- Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa has confirmed that a new GT-R (R36) is currently in development.
- The next GT-R is expected to remain a true performance car, likely incorporating some form of hybrid technology.
- Nissan is also considering expanding its sports car lineup, with the possibility of a more affordable model like a revived Silvia.
The Nissan GT-R is an icon—a cornerstone of Japanese performance with a legacy that spans nearly 60 years. The beloved R35 generation exited the market for good in 2024, marked by two special editions bringing the sports car’s impressive 17-year run to a close. But that doesn’t mean the GT-R is gone for good.
During a conversation at Nissan’s headquarters in Yokohama, CEO Ivan Espinosa confirmed that a new GT-R is already in development. While he didn’t share specific details, Espinosa emphasized that the GT-R remains a defining symbol of the brand—and one that will live on well into the future. He noted:
‘Yes, we will be working—we are actually working—on GT-R. Not many details I can share today, but the GT-R will come, and it will come with the credibility and credentials it has always had, because it’s an icon of a company, but more so an icon of the industry. It’s proof of what Akashi-san’s team can do technically.’
Photo by: Robin Trajano | Motor1
This isn’t the first time a Nissan executive has confirmed that a new R36 GT-R is on the way—but it is the first time the confirmation has come directly from the CEO. Last April, at the New York Auto Show, Nissan USA’s chief product planner, Ponz Pandikuthira, told us the GT-R would return to the lineup “without a doubt.”
Both Espinosa and Pandikuthira emphasize that the next GT-R must remain a true performance car. Some level of hybridization is likely—as is the case with many modern high-performance vehicles—but if early rumors are any indication, the R36 should live up to the legacy of its name.
Interestingly, it may not be the only performance model in Nissan’s future plans. Rumors have long hinted at a more affordable sports car beneath the current Z, potentially reviving the Silvia nameplate. Espinosa hinted that a car like the Silvia is something he’d like to see happen, though nothing has been officially confirmed. He added:
‘Sports cars are the core of what we are as a company. So we’ve been doing that for many generations, and there are multiple nameplates that we could leverage on. If you ask one part of my brain, I would love to do that very quickly. But the other part of my brain tells me that we have to be prudent at the moment and go step by step. But for sure, we will see more sports cars coming into the portfolio.’
Motor1’s Take: More sports cars in the lineup is always a good thing, but we’re especially eager to see what Nissan does with the next GT-R. Espinosa clearly understands how important the nameplate is to the brand, which gives us plenty of reason to be excited.
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