- Nissan is exploring new directions for the GT-R after Hyper Force.
- The 1341-hp EV concept may not reach production as demand cools.
- GT-R could return as a hybrid or halo car, not a high-volume model.
Nissan is trying to turn things around, and one of the projects in the works is the next GT-R. The company previewed what the halo sports car could look like with the radical 1,341-horsepower Hyper Force concept, but now, reports suggest that it might ditch its plan to turn the GT-R into a purely electric missile.
More: This GT-R Powered Underdog Beat A Hypercar With Over Double The Power
During the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan’s Hyper Force debuted as a peek at the future of “Godzilla.” It leveraged solid-state batteries, all-wheel drive, and a cabin that could transform into different configurations. At the time, brand executives hinted that it could go into production as early as 2030.
Change of Direction
Two years later, the project appears to be going in another direction. Speaking with Autocar, Nissan product boss Guillaume Cartier confirmed the automaker is “exploring different routes” for the next GT-R, adding that there is currently “no clear plan” for a successor.
That shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone, and frankly, it’s probably a good sign that Nissan isn’t stuck in its own rut. Several automakers have shifted their own sports car plans.
Maserati cancelled an all-electric MC20, Lotus delayed an EV replacement for the Emira, and Porsche has extended the life of the ICE 718 lineup. In Nissan’s case, the push toward an electric GT-R never stood much of a chance with the people who actually buy the thing, so the backpedal feels less like a surprise and more like overdue reality.
Cartier noted that the GT-R’s limited sales potential makes the business case tough. “Only three major sports car markets exist in Europe—UK, Switzerland, and Germany,” he said. Clearly, at a time when Nissan is desperate for a rebound, the business case is even harder to make.
Despite that, Cartier acknowledged how important the GT-R is to the brand. He indicated that it could move forward as a low-production halo model rather than a more attainable supercar killer, like its predecessors.
Source: Autocar
