Nissan Exec Hints at Next-Gen GT-R’s Hybrid Powertrain – 2013 New York

When you have a performance reputation as hardcore as the Nissan GT-R’s, expectations are high what you’ll do next. As we’ve previously reported, the next-gen Nissan GT-R could gain a high-performance hybrid system. Now, a quote from a Nissan exec at the 2013 New York auto show may support that.

At the auto show, Nissan North America’s senior vice president of sales and marketing Jose Munoz said, “…Stay tuned later this year for news that will electrify our legions of GT-R fans worldwide. [MT emphasis added]”

Bad pun aside, Munoz’ quote is likely a clue that the next-gen GT-R will get a hybrid powertrain. We last reported that the GT-R’s successor, which could arrive by 2017, may get a hybrid system similar to that of the Infiniti Essence concept of 2009. That car featured a twin-turbo 3.7-liter V-6, reduced slightly in displacement from the GT-R’s 3.8-liter, paired with a high-output electric motor. Another system Nissan engineers are reportedly looking into is a hybrid setup similar to that of the Infiniti M35h.

Nissan already announced that it will race an electrified car at Le Mans in 2014 through its Nismo performance division. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said that car will carry on the pioneering spirit of the DeltaWing prototype race car, and will contribute to development that could lead to a future LMP1 entry. Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer said in New York that the Le Mans racer will utilize a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).

Could technology from that race car trickle down to the next GT-R? With halo cars from Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren all going the hybrid route, the GT-R could be the next supercar in line for an electrified powertrain.