End of an Era: Nissan GT-R R35 Ceases Production Globally
Nissan has closed order books for the GT-R R35 in Japan, ending its global sales after an 18-year run. The last model year, the 2025 GT-R, will fulfill existing orders until its production concludes in mid-2025. A successor is expected by 2030, possibly as an electric vehicle, though current financial challenges impact future plans.
The Nissan GT-R R35 is no longer available for orders in Japan, marking the end of global sales of this renowned sports car after 18 years. The Japanese market was the last location where the GT-R could be purchased, as confirmed by a brief statement on the Nissan Japan website. The announcement acknowledged the substantial number of orders received and expressed gratitude to customers since the GT-R’s debut in 2007.
Since its introduction, the R35 GT-R, which is seen as a competitor to the Porsche 911, has undergone various production challenges. It was removed from Australian dealerships in 2021 due to new side-impact safety regulations, making it unavailable alongside models such as the Alpine A110. Although the GT-R remained on sale in the United States and Japan until recently, it was phased out in Europe in 2022 and in North America in 2024.
The latest model, the 2025 GT-R, was unveiled in March 2024 and features new Premium Edition T-Spec and Track Edition variants incorporating performance parts from the Nismo version. Production is expected to continue into mid-2025, fulfilling existing orders before the final model year concludes.
With no immediate successor planned, Nissan confirmed the R35 GT-R’s production would end by August 2025. Although a new model is anticipated by 2030, possibly transitioning to electric power, the company currently faces financial restructuring challenges and substantial debt repayments due in the coming years.
The R35 GT-R has been manufactured exclusively in Kaminokawa, Tochigi, Japan, with the iconic 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine (VR38DETT) being hand-crafted by skilled technicians known as ‘Takumi.’ The R35’s legacy began with the R32 Skyline GT-R, which garnered international acclaim and solidified its status as a supercar contender.
Despite its high-performance capabilities, the R35 GT-R was affordable compared to its competitors, delivering exceptional speed and handling. The vehicle’s price point in 2007 was positioned to challenge other elite sports cars like the Porsche 911 while still offering superior performance.
The discontinuation of the Nissan GT-R R35 marks the end of an era for a vehicle that has achieved legendary status in the automotive industry. As of 2025, production will cease, leaving Nissan with a significant challenge to introduce a successor amidst financial restructuring. The anticipated next model could be transformative, potentially shifting towards electric propulsion, emphasizing Nissan’s commitment to innovation in the future of sports cars.
Original Source: www.drive.com.au
