GT-Rotaku.com Editorial Department

In March 2023, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the start of production of an EV conversion concept model based on the R32 Skyline GT-R (BNR32). This project, publicly unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2025, is not intended for commercialization but is positioned as a concept demonstration by volunteer internal staff. This article will organize its technical content and the significance of the project.

Project Overview and Key Specifications

The project was led by Ryozo Hiraku, Powertrain Expert Leader at Nissan. He has been involved in the development of electric drive technologies such as EV, e-POWER, and e-4ORCE for many years and openly states that he was once an owner of an R32 Skyline.

The key specifications are as follows: It features a two-motor 4WD configuration with one Nissan Leaf motor on both the front and rear. The battery, the same 62kWh unit as in the Leaf NISMO RC02, is installed in the rear seat area. The maximum output is 160kW x 2, and the maximum torque is 340Nm x 2. The increase in vehicle weight due to battery installation was unavoidable, rising from the original 1,430kg to 1,797kg, an increase of 367kg. However, the motor output and torque have been tuned to achieve a power-to-weight ratio equivalent to the original R32 GT-R.

External changes have been kept to a minimum, with no visual differences other than dedicated 18-inch wheels that homage the genuine 16-inch wheels, the adoption of large rotors and monoblock calipers from the R35 GT-R, and the elimination of tailpipes. Additionally, an acoustic reproduction system based on the RB26DETT engine sound is installed via speakers, and a simulated gear shift feel using paddle shifters is also implemented.

Developer's Motivation and the Concept of "Digital Remaster"

When discussing this project, Mr. Hiraku's words are noteworthy.

"If we can reproduce the R32's analog qualities with digital data, the appeal of the R32 GT-R can be enjoyed even 30 years from now. It's like a digitally remastered version of the car."

This expression accurately illustrates the essence of the project. The idea of preserving the GT-R's appeal for future generations through EV conversion is not driven by the promotion of electrification but by a cultural motivation to record and preserve a classic car. Understanding it as an analogy to remastering in the music and video fields makes its direction easily comprehensible.

On the other hand, this concept of "remastering" also contains fundamental questions. The sound and vibration produced by the combustion of the RB26DETT, and the driving characteristics arising from a vehicle weight of 1,430kg, cannot be numerically reproduced. The R32 EV is a different vehicle constructed by "referencing" the R32's driving characteristics, and this distinction needs to be clearly understood.

The Significance of Hiroshi Kato's Feedback

A notable aspect of the project is the fact that Hiroshi Kato, the main test driver during the R32's development, actually test-drove the R32 EV and provided feedback to the development team.

Mr. Kato was the person who first drove the R32 at the Nürburgring and broke the then-lap record of the Porsche 944. After his initial drive, he requested an improvement in understeer, leading to a change in the stabilizer, and subsequently recorded a time in the 8 minutes 20 seconds range, a significant episode in the R32's development history.

The person who knew the R32's driving performance most intimately evaluated the feel of the EV conversion model. This process can be seen as an endorsement of the project's technical integrity. While it has not been disclosed how Mr. Kato's feedback specifically influenced the tuning, the fact that "someone who knows the R32 confirmed" the development direction lends a certain credibility to this project.

Implications for Next-Generation GT-R Development

From a longer-term perspective, this project holds significant implications that are worth noting.

Mr. Hiraku stated, "I want to explore 'what makes a car fun' with young engineers." This statement indicates that the R32 EV project is not merely a technical demonstration but also has an aspect of nurturing engineers who will be responsible for developing the next generation of GT-Rs.

With Nissan's CEO having clearly stated the development of a next-generation GT-R, the R32 EV project can be positioned as a process for the development team to address the question, "What should a GT-R be?" Through the attempt to electrify the RB26DETT and reproduce its feel, young engineers can grasp the essence of the GT-R, which is significant both technically and ideologically.

Conclusion

While the R32 EV project began as an internal volunteer activity not aimed at commercialization, it encompasses multiple significances: the technical record and preservation of a classic car, and the development of human resources for next-generation development. While it is clear that EV conversion cannot reproduce every aspect of the original, the project's approach, where engineers themselves confronted the question of "how to pass on the appeal of the GT-R to future generations," is commendable.

As the development of the next-generation GT-R intensifies, the significance of this project may grow even further. We will continue to follow its progress.