The development of the next Nissan GT-R is being delayed due to the political situation in America.

      **Nissan**

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      Godzilla is on the way. The Nissan GT-R isn’t finished; it's simply resting, but efforts are already underway to revive it. It appears there are challenges, and they are not originating from the manufacturer.

      During a recent episode of The Drivecast in Yokohama, Japan, Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, shared exclusively with The Drive that the current uncertainty in the U.S. political landscape is impeding the development of the next-generation GT-R.

      You can listen to the full discussion starting where Pandikuthira reveals that political factors are creating uncertainty for the future of the next GT-R.

      Pandikuthira mentioned, “The main issue with the current GT-R generation is that it failed to meet emissions standards. There were too many modifications needed that would essentially restrict the powertrain to comply with the latest emissions regulations. Thus, it was definitely time to phase out that model. Our goal is to future-proof the next-generation GT-R, allowing it to have a long lifespan and evolve throughout its lifecycle. However, the significant uncertainty lies in which direction emissions regulations will take. Currently, we have some leniency from the present administration, which has eased many regulations. While there are many things we can pursue today, we’re unsure if they will still be feasible post-2028 or post-2032. This uncertainty is what is truly hindering the development of our vision for this vehicle.”

      “Nevertheless, there exists a dedicated group of enthusiasts, as confirmed by Ivan. This team based here in Japan is passionately working to bring the GT-R back,” noted Pandikuthira.

      In 2025, Pandikuthira indicated that the next-gen GT-R will be a hybrid expected to launch in 3 to 5 years. Earlier this month, it was revealed that it will retain the R35’s VR38 engine block. Newly appointed Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa, who has held the position for just over a year, confirmed to The Drive that “we are already working on the GT-R,” as pointed out by Pandikuthira.

      The reason behind the 3 to 5-year timeline is related to politics. “I mentioned 2028 because that’s when we will know if there will be a change in administration, which will inform us about the direction emissions regulations will take and finalize our plans. However, we cannot begin in 2028. A lot of work will be done beforehand, but by 2028, with someone like Ivan as CEO, I believe the GT-R will gain greater priority, and we should be making concrete announcements about the timeline for when a new GT-R could be seen in showrooms,” Pandikuthira explained.

      Significant changes are expected at Nissan prior to the arrival of the next GT-R. Espinosa has unveiled an extensive turnaround plan that will reduce the model lineup while retaining the best offerings. A range of frame-based vehicles is set to launch in the U.S. starting in 2028, kicking off with the new Xterra.

      While Nissan needs to sell many Rogue SUVs, its CEO, who is passionate about cars, told The Drive that “sports cars are at the heart of our company.” Espinosa is not the only car enthusiast in executive roles; passionate individuals fill the leadership positions. Richard Candler, responsible for Nissan’s global corporate product strategy, said to The Drive, “We are seriously reevaluating our sports car lineup. We all want to create exciting cars.”

      Pandikuthira offered some advice for those eager for the GT-R's return: “I highly recommend Hakone Skyline Road. Rent a car and drive on the Ashinoko-Skyline Hakone Toll Road, as that’s where the GT-R was developed. When I lived in Japan, I had an R35 GT-R, and that road is tailor-made for it. The dedicated team working on this project regularly takes their cars out on weekends to test and have fun. So trust me, they are actively striving to bring the GT-R back. When the time is right, the car will be spot on.”

      One thing is certain: Nissan’s GT-R enthusiast will see their hopes granted, as the next generation of Godzilla will be powered by gasoline.

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