TIMES ARE A CHANGIN' - NISSAN GIVES THE ICONIC R32 GT-R AN ELECTRIC POWERPLANT.
What happens when you blend one of Nissan’s most iconic performance cars with cutting-edge EV technology? For some, the answer might be “controversy,” but for a passionate team of Nissan engineers, it’s innovation. At the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon, Nissan unveiled a one-off R32 EV conversion - a project born from a small, dedicated team exploring the future of performance through electrification. Leading the charge is Ryozo Hiraku, a seasoned Nissan EV powertrain engineer and lifelong fan of the R32 GT-R. As a former R32 Skyline owner, Hiraku wanted to ensure that this beloved icon could endure the transition to a world increasingly dominated by electric vehicles. “I wondered if, 30 years from now, owners of this incredible machine could still buy gasoline and enjoy driving it,” Hiraku explained. “I saw merit in using electrical and digital technology to replicate the appeal of the R32 GT-R so future generations could experience it.” The team’s goal was ambitious: to match the legendary R32 GT-R’s driving dynamics while harnessing the benefits of EV technology. If successful, the project could influence the development of future electric performance cars. At first glance, the R32 EV looks like a factory-fresh R32 GT-R, finished in its original Gun Grey Metallic. But under the hood lies a transformation. The revered twin-turbocharged 2.6-litre RB26DETT engine has been replaced with a pair of 160 kW electric motors, each delivering 340 Nm of torque. Power comes from a 62 kWh battery borrowed from the LEAF NISMO RC02, installed in place of the rear seats. Despite the added weight - 370 kg heavier than the original - the team has carefully tuned the R32 EV to match the performance metrics of its predecessor. The electric powertrain is calibrated to replicate the R32 GT-R’s 206 kW and 353 Nm of torque, ensuring a comparable torque-to-weight ratio.
The hallmark of the original R32 GT-R was its ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system, which delivered impressive traction and stability through a hydraulically actuated clutch. The R32 EV takes this concept further, using dual electric motors to distribute torque between the front and rear wheels with greater precision and speed. To handle the additional weight of the EV components, the team equipped the R32 EV with a NISMO Sports suspension kit featuring Öhlins dampers. Larger rotors and monoblock calipers from the R35 GT-R ensure the car can stop as impressively as it accelerates, while newly designed 18-inch wheels maintain a factory-inspired aesthetic. One of the coolest parts of the R32 GT-R was its visceral driving experience, and to preserve this, the team integrated paddle shifters with a unique twist: they simulate the sensation of gear shifts, complete with the “shift shock” that drivers of manual transmissions know and love. The cabin speaker system pipes in a synthesized version of the RB26DETT’s engine note, ensuring the R32 EV retains the auditory drama of its ICE counterpart. Inside, custom Recaro seats, upgraded digital displays, and a modernised meter cluster pays homage to the original. To fine-tune the R32 EV, the team enlisted Nissan master test driver Hiroyoshi Kato, a key figure in the original R32 GT-R’s development. Kato’s insights have been instrumental in refining the EV’s handling and dynamics, ensuring it stays true to the spirit of the GT-R badge. While the R32 EV is a one-off project with no plans for commercialisation, its development offers a look into how EV technology can preserve the soul of iconic performance cars.
Take a look at the YouTube video the shows off some things happening with this EV restomod project done by Nissan that gives the iconic R32 GT-R an all-electric powerplant. GT-R purists will be unhappy, but hey, the future is here:【R32EV】PROJECT MOVIE | 日産自動車株式会社
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