2023 Nissan GT-R R36 hybrid theory gaining traction

Nissan's GT-R hero car could be in for a major revamp in the coming years, as rumours suggest the next-gen Godzilla will go hybrid.

According to British publication Autocar, the successor to the Nissan GT-R R35 (known as R36) could utilise the existing VR38DETT powering the current model, but with electrical assistance – both increasing its 441kW/652Nm output and reducing emissions.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida told Autocar he expected the GT-R to continue to be Nissan's flagship performance car, with the sole purpose of being an all-round weapon – while lesser models such as the Z will continue to cater to the sportscar market.

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"We are looking at how we can do it electrified," said Uchida about the R36.

"It’s something that’s a really professional sports vehicle with no compromise. The Z is for someone like me who enjoys sportscars. The GT-R is a professional machine and we need to work it out for the future.”

The idea of hybrid power for the next-gen GT-R has been circulating for a while, with predictions of a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup seeming the most likely, potentially even as an addition to the R35 line-up to ensure its longevity.

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Since the R35's launch in 2007, the model has undergone incremental changes year-on-year, although its drivetrain has stayed the same, remaining as a 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V6 bolted onto a six-speed automatic transmission.

Despite continual refinements to the current GT-R, it has now disappeared from Nissan's local line-up due to changing Australian Design Rules regulations, with the final examples of new Godzillas arriving last month.