Why Nissan Discontinued the GT-R

After 17 years on the road, Nissan is saying farewell to their R35 GT-R sports car. After receiving two major facelifts and several special edition models during that time, it is time for something different to emerge in its place.

What it means for fans of Godzilla depends on the next steps the company takes towards performance excellence within a cleaner and greener environment.

1. Regulatory Pressures

When the R35 GT-R first hit the streets in 2007, its performance stunned all. Able to accelerate from zero to 60mph in less than three seconds and reach 193mph, easily outclassing Porsche 911 Turbo of that time for half the price, it also proved highly customisable – many aftermarket companies offered power add-ons designed to extract even more horsepower from its VR38DETT engine.

It was so good that it even found success in motorsports, winning several Group A racing championships and becoming an incredible hit among enthusiasts and automotive publications alike. Unfortunately, however, production eventually had to end and its legacy had to pass into history.

When one car generation ends, its replacement typically arrives shortly thereafter. But when Nissan retires the GT-R in 2025 there won’t be another model to take its place; instead they are investing heavily into electric technology and sustainability for their future models.

2. Declining Demand for High-Performance Gasoline-Powered Cars

Since 2007, the R35-generation GT-R has proven itself a performance powerhouse. Competing against more expensive cars on track and at motor circuits around the globe, its performance was unrivaled – yet demand for such cars is steadily decreasing due to increasing popularity of high-performance EVs.

Nissan’s decision to cancel the GT-R is indicative of their shift away from gasoline engines and toward electric vehicles – an important move towards creating a cleaner future while saying farewell to some beloved models from their history.

Noteworthy is the press release announcing the GT-R’s impending end of production; in it they mention “new dawn approaching,” suggesting a potential GT-R with all-electric powertrain similar to what’s seen in 2023 Hyper Force Concept? Only time will tell; until then, R35-generation GT-Rs have left an unforgettable legacy as some of the most capable and thrilling modern sports cars.

3. Electrification and Sustainability

Nissan’s R35-generation GT-R has long been one of its standout vehicles since it first entered production back in 2007. Although many updates and modifications have been implemented since 2007, its appearance remains virtually unchanged since initial production began 17 years ago.

Over its long production run, the GT-R has delighted drivers with its powerful engine and precise handling, not to mention dominating motorsports events and appearing prominently in Fast and Furious movies.

But like all cars, the GT-R must eventually make way for newer models. Nissan used cryptic language when discussing its retirement of the GT-R in its press release about its sunset: “Sunsets always come before a new dawn approaches.” Could this signal the arrival of a third generation GT-R, perhaps an R36 model? Ideally we want an exciting and thrilling GT-R to fill its place – something Wesley Wren is passionate about having spent much of his life driving vehicles including his 1954 Ford Crestline Victoria as well as his 1975 Harley-Davidson FXE.

4. The Future

Nissan’s performance legacy won’t end with the GT-R’s departure; last year they unveiled an unconventional electric Hyper Force concept at Tokyo Mobility Show that features 1,341bhp in cutting-edge solid state batteries.

Though it never sold well in America, the GT-R has become an iconic car in pop culture and car-geek lore. Recognizable thanks to movies such as The Fast and Furious as well as video games such as Gran Turismo.

Nissan’s future profitability depends on technical innovation. The company hopes to democratize door-to-door autonomous driving and offer an exclusive intelligent cockpit experience with models it plans to introduce by fiscal 2026. If this occurs, EV revolution could help the GT-R find new fans and become an enduring automotive icon once more; until then it remains a collectible among enthusiasts and collectors and is a reminder of when performance cars were more rarefied and exclusive.