Electric Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R Officially Revealed

• Powered by dual 160 kW electric motors for similar performance to the original R32 GT-R.
• 62 kWh battery from the LEAF NISMO RC02 installed behind the rear seats.
• Upgraded components, including new 18-inch R32 GT-R wheels and carbon Recaro seats.
• Simulated manual gearbox and sound system to mimic the iconic GT-R experience.

Nissan has officially lifted the covers on its all-electric R32 Skyline GT-R dubbed the ‘R32 EV’ at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025.

The event, which runs from January 10 through 12 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, is one of the biggest car shows in the world and is best described as the Japanese equivalent of SEMA. Nissan, which recently finalised its mega-merger with Honda, has revealed several new models and a handful of concepts, including the new R32 EV.

Under the leadership of Nissan EV powertrain engineer, and former R32 Skyline owner, Ryozo Hiraku, volunteer engineers at the brand have worked on this all-electric R32 Skyline GT-R for well over a year, commissioning bespoke (and highly desirable) parts for this project. This includes a genuine set of R32 GT-R wheels in a larger 18-inch size and carbon Recaro seats.

Early feedback on this project was mostly negative online. However, now that we have a clearer picture of what’s under the skin of the R32 GT-R EV the whole industry will be watching to see how it’s perceived. Let’s take a closer look!

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How Does the Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R EV Compare to the Original?

Specifications	R32 EV	R32 GT-R
Length (mm)	4,545	4,545
Width (mm)	1,755	1,755
Height (mm)	1,340	1,340
Weight (kg)	1,797	1,430
Motor/Engine	Twin electric motor	RB26DETT
Transmission	N/A	5-speed manual
Max power	160 kW motor x 2	206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp)
Max torque	340 Nm motor x 2	353 Nm (260 lb⋅ft)
AWD system	Twin motor AWD	ATTESA E-TS
Brakes	Upgraded R35 ventilated discs and calipers	Ventilated discs
Wheels	235/45R 18	225/50R16
Seats	2	4

Scroll horizontally to view full table

Why Did Nissan Make the R32 GT-R EV?

The big question everyone is asking: “Why take the heart and soul out of a GT-R and make it electric?” It’s certainly painful to imagine a GT-R without the 2.6-litre twin-turbo engine RB26DETT in the engine bay, but Nissan says this EV initiative “aims to capture and recreate the charm of the BNR32 by integrating modern electrification.” Still, it’s going to be a tough ask for enthusiasts who have historically struggled to embrace electrification.

The 1,000kW ‘Hyper Force Concept’ was coined as the future of GT-Rs, but it has struggled to attract recognition since being unveiled.

Now, the new R32 EV plays on a similar concept but swaps out the idea of a futuristic concept with a play at pure passion. “I wondered if 30 years from now — in 2055 or beyond — owners of this incredible machine could still buy gasoline and enjoy driving it,” said Ryozo Hiraku. “I saw merit in using electrical and digital technology to replicate the appeal of the R32 GT-R so future generations could experience it.”

EVs are still a tough pill to swallow for car enthusiasts, but using cars like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N as their inspiration, Nissan has gone about converting this R32 GT-R the right way so far, but more development work will be done by Nissan’s master test driver Hiroyoshi Kato.

There are no plans to offer the elements of the R32 GT-R EV as a conversion kit for current GT-R owners.

What Powers the Electric Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R?

The idea was not to give the R32 a silly amount of EV horsepower, it was to reproduce the driving experience of the car in factory specification. That meant swapping out the RB26DETT with a pair of 160kW electric motors powered by a 62kWh battery borrowed from the LEAF NISMO RC02 that’s been positioned behind the rear seats.

With a motor on each axle, the electric R32 GT-R has a combined power output of 320kW (430HP) and can send up to 340 Nm of torque to the wheels. However, the aim here is to match the performance of the petrol-powered car’s 280 PS (206 kW).

Of course, this is a challenge made easier by electric motors, but not one without substantial added weight. The electric R32 GT-R is 370 kg heavier, but the engineers have offset this by torque to match the original R32 GT-R’s torque-to-weight ratio.

Under the skin, the original gearbox has been ripped out to make room for the electric powertrain, and Nissan has added paddle shift functionality and cabin speaker pipes to bring in sound inspired by the original RB26DETT engine note. This is very similar to that found in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, which is a vehicle that has won multiple “Car of the Year” awards, and stood out as Man of Many’s Best EV in 2024.

Next to this gearbox and sound technology, you’ll find a NISMO Sports suspension kit with Öhlins dampers, a factory-inspired 18-inch wheel that closely resembles the 16-inch alloys fitted to the R32 GT-R of yesteryear, and larger rotors and larger monoblock calipers from the R35 GT-R.

On the inside, custom Recaro seats and high-resolution digital screens in place of the double DIN audio, gauges, and meter cluster fill the cabin.

What Else Did Nissan Unveil at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025?

The brand also unveiled several new products alongside the EV GT-R at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, including a Nissan GT-R NISMO Special Edition (pictured above) that is the highest-performance model in GT-R history, eclipsing other limited-edition models such as the T-Spec. It incorporates racing technology, including high-precision weight-balanced engine components from piston rings to con-rods, and crankshafts. Finally, a NISMO-exclusive carbon fibre bonnet with a clear coating and a NACA duct will be featured prominently at the front end. It’s unclear what markets this car will be offered to, and for how much.

Here’s a complete list of all the cars Nissan will unveil at Tokyo Auto Salon 2025:

• Fairlady Z (2025)
• Nissan GT-R NISMO Special Edition
• Nissan Ariya NISMO
• R32 GT-R EV Conversion
• Motul Autech Z #23
• X-Trail unwind concept
• X-Trail remastered concept
• Disaster support spec
• Aura AUTECH Sports Spec
• Serena AUTECH Sports Spec

Those attending Tokyo Auto Salon could have viewed the R32EV concept model at Nissan Booth No. 217, Exhibition Hall 2-3 (West Hall). More information about all these cars can be found on the brand’s website linked below.

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