Nissan GT-R Production Ends After 18 Years, But The Legendary Name Will Return

Nissan has officially ended production of the R35 GT-R, with the final unit rolling off the line at the Tochigi plant in Japan. First launched in 2007, the R35 has enjoyed an impressive 18-year production run, during which around 48,000 units were built.

The last R35 GT-R produced was a Premium Edition T-Spec finished in the iconic Midnight Purple, set to be delivered to a customer in Japan.

Nissan GT-R R35 Power Evolution

Over its long life, the R35 GT-R received several updates and more powerful versions.

• 2007 launch model: 473 bhp
• 2017 update: 562 bhp
• GT-R Nismo: 591 bhp, the most powerful version of the R35

Nissan GT-R in Motorsport

The GT-R also carved its name in motorsport history, securing:

• 5 GT500 titles and 3 GT300 class wins in Japan’s Super GT Championship
• Victory in the 2013 Blancpain GT Series Pro-Am
• Win at the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour race
• 5 Super Taikyu endurance race wins (2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022)

Nürburgring Lap Records

The Nissan GT-R earned global recognition with record-setting runs at the Nürburgring Nordschleife:

• 2007: 7:38 minutes
• 2008: 7:29 minutes
• 2009: 7:26 minutes
• 2012: 7:18 minutes
• 2013: 7:08.679 minutes

These times cemented the R35 GT-R as one of the fastest production cars around the famed German racetrack.

What’s Next for the Nissan GT-R?

Although the R35 has reached the end of its journey, Nissan confirmed the GT-R nameplate will live on. Speaking on the future, Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO of Nissan, said:

“The GT-R badge is not something that can be applied to just any vehicle; it is reserved for something truly special, and the R35 set the bar high. While we don’t have a precise plan finalised today, the GT-R will evolve and reemerge in the future.”

This statement strongly hints at a next-generation Nissan GT-R, possibly featuring electrification or hybrid technology, in line with modern performance trends.