Sporting models like the GT-R super-coupé will have a prominent place in Nissan’s future line-up, the company has confirmed — and it could even produce all-electric sports cars.
A revised version of the current GT-R with up to 530bhp on tap is expected to be confirmed before the end of this year.
But the next full generation has still to be signed off, according to sources in Japan — and that has prompted speculation that the car could be dropped as part of Nissan’s bid to reduce its range-wide fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
However, the firm’s chief operating officer, Toshiyuki Shiga, said: “The GT-R is part of Nissan’s heritage. In fact, since Nissan started as a car company, it has been offering driving pleasure through sports cars.
"I can’t commit to any new products but, as far as we know, we are keeping this brand, these technologies, and trying to offer sporty cars. I am also thinking of electric vehicles as sporty cars,” he added.
“The market is shifting, becoming more environmentally friendly, so maybe now there is a possibility that even a 100 per cent electric vehicle can be a sports car. We have already developed Infiniti hybrid cars which are quite exciting.”
Nissan’s Japanese rival, Toyota, are said to be working on a 500 hp electric sports car powered by four electric wheel motors. Toyota's plans are seen as a response to Mercedes and Audi having already unveiled all wheel drive all electric sports cars.
Shiga stopped short of saying his firm would follow suit – and he refused to confirm or deny rumours of a spiritual successor to the 200SX.
When asked if Nissan was looking at a cheaper sports car, he said: “Automotive makers are not just making commodities to transfer people or goods. We are happy to provide, or to offer, this value. Nissan wants to continue making vehicles for driving pleasure – this is important.”
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