Nissan Boss Says Next Generation GT-R Will Use Hybrid

Andy Palmer, NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
6957 photos
12 videos
head of global product planning, hints that the next generation GT-RNissan GT-R Gen.2Japan, 2009 > present25 versions
107 photos
1 video
is due in 2015, and it will use a hybrid powertrain to improve emissions and performance.

“There is an inevitability about electrification of all cars in the future, and there is the very real prospect of enhancements coming from this and ending up on a sports car like the Nissan GT-R. It’s win-win, and I’d expect to see some form of hybridization on the next generation of car,” said Palmer.

The current GT-R has been on sale since 2007 and has had nearly annual improvements in performance since then.

Palmer says that Nissan uses the GT-R’s Nordschleife lap time as its benchmark for improvements on the car.

“We hope to offer improvements with each model year, enhancing things like the aerodynamic capabilities and engine each time. The benchmark of that will be our ‘Ring time, and we expect to see it come down each year,” he said.

Recently, Nissan rented the Nordschleife to test the even higher performance Nismo GT-R and hired ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
4570 photos
10 videos
LMP1 driver Sebastien Buemi to test the car.

"The lap time is coming down all the time, but we don't know what's possible yet," said Buemi during testing in September.

Source: Autocar