From Nürburgring Challenger to Tuner Icon: R35 Nissan GT-R Production Concludes

R35 GT-R production ends after 48,000 units and 18 years of continuous output.
Twin-turbo V6 powered multiple trims, including a 600 hp Nismo version.
Nissan plans to revive the GT-R badge, but no timeline has been confirmed.

The final Nissan GT-R of the R35 generation has finally left the production line, concluding an 18-year run that saw nearly 48,000 units built and global recognition for its performance credentials.

2018 Nissan GT-R Review

Introduced in 2007, the R35 GT-R featured a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine hand-assembled by a dedicated team of nine engineers. The original model produced 480 hp and serious torque numbers, enabling a 0–100 km/h time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed exceeding 310 km/h. When it landed in Canada in 2008, it was priced at ONLY $81,900. Later Nismo versions raised output to 600 hp and 481 lb-ft. The engine’s durability and tuning potential made the GT-R a staple of aftermarket modification, with builds reportedly reaching nearly 2,000 hp.

The GT-R’s debut marked a pivotal moment in the sports car segment, notably for Nissan’s claim that the vehicle outpaced the Porsche 911 Turbo around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a 7-minute, 38-second lap. Porsche disputed the result, questioning the use of non-standard tires. Nissan maintained the car used a factory configuration and returned in 2008 to record a 7:29 lap. The GT-R Nismo would later set a 7:08 time on the same circuit.

Over its unusually long 18-year life, the GT-R underwent multiple updates and track-oriented derivatives. It was pulled from Canadian shelves nearly a year ago. And my how things changed, and didn’t… The final MSRP for essentially the same car in 2024 was just shy of $160,000 while the NISMO could shoot past $300,000 depending on dealer “price adjustments”.

Throughout its production life, the R35 GT-R earned critical praise for combining supercar-level performance with a relatively accessible price point. Most auto review groups and media handed the R35 an accolade or two in its first few years.

Nissan has confirmed that the GT-R name will return, though no production timeline or drivetrain details have been disclosed.