Skip to main content

Next Nissan GT-R will be a ‘2+2 hybrid,’ development chief says

There’s been plenty of speculation that the next Nissan GT-R will be a hybrid, and now the carmaker’s chief creative officer is confirming this.

In an interview at the U.K. launch of the Infiniti Q70, Nissan’s Shiro Nakamura told Top Gear that, yes, the new GT-R will be a hybrid.

Recommended Videos

He went on to say that the car will be a “front-engined 2+2 seater coupe,” meaning it will retain the current GT-R’s layout.

Nissan’s Vision Gran Turismo concept features a lot of GT-R-esque design cues, but Nakamura said that because that car is mid-engined, it doesn’t really preview the GT-R. Some elements of the front and rear fascias may make it into the design, though.

Ditto Nissan’s upcoming Le Mans racer, which will have GT-R badging, but probably won’t be tied to the road car in any significant way.

While the current GT-R has been on sale since 2008, Nakamura said the new model won’t arrive until 2018 at the earliest.

He said the current car is still selling well. Nissan updates it every year to keep things fresh, and last year added a more-extreme NISMO model to the lineup that generated plenty of excitement.

There’s more performance to be squeezed out of the current GT-R, Nakamura said. Not that it needs to.

The current GT-R is still worthy of its Godzilla nickname, so who knows what Nissan has planned for the next couple of years, or what kind of monster the new GT-R hybrid will be.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?
Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?
Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Read more