Rumors Swirl Around the R36 Nissan GT-R

Photo Source: NISSAN

At the 2024 New York Motor Show, Nissan representatives confirmed that the GT-R will remain part of the Japanese automaker’s lineup in the future. The upcoming R36 GT-R is one of the most highly anticipated supercars in recent times. Nissan has been working on a complete redesign for its flagship model for a while. The third-generation model has existed for 16 years after its release in 2008. 

That said, the Nissan R35 GT-R is one of the manufacturer’s models with the longest product cycle. Over the years, Nissan has made slight improvements to this Japanese treasure, giving the GT-R several facelifts. With that in mind, it is unlikely that the next R36 GT-R will arrive anytime soon. In 2018, Nissan design chief Alfonso Albaisa announced he had begun early design work on the next GT-R. However, in 2024, Albaisa stated that the design is incomplete.

The Possibility of an ICE Engine

Initially, rumors churned about the present model being phased out in 2025, with a mild hybrid powertrain based on the VR38DETT engine to be installed on the next-gen model. According to fresh information, the next-generation GT-R might be designed to accommodate a gasoline turbo engine rather than a mild hybrid system, despite the stringent noise and emissions regulations. On the other hand, the modest hybridization was planned from the outset of the assembly of the GT-R by Kazutoshi Mizuno, the father of the GT-R. 

As a result, the R36 GT-R could be a heavily revised R35, with numerous new components, chassis revisions, and a newly calibrated suspension. If Nissan decides to go this route, the R36 GT-R is expected to have the same technology utilized in Formula One racing, granting the car well over 800 horsepower, hopefully accelerating up to 1,341 ponies.

Reduced Electrification?

Speculation also suggests that the R36 GT-R will be a battery-electric vehicle, but the extent of hybridization might not be as extensive as that seen on some other high-performance vehicles. For example, rather than a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, the R36 Nissan GT-R could depend on a mild-hybrid architecture centering on the same VR38DETT engine enthusiasts recognize from the R35. Of note, the VR38DETT is known to be slightly sluggish compared to more contemporary platforms, so electric assistance will greatly improve acceleration, particularly in the zero to 60 miles per hour department.

There are drawbacks to this theory, though. The current GT-R platform is so outdated that there is insufficient space for hybrid elements. Granted, the rear seats could be removed, but that would also eliminate practicality. Additionally, even though the brand would have to adapt the existing platform to save cost, the question remains whether customers would pay a premium for an older platform. Many rumors point toward the new R36 being an internal combustion-engined machine, but the future for such automobiles is daunting. 

The company will have to convert its line of sports cars over to all-electric drivetrains if it wants to stay on par with its rivals, so if Nissan decides to move forward with this theory, it could assemble an R36 GT-R that is all-electric. If it does, enthusiasts can hope for a high-powered motor on each wheel, transforming the car into an all-wheel drive vehicle that can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under two seconds. Overall, there is the possibility that the engineering team is waiting for technology to advance, so the next-generation GT-R can ride on a new platform.

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