Nissan’s R35 GT-R left an unmistakable mark on performance car history, and its final chapter only underscored the model’s global impact. Production officially ended on August 26, 2025, when the last example rolled out of Nissan’s Tochigi plant after an 18-year run. The final car, a Midnight Purple T-Spec destined for Japan, marked the conclusion of a model known for punching far above its weight.
During its lifespan, the GT-R earned a reputation for challenging far more expensive supercars. Its hand-built twin-turbo V6 and advanced ATTESA ET-S all-wheel-drive system delivered remarkable performance despite its size. Output evolved from 473 horsepower at launch to 562 horsepower starting in 2017, and a 2024 refresh reaffirmed the model’s place in modern JDM culture. Roughly 48,000 units were produced—solid numbers for a performance flagship.
Amid this broad production run, one version stood apart. The GT-R50 by Italdesign became the rarest and most extreme interpretation of the R35. First revealed as a prototype at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, it blended Japanese engineering with Italian coach-building and commemorated the 50th anniversaries of both the GT-R and Italdesign. Public reaction was strong, prompting Nissan to approve a customer version limited to 50 units.
The final product was based on the GT-R NISMO but reimagined from the ground up. Italdesign reshaped the body with dramatic revisions, including a lowered roofline, sculpted rear buttresses, revised lighting, and extensive custom options. The powertrain received equally transformative upgrades. A strengthened 3.8-liter V6 was fitted with GT3-spec turbochargers, uprated internals, and enhanced cooling, pushing output to 710 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque. Supporting hardware included improved transmission components, DampTronic adjustable suspension, and Brembo braking systems.
Pricing reflected its exclusivity. The GT-R50 carried a starting cost near $1.15 million, with bespoke paintwork or hydraulic wing options adding tens of thousands more. Yet global disruptions altered Nissan’s production plans. Instead of the intended 50 cars, only 18 were ultimately built, making the GT-R50 rarer than many hypercars.
Examples that reach the market today typically show minimal mileage and command prices exceeding seven figures. As the final and most exclusive evolution of the R35 platform, the GT-R50 stands as a striking endnote to one of Japan’s most celebrated performance machines.
