Means again earlier than the BMW M3 and M4 offered an all-wheel drive various, the Nissan GT-R proved four-wheel drive had actual efficiency payoffs. Particularly, the R35 GT-R’s debut in 2007 marked the primary time Individuals had any significant interplay with Japan’s iconic all-wheel drive sports activities automotive. With a Nürburgring lap time faster than even the modern Porsche 911 Turbo’s — and a price ticket decidedly decrease — Nissan proved that the GT-R was a automotive with really international attraction.
However that was a very long time in the past. The R35 GT-R remained in manufacturing for practically 20 years, with the ultimate automotive rolling off manufacturing strains in August 2025. Whereas it obtained solely incremental adjustments and enhancements by way of the years, the ultimate iteration was fairly a bit extra highly effective and costly than the automotive that debuted in Tokyo twenty years prior. Nissan’s been silent on whether or not or not the GT-R would return for a brand new technology. That’s, till now. Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa indicated to The Drive that “Sure, we are literally working already on the GT-R.”
Is the GT-R A Actual M Automobile Competitor?
Again when the Nissan GT-R debuted in 2007, $69,850 bought you into the driving force’s seat. By comparability, the modern M3 value round $55,000. In the meantime, the considerably dearer, V10-powered M6 value round $90,000. Contemplating the GT-R made solely 20 horsepower lower than the M6 — and reached 60 mph faster due to all-wheel drive — it was a decidedly legitimate various. By the top of the automotive’s lifecycle, although, issues modified dramatically. The 2023 Nissan GT-R commanded $116,040 — greater than the F90 BMW M5 and never terribly far off from in the present day’s G90 M5 ($126,000ish).
BMW’s lineup has additionally gotten much more versatile within the final 20 years. The M3 and M4 now include an xDrive choice and 500-some horsepower themselves. The roles, subsequently, reverse, with the M3 and M4 xDrive providing faster 0-60 efficiency for considerably much less money outlay than the GT-R. However then, Nissan’s subsequent GT-R would possibly but once more flip the script. Espinosa went mild on particulars, solely specifying that the R36 GT-R is “proof of what [the team developing it] can do technically.” One other Nissan exec: “I’d say by 2028 you’ll see some concrete bulletins, and hopefully earlier than the last decade turns you’ll see an R36 GT-R.”
Sadly, hints are nearly non-existent. The largest clues we get come from this seven-second preview video on Nissan’s YouTube channel, and admittedly, there’s little to be gleaned. Apart from the long-lasting round taillights and a modern new entrance finish design, early reviews point out a hybrid powertrain using an up to date model of the R35’s V6. Nissan execs declare “it’s going to be an all-new automotive.”
It must be if Nissan needs parity with BMW M automobiles. By the latter half of the last decade, we’ll little question see an EV M3, with the potential for a hybrid M3 not far behind or debuting concurrently. Hybrid M3 however, the present BMW M hybrid secure isn’t something to sneeze at. Regardless of its hefty curb weight and polarizing aesthetics, the G90 M5 touts a supercar-rivaling 700 horsepower. The XM Label makes use of the identical powertrain to develop nearer to 750 horsepower. That’s additionally to say nothing of rivals just like the C8 Corvette Z06, which is able to supply a “true” sports activities automotive expertise for doubtless much less cash. Nissan has their work minimize out for them — no less than in the event that they need to minimize into BMW M gross sales.
Supply: The Drive
First printed by https://www.bmwblog.com