Nissan has finally confirmed to pull the plug on the GT-R R35 sportscar, after its iconic run of 17 years. Discontinued in India and Europe back in 2022, North America was one of the last markets the GT-R was on sale. As a fitting farewell for such an iconic car, Nissan USA unveiled two special edition models last year – Skyline and Takumi.
Nissan GT-R: The Legend of JDM
The GT-R was not just a car model, but a legendary title that defined what an everyday sportscar is. Nicknamed “the Godzilla”, the current-gen GT-R made its debut in 2007, replacing its iconic predecessor, the R34 Skyline which had a fanbase of its own, thanks to the Fast & Furious franchise. In fact, the GT-R alongside the Supra had a huge role in the rising popularity of the JDM culture.
The GT-R got several updates from Nissan over the years, including two major facelifts, several special editions and time-to-time performance upgrades to keep it competitive with new entries in the market and adjust according to the changing markets.
As I mentioned earlier, the GT-R also had quite the name in the tuning world, with some models having engines that produce over 1000hp with exotic mods and upgrades (we have one in India), after all there’s a reason why it is called the “Godzilla”. But the stock GT-R is no slouch either. It comes with a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that produces 570 hp, paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Let’s talk about the last special edition models a bit here. The GT-R Skyline Edition gets an exclusive Bayside Blue paint job with blue interiors. Meanwhile, the T-spec Takumi Edition pays tribute to the Takumi master craftspeople who are responsible for assembling each GT-R by hand. It sports a Midnight purple exterior with a Mori Green interior. There will be a gold VIN plate in the engine bay with red-etched writing, acknowledging the Takumi’s dedication to its creation. Both the models feature carbon-ceramic brakes, wider front fenders and gold RAYS forged wheels.
There’s no direct replacement for the GT-R, so it’s goodbye to the iconic JDM sportscar for now. Although Nissan showcased the Hyper Force Electric concept in Oct 2023 as a next-gen all-electric GT-R, it will arrive by the end of this decade. Sayonara GT-R!
