Godzilla is planning on making a return, and it will be pumped full of electrons. Beware.

    Speaking with Autocar, NISMO’s CEO Takao Katagiri said Nissan’s go-fast division is working on a “very exciting model” that will be sold in Japan, the US, the UK, and Europe.

    The new car will likely be the next-generation GT-R or, at the very least, the GT-R’s spiritual successor. In the UK, at least, the car will be sold under the Nismo sub-brand.

    Katagiri hinted the vehicle will be launched this decade, and said it will be available with a “combination” of hybrid and EV drivetrains.

    Last year Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida said the automaker was hoping to fit a non-hybrid drivetrain to the GT-R’s successor. Those hopes seem to have fallen by the wayside, especially if the company is aiming to sell the car in Europe.

    It’s likely the GT-R successor will be initially fitted with a hybrid drivetrain. Company executives have previously told the UK publication Nissan isn’t prepared to launch a performance EV model until solid-state batteries are ready.

    According to Autocar, the brand is well advanced with its solid-state battery research. Although it’s preparing to open a pilot factory in 2024, the technology probably won’t be used in production vehicles until 2028.

    The GT-R successor is expected to be a standalone model, and is likely to employ a largely unique architecture.

    While production of the current R35 GT-R continues, it has been withdrawn from sale in Australia as it doesn’t comply with our unique side-impact requirements. It has also been withdrawn from sale in Europe.

    The company’s only other sports car is the Z, which despite its new body, twin-turbo V6 engine and redesigned interior, uses the same platform as the 370Z, which was launched in 2008.

    MORE: Everything Nissan GT-R

    Derek Fung

    Derek Fung would love to tell you about his multiple degrees, but he's too busy writing up some news right now. In his spare time Derek loves chasing automotive rabbits down the hole. Based in New York, New York, Derek loves to travel and is very much a window not an aisle person.

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