The GT-R SUV Rumor Is Back
For almost two decades, dedicated Nissan fans have joked, hoped, and even used Photoshop to imagine a GT-R SUV. A brave soul even went so far as to turn a Nissan Murano into an R35-inspired SUV, showing just how persistent this fantasy has been.
Now, a new report from Japan is adding fuel to that fire. The latest issue of Best Car magazine says Nissan is ‘positively considering’ a super SUV that could use technology from the R35 GT-R, possibly including a twin-turbo V6 hybrid setup similar to what’s rumored for the next-generation GT-R.
Why It’s Unlikely to Happen
The main issue is that nothing new supports the SUV rumor. Most of the talk is just speculation or educated guesswork, like ramblings about a V6 hybrid powertrain and comparisons to other super SUVs, but nothing official from Nissan.
More importantly, Best Car has previously published GT-R-related reports that never materialized. As Creative Trend pointed out, one example involved claims of a Final Edition R35 GT-R equipped with a mild-hybrid system, a model that was widely discussed but ultimately never reached production before the R35’s lifecycle came to an end.
There’s also the business side. Nissan is currently going through a major overhaul. Launching a new performance SUV to compete with expensive European models would require a lot of money, strong engineering, and a clear strategy.
Joel Stocksdale
Nissan’s Focus Is Elsewhere
If Nissan is cooking up something exciting, all signs point to the next GT-R, not an SUV. CEO Ivan Espinosa has already said the GT-R will be back, though he admits the next-gen R36 is a serious technical headache. Word is, Nissan’s working on a hybrid successor with a brand-new platform, not just a warmed-over R35.
Espinosa has also suggested that Nissan might bring back other models for car enthusiasts, like the Silvia. This shows that Nissan still values dedicated sports cars, even as it expands its lineup of electric vehicles.
A GT-R-inspired SUV is still possible, since almost every performance brand offers one now and buyers like the combination of speed and practicality. However, for now, this new rumor from Japan seems more like an attention-grabbing headline than real evidence that Nissan is making one.
Joel Stocksdale
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