After a glorious production run of 17 years, Nissan has confirmed it will phase out the R35 GT-R sports car in October this year. North America was one of the last markets where the GT-R was still on sale. It was discontinued in India and the Europe in 2022. Nissan USA is sending off the GT-R with two special edition models - Skyline and Takumi Editions - which were unveiled earlier this year.
- Nissan GT-R production to end after 17-year long run
- Was powered by a 570hp, 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 engine
- No direct replacement on the cards
Nissan GT-R: an overview
Fondly known as the Godzilla, the current-generation GT-R debuted in 2007, replacing the R34 Skyline GT-R. Over the years, Nissan has given it two major facelifts along with several special editions and timely performance upgrades to keep it relevant against newer rivals and changing regulations across markets.
This sports car was particularly renowned in the tuning circle, with some examples even producing over a 1000hp with specific mods and upgrades; one such example is also known to exist in India. In stock condition, the GT-R was powered by a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that produced 570hp of power, and came mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Power was sent to all four wheels via an AWD system.
As for the last special edition models, the GT-R Skyline Edition gets an exclusive Bayside Blue exterior paint shade along with blue interiors. Meanwhile, The T-spec Takumi Edition pays homage to the takumi master craftspeople responsible for hand-assembling each GT-R engine. It gets a Midnight Purple exterior finish, with a Mori Green interior. The engine bay will house a gold VIN plate with red-etched writing, acknowledging the takumi dedicated to its creation. Both models come with carbon-ceramic brakes, gold RAYS forged wheels, and wider front fenders.
There will likely be no direct replacement for the iconic GT-R. Although Nissan showcased the Hyper Force electric concept in October 2023 as a preview of the next-generation GT-R with an all-electric drivetrain, it is expected to arrive only by the end of this decade. The GT-R was on sale in India from 2016 to 2022 and will always be remembered as the everyday sports car that it was.
Also See:
2016 Nissan GT-R review, test drive
