During the local introduction of the 2022 Nissan GT-R T-spec and GT-R Nismo SV models, Nissan Australia had indirectly mentioned the existence of the next-generation halo model.
In a report by Drive.com.au, Nissan Australia’s chief said, “This isn’t the end of the GT-R story in Australia, but it will mark the closure of this chapter for this generation vehicle,”
Nissan Australia can only sell the ‘Godzilla’ models until October 31st 2021, as a new side-impact crash test regulation (known as ADR 85, aligned with European ECE R135 Pole Side Impact) comes into force in Australia on November 1st 2021.
As the current-generation R35 Nissan GT-R has its roots tracing back to 2008, the structural design of the bodyshell obviously does not consider an impact test that was only enacted in 2015.
These writings and expressions from the distributors always paint a more positive tone to the end of a cherished model, especially when the name ‘GT-R’ carries so much weight for the Nissan brand.
Nonetheless, rumour has it that the next-generation Nissan GT-R, supposedly to also progress from R35 to R36 sales code, will launch in Japan as soon as late 2022.
Among the whispers that surround the R36 GT-R is the addition of electric power to further boost the engine output of 600 hp and 652 Nm of torque, an approach recently launched by Mercedes-AMG and their E Performance branding. Such an idea was actually presented even before the 2016 Nissan GT-R was introduced that eventually continued with just raw petrol power until today.
A fully electric GT-R is however not seeing light until the end of this decade, as the appeal of a zero-emission GT-R is still next to nil.
However, a more cost-effective and resource-friendly approach would be to build an entirely new bodyshell over the existing chassis and powertrain, as seen on the recently launched 2022 Nissan Z. In this latest iteration of the two-door sports car, much of the interior, platform and its hardpoints plus switches are “hand-me-down” items from the Z34 Nissan 370Z.
Structural enhancements (to meet the impact regulation) can be performed to improve the bodyshell and chassis through perhaps the usage of more lightweight composite and carbon fibre materials.
