What We Know So Far About the Upcoming GT-R and Its Arrival Date
After dominating the streets and tracks for over 15 years, the current R35 GT-R is finally approaching retirement. Launched back in 2007 and continuously updated over the years, production of this long-running generation is set to conclude in October 2024. However, the upcoming GT-R ensures the Godzilla nameplate lives on, albeit in a new and technologically advanced form.
Confirmed by Nissan Executives
The biggest revelations came during the 2025 New York Auto Show, where Nissan's North America Chief Planning Officer, Ponz Pandikuthira, outlined the direction of the R36. He confirmed that the next GT-R will adopt a hybrid setup—not full electric—because current EV technology can't yet deliver the level of consistent performance Nissan demands from its halo model.
Earlier reports hinted at a potential electric GT-R, but real-world testing showed major limitations. Pandikuthira explained that electric prototypes were only able to complete a lap of the Nürburgring before needing lengthy recharges—an unacceptable compromise for a track-focused supercar. Nissan's goal remains clear: the upcoming GT-R must be capable of repeatable, high-speed laps, capable of challenging rivals like the Porsche 911 on circuits like the Nürburgring.
Why Hybrid, Not Electric?
While Nissan continues to invest in EV technology—especially through its participation in Formula E—executives made it clear that a hybrid powertrain is currently the best solution for the upcoming GT-R. In a mid-2024 interview, Nissan's SVP Ivan Espinosa praised electric drivetrains for their control and responsiveness in cornering but admitted that battery tech still limits sustained performance.
The hybrid direction is strategic. It offers the torque and efficiency benefits of electrification without sacrificing the endurance and visceral experience that GT-R fans expect.
Alongside its revised drivetrain, the upcoming GT-R will also introduce a completely new design language. Nissan aims to blend muscular aggression with modern sophistication, elevating both the exterior styling and the car's status as a high-tech, track-ready grand tourer. Expect a fresh interpretation of the GT-R's iconic shape—refined for a new generation of speed enthusiasts.
GT-R Legacy, Reinvented
Although Nissan previously remained vague on future plans, it has now clearly committed to preserving the GT-R identity through the R36. Despite stricter emissions laws and shifting market dynamics, the upcoming GT-R will continue to represent power, precision, and innovation.
This next chapter of Godzilla's story won't just be about new powertrains—it's about adapting a motorsport icon to the realities of a rapidly changing automotive world. Hybrid performance, bold design, and relentless engineering are set to keep the GT-R relevant and dominant as it heads into a new era.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Al Arabiya
Nissan to close its Oppama plant in Japan to cut costs
Nissan is closing its flagship factory in Oppama, Japan, to cut costs and moving all its production there to another plant in southwestern Japan. Vehicle production at the Oppama plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, will end at the end of the 2027 fiscal year in March 2028, the Japanese automaker said Tuesday in a statement. After that, all models that had been made or scheduled for production at Oppama will be made at Nissan Motor Kyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. The Oppama plant has been a prized symbol for Nissan Motor Corp., which rolled out its Leaf electric car there in 2010 ahead of key rivals. The plant's closure was expected as the maker of the Infiniti luxury models and March subcompact has said repeatedly that it is restructuring its operations to boost its profitability, including by consolidating production sites. Nissan, based in the port city of Yokohama, says the tariff policies of President Donald Trump have hurt its bottom line. Earlier this year, Nissan said it was slashing about 15 percent of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, which would include a 9,000 head count reduction announced late last year, including in China. The company has been racking up losses hurt by slipping vehicle sales in China and elsewhere, huge restructuring costs, and ballooning inventories. Earlier this year, Nissan said it's reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17 to create a leaner, more resilient business. At that time, it didn't say which plants were being closed but confirmed the closures will include factories in Japan. It's also reducing production capacity to 2.5 million units from 3.5 million. Nissan racked up a loss of 670.9 billion yen (4.5 billion) for the fiscal year through March, down from a 426.6 billion yen profit recorded in the previous fiscal year. Its chief executive, Ivan Espinosa, took up the post in April and was set to speak to reporters later Tuesday. He replaced Makoto Uchida, who stepped down to take responsibility for the faltering results.
ArabGT
7 days ago
- ArabGT
Nissan to Potentially Build a New Honda Pickup in U.S
Honda already has a midsize truck in its lineup — the Honda Ridgeline — but it's never truly resonated with traditional truck buyers. Built on a unibody platform shared with Honda's SUVs, the Ridgeline offers comfort and practicality, yet lacks the ruggedness, towing strength, and off-road capability that many American truck customers expect. As a result, it has consistently lagged behind body-on-frame rivals in both sales and perception. Images shown in this article depict the current Honda Ridgeline and do not represent the potential new pickup under discussion. This market gap appears to be motivating Honda to consider a major strategic shift. The company is reportedly in talks with Nissan to produce a new Honda pickup in the U.S., with manufacturing potentially taking place at Nissan's facility in Canton, Mississippi. The move would allow Honda to offer a more traditional, body-on-frame truck — likely based on the Nissan Frontier — without having to design and build a new model from scratch. The Canton plant currently builds the Frontier and the Altima. With the Altima nearing the end of its production run and delays affecting Nissan's electric vehicle plans, the facility has available capacity. That makes it a prime candidate for a manufacturing collaboration that could benefit both brands. For Honda, this partnership would open the door to a new kind of Honda pickup — one that's better suited to the expectations of conventional truck buyers. It also allows Honda to increase its domestic production footprint, which would help minimize tariff exposure and strengthen supply chain resilience. For Nissan, the deal would improve efficiency at a plant that's currently operating well below full capacity. Adding volume through a new production arrangement could make a meaningful impact on the plant's profitability and long-term sustainability. While no official confirmation has been made, a rebadged or slightly modified version of the Frontier carrying Honda's name seems to be the most likely outcome. Whether this new Honda pickup would replace the Ridgeline or be sold alongside it remains to be seen. In either case, the collaboration signals a strategic evolution. Honda gains access to a proven truck platform, while Nissan capitalizes on underused resources. Together, they could deliver a product that fills a critical gap in Honda's U.S. lineup — and finally gives the brand a foothold in the fiercely competitive world of traditional pickups.
Arab News
13-07-2025
- Arab News
Britain's Rowland takes Formula E title with two races to spare
BERLIN: Nissan's Oliver Rowland won the Formula E title for the first time and with two races to spare on Sunday, the Briton becoming the all-electric series' 10th different champion in the space of 11 seasons. Rowland had needed to lead Pascal Wehrlein by 59 points after the second of two races in Berlin, the championship's penultimate weekend, and he did it by finishing fourth with his Porsche rival only 16th despite starting on pole. The Briton now has 184 points with Wehrlein on 125. OLIVER ROWLAND. SEASON 11 WORLD CHAMPION!!!@oliverrowland1 secures the title in Berlin! @Hankook_Sport #BerlinEPrix — Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) July 13, 2025 Sunday's race at Berlin's old Tempelhof airport was won by Jaguar's Nick Cassidy, completing a weekend sweep after teammate Mitch Evans won on Saturday, with Andretti's Jake Dennis second and Jean-Eric Vergne third for DS Penske. The final two races of the season are in London on July 26-27. It was the first time a Japanese manufacturer had won the championship. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Christian Radnedge)
