Nissan Turns Classic R32 GT-R into a Silent (Electric) Assassin
What a way to kick off a New year. Nissan, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to rip the heart out of a perfectly good R32 Skyline GT-R and replace it with... batteries. Yikes... The legendary RB26DETT engine, the twin-turbocharged beast that made the R32 a legend, is gone. In its place? Two electric motors that each deliver 215 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque. Yes, I know. But before you start throwing rotten tomatoes at me, let me explain.
This is as far from some kind of eco-warrior's fever dream as it gets. It's a one-off project by a group of Nissan engineers who, apparently, have a strange sense of humor. They claim they wanted to "future-proof" the R32, ensuring it could still be driven in a world where gasoline might be as rare as a unicorn riding a penny-farthing. Okay, I'm gonna give it to them. For now.
I'm all for electric cars. I've driven some impressive ones, and I truly believe they are the future of motoring. But electrifying an R32 GT-R? It's like replacing the roar of a lion with the squeak of a hamster. Sure, the hamster might be quick, but it's hardly the same, is it?
This electric R32, dubbed the R32 EV (how original), isn't just some slapped-together conversion. Nissan claims it has been carefully tuned to match the performance of the original car. It should have around 429 horsepower and 501 lb-ft of torque, which is considerably more than the original car's official output of 276 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Of course, the original car's output was famously understated due to a "gentlemen's agreement" among Japanese carmakers, but that's a story for another time.
The R32 EV is also considerably heavier than the original car, tipping the scales at a hefty 3,961 pounds. That's an extra 809 pounds, thanks to the 62 kWh battery pack that now resides where the rear seats used to be. To cope with the extra weight, the car has been fitted with a Nismo sport suspension featuring Öhlins dampers and a beefier braking system from the R35 GT-R. The original 16-inch wheels have also been replaced with 18-inchers to accommodate the larger brakes.
Inside, the cabin has been given a modern makeover, with high-resolution digital screens replacing the original gauges. The standard seats have been swapped out for Recaro buckets, and there's even a paddle shift functionality that simulates the "sensation of shift shock" from a manual gearbox. And yes, there's a speaker that pumps the original RB26DETT engine note into the cabin. Yup. Fake engine noise. In an electric car.
Now, I'm not sure what's more bizarre: the fact that they put fake engine noise in an electric car, or the fact that they felt the need to simulate the "sensation of shift shock" in a car that doesn't have gears. Putting a fake mustache on the Mona Lisa? It just seems wrong. It might have worked in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but that's a completely different animal. Going electric with the iconic R32 was a brave move already - fake gear shifts and noise? For me, that's a step too far.
But who am I to judge? Maybe this is the future of classic car ownership. Maybe in a few decades, we'll all be driving around in electric versions of our favorite cars. Some of us will be listening to fake engine noises and pretending to shift gears. Or maybe, just maybe, we'll realize that some things are best left alone.
Image Credit: Nissan.
So, what's the verdict on this electric R32? For sure, it's a testament to the ingenuity of Nissan's engineers. But is it a worthy successor to the legendary R32 GT-R? No, it is not. Because it is not a successor. It's me with a new heart. A bit overweight, a bit gray here and there, but with a new ticker ready for a few more decades of automotive shenanigans.
I simply love it. I always had a soft spot for the R32, and this electrified version makes so much sense. Is it like a cover band playing your favorite song? Very much so, yes. But many cover bands did a better job than the original crews. There it is, I said it. The R32 EV? I hope Nissan makes an off-the-shelf conversion kit - I'll be the first to get one.
