The legendary Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R, nicknamed “Godzilla”, is back with an electrifying twist. Gone is the iconic twin-turbo 2.6-litre inline-six RB26DETT, now replaced with an all-electric powertrain. The Godzilla has been reborn as an electric beast – prepare for Mecha-Godzilla!
Some might think it’s sacrilege to electrify the R32 GT-R, but a group of Nissan engineers saw it as a way to keep this legend alive for future generations. They figured that with EV tech, the R32 could live on for decades to come, letting enthusiasts experience its legendary performance.
The car is currently on display at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, and at first glance, it looks like any other R32 GT-R, at least from the outside. But the real magic is inside, where those engineers worked their wizardry.
Now, matching the performance of the iconic 2.6-litre RB26DETT engine is certainly no easy task – especially when it reportedly made more than the officially rated 280 hp and 368 Nm figures… apparently something to do with a gentlemen’s agreement between Japanese carmakers. Of course, there’s also the massive headroom for tuners to further squeeze out even more performance too.
So to do the engine and R32 nameplate justice, these engineers threw in a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, each making 218 hp and 340 Nm. To juice those motors, they borrowed a 62 kWh battery pack from the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC02 and stuck it in the backseat of the electric R32 GT-R.
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With the two electric motors, the R32 EV as it’s called could theoretically pump out 435 hp and 680 Nm, but final output figures are still under wraps as the engineers continue to refine it. They’re aiming to keep the power and torque close to the original R32’s 280 hp and 368 Nm output. The aim is to keep the R32’s spirit alive, not just make another crazy-fast EV.
Even though the electric R32 is about 370 kg heavier than the original, the engineers cleverly tuned it to match the original’s torque-to-weight ratio. They also replicated the original R32’s ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system, so it still has that perfect 50:50 torque distribution between the front and rear wheels.
To enhance the driving experience, the engineers incorporated gearshift paddles behind the steering wheel that simulates a manual gearbox, along with speakers that generate an artificial RB26DETT roar. This approach, similar to that of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, aims to recreate the visceral experience of driving the original R32 GT-R.
Managing the increased weight, the engineers also borrowed a set of beefy Brembo brakes from the R35 GT-R. And because those brakes are bigger, they had to design some new 18-inch wheels, but they made sure those still looked like the classic 16-inch wheels from the original R32.
Inside the cabin, the engineers sought to maintain the original look and feel while incorporating modern technology. The analogue gauges, meter clusters, and radio have been replaced with high-resolution digital screens that replicate the original design while providing updated information and functionality. The factory seats have also been upgraded to custom Recaro seats.
While the electric R32 GT-R is a fascinating project, there are currently no plans to offer it as a conversion kit to the public. However, the engineering team remains focused on fine-tuning the car. Perhaps one day, this electrifying conversion will become a reality for R32 GT-R owners seeking to keep their beloved cars on the road for generations to come.
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