The R32 Skyline GT-R EV replaces its RB26 engine with an all-electric powertrain.
The concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, running January 10–12 at Makuhari Messe.
Nissan’s electric shift hints at the R36 GT-R being fully electric by the decade’s end.
As a one-off concept, Nissan has revealed an electric version of the iconic R32 Skyline GT-R – call it a Skyline reimagined by Nissan. Developed by a team of volunteer engineers, the project began in March 2023 with the intention of preserving the original R32’s charm while introducing an all-electric drivetrain. The R32 GT-R EV is scheduled for its public debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, running from January 10 to 12 at Makuhari Messe.
The conversion replaces the R32’s legendary RB26DETT twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with an electric powertrain, though Nissan has yet to reveal detailed specifications. The vehicle retains much of the original car’s iconic appearance, with notable exterior changes, including removing fog lights and adding orange brake callipers.
Speculation suggests the car may use a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration similar to the Nissan Ariya Nismo, which delivers up to 430 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque—well above the factory-rated 276 hp of the original R32. It is safe to assume that the R32 EV is heavier than the original ICE version, but even so, it must be very quick.
The electric R32 was previewed at the R’s Meeting event at Fuji Speedway in Japan in late 2023. Nissan has described the project as an effort to “capture and recreate the charm of the BNR32 by integrating modern electrification.”
This concept is a taste and a teaser of where Nissan’s supercar is headed. The automaker has already hinted that the next-generation GT-R, likely the R36, will be an EV. The recent Hyper Force concept car shows what could come, showcasing solid-state battery technology with a reported 1,341 hp. However, with solid-state batteries not expected before 2028, the R36 GT-R’s arrival is unlikely until the end of the decade.
The Tokyo Auto Salon will also feature the outgoing R35 GT-R Nismo Special Edition, alongside other Nissan vehicles that highlight advanced technology and customization expertise.
