The upcoming Nissan GT-R will feature a hybrid system, maintain the VR38 engine block, and is expected to launch by 2030.

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      Godzilla isn’t extinct; it’s merely resting and being reengineered as a hybrid.

      On Wednesday at the 2026 New York auto show, Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, exclusively shared with The Drive that “I’d say by 2028 you’ll see some concrete announcements, and hopefully before the decade ends, you’ll see an R36 GT-R.”

      According to Pandikuthira, there is a dedicated group of enthusiasts in Japan working on the next-generation GT-R within Nissan.

      He mentioned that the R36 “has to be” built on a new chassis and “it’s going to be an all-new car.”

      Notably, he indicated that the “powertrain’s going to be mostly new.” The term mostly is significant.

      “If there was a hybrid powertrain, the block of that VR38 engine (which was used in the R35 GT-R) is fantastic. Why would you discard that? But perhaps the combustion process will need substantial changes. Maybe the heads are quite different. Maybe the pistons will vary. So we might have to alter the top end,” Pandikuthira explained.

      He pointed out that the R35’s powertrain wouldn’t comply with emissions standards in various regions and that he “wants this to be a global car.” This implies that the R36 must adhere to and surpass stringent upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations.

      “The next generation GT-R will require some level of electrification,” according to Pandikuthira. He added, “So, does it need to be a full EV? Probably not, but it does need some form of electrification to meet and future-proof emissions compatibility.”

      While the formula will be adjusted, the objectives and outcomes remain consistent. Pandikuthira referred to the Nürburgring, which is where the R35 GT-R was refined and developed during testing outside of Japan.

      In 2025, Pandikuthira informed The Drive that the next-gen GT-R will be a hybrid set to arrive in three to five years. What was initially anticipated as an all-electric successor has shifted to what appears to be a twin-turbo V6 hybrid revival. Fans of the R35’s VR38 engine can feel reassured as it seems Nissan is beginning with a well-regarded foundation known for easily managing more power than what Nissan originally provided the car.

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