Sporting models like the GT-R super-coupé will have a prominent place in Nissan’s future line-up, the company has confirmed — and it could even produce all-electric sports cars.
A revised version of the current GT-R with up to 530bhp on tap is expected to be confirmed before the end of this year.
See the spy pics of the forthcoming revised Nissan GT-R
But the next full generation has still to be signed off, according to sources in Japan — and that has prompted speculation that the car could be dropped as part of Nissan’s bid to reduce its range-wide fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
However, speaking exclusively to Autocar, the firm’s chief operating officer, Toshiyuki Shiga, said: “The GT-R is part of Nissan’s heritage. In fact, since Nissan started as a car company, it has been offering driving pleasure through sports cars.
"I can’t commit to any new products but, as far as we know, we are keeping this brand, these technologies, and trying to offer sporty cars. I am also thinking of electric vehicles as sporty cars,” he added.
“The market is shifting, becoming more environmentally friendly, so maybe now there is a possibility that even a 100 per cent electric vehicle can be a sports car. We have already developed Infiniti hybrid cars which are quite exciting.”
Read more on the revised Nissan GT-R range, including a luxurious Egoist version
Nissan’s Japanese rival, Toyota, has started a fresh bid to create ‘affordable’ performance cars, including a small rear-wheel-drive model that will eventually sit under the FT-86 coupé in the firm’s line-up.
Shiga stopped short of saying his firm would follow suit – and he refused to confirm or deny rumours of a spiritual successor to the 200SX.
Read more on Nissan's plans to revive the 200SX
When asked if Nissan was looking at a cheaper sports car, he said: “Automotive makers are not just making commodities to transfer people or goods. We are happy to provide, or to offer, this value. Nissan wants to continue making vehicles for driving pleasure – this is important.”
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Re: Nissan reveals sports car plan
so then expect to see the next GTR to have 4wd electric hybrid (2.0 turbo petrol?), and the one after that full electric.
Re: Nissan reveals sports car plan
Hmm...
After the headline, I was waiting to read what Nissan "revealed"--until I actually perused the article and saw the answer was...er...nothing.
"I can’t commit to any new products but, as far as we know, we are keeping this brand, these technologies, and trying to offer sporty cars. I am also thinking of electric vehicles as sporty cars."
Wow. That's about as concrete as whipped cream. Thanks again, Autocar, for misleading journalism...
Re: Nissan reveals sports car plan
Isn't this what is called company bull dust,waffle, old flannel? ,or we don't know ourselves?.