As Nissan’s GT-R nameplate enters another period of uncertainty, digital artists are stepping in to imagine what could come next. A new computer-generated vision of a potential R36 GT-R is circulating online, presenting a radical departure from tradition while honoring the badge’s long performance legacy.
The GT-R story dates back to 1969, when Nissan introduced the first Skyline GT-R in sedan and coupe forms. Fewer than 2,000 units of the original “Hakosuka” were built. Its successor, unveiled at the 1972 Tokyo Motor Show, became even rarer, with just 197 examples produced. Known as the “Kenmeri,” the second-generation model was named after characters in a popular advertisement.
After a hiatus beginning in 1973, the GT-R returned in 1989 with the R32. Powered by a 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged RB26DETT engine, the R32 established the GT-R’s global reputation and earned the “Godzilla” nickname. The R33 followed in 1995, and the R34 later became a pop culture icon, cementing its place in Japanese performance history.
Nissan transformed the GT-R into a standalone model in 2007 with the R35. Featuring a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and more premium appointments, the R35 blended supercar performance with grand touring comfort. It remained in production until August 2025, receiving updates in 2010, 2016 and 2023.
With the R35 now discontinued and Nissan facing broader industry challenges, the arrival of an R36 remains unclear. Sports cars face mounting pressure, and shifting market dynamics have complicated future product plans.
In that vacuum, digital creators have offered their own interpretation. Virtual renderings from designers known online as jaroth_design and trexx_design depict a dramatic, mid-engine-inspired GT-R. The design retains signature cues such as the familiar front fascia and dual-round LED taillights, along with GT-R badging.
However, the proportions suggest a more exotic direction. A cab-forward cockpit, large side air intakes and a widebody treatment hint at a mid-engine platform. Carbon fiber elements and aggressive Nismo-style details push the concept toward hypercar territory. In a theatrical touch, the circular taillight housings double as exhaust outlets, complete with digitally rendered flames.
Whether the real R36 follows such an extreme path remains to be seen. For now, the future of the GT-R lives as much in imagination as in Nissan’s product plans.
