The Nissan GT-R, also fondly known as Godzilla, in its current iteration, has been around since 2007. With 2015 just around the corner, Nissan is working on a replacement for the iconic GT-R R35. Spies has recently caught a taped up Nissan GT-R doing some rounds at the Nurburgring. So, could this be a development mule for the upcoming Nissan GT-R R36? Or merely a facelift to keep the GT-R going?
Through the masking, it is obvious that this particular GT-R sports a new front bumper design, with a revised grille design as well as new aerodynamic elements. This should further improve airflow for the Nissan GT-R. Despite the front end changes on this GT-R, the rest of the car looks very much identical to the current model, with no changes to the rear spoiler or rear bumper (The MY12 GT-R has a slightly revised rear bumper).
While this camouflaged GT-R may be a facelift before the GT-R R36 comes, there is also a possibility that Nissan is currently undergoing early testing for the R36, albeit in the R35 body. Rumours has brewed that the R36 could sport a hybrid powertrain, as Kazutoshi Mizuno, Project Leader of the Nissan GT-R has hinted before that the Nissan GT-R could be getting a hybrid powertrain. According to MotorTrend, the hybrid system in the R36 is expected to produce up to 784 horses with a mental 1000 Nm of torque. They also mentioned that the R35’s six speed semi automatic dual clutch gearbox could make way for a newer eight speed dual clutch gearbox.
The Nissan GT-R R36 is slated for a 2017 launch, although it could arrive as soon as late 2016. Do stay tuned to zerotohundred.com as we’ll bring the latest updates.
Photos via AutoEvolution.
