Nissan R36 GT-R to be a hybrid - confirmed

It has been confirmed that the next-generation Nissan GT-R, the R36, will feature a hybrid powertrain tuned for sport car use to maximize benefits.

According to a British publication, a senior Nissan executive has confirmed that the next-generation Nissan GT-R, called the R36 by fans, will feature a hybrid powertrain.

"There is an inevitability about electrification of all cars in the future, and there is the very real prospect of enhancements coming from it on a sports car like the Nissan GT-R," Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer explained to Autocar magazine. "The electric systems can fill in the gaps in the torque curve and offer genuine performance gains, as well as lowering emissions."

The R36 GT-R is expected to be introduced for the 2016 model year and is being developed almost entirely by Nissan's NISMO arm. Goals for the car include increased production volumes, higher quality, and better performance for the value.

Any hybrid system the GT-R has will likely be co-developed by NISMO partner Williams Advanced Engineering (a Formula One offshoot). The 2015 GT-R NISMO package of aerodynamic and lightweighting components was developed in part by WAE. That car will unveil at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. This is likely to be the final factory variation of the GT-R in its current generation (R35).

During GT-R development, the company has focused on improving Nurburgring lap times as a benchmark for improvements in performance progress for the street-legal race car. The fastest time for the car so far was set by former Formula One driver Sebastien Buemi this summer and the car is slated for 'gring runs annually to mark these improvements.

With a 2016 model year release, we can expect to see prototypes of the R36 GT-R at auto shows next year, likely at the 2014 Tokyo Motor Show a year from now.

Rumor source: Autocar