Nissan may take the R35 GT-R to new heights before the next gen debuts

By Miles Branman September 24, 2015

Nissan GT-R Nismo front angle — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nissan has revealed that the current generation (R35) GT-R still has some life left in it via performance and perhaps styling tweaks ahead of the next-gen’s introduction sometime in late 2017 or early 2018.

In an interview with Top Gear magazine, Nissan’s chief planning officer Phillippe Klein said the GT-R R35 still has “development potential,” strongly suggesting updates are coming shortly.

As a refresher, the R35 GT-R has been on sale in its current form since 2007, with gradual performance and design enhancements layering in over time. Presently, the most powerful iteration is the range-topping GT-R Nismo, which uses a 3.8-liter twin-turbcharged V6 to make 600 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque. With added aerodynamic and suspension tuning, the Nismo version lapped the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes and 8.6 seconds.

nissan-cept-2020-vision-gran — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Though Nissan didn’t come right out and say it, it’s possible the R35 GT-R could exceed the Nismo’s performance benchmarks with further tuning of the V6 powertrain. Don’t expect the next generation’s hybrid system to make an appearance just yet, however.

With the next GT-R, Nissan will introduce an all-new design inspired by the Nissan Vision Gran Turismo Concept, and its powertrain may even slot into a four-door model under the Infiniti name.

Besides fresh styling and a Williams-sourced electric-hybrid drivetrain, the next generation GT-R is expected to shed weight via a redesigned all-wheel drive system, lighter construction materials, including carbon fiber, and a new dual-clutch transmission. Though the Nismo GT-R already rivals supercars costing three times as much, the 2017 GT-R could enter the hypercar realm of performance.

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