- Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa has confirmed that a new GT-R (R36) is in development.
- The next GT-R is expected to remain a true performance car, most likely incorporating some form of hybrid technology.
- Nissan is also considering expanding its sports car lineup, with the possibility of more affordable models such as a revived Silvia.
The Nissan GT-R is an icon—a cornerstone of Japanese performance with a heritage spanning nearly 60 years. The beloved R35 generation leaves the market for good in 2024, marked by two special editions that end the sports car’s impressive 17-year run. But that doesn’t mean the GT-R is gone forever.
During a conversation at Nissan’s Yokohama headquarters, CEO Ivan Espinosa confirmed that a new GT-R is in development. While he didn’t provide specific details, Espinosa emphasized that the GT-R remains a symbol of the brand—and will continue to be so in the future. He noted:
‘Yeah, we’re going to work on—we’re actually working on—a GT-R. There aren’t many details I can share today, but the GT-R is coming, and it’s coming with the credibility and credentials it’s always had, because it’s a company icon, but more than that an industry icon. That’s a testament to Akashi-san’s team’s technical abilities.’
Photo by: Robin Trajano | Motor1
This isn’t the first time a Nissan executive has confirmed that a new R36 GT-R is coming soon—but it is the first time confirmation has come directly from the CEO. Last April, at the New York Auto Show, Nissan USA’s chief product planner, Ponz Pandikuthira, told us that the GT-R would “without a doubt” return to the lineup.
Both Espinosa and Pandikuthira emphasized that the next GT-R must remain a true performance car. Some degree of hybridization is possible—as is the case with many modern high-performance vehicles—but if early rumors are any indication, the R36 should live up to its namesake heritage.
Interestingly, this may not be the only high-performance model in Nissan’s future plans. Rumors have long hinted at a more affordable sports car beneath the current Z, potentially reviving the Silvia nameplate. Espinosa has hinted that a car like the Silvia is something he would like to see happen, although nothing has been officially confirmed. He added:
‘Sports cars are at the heart of our existence as a company. So we’ve been doing that for generations, and there’s a lot of nameplates that we can take advantage of. If you ask one part of my brain, I want to do it really fast. But another part of my brain tells me that we need to be careful right now and take it one step at a time. But definitely, we will see more sports cars coming into our portfolio.’
Motorcycle Pickup1: More sports cars in its lineup is always a good thing, but we’re eager to see what Nissan will do with the next GT-R. Espinosa clearly understands how important signage is to a brand, which gives us plenty of reasons to be excited.
