Nissan GT-R: old, new... and what's next?

The Nissan GT-R has been leading the charge as Nissan's super sports car for more than 50 years. But the latest variant, the R35, is about to depart this mortal coil.

So what's next? And as importantly, what makes a GT-R worthy of the badge in the first place?

We take a look into GT-R history and deep dive into perhaps the most famous and storied GT-R of them all: the R34.

Join Matt Prior for a trip into the GT-R's past, present and future: and stay tuned to Autocar for all the news of the next-generation of Nissan's greatest sports car.

[Beretta]

I'd much rather see the GT-R badge retired than see it turned into a BEV abomination. Nissan, don't bring shame to the badge please.

[HRDNTS]

I'd say the R32 is by far the most revered generation. You even show it racing right after saying the R34 was.

[AMCL]

Retire the Skyline and GTR name unless it's fully internal combustion.

[jbkonis]

Nissan's CEO said? He's no longer around! A pause because Japanese like their cars in waves? No, it's because they're too bureaucratic in how they do business, nobody approves anything, and few want to take risk. Let's not mention Nissan is on the verge of insolvency, and I assure you a future GTR is the last thing on their mind. This is coming from an owner of both an R34 CRS and a 24 R35 NISMO. Automotive journalism doesn't do much better in telling facts than most legacy media.

[Lee-zkvu]

Curious why you didn't address the very precarious position state of Nissan's very existence. Any new GTR, ever, is very much in doubt at the moment.

[Dude_Man_]

The Nissan GT-R's legacy extends far beyond its engineering prowess. The 'Gran Turismo' video game series played a pivotal role in popularizing the GT-R, particularly the R32, R33 and R34 models, introducing them to a global audience and solidifying their status as automotive icons.
Furthermore, the arrival of the R35 GT-R marked a significant shift in the supercar paradigm. Its ability to achieve lap times that surpassed established benchmarks set by the Ferrari F430 and Porsche 911 Turbo sent shockwaves through the automotive world.

[foxxygearreviews]

I’d like to see them figure out a high-revving, robust twin turbo 6. Something you can easily upgrade and tune. Rear biased awd. No hybrid system.

[Matt.]

Having owned my bayside blue R34 GTR since 2007 its a joy to run and own. That said my r32 (owned along side for many years) is a better drivers car. The 35 bayside i had as a daily driver for 4 years, is the type you do take on long drives. They are all different, but the most iconic is the R32. There will no doubt be a new gtr but i suspect at 150k upwards which moves away from the gtr ethos of every mans super car rival.

[warboyrb]

GTR should always be a driver's sports car, a serious sports car.
It's not suppose to be a 911 Turbo competitor, that was dumb.
R33 GTR and a Supra used to be very similarly priced in the 90s, this was a key of its success in its home market.

Nobody wants a BEV...

[HRDNTS]

Nissan could just restomod their own car in R34 form and sell loads of them. Keep it light and fun. Do the minimum to pass emissions etc. Make it a tuners platform like the GT86. No point trying to be a supercar beater these days.

[RSADYNAMICS]

I remember AUTOCAR Saying how the R34 GTR was over rated and how you should not think too much about how a stripped out Lotus would beat it down a backroad

[jank]

I quess the more pertinent question are they going to survive the coming year.

[urbanstrencan]

For me Nissan GT-R R34 and 35 are just legendary JDMs, still on my dream car list 😍😍🤟🤟

[jasons]

I saw the concept car in Japan Jan 25, it looked epic!

[shane]

In short no info here on a new gtr. If anything nissan is in trouble financially and would be surprised if they could put the money in to produce a new car.

[MistaFaro]

It's not Rocket Science! We want a rear biased All wheel drive system with a twin turbo 6 cylinder, R34 like Design, under 3800lbs, Semi affordable price tag! There u go Nissan you're welcome! Now u build it and we will buy it!

[petersafwat]

Idk, a 4L 6cylinder with 2 snails and a nice rear biased AWD system and a lovely design would be a good start, maybe hybrid if need be, would be lovely with a manual again and lovelier with a sub 120k price tag

[vidajando]

This reminded me of when I went to visit my sister. She put her hands on my shoulders and said:
- My brother, in this world, one day people will waste their time reading your comment.

[anydaynow]

Even Rimac is making a performance hybrid for their next car and ditching pure electric. Also every T.50 owner wanted an hshift transmission. I just hope if they do a performance hybrid it's actually exciting to drive and not a snoozefest like the most recent NSX.

Turbo 6, rear biased AWD, hishift, pure ICE sound and punchy performance hybrid power delivery with an MGU-H like Porsche is using!

[StrikesAk]

Need a Nissan hot hatch competing with the GR Yaris and something to compete with the SUPRA.