Nissan has officially ceased taking orders for the GT-R R35 in Japan, marking the end of a remarkable 18-year production run.
The legendary supercar, known for its relentless performance and technological advancements, has now been retired globally.
Nissan confirmed the decision on February 28, releasing a statement acknowledging the support the GT-R has received since its 2007 debut.
“We have received many orders for the Nissan GT-R and have now finished accepting orders for the planned production quantity. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all our customers for their support since its release in 2007,” the company stated on its website.
The move cements what many have long expected - the 2025 model year will be the R35’s swansong.
North American production ended in October 2024, with special editions such as the T-Spec Takumi and Skyline trims marking its final farewell.
Meanwhile, New Zealand saw its last GT-Rs delivered in October 2021, while European sales wrapped up in early 2022 due to tightening emissions and safety regulations.
This marks Nissan's first big move after its merger talks with Honda crumbled due to issues with leadership and future direction.
A supercar killer’s legacy
Nicknamed 'Godzilla', the R35 GT-R has remained a dominant force in the high-performance automotive world. Launched at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the model succeeded the revered R34 Skyline GT-R, introducing a host of advanced engineering solutions.
Powered by a hand-built 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6, the GT-R evolved continuously throughout its lifespan. Early models produced 353kW, while the 2023 iteration peaked at 421kW, with the Nismo variant stretching to an impressive 447kW.
Coupled with an advanced all-wheel-drive system and a dual-clutch transmission, the R35 remained a benchmark for performance and reliability.
Despite multiple facelifts - 2010, 2016, and 2023 - the R35 was increasingly under pressure from emissions regulations and more modern competitors. Nissan’s decision to finally retire the model recognises that even legends must make way for the future.
The future of Nissan's GT-R
With the R35 retired, attention now turns to its successor.
Nissan has hinted at the future of the GT-R lineage through the striking Hyper Force Concept, showcased in 2023. This concept points toward a fully electric GT-R replacement, leveraging Nissan’s solid-state battery technology.
However, the timeline for an R36 remains uncertain. Solid-state battery technology is still in development, and Nissan does not expect it to be production-ready before 2028. That suggests a long wait for fans hoping for a direct successor.
Meanwhile, speculation persists that Nissan could introduce a hybridised version as a transitional model before fully embracing an all-electric GT-R.
For now, the GT-R R35 leaves behind a legacy of dominance, defining the modern supercar battle for nearly two decades. Whether its successor continues the same spirit in an electric future remains to be seen.