Key Takeaways
- The GT-R and Nissan Z are not leaving the Nissan lineup, but they are changing.
- Though still in development, Nissan says the changes won’t compromise performance.
- It will take some time before new versions of these sports cars are available.
Performance car fans can relax because the Nissan GT-R and Nissan Z aren’t being killed off just yet. At the 2024 New York Auto show, the news was confirmed by Senior VP and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, Ponz Pandikuthira.
It might take a little time before Nissan transitions both vehicles to fit into its evolving lineup, but they will definitely have a place. For the time being, the current GT-R is about to hit the end of the line after 16 years. Production continues for the 2025 model year with several special editions to commemorate the occasion. These include the Takumi and Skyline, which pay homage to previous GT-R models.
An Electric GT-R?
What comes next is still under development, but Nissan says it will still be a GT-R, even if it isn’t quite the same. Possible updates include going electric, which would be a huge change. Still, other than needing to stop and charge, an electric GT-R would not be a performance compromise.
As the company decides which direction to take with the sports car fondly nicknamed Godzilla, it’s working with Formula E to test possible scenarios. It will ride on a new platform, but won’t lose what makes the GT-R special. That includes bold styling and, according to Nissan Senior VP Alfonso Albaisa, its signature quad tail lights. However, they may look a little different as the design has yet to be completed.
The Z
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The Nissan GT-R successor is expected to arrive by 2030.
Also on the list of cars that are sticking around for a bit longer is the Nissan Z. The current model is only two years old, so it’ll be awhile before significant changes appear. Its current powertrain will likely remain unchanged for the rest of this generation as it meets current emissions regulations.
The new Z could be an entirely new design as it has been in past years, or it could simply be an evolved version of the existing one. What can be certain is that it will maintain the Z’s long history of being a performance car.
