The next-generation Nissan GT-R will feature a hybrid powertrain, rather than the fully electric one that was previously suggested. Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer for North America, confirmed the information to The Drive during the New York Auto Show. Pandikuthira mentioned that the R36-generation GT-R is expected to arrive within the next three to five years and may be developed in collaboration with the next-generation Acura NSX. According to The Drive, the next-generation Nissan GT-R will not be an electric car, as the company had previously said. Instead, it will be a hybrid. Nissan’s chief planning officer for North America, Ponz Pandikuthira, talked to the press at the New York car show and gave them the most up-to-date information. The story states that the brand has not yet decided whether the R36 generation will be a plug-in hybrid or a traditional hybrid. The main problems are heat management and energy density. Pandikuthira, who spoke to The Drive, likes the idea of a plug-in hybrid electric car, but the current hybrid technology is better for the GT-R’s track needs. According to Pandikuthira, “Basically, it’s like it would do one lap at the Nürburgring, and then you have to charge the car.” This is despite the fact that Nissan seems to want to make the GT-R fully electric and has even built several prototypes. “And then that charging is going to take you a while, and it’s just not authentic.” Although solid-state batteries may eventually become viable, Pandikuthira argues that creating an electric GT-R would not be a wise move. You would simply be creating something just to meet a requirement. You might have a GT-R in name, but it wouldn’t truly be a GT-R,” he explained. “With the technology available today and even with solid-state batteries I don’t believe it’s possible to achieve the level of performance people expect from a GT-R.” The Nissan representative said that the Armada’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine will meet or beat pollution standards until 2032. This means that Nissan will likely tighten the screws on it instead. He emphasized how cleanly the engine burned fuel and made it clear that the R36 would “absolutely” use turbochargers. A different source citing the same interview says that Pandikuthira told The Drive that Nissan’s new CEO, Ivan Espinosa, has kept his friendship with Honda even though efforts to bring the two automakers together have failed. Pandikuthira stated that the agreement implies the R36 GT-R might be developed using the same platform as the next-generation Honda/Acura NSX. As an example of how the two cars can share a chassis without being too close, the Nissan CEO pointed to Aston Martin, which has engines made by Mercedes-Benz. Finding out more about the new Godzilla shouldn’t take long. The Drive spoke with Pandikuthira, who said that the next GT-R should be out in three to five years. For the R35 GT-R, the order books are now closed, so we’ll have to wait before we can buy one.
