The next Nissan GT-R will be electric, requiring solid-state batteries to make it fast, capable, and impressive on any road or track.
The Nissan Vision series of electric concept vehicles isn’t new. The new stuff comes with the recent presentation made at the Japan Mobility Show, where Nissan showed off the Hyper Force. This futuristic battery-electric car took the stage wearing a carbon-fiber body. Nissan presented this car with more than 1,300 horsepower and the new e-4orce AWD system. This packaging could make for an incredible supercar that might be an electric version of the GT-R, which could be exciting.
The caveat to making this new EV
Before the Hyper Force can be transitioned into a production-ready version of the GT-R powered by electricity, sold-state batteries must be market-ready. Nissan requires these batteries to ensure the output and driving capabilities of this car. These batteries, which aren’t production-ready yet, will give this car and others like it plenty of power, driving range, and performance features.
Some might think solid-state batteries are nothing but a pipe dream, but Nissan expects to have a facility building these batteries next year, with mass production expected by 2029. If this happens, the R36 generation of the GT-R could be ready to hit the market by the end of the decade, which feels like a long time to wait.
Should Nissan wait for solid-state batteries?
If the next Nissan GT-R must wait for solid-state batteries to finish testing and be properly packaged to deliver the desired performance, this car won’t be alone. Several automakers are waiting for this technology to build their performance cars, including Bugatti, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and Porsche. While we already have some Porsche EVs, the electric 911 is holding out for solid-state batteries.
On the other hand, some brands are making use of the current battery technology with lithium-ion batteries and shorter driving ranges to build sports cars. These brands are Lotus, Pininfarina, Rimac, and GM, which has an all-electric Corvette underway.
How committed is Nissan to sports cars?
Nissan has been a staple in the sports car industry with the family of Z cars that date back to the 1970s and the GT-R, which continues to be an amazing performance player in the market. By the time the electric GT-R hits the market, there could be two versions of it, one for the track and one for the road. In addition to these two GT-Rs, the Nissan Z and a fourth entry-level sports car will be offered. This four-pack of Nissan sports cars shows a strong commitment by this company to continue to build sports cars for the future. By the time the new GT-R models arrive, all four Nissan sports cars will be electric.
Will the GT-R continue until the new EV model?
The Nissan GT-R is one of the most important cars in the sports car/supercar market, which means the brand should continue to offer it and develop various powertrains during the next few years. The GT-R isn’t a volume seller in the United States, but it’s an important car. During the first three quarters of 2023, sales figures show 312 models sold. This small number is better than the past three years’ annual sales totals and only 19 models behind 2019.
Unfortunately, the age of the current GT-R, coupled with stricter regulations, pushes the cost higher than reasonable, including in markets where this car has historically sold well. Still, the GT-R can be a flagship model while Nissan works toward building newer and better sports cars over the next few years.
What does the current GT-R offer?
Nissan holds tight to its incredible stable of V6 engines, including a top-level version in this high-end sports car. The GT-R is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that makes 565 horsepower and 467 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates to a 6-speed automatic transmission, which is a bit antiquated and could use updating, and offers AWD to push power to all four wheels during the drive. The GT-R can hit 60 mph in only 2.9 seconds, making it one of the lightest and best-performing sports cars in the market.
The current Nissan GT-R features a rigid structure, adjustable suspension, and a fantastic driving personality. The ride is firm but not punishing, making this Nissan sports car a joy to drive. This pleasantness comes from the active sound cancellation included in this car. The NISMO model delivers more power with 600 horsepower and 481 lb-t of torque, making it even faster and more fun to drive.
What will the electric Nissan GT-R bring to the table?
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