Nissan ends GT-R R35 production after 18 years, goodbye Godzilla!
Nissan has officially stopped accepting orders for the GT-R in Japan, marking the end of an era for the performance icon after nearly two decades in production. According to an announcement on Nissan’s Japanese consumer website, all remaining build slots for the current generation GT-R have been claimed, meaning the R35 is now completely sold out.
The discontinuation comes as no surprise to those following the model’s gradual retreat from global markets. Production for the North American version wrapped up in late 2024 and in recent years, regulatory challenges have hastened the car’s exit from several regions.
In Europe, the GT-R was removed from sale in 2021 due to tighter noise regulations. Similarly, Australia saw the model’s departure later that year when updated side-impact standards rendered the car non-compliant. These hurdles, combined with the vehicle’s advancing age, ultimately signalled the beginning of the end.
First launched in 2007, the R35 GT-R carved out a unique place in the performance car world. It became a symbol of Japanese engineering prowess, delivering supercar-rivalling performance at a fraction of the cost. Over its 18-year lifespan, the car underwent multiple updates, though its core mechanical formula remained largely intact—a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with an all-wheel-drive system.
The GT-R debuted with 471 HP, with later versions—especially the high-performance Nismo variant—pushing output up to 600 HP. While its exterior design saw only modest changes through the years, Nissan focused its development efforts on refining handling, power delivery and technology to keep the car competitive.
Although production of the current-generation GT-R is winding down, Nissan has indicated that a successor could arrive before the end of the decade. However, there is no official timeline or confirmed plans for a direct replacement at this stage.
For now, the curtain is closing on the R35, but the GT-R name carries too much legacy to disappear entirely. Whether through electrification, hybrid technology or a completely new performance formula, Nissan’s flagship performance badge is almost certain to return—eventually.
