Are
the GT-R’s days numbered? We consulted our crystal ball, but all the signs point to a resounding “yes.” After 17 years, and numerous iterations and special editions, the mighty Nissan GT-R—affectionately known in motoring circles as ‘Godzilla’—appears to be entering its final chapter.
Nissan has not officially announced the GT-R’s demise, but it did, as expected, unveil the revised 2025 GT-R Premium Edition T-Spec and the GT-R Track Edition by Nismo for the Japanese market last week.
The new models have not changed much apart from a gorgeous Blue Heaven interior upholstery on the Premium Edition, plus a few other tweaks, which we expect will be on the base vehicle in the U.S. The current model year version is priced at $122,000 so we can expect a slight uptick on sticker price for the new model.
The GT-R of course still employs the prodigious, handmade 3.8-liter V6 twin turbo, AWD drivetrain pumping out 565-hp and 467 lb-ft of torque and mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Other modifications for this “final” version include weight-balanced piston rings, connecting rods, and crankshafts that were previously only available on the NISMO Special Edition for the T-Spec and Track Edition, which is engineered by NISMO for snappier rev response and faster turbo spooling. In the engine bay, these models also include gold-colored number plates and aluminium certification plates.
The timing of Nissan’s statement is consistent with the story from Japanese publication Best Car stating the this version “appears final,” even if the company doesn’t explicitly state that this is the last GT-R. Additionally, while Nissan is not clear with final production numbers—announcing just that “production is limited,” specialist scoop magazine Mag X says that its research hints at a maximum of 1500 ‘Final’ GT-Rs will be produced in 2025.
The 2025 Nissan GT-R is already on sale in Japan with the first deliveries expected in June. Prices have been increased marginally compared to last year, starting from ¥14,443,000 ($95,000) for the entry-level GT-R Pure Edition and climbing to ¥30,613,000 ($202,000) for the most expensive extreme GT-R Nismo Special Edition.
One other hint that this version is the end of the road for a gasoline-powered GT-R came late last year with the launch of the fully electric 1000kW four-wheel-drive Hyper Force concept—that looked like an edgy ‘Transformers’ version at the Japan Mobility Show.