt-r's status as "the world's fastest brick," so we don't think the next-gen model's styling will be as dramatic as the gran turismo concept. it's likely to retain an upright and muscular stance rather than going for the low-slung, sinewy supercar look. we may also see some inspiration drawn from italidesign's take on the current gt-r, pictured here.
there’s no word yet on when to expect the next generation gt-r, but hopefully we won’t still be reporting on rumors about it in 2031.