- Nissan has unveiled an R32 Skyline GT-R converted to run on battery power
- The 62-kwh battery was taken from a former Leaf RC race car concept
- The goal of the project was to deliver a similar driving sensation to the original gas-powered car
Whether Nissan launches its next-generation R36 GT-R with an electric powertrain remains to be seen, but the automaker has already built at least one electric GT-R.
It’s a conversion based on the R32-generation Skyline GT-R of the early 1990s, and it was just unveiled over the weekend at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon.
The project, initiated in early 2023, was driven by a team of volunteer engineers at Nissan. It originated from powertrain engineer Ryozo Hiraku’s aspiration to enhance the R32 GT-R by incorporating electrification, aiming to preserve the car’s allure for future generations through the integration of EV technology. Hiraku was also responsible for Nissan’s new e-4ORCE system, the electric all-wheel-drive technology featured in the Ariya crossover.
According to Nissan, the electric GT-R should deliver a driving experience similar to the original car and its twin-turbocharged 2.6-liter inline-6 engine. For the powertrain, an electric motor rated at 215 hp was installed at each axle. While the combined power exceeds the original car’s 276 hp (unofficially around 330 hp), the extra weight of the battery results in a comparable power-to-weight ratio, Nissan stated.
R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R EV conversion
The battery, a 62-kwh unit taken from Nissan’s former Leaf RC race car concept, was installed where the rear seats normally sit. Nissan explained that installing the battery was the biggest challenge, as the R32 GT-R’s structure is relatively compact and lacks large flat areas to accommodate it. The electric GT-R weighs about 809 pounds more than the stock version, bringing its weight to 3,962 pounds.
Other modifications included the installation of larger 18-inch wheels to accommodate an upgraded brake system borrowed from the current R35 GT-R, along with Öhlins dampers. For the tuning of the all-wheel-drive system, Nissan enlisted Hiroyoshi Kato, one of the original test drivers for the R32 GT-R, to assist with the task.
R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R EV conversion
Digital screens were also added to complement the new powertrain, and the standard 5-speed manual transmission was replaced with paddle shifters connected to an electronic system. This system was programmed to replicate the sensation of the brief jolt drivers normally experience when engaging the clutch of a manual transmission during gear shifts. Additionally, speakers were installed in the cabin to mimic the sound of the original inline-6 engine.
Nissan’s Nismo division has, in recent years, been offering replacement parts for classic GT-Rs to help keep the cars on the road. It’s possible Nissan could eventually offer an EV conversion for the R32 GT-R and its successors, especially as emissions regulations make it more challenging to maintain gas-powered cars, including classics.
Ryozo Hiraku
“Automotive technology will continue to evolve, and as it does, some aspects of driving may inevitably be lost, while others deserve to endure,” Hiraku said in a statement. “I firmly believe that the driving pleasure of iconic cars like the R32 GT-R is a legacy worth safeguarding for future generations.”
Nissan also used Tokyo’s annual tuner fest to showcase the latest projects by students from its in-house technical college in Japan. The highlight was a Z station wagon based on Nissan’s Stagea performance wagon of the 2000s.