End of an Era: Nissan R35 GT-R Production Concludes After 18 Years, New R36 Model on the Horizon

Nissan has officially ended the production of its R35-generation GT-R after 18 years, discontinuing one of the longest-running generations in the model's history. The Nissan R35 GT-R was built at the Tochigi plant in Japan. The final model of this generation, which was a Premium edition T-spec, was finished in Midnight Purple. The vehicle was delivered to a customer based in Japan, making it the last market where the model was still available for sale.

Since its debut in 2007, the R35 GT-R has emerged as one of Nissan's most recognized performance cars. During its production, Nissan manufactured approximately 48,000 units of the R35 GT-R.

Evolution of Nissan R35 GT-R Performance Car

While other cars follow a regular product lifecycle with one or two major updates, the iconic R35 GT-R evolved gradually in the global market. Each model year brought refinements in drivetrains, aerodynamics, interior, and ride quality. During the initial launch, the model was powered by a VR38DETT twin-turbocharged V6 engine, making up to 473 horsepower.

By 2017, Nissan equipped standard models of R35 GT-R with a 562-horsepower engine, while the GT-R NISMO variants received 592-horsepower engines, benefiting from race-inspired components and upgraded turbochargers. Every engine unit was hand assembled by the team of nine master craftsmen known as Takumi. Additionally, every unit was presented with a plaque signed by its engineer, highlighting Nissan's commitment to precision and care that went into its production.

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Notable Track Achievements

The R35 achieved a strong reputation in motorsport and track testing. Soon after its launch, it achieved a Nürburgring lap time of 7 minutes 38 seconds, which later improved to 7 minutes 8.679 seconds by 2023 with GT-R NISMO. During its tenure, it was also recognized as one of the world's fastest production cars. Even now, after 12 years, it remains among the top 10 fastest cars at the Ring, with a less than 600 hp engine under the hood.

In Japan, the GT-R NISMO also set a record at Tsukuba Circuit, with the 2020 model covering the lap in 59.361 seconds, and the 2024 model subsequently lowering this benchmark to 59.078 seconds. In 2016, the R35 also set a Guinness World Record as the fastest drift car, achieving speeds of over 300 km/h at a 30-degree angle.

Some other notable motorsport achievements of the Nissan R35 GT-R include multiple victories in Japan's Super GT Series, the Blancpain GT Series, the Bathurst 12 Hours, and endurance racing in the Super Taikyu series.

Next-Gen GT-R Under Development

Although the Nissan R35 GT-R has been discontinued, the next-generation GT-R is being developed by the Japanese automaker, indicating that the R35 nameplate will likely remain in use.

According to sources, the new generation is expected to be launched in the global market as the R36 and will feature major performance and aerodynamic upgrades compared to the R35. Some reports also state that the new generation can be powered by a hybrid powertrain, balancing performance and efficiency.