When Nissan unveiled the R35 GT-R at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007, it wasn’t just a new car—it was a seismic shift in the automotive landscape. Dubbed “Godzilla” for its monstrous ability to topple supercars costing two or three times its price, the R35 arrived with a mission: democratize world-class performance. Armed with a hand-built twin-turbo V6, cutting-edge all-wheel drive, and a price tag starting at $69,850, it delivered on that promise in spades. For 17 years, it roared through the streets and racetracks, evolving with the times while staying true to its roots. But as of 2025, the R35’s production has officially ceased, marking the end of one of the most enduring and iconic runs in modern automotive history. What made the R35 a legend, why did Nissan pull the plug, and how did it bow out? Let’s dive into the story of a car that redefined what “performance” could mean.
The Birth of a Titan: Redefining the GT-R Legacy
The R35 wasn’t the first GT-R—that honor goes to the 1969 Skyline GT-R (KPGC10)—but it was the boldest reinvention of the nameplate. Unlike its predecessors, which were Skylines first and GT-Rs second, the R35 dropped the Skyline badge entirely, signaling Nissan’s intent to create a standalone performance brand. Under the hood sat the VR38DETT, a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque in its debut form. Each engine was meticulously assembled by one of five Takumi craftsmen in a clean room at Nissan’s Yokohama plant, a process more akin to building a racecar than a mass-produced vehicle.
The R35’s tech was equally groundbreaking. Its ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain with Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel-drive system dynamically shifted power between the wheels, offering grip that bordered on supernatural. Paired with a dual-clutch six-speed transmission co-developed with BorgWarner, it could launch from 0-60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds—a figure that stunned journalists during early tests at Germany’s Nürburgring, where it clocked a lap time of 7:38 in 2007. For context, that was faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo of the era, a car costing nearly $130,000.
But the R35 wasn’t just about numbers. It was practical, too—a four-seater with a usable trunk, climate control, and a ride that, while firm, didn’t punish daily commuters. This blend of supercar slaying and everyday usability turned it into a cult hero, beloved by everyone from track-day warriors to JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) enthusiasts.
A 17-Year Evolution: Keeping Godzilla Relevant
In an industry where car models typically get replaced every five to seven years, the R35’s 17-year lifespan was a feat of endurance. Nissan didn’t let it stagnate, though. Over the years, the GT-R saw near-annual updates that kept it competitive. By 2011, horsepower climbed to 530, then to 545 with the 2012 refresh. The 2017 model bumped it to 565 hp and introduced a redesigned interior to quiet critics who’d called the cabin dated. The track-focused NISMO variant, launched in 2014 and later upgraded to 600 hp, shaved the Nürburgring time down to 7:08.679 in 2013—one of the fastest laps ever for a production car at the time.
These updates weren’t just power grabs. Nissan refined aerodynamics with sharper front fascias and rear diffusers, improved suspension with Bilstein DampTronic shocks, and even reworked the exhaust note to sound throatier. The goal? Keep Godzilla a predator in a world increasingly populated by hybrid hypercars and electric beasts like the Tesla Model S Plaid. Yet, by 2025, the R35’s platform—originally designed in the early 2000s—hit its limits. The VR38DETT, while tunable to insane levels (tuners regularly push it past 1,000 hp), couldn’t meet stricter global emissions standards without a complete overhaul, and the chassis lacked space for hybrid or electric integration without abandoning its core identity.
Why the End Came in 2025
The decision to discontinue the R35 wasn’t sudden—it was a slow burn driven by market shifts and corporate strategy. By the early 2020s, Nissan faced financial pressures, cutting costs and refocusing on electrification as part of its “Nissan Next” plan. The GT-R, a niche halo car with declining sales (down to just 156 units in the U.S. in 2021), became harder to justify. Meanwhile, competitors like the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette moved to mid-engine layouts or hybrid powertrains, leaving the GT-R’s traditional setup feeling like a relic—albeit a fiercely capable one.
The final nail came with global emissions regulations. Japan’s stricter standards, combined with Europe’s push toward net-zero, made the GT-R’s gas-guzzling V6 a liability. Nissan could’ve redesigned it, but the cost of a new platform—especially for a low-volume model—didn’t align with their pivot to EVs like the Ariya crossover and the upcoming Hyperforce concept, rumored to preview an electric GT-R successor. So, in late 2024, Nissan announced the R35’s end, with production wrapping up in early 2025 at the Tochigi plant.
The Grand Finale: T-spec Takumi and Skyline Editions
Nissan didn’t let the R35 slip away without a proper send-off. In 2024, they unveiled two limited-edition models: the T-spec Takumi and the Skyline Edition, each a love letter to the GT-R’s heritage and craftsmanship. The T-spec Takumi honored the master mechanics who’d built every VR38DETT since 2007. Limited to just 150 units in Japan, it featured Midnight Purple paint—a color immortalized by the R34 Skyline GT-R—gold-finished 20-inch Rays wheels, and a serialized gold VIN plate signed by the Takumi who assembled its engine. Underneath, it boasted carbon-ceramic brakes and a NISMO-tuned suspension, blending show with go.
The Skyline Edition, meanwhile, revived the Bayside Blue hue of the R33 and R34 Skylines, a color so iconic it’s practically synonymous with JDM culture. Also limited in production, it matched the T-spec’s mechanical upgrades but added blue accents to the interior, tying it to its predecessors. Both models started at around $145,000—double the R35’s original price—but demand was insatiable. Dealerships reported waitlists within hours, and by early 2025, secondary market prices for these editions soared past $200,000, cementing their status as instant classics.
The End of an Era, But Not the Legend
As the last R35 rolled off the line in Tochigi, fans mourned not just a car, but an ethos. The GT-R had been a David among Goliaths, proving you didn’t need a $300,000 sticker to run with the big dogs. Its discontinuation leaves a void—there’s no direct successor yet, though the 2023 Hyperforce concept, with its 1,341-hp electric powertrain, hints at an R36 that could electrify the nameplate. For now, the R35’s legacy lives on in the hands of owners, tuners, and dreamers who saw it as more than metal and rubber—it was Godzilla, a king that ruled for 17 years and left the world in awe.