Nissan News: Nissan Hard At Work On Next-Generation GT-R

[William Maley]

This year's New York Auto Show saw Nissan reveal a facelifted GT-R complete with a new front end and a more powerful version of the twin-turbo V6 engine. But Nissan is hard at work on designing the next generation GT-R.

 

Automotive News spoke with Nissan's chief creative officer, Shiro Nakamura. Nakamura said one of the key goals with the next GT-R is to boost the efficiency of the twin-turbo V6 and there is the possibility of the vehicle using a hybrid system.

 

"Electrification is almost inevitable for any car. If the next-generation GT-R has some electrification, nobody would be surprised at that time," said Nakamura.

 

Deciding the powertrain configuration will play a key role into how the next GT-R is designed. Nakamura admits redesigning the GT-R will be a challenge.

 

"It's very tough to redesign this car, but we are starting now."

 

Nakamura believes the GT-R still looks good because it doesn't try to copy or follow design trends.

 

"To my eye, it still doesn't look old because it's not influenced by anything. If it tries to capture some trend, it would look dated," said Nakamura.

 

The goals with the GT-R redesign is to improve overall aerodynamics and performance.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
Pic Credit: Newspress USA

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[G. David Felt]

Hopefully they can get rid of the Blah design language and bring back the Mojo of the R33/R34 version. That was a true Skyline.

[oldshurst442]

Im beginning to warm over with the styling of the R32. Its a little raw and rough around the edges styling wise as where The R33 and R34 have dialed it in.

Like I said, the R32 is slowly captivating me. I saw a couple of them over the week-end and they...look good. Id say as good as a GM G-Body from the 1980s. A tad less refined and stylish, but very comparable.

 

The R33 and R34 are just superbly done...

Performance wise as well as styling design!!!

 

The GT-R...I NOW find it ugly.

When it came out...what? A decade ago?  I liked the styling....liked...not loved....the design did not blow me away, but it was...likeable.

Over the years though, I fell outta love with...

 

1. I realized that its a HUGE car...muscle car proportions. Usually I dont have a problem with that, however, the GT-R IS kinda the continuation of the SKYLINE bloodline...INFINITI G35 aside, Skylines are smallish Japanese flavoured muscle cars...

The GT-R is a....well...its a start of something new...I could respect that too....HOWEVER...

 

2. The car is too digital for my tastes...too Playstation 4 Grand Turismo 6 for me to respect it. Its fantastic for what it is. Not my style is what Im saying.

If I want a big car, a muscle car, Id just get the biggest baddest muscle car there is...a Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Its the real deal. I dont care if the Hellcat aint as fast or doesnt turn the corners as well. It does the one thing I want it to do FLAWLESSLY...and that is it being one bad ass ride. A REAL muscle car ride. Complete with a big honking loping V8. You cant say that with the GT-R...

 

3. The GT-R is soooooo digital...its impressive actually, however, hell will NEVER be unleashed unless the GT-R's GPS acknowledges its on a racetrack.. With the Hellcat, Satan is riding shotgun with you at all times.

 

I do have to say though, if Nissan does decide to electrify the powertrain on the next gen GT-R, then it would definitely  befit the persona of the car, its all electronic performance anyway...its a personality trait that I could start respecting the GT-R again.