R35 Nissan GT-R set for 522kW farewell

Nissan is reportedly set to give one final big hurrah to the current R35 Nissan GT-R before its all-new R36 replacement arrives in 2027.

While internal debate still rages about powertrains for the R36, according Best Car Web Nissan has already green-lit a range of comprehensive tweaks to extend the life of the already 14-year-old GT-R by boosting its power from 441kW in the flagship NISMO version to well in excess of 522kW.

According to the Japanese car blog, the big news is that engineers have adapted the R35's VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 to work with the car-maker's 48-volt mild-hybrid system.

Adding an Integrated Starter-Generator (ISG) reportedly adds around 20kW and 250Nm to the standard car's already towering power and torque figures.

It's thought a pair of new turbos, cylinder-heads and a freer-flowing exhaust will account for the rest of the power increase, but it's not just performance that engineers have focused on.

For the GT-R to continue to sell in Europe, Nissan has also slashed emissions and fuel use. The current version can only average 12.1L/100km while emitting a hefty 281g/km of CO2.

Accompanying the extra power and torque are said to be significant chassis revisions aimed at making the GT-R faster on track but more useable on road.

A more sophisticated launch control system, meanwhile, could see the GT-R hit 100km/h from rest in less than 2.5 seconds, while top speed is expected to be in excess of 330km/h.

Outside, the last update of the current GT-R is expected to include new headlights and tail-lights within a pair of redesigned bumpers and a completely revised aero package.

Expected to be named the GT-R Final Edition, Nissan's powerful farewell to the R35 has been tipped to be limited to just 20 units worldwide, suggesting some markets are likely to miss out when it is launched in 2022.

As well as the mild-hybrid GT-R, a non-electrified version of the R35 is also expected to be rolled out and it will also offer more performance than today's GT-R line-up, plus the chassis tweaks of the new mild-hybrid version.

The facelifted non-hybrid GT-R is then expected to remain on sale until 2024.