Dark clouds gather on the horizon for the next-generation Nissan GT-R. The Japanese supercar with an excellent price-performance ratio was launched almost five years ago, but still a successor to the current model (R35) hasn’t been approved ‒ and perhaps it may never be developed at all.
The Nissan GT-R is widely praised for its combination of speed, handling and low price; key ingredients in the GT-R’s recipe for success. Its successor was originally scheduled to arrive in 2014, but that date was reportedly pushed back to 2018. But now it appears development of a new model GT-R – internally referred to as the R36 – has not yet commenced.
Inside Line, citing an unnamed source, reports Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has not yet given the go-ahead to design and engineer a new GT-R. Ghosn supported development of the current model, but only after being assured that it would be profitable. But it appears the GT-R is just like the Bugatti Veyron and Lexus LF-A made at a loss.
Nissan currently emphasizes on green and electric vehicles, so a new sports car may not fit into the future line-up. Some time ago rumours surfaced suggesting a new GT-R would be powered by a hybrid drivetrain, but considering the low volumes and costs of development in these economic uncertain times it could explain why Ghosn hasn’t approved development of the R36. Nissan refused to comment on the subject.
Perhaps even more worrying is the fact that Kazutoshi Mizuno, the father of the GT-R, has recently retired. Doing the math, all of this adds up to trouble for the Nissan GT-R.
