Nissan is officially working on the successor to its legendary GT-R sports car, with plans to introduce a hybrid model before 2030. Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan North America’s senior vice president and head of planning, confirmed the project’s existence during the 2026 New York International Auto Show.
Speaking to The Drive, Pandikuthira indicated that the company is aiming for formal announcements as early as 2028. This new iteration, internally referred to as the R36, will not be a simple revision of the outgoing R35, which ceased production in August 2025.
A new platform for a global icon
Unlike its predecessor, the upcoming GT-R will be built on an entirely new platform. Pandikuthira emphasized that this architecture is essential to balance high-performance capabilities with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
Engineers will retain the spirit of the iconic VR38 engine, though the powertrain will undergo significant modifications to meet modern emissions standards, such as Euro 7. The company plans to focus on deep improvements to the combustion process, including updated cylinder heads and pistons.
"We are looking at a new powertrain that keeps the mechanical essence of the GT-R without the limitations of the past," Pandikuthira said. The decision to incorporate hybrid technology is a strategic requirement to ensure the model remains viable in global markets.
Despite the shift toward electrification, Nissan has rejected the idea of a fully electric GT-R for this generation. The company instead favors a hybrid system designed to preserve the aggressive throttle response and visceral driving experience that defined the brand's previous supercars.
Development will once again center on the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. Nissan used the track to refine the R35, and officials say the new model will undergo rigorous testing there to ensure it matches the historical performance benchmarks of its predecessors. The goal is to prove that the GT-R can adapt to contemporary regulatory environments without sacrificing the raw power that established its reputation.
