Nissan GT-R sticking to its guns

Next iteration of supercar will get a new platform but is unlikely to ditch turbo V6

- FELIX PAGE

Nissan’s GT-R supercar is tipped to stick with combustion power as part of a wide-reaching overhaul in the coming years. The V6-powered coupé has been on sale largely unchanged, save for subtle model year updates and a plethora of special editions (see right), since it arrived 14 years ago. Yet even the introduction of the next generation ‘R36’ model is unlikely to bring much in the way of significant technical overhaul – although the introduction of a new platform could see it adopt a degree of electrification.

Back in 2018, when work on the next GT-R was already underway, Nissan design boss Alfonso Albaisa told Autocar that the ultimate priority is for the R36 to be “the fastest super sports car in the world”.

He elaborated that this title could still theoretically be achieved without a hybrid system: “Whether we go to a lot of electrification or none at all, we can achieve a lot power-wise. But we’re definitely making a new platform, and our goal is clear: the GT-R has to be the quickest car of its kind. It has to own the track. And it has to play the advanced technology game. But that doesn’t mean it has to be electric.”

Nissan recently launched its new Z sports coupé in the US, with upgrades over its 370Z predecessor extending to a wide-reaching design overhaul and chassis enhancements, rather than the adoption of any electrified drivetrain elements (it uses a 400bhp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6). Whether that will be the case for the more highly strung GT-R remains to be seen, however.