Nissan is working on the next-generations of its two most cherished nameplates, according to a new report. Despite a hostile climate to traditional sports cars, the Z and GT-R will soldier on in a new generation, though it might be a while before we see those cars in the metal. They may also be dramatically different than the cars we’re used to.
The report comes from Motor Authority, who spoke with Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan’s Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for North America, and Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President and head of design. The previous Z famously stayed in production for over a decade. Pandikuthira says that the current Z, which debuted in 2022, will also have a long production run and receive powertrain upgrades in order to keep up with emissions standards.
In Nissan’s sports car roles, the Z is considered the dance partner in contrast to the GT-R’s all-out track weapon. As such, styling is more of a consideration. Albaisa said that they are exploring one of two design directions. for the next Z, either a homage to the original S30 Z, or a complete departure that takes it in a new direction. He mentioned the Z33 350Z’s design, which didn’t evolve from the Z32. Albaisa said emphatically that there will be no middle ground.
Pandikuthira told Motor Authority that the GT-R production will soon come to a close, but not before two special editions are released. Alternative powertrains are being explored, and Nissan is involved with Formula E to test options. However, Pandikuthira said GT-R must stay faithful to its mission as a track weapon. It would not make sense to create an electric car that can only go all-out for one lap of the Nürburgring and then need a recharge.
As for the GT-R’s design, it will keep true to its mission of being a killer on the track but also capable of being daily driven, with room for four. Albaisa says that they are working on several directions for the R36, but stated that it will be an “ugly car, menacing car.”
What surprised us most about this report is that the Z will even exist. The current Z almost didn’t happen and in the end was more of a deep refresh of the Z34, albeit a significant one. As for the GT-R, if what these execs have said is true, a hybrid powertrain for the R36 is more likely, as engineers await new technology like solid-state batteries before going emissions-free.
UUgly!
No, FUGLY!
As a five decade fan of the Z, just glad to hear it will live on. Allegedly. Let’s see what the bean counters have to say. The whole “dance partner” thing seems about right. As for the artist’s concept wet dream illustrations, well, we know those will never happen but a departure from the current (and previous two generation cars, while faithful to the original S30 “long nose, slope deck” design), could stand a little change, IMO. Not sure what but some design changes wouldn’t hurt it as a previous owner of several Z33/34 gen cars (plus every gen I’ve owned), it’s gotten a little repetitive, again, IMO. But, live long and prosper Z-car!
Their all ugly compared to a 240Z, lets all hope and pray for alternate fuel combustion engines and put an end to this electric car madness. The world has been seduced by Elon Musk and his ego driven ideas, many of which he has perloined form other sources. The real problem is the continued manufacturing of new vehicles to sustain our ego driven society, a car should last at least 20 years before being recycled into a new product. We really are at the crossroads now, do “we continue to perform the same experiment over and over again expecting different results thus confirming ourselves to be idiots”, It is time for the human race to take the next evolutionary step that being self preservation or extinction.
Regards Ken Graham.
The only post-Renault takeover Nissan sportscar I truly like was that mid-engined Micra.
I’m not sorry.
Their all ugly compared to a 240Z, lets all hope and pray for alternate fuel combustion engines and put an end to this electric car madness. The world has been seduced by Elon Musk and his ego driven ideas, many of which he has perloined form other sources. The real problem is the continued manufacturing of new vehicles to sustain our ego driven society, a car should last at least 20 years before being recycled into a new product. We really are at the crossroads now, do “we continue to perform the same experiment over and over again expecting different results thus confirming ourselves to be idiots”, It is time for the human race to take the next evolutionary step that being self preservation or extinction.
Regards Ken Graham.
To the clowns that say ugly.. I laugh at your beige taste.
Anyone else getting “Cars 3” vibes from the GT-R render?
21st Century Nissan: purposely making ugly cars for ratchet individuals.
Put My a$$ in one of those menacing cars!! Love it!! The future of Nissan!!
I can’t say much about the GTR other than agreeing that the R35 essentially turned it to one purpose; the previous generations had common family sedans in the Skyline model range.
That said, I would assume the GTR would continue because it’s used in the JGTC, correct? Would they use the Fairlady if the GTR was discontinued?
For the Z, what caught my eye in this article was the truth that this generation will also have a long production run. I praise Nissan for continuing to produce automobiles “Built for the Human Race,” but I also hope they keep the updates fresh enough to not effect bad media reviews. It also fell short to the cross-town competitor, and that car had an automatic at the time too!