Nissan CEO Hints at New GT-R and Z Sports Cars

Nissan’s future will continue to include exciting sports cars, according to the company’s incoming CEO, Ivan Espinosa. He has promised that models like the Nissan GT-R and Z will remain part of the brand and be sold worldwide.

The current GT-R, known as the R35, has been in production since 2007. However, it is set to be discontinued soon. In recent years, it has not been available in Europe due to emission regulations. The Nissan Z has also been unavailable in that region.

When asked about performance cars, Espinosa said, “Driving excitement will always be at the heart of Nissan. This is what we do.” He explained that Nissan wants to offer cars that show the brand’s true spirit, from the fun and affordable Z to the high-performance GT-R. He even mentioned the Patrol SUV as another important model.

Espinosa wants Nissan to have four or five key cars that define the brand and represent its values. He emphasized that these models should be available worldwide. “We keep the dream alive of what driving excitement is for,” he said. “We will invest in signature Nissan models to deliver strong nameplates. Vehicles are the heartbeat of Nissan – and that includes sports cars, where we have very exciting plans.”

In 2023, Nissan introduced the Hyper Force concept, a preview of an electric GT-R successor. However, Espinosa has previously said that such a car will have to wait until electric technology improves.

When asked about progress on an electric GT-R, he admitted that the transition to electrification is challenging. But he is hopeful that in the coming years, as regulations shift toward electric powertrains, it will become easier to develop such a car.

While Nissan has not given a timeline for the next GT-R or Z, it is clear that performance cars remain a priority. Fans of Nissan’s sports cars can expect exciting developments in the future.

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