It’s been a big week for Nissan GT-R fans. During our visit to the company’s headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, we learned a lot about the next “Godzilla.” CEO Ivan Espinosa confirmed that the R36 was already in development and hinted that more sports cars would follow in the future.
After speaking with Espinosa, we also sat down with Richard Candler, Nissan’s head of global product strategy and a key figure behind planning the next-generation R36 GT-R. He provided more insight into what’s to come—and it will be good news for his fans.
Most importantly, Candler confirmed that the R36 GT-R will not be electric. He explained:
“I think what we’ve seen so far is that electric sports cars haven’t really caught on. I think this will happen as better battery technology takes the next leap, but the lithium chemistry that exists today isn’t capable of producing a GT-R type product. We won’t be using batteries in the next generation. Impossible.”
Photo by: Robin Trajano | Motor1
Nevertheless, given modern emissions regulations outside the US, a hybrid R36 GT-R was inevitable. Candler continued:
‘[GT-R] of course it has to be electrified due to certain levels of emissions regulations. It makes sense if you feel electrification, but the battery is the limiting factor. The battery chemistry is not yet strong enough to meet the GT-R’s needs.’
We’ll have to wait and see what the next GT-R’s powertrain looks like, but all the early details are promising.
Motorcycle Pickup1: The gas-powered GT-R is good news for fans. Without proper EV technology, a battery-powered version of Godzilla wouldn’t make sense. Even with hybridization, the R36 is already something special.
