Having had its debut in 2007, the Nissan GT-R is clearly showing its age. In fact, it’s not selling particularly well and the suits at Nissan aren’t pleased. In fact, they only want to build cars that make money instead of a halo car built for image alone. That said, a new GT-R is still in progress and in order to make a business case, it will be a hybrid. However, a Nissan inside source told Australian website Motoring that in order to keep costs down, the current twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6, transaxle layout and AWD powertrain will remain.
Only this time it’ll be improved and paired to an electric motor that’ll produce an additional 134 horsepower, give or a take. Add to that the V6 and we’re looking at a grand total of about 775-hp. Due to the massive increase in torque this combo will produce, the current six-speed gearbox will be dropped; it just can’t handle the power. In its place will be an all-new eight-speed unit.
Design wise, Nissan designers want the car to have sexier styling with cues taken from the Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo revealed last June at Goodwood. Expect the new GT-R to appear in concept form in 2015 and the production version to roll out in 2018.
