Skip to main content

Is the next-gen Nissan GT-R an 800+ horsepower hyper-hybrid?

next gen nissan gt r an 800 horsepower hyper hybrid 2016 r3

Hybrid cars are not for those simply wishing to sip gas and save polar bears. Recently, hybrid drivetrains have been also used to create absolute performance beasts.

An image from an unnamed Japanese magazine, which included a rendering of the GT-R R36 and a few important specs leaked to 7tune recently. The unnamed magazine guessed that the new R36 will have 580 horsepower and an extra 250 hp from a regenerative KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) drivetrain. Now that would be one gargantuan horsepower monster.

Recommended Videos

580 horsepower plus 250 might sound like magical numbers but they really aren’t so far off. McLaren, along with Porsche and Ferrari, has already proven such power possible. So it would only seem logical that Nissan will be the next to utilize electrons.

Legends like the Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren P1, and LaFerrari are already going down in automotive history. These hyper hybrids may be the first to cross eco with mental, but they certainly won’t be the last.

The folks over at Japanese Mag have thoughtfully surmised that Nissan might include a hybrid drivetrain in its next Godzilla. It would only make sense to add electric powertrain components to the GT-R, as Nissan is virtually EV obsessed. The hard part with hyper-hybridizing will be keeping the GT-R at the same relatively reasonable price point.

CarScoops believes Nissan’s Executive Vice President Andy Palmer, strongly hinted at the likeliness of the GT-R having “some form of hybridization on the next generation of the car (R36).”

Who knows; Infiniti, Nissan’s luxury arm, could even include a hybrid drivetrain in its upcoming four-door GT-R-powered model.

Joe Mahan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joe Mahan is an intern at Digital Trends working in the Cars section. He is currently a Junior at the University of Portland…
These new NASA EVs will drive astronauts part way to the moon (sort of)
NASA's new crew transportation electric vehicles.

Three specially designed, fully electric, environmentally friendly crew transportation vehicles for Artemis missions arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this week. The zero-emission vehicles, which will carry astronauts to Launch Complex 39B for Artemis missions, were delivered by Canoo Technologies of Torrance, California. NASA/Isaac Watson

NASA has shown off a trio of new all-electric vehicles that will shuttle the next generation of lunar astronauts to the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center.

Read more
5 upcoming EVs I’m excited for, from luxury SUVs to budget champions
Lotus Eletre

Almost every major automaker has released an EV by now -- or plans to soon -- and makers like Ford and Kia already have a variety to choose from. But if you haven't found one that's right for you yet, hang tight. There are dozens of announced electric car models that have yet to come out, and it's clear that the future of EVs is bright.

From longer range to lower prices, the next batch of EVs gives us plenty to get excited about. Here are five upcoming EVs that we can't wait to drive.
Volvo EX30

Read more
Tesla shows off first Cybertruck after two years of delays
The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility.

The first Cybertruck built at Tesla's Giga Texas facility. Tesla

Tesla has shown off the first Cybertruck to roll off the production line at its new Gigafactory plant in Austin, Texas.

Read more