For over three decades, the R32 GT-R has been a symbol of raw performance, meticulous engineering, and a relentless pursuit of speed. Now, in a move that is equal parts audacious and divisive, Nissan (NSANY) has swapped out the legendary RB26DETT engine for an all-electric powertrain.
Yes, the original “Godzilla” is now a zero-emission beast, and it’s set to debut at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon. Buckle up, folks—this could be the reinvention of a legend.
A Passion Project with High Voltage
This isn’t a corporate checkbox exercise. The electric R32 GT-R was born out of passion, spearheaded by a team of volunteer Nissan engineers who began work in March 2023. Their mission? To “capture and recreate the charm of the BNR32 by integrating modern electrification.”
That’s a tall order when the original car’s charm was tied to the visceral growl of its inline-six engine and the spine-tingling turbo lag.
The car’s exterior remains true to its roots—sharp lines, unmistakable silhouette—but with subtle updates. The fog lights are gone, and those orange brake calipers hint at performance upgrades beneath the surface.
Yet, Nissan remains tight-lipped about the specifics. No power figures, no range estimates, no torque specs—just a lot of speculation.
What We Can Guess About the Powertrain
If history and logic are any guides, the R32 EV will likely feature dual electric motors for all-wheel drive. The setup could mirror the e-4ORCE technology found in the Nissan Ariya Nismo, which delivers up to 430 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.
That’s a solid leap over the original’s official 276 hp (a number notoriously sandbagged due to the “gentlemen’s agreement” between Japanese automakers). Real-world dyno runs often revealed over 300 hp stock and fully built RB26 engines could scream past 2,000 hp—but let’s not pretend this EV project is about setting drag strip records.
Instead, Nissan seems to be aiming for a balance: the instantaneous torque of electric motors, the razor-sharp handling of the R32 chassis, and a battery system that doesn’t weigh the car down to submarine levels. Whether this electrified Godzilla can live up to the original’s performance legacy remains an open question.
A Glimpse of the Future?
This one-off R32 EV isn’t just a nod to the past—it’s a teaser for what’s to come. Nissan has already hinted that the next-generation GT-R, the R36, will likely embrace electrification.
The Hyper Force concept, unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023, showcased a staggering 1,341 horsepower and solid-state batteries. While those batteries won’t arrive until 2028, the electric R32 feels like a testbed for the future.
What’s more, this project could open doors for EV conversion kits for classic GT-Rs. Imagine giving vintage Skylines a second life with modern powertrains—preserving their legacy while adapting them for a world that’s shifting away from combustion engines.
The Inevitable Debate
Of course, not everyone will celebrate this move. Purists will argue that removing the RB26 guts the very soul of the R32. And they’re not entirely wrong—there’s a visceral connection between a driver and the sound of an engine screaming toward redline. But progress often requires sacrifice.
Nissan has stopped developing new combustion engines altogether, and the writing is on the wall: the GT-R’s future is electric.
The real question is whether Nissan can bridge the gap between nostalgia and innovation, creating a car that satisfies enthusiasts while appealing to a new generation of performance junkies. The R32 EV might not have the thunderous roar of its predecessor, but it could redefine what it means to be a GT-R.
Charge Complete: Old-School Cool Meets Next-Gen Power
Nissan’s electric R32 GT-R isn’t just a car—it’s a conversation starter, a vision of what happens when heritage meets innovation. Whether you see it as sacrilege or salvation, there’s no denying the boldness of the experiment. The Tokyo Auto Salon will be its proving ground, and the world will be watching.
One thing’s for sure: the spirit of Godzilla lives on. It’s just trading its fire-breathing roar for the quiet hum of electricity—and maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
