It has been 13 long years since the R35
Nissan GT-R was launched and, according to a new report, we could be inching
closer to seeing its successor. When the GT-R was launched, it put the supercar
establishment on notice with class-leading performance at a fraction of the
cost of its rivals. However, as the years have progressed, the GT-R is no
longer the dominant force it once was and can’t hide the fact that it’s in need
of an update.
In an article discussing a product offensive
from Nissan, Auto News claims that a new GT-R may appear as early as 2023,
alleging that it will likely be a hybrid that uses a kinetic energy recovery
system to capture and re-use energy generated under braking.
While this all sounds very nice, we would
suggest taking these assertions with a grain of salt. Reports about the
next-generation GT-R have been circulating for the better part of six years.
Despite that, Nissan has still yet to confirm what kind of powertrain it will
use, although it has suggested a hybrid of some form is likely.
Then comes the question of where in the
performance car market Nissan wants the new GT-R to compete. It could stick
with the front-engined, turbocharged, all-wheel recipe of the R35 model and
rival the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo. Alternatively, it may decide it has
done all it can with a front-engined platform and instead decide to make a
mid-engined supercar in the vein of the current Honda NSX.
