Nissan ends R35 GT-R production after 18 years, confirms a next-generation model is in development to continue Godzilla’s legacy.
Nissan has officially closed the chapter on the R35 GT-R, announcing that the final example has been built after an unprecedented 18-year production run. The milestone was accompanied by confirmation that a next-generation GT-R is in development, keeping the legendary “Godzilla” nameplate alive for the future.
The last R35 rolled off the assembly line at Nissan’s Tochigi facility in August 2025. Finished in Midnight Purple, the car is a Premium Edition T-Spec destined for a Japanese buyer—the only market where the GT-R was still being sold in its final months. Unlike many automakers that reserve final-production models for heritage collections, Nissan chose to deliver this car to a customer, ensuring it remains visible on the road.
Since its 2007 debut, Nissan produced around 48,000 units of the R35 GT-R. Nearly 37 percent of those were sold in Japan, highlighting the car’s strong domestic following. Each of the hand-built 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engines required roughly six hours of assembly by a team of nine master technicians known as Takumi. This meticulous craftsmanship became a signature part of the GT-R’s reputation for durability and performance.
While the R35 has now taken its final bow, Nissan emphasized that the GT-R legacy will continue. Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s senior vice president, addressed fans directly: “To the many fans of the GT-R worldwide, I want to tell you that this isn’t a goodbye. It’s our goal for the GT-R nameplate to one day make a return.”
Though no specifics were revealed, Nissan has pledged to “re-imagine” the GT-R for the future, leaving enthusiasts to speculate whether electrification or hybrid power will define the next chapter of Godzilla. Until then, the R35 remains a high-water mark in performance car history.
