- Godzilla Returns: What Do We Know About the R36?
- Future Power: Will the Next GT-R Go Fully Electric?
- Economic Headwinds May Delay the Dream
As the global auto industry marches steadily into an all electric future, Nissan has surprised performance enthusiasts with a bold confirmation: the legendary GT-R is set to return. After a period of economic downturn and production halt, the Japanese automaker has officially announced that its flagship performance icon will make a comeback, this time with an electric powertrain at its core.
Although Nissan’s current strategy prioritizes crossovers and SUV models, this announcement signals the brand’s commitment to its performance roots. The return of the GT-R affirms that high performance remains a core pillar of Nissan’s identity, even in the age of electrification.
Godzilla Returns: What Do We Know About the R36?
Nissan has confirmed that the next generation GT-R, codenamed R36, is already in development. This was revealed by several senior executives in recent months. During the latest New York International Auto Show, the head of product planning at Nissan North America told Motor1 that the GT-R’s return is a certainty. That statement was soon reinforced by Arnaud Charpentier, Vice President of Product Marketing Strategy, in an interview with Auto Express. He confirmed that a dedicated team is already working on developing the new performance model.
Charpentier noted that the final design and technical specifications are still being evaluated, but the direction is clear: a true performance car powered either by a fully electric drivetrain or a hybrid system. He stressed that the next GT-R must preserve the essence of the original, not simply become an electric SUV with sporty tuning. This vision reflects Nissan’s determination to protect the GT-R’s legacy and retain its thrilling driving experience.
Future Power: Will the Next GT-R Go Fully Electric?
The idea of a fully electric GT-R is no longer a distant fantasy. It has taken concrete form since Nissan unveiled the Hyper Force concept, a bold and futuristic prototype that delivers an astonishing 1,341 horsepower. This show car now stands as the strongest candidate to shape the foundation of the next GT-R generation. According to Giovanni Arroba, Vice President of Design at Nissan Europe, the Hyper Force is more than a dream. It is a realizable goal, one that could come to life before the decade ends.
Adding to the speculation, Nissan has hinted that the upcoming GT-R may share its technical DNA with the third generation Acura NSX, which has already been confirmed as an all electric sports car set to debut in the coming years. This technological alignment between the two models reveals a unified engineering philosophy and suggests that the GT-R could carry its legendary performance heritage into the electric age.
Economic Headwinds May Delay the Dream
Despite the exciting vision, Nissan's current financial reality paints a more cautious picture. The company is undergoing a sweeping cost cutting program that includes laying off approximately 20,000 employees, shutting down seven production plants globally, eliminating six vehicle platforms, and simplifying manufacturing processes in collaboration with Renault. The goal is to slash costs and reduce production complexity by as much as 70 percent.
In such an environment, building a high performance halo car like the GT-R poses a significant financial gamble, particularly after the lukewarm commercial performance of the new Z model, which failed to meet revenue expectations. Still, optimism remains, especially with someone like Ivan Espinosa at the helm. Known for his deep passion for cars and his daily drives in the Z, Espinosa represents a strong internal commitment to preserving Nissan’s performance legacy.
While the next GT-R may not arrive any time soon, Nissan clearly has not closed the chapter on this iconic nameplate. If the brand can successfully navigate its financial and production challenges, the future could indeed bring an electric version of Godzilla that revives the spirit of Japanese performance.
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