THE Nissan GT-R (R35) was launched in 2007, and still today remains one of the most brutal and effective sports cars to unite straight segments. The strategy of updating it practically every year, interspersed with deeper remodeling — like the one that happened last year, where it got a new interior — guaranteed a rare longevity in the sports world, but the need for a new generation is increasingly pressing.
During the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan's design director, speaking to Autocar, lifted the edge of the possible veil over the Nissan GT-R R36 , which is still a few years away, and is expected to arrive early in the next decade.
Doubts
As design director, Albaisa referred to the British publication that he is constantly reviewing sketches of what the next GT-R could be, but, according to him, his team can only start working “serious” on the R36 when they are taken. rig decisions and driving group: “The challenge is with the engineer, to be honest. We will do our job at the right time to make the car something truly special. But we're not close to that yet.”
By the statements of mr. Albaisa, it appears that the R36 project is still in its infancy , where the strengths and weaknesses of various options are discussed — hybrid, electric or such as the current one, with only a combustion engine, nobody knows.
If we move towards a lot of electrification or none at all, we will always manage to achieve a lot in terms of power. But we are definitely going to make a new “platform” and our goal is clear: the GT-R has to be the fastest car of its kind. You have to “own” the track. And you have to play the technology game; but that doesn't mean it has to be electrical.
Regardless of the path chosen, it will have to be “the fastest super sports car in the world” and retain its visual identity that is unique among cars of its type.
And the design?
Although he himself admits that a definitive path has not yet been chosen, the future Nissan GT-R will have to remain and look like a “beast”.
It's an animal; it has to be imposing and excessive. Not in terms of its wings, but in its visual mass, presence and audacity.
GT-R50 will be produced
The interest generated by the GT-R50 prototype was such that it ensured its passage into production. As you can imagine, its exclusive character means few units, no more than 50, at the nice price of 900 thousand euros each. The exclusivity pays for itself.
Recently, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the GT-R and Italdesign, Nissan unveiled the GT-R50 (goodwood prototype film below), but despite the visual boldness, Alfonso Albaisa was quick to point out that they don't expect to see traces of the GT-R50 in the future GT-R — the R36 will have to be special in its own right.
Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan Design DirectorHe doesn't care what the other supersports in the world are up to; it simply says "I'm a GT-R, I'm a brick, pick me up". It is the fastest brick in the world. And when I review sketches for the new car, I often say, "Less wing, more brick."