Nissan Discontinues Its Supercar Challenger, Yet Claims the Story Isn't Over | Carscoops

      Nissan has concluded an 18-year production run with the Midnight Purple T-Spec GT-R, which is headed to a customer in Japan.

      The last R35 GT-R has left the Tochigi plant after 18 years and 48,000 units produced. The CEO of Nissan mentioned that the GT-R will make a comeback “one day,” but he asks fans to be patient. The company has not yet decided whether the upcoming R36 GT-R will be an electric vehicle or a hybrid.

      Nissan is commemorating the end of the R35 GT-R and its legacy as the final model rolled off the production line at the Tochigi factory in Japan. In this poignant moment, the brand's CEO indicated that this is not a farewell to the GT-R, as the nameplate will eventually return.

      A Remarkable Journey

      Over the past 18 years, the Japanese automaker produced around 48,000 units of the R35 GT-R. A team of nine master craftsmen, known as Takumi, hand-assembled all GT-R engines at the Yokohama factory, with each name displayed on a special plaque attached to the engine.

      The last R35 model is a GT-R Premium Edition T-Spec, finished in the iconic Midnight Purple color. It is intended for a customer in Japan, the last market for the model. Nissan stopped accepting orders in its home country last February, allowing time to clear the backlog.

      The Legacy of the Godzilla

      Introduced at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the R35 GT-R quickly gained a reputation as a “supercar killer.” Nissan describes the model as the ultimate Grand Tourer, merging performance with “a comfortable ride, high levels of refinement, and benchmark fit and finish.” Over its 18-year lifespan, the GT-R received various updates, including facelifts in 2010, 2016, and 2023.

      All R35 GT-R variants were powered by the non-electrified VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6, paired with the advanced Attesa ET-S all-wheel-drive system. The engine evolved from providing 473 hp (353 kW / 480 PS) in its original model to 562 hp (419 kW / 570 PS) after the latest update, reaching up to 600 hp (447 kW / 608 PS) in the extreme Nismo variant.

      Over time, the GT-R significantly improved its lap record at the Nürburgring from 7:38 in 2007 to 7:08.679 in 2013. The model also found success in motorsport, clinching victories in Japan’s Super GT Championship in the GT500 and GT300 classes, the Blancpain GT Series Pro-Am class, the 12 Hours of Bathurst, and the Super Taikyu endurance racing series.

      Farewell R35, Welcome R36 (sort of)

      Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO of Nissan, shared this statement:

      “After 18 remarkable years, the R35 GT-R has left an indelible mark on automotive history. Its legacy reflects the passion of our team and the loyalty of our customers worldwide. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.”

      Nissan’s leader further revealed some hints about the future of the GT-R nameplate:

      “To all the GT-R fans around the globe, I want to emphasize that this is not a permanent farewell to the GT-R. We aim for the GT-R name to return one day. We recognize the high expectations and that the GT-R badge is not for just any vehicle. It is reserved for something special, and the R35 has set a high benchmark. Therefore, I kindly ask for your patience. Although we do not have a specific plan ready at this moment, the GT-R will evolve and reappear in the future.”

      In light of current financial uncertainties, Nissan appears hesitant to announce a release date for the GT-R successor. This suggests that while development is ongoing, there are still significant strategic decisions pending before moving forward.

      As hinted at by the 2023 Nissan Hyper Force concept, the R36 was anticipated to feature a high-performance electric powertrain and solid-state batteries. However, recent remarks from R35 product planner Hiroshi Tamura imply that an electric future is not guaranteed. It may instead incorporate a hybrid layout if that aligns with customer expectations.

      According to the official announcement, “insights from the R35 will be crucial to the next-generation GT-R, helping to ensure its legacy evolves while elevating performance standards.”

      Regardless, it's encouraging that the Japanese automaker has not abandoned the vision of a performance flagship that would carry on the legacy of previous GT-R generations. Hopefully, we will see it before the decade concludes.