Nissan North America’s Senior Vice President & Head of Planning, Ponz Pandikuthira, has officially confirmed the continuity of production for the iconic GT-R and Z models. This significant announcement coincided with the ongoing New York Autoshow.
Nissan GT-R Evolution
In a report by Carscoops on Tuesday (9/10/2024), it was highlighted that the Nissan GT-R R35 has marked its 16th year, culminating with a special edition.
Crafting the new Nissan GT-R poses formidable challenges, particularly as it transitions towards a fully electric variant with performance capabilities rivaling or surpassing those required for racing circuits.
Merely completing a lap around the Nürburgring, refueling, and cooling down won’t suffice. The Nissan GT-R must push boundaries, aiming to go faster and farther, as emphasized by Pandikuthira. Consequently, Nissan’s development and engineering teams are focused on enhancing battery and electric motor technologies.
An effective method employed involves testing the motor, battery, and associated systems in the high-stakes arena of Formula E races. Weight, inherent in battery technology, poses a significant challenge, as it’s the antithesis of a sports car’s agility.
New Platform Development
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida confirms that the upcoming GT-R will adopt an entirely new platform. This assertion finds substantiation in the presence of the Hyper Force concept model unveiled at the 2023 Tokyo Autoshow, despite lacking explicit GT-R branding.
Continuing the legacy, the latest iteration of the Nissan GT-R promises to comfortably accommodate four passengers, seamlessly transitioning from road driving to wild racing endeavors. The moniker “Godzilla” embodies its fierce, awe-inspiring design.
The forthcoming R36 GT-R model, conceived through various concept iterations at Nissan’s design studio, retains the signature rear light design while introducing a modernized, circular aesthetic. Simultaneously, the Nissan Z model, launched in 2021, undergoes continuous enhancements towards adopting a greener powertrain, preceding its evolution onto a novel platform.
The resurgence of the Nissan 400 Z represents a remarkable feat within the automotive landscape. Originally slated to conclude with the 370 Z model, Nissan engineers took it upon themselves to resurrect the Z lineage, encapsulating their unwavering passion for the iconic model.