What the car is and where it came from
The Nissan GT-R (R35) is a Japanese sports car and grand tourer produced from 2007 to 2025. It is the sixth-generation GT-R but is not part of the Skyline line-up. It was revived under Carlos Ghosn’s Nissan Revival Plan and developed over seven years, beginning in 2000.
How it works, in terms someone would actually use
It places the engine just behind the front axle, sending power to all four wheels. It sits on the PM platform — a derivative of the FM platform used in Skyline and Z models. It is built at Nissan’s Tochigi plant in Japan.
What it gets right
It gets the balance right between grand touring comfort and track-ready rigidity. Its 2+2 layout accommodates occasional passengers without sacrificing structural integrity. Its design reflects Japanese traditional aesthetics while speaking to contemporary culture.
What it does not
It does not offer rear-wheel drive. It does not use a naturally aspirated engine. It does not share its platform with any Skyline model.
What it changed
It redefined what a production Japanese sports car could be: no longer tied to the Skyline line-up, no longer constrained by sedan packaging, and engineered from the outset for global performance benchmarks.
Who it is for, and who it is not
It is for drivers who demand all-wheel-drive traction, front-mid engine balance, and daily usability without surrendering performance intent. It is not for those seeking minimalist driver engagement, rear-wheel-drive purity, or heritage continuity with the Skyline.
Is it worth your time
Yes. It is a rare production car that delivers world-beating performance as a stated objective — and does so without relying on hybrid systems, extreme lightweighting or track-only compromises.
