1,341bhp Nissan Hyper Force Concept Previews The Electric R36 GT-R

It’s begun to feel like we’d never see the R36 Nissan GT-R, with the R35 quietly leaving most markets bar Japan after a monumental production run starting late in 2007. Finally, a new Godzilla could be on its way - this time as an EV.

This is the Nissan Hyper Force concept which, though not including the moniker in its name, carries the fabled GT-R badge up front. Said to show ‘Nissan’s vision for a next-generation all-electric high-performance supercar’, you can put two-and-two together here.

Straight into the technical stuff. There’s no six-cylinder under the bonnet unlike the RB26 or VR38 found in R-series GT-Rs of the past, rather a dual-motor setup good for 1,341bhp.

Nissan says the all-wheel-drive system in the Hyper Force uses an advanced version of the ‘e-4ORCE’ tech found in its Ariya SUV with the promise of ‘enhanced cornering and exceptional handling on circuits and winding roads’.

The R35 was far from lightweight, coming in around the 1,750kg mark depending on spec, so it’d be fair to assume an electric follow-up would only see that surge. Nissan has aimed to mitigate that by producing the bodywork, including that extreme aero kit, out of carbon fibre - though no weight figures have been published.

Speaking of aero, Nismo has been called in to throw the book of defying physics at the Hyper Force. Within the extended front bumper is a two-tiered structure to produce downforce and keep everything cool, plus the canards and gigantic rear wing are active elements. There’s a dual-level diffuser at the back as well.

Nissan has called upon Gran Turismo creators Polyphony Digital for some help inside the car - just as they did the R35 GT-R’s infotainment system. You’re fed a huge amount of info through the steering wheel and surrounding screens, including real-time tyre data and lap timer smack in the centre in the showcased ‘R’ mode. Nissan says there’s a ‘GT’ mode (we see what they did there) as well, with the surrounding colours and info fed to you changing to suit.

It’s all pretty cutting-edge, then, but not without a few nods to GT-Rs of the past. There’s a roofline very reminiscent of the R35 and the usual circular quad-taillights, plus the real nerds among us will spot the decal down the side is in the same location and colour as used on the Skyline R30 2000 Turbo RS-X.

We’re likely still a few years away from a road-going R36 GT-R, but if the previous car is anything to go by, expect to see a few more concepts popping up as we near its arrival.