The electrification of classic cars is nothing if not a conversation starter, so it was a surprise to see the confirmation last year of Nissan EV-converting an R32 GT-R not attracting more than 14 comments. A couple believed it was an early April Fools’ in March, one suggested an R35 swap would be more fun, but broadly speaking there wasn’t the commotion caused by a 911 or MX-5 equivalent. Maybe the GT-R conversion seemed like it’d never happen, particularly with the announcement made with just a 20-second video and shady pic.
But it’s happened alright, Nissan now readying the EV GT-R to be shown at the Tokyo auto show next month. Exact spec details will probably have to wait for January, though the YouTube series that accompanied the build - beautifully, almost hypnotically stripped-back videos, without even music - shows how seriously the project has been taken. Presumably because the R32 always was such a tech tour de force, Nissan has held nothing back in electrifying perhaps its most iconic car. We see a monster battery pack go in, as well as two very burly-looking motors. If ever a car was going to take advantage of the 4WD possibilities offered up by EV power, it was the GT-R. From R32 to R35, moreover, they were always initially dismissed as too heavy compared to purer, rear-drive rivals, so it could be argued that extra weight is less of a concern than elsewhere. It’s GT-R heritage…
Certainly the fact that this one has been kitted out with bigger wheels to accommodate massive brakes (boasting the bronze calipers that usually denote ceramics on an R35), plus wider tyres, would suggest the performance potential of the EV is considerable. Nissan’s fastest EV offering at the moment, the 435hp, dual-motor Ariya NISMO, could make for a useful uptick in performance from 280hp if the weight gain isn’t enormous, though the impression from Nissan’s approach is that they’re after a useful uptick. They surely want a battery-powered Godzilla to mean a meaningful reset for expectations of a GT-R.
Whatever it is they’ve done, the social media videos make the process look obsessively precise. Mechanics and engineers in white suits and masks delicately prize away the RB26 like it’s open heart surgery, taking all the time required and ensuring the utmost care with their work. All those involved were volunteers as well, so this is a proper passion project rather than a box to tick. We can’t wait to hear more about what’s been created.
