The final production of the Nissan GT-R marks the end of an era for one of the longest-running sports cars in history. Over the past 18 years, a total of 48,000 ‘R35’ GT-Rs were built, including various facelifts and track-focused Nismo versions.
Each GT-R was powered by a hand-built twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine, initially producing 473bhp and 434lb ft of torque. The later Nismo variant boasted an impressive 592bhp and 481lb ft, with the potential for even higher power outputs in the hands of tuners.
The GT-R made waves in the performance car world when it first arrived in 2007, with Nissan claiming a faster lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife than the Porsche 911 Turbo. This sparked a controversy between the two manufacturers, with Porsche accusing Nissan of using non-standard tires to achieve its lap time.
Despite the controversy, the GT-R received critical acclaim for its performance, handling, and value for money. It won Autocar’s Britain’s Best Driver’s Car contest in 2008, solidifying its reputation as a formidable “giant killer.”
While the future of the GT-R remains uncertain, Nissan has confirmed that the badge will return in a new form in the future. The Hyper Force concept showcased at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show provides a glimpse of what a new GT-R could look like, but a production model is still several years away.
The lengthy development process of the ‘R35’ GT-R suggests that any future iteration of the iconic sports car will undergo significant changes before hitting the market. Until then, fans of the GT-R will have to wait patiently for the next chapter in the car’s storied history.
