Nissan R32 EV debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon – electrified Godzilla with simulated shifts, dual-motor 435 PS

After nearly two years of work, Nissan has finally unveiled the R32 EV at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. Essentially Godzilla with an electric heart, the passion project involved a small group of engineers that wanted to find out what would result from combining one of Nissan’s most iconic performance cars with the latest electric vehicle (EV) technology.

Leading the project is long-time Nissan EV powertrain engineers Ryozo Hiraku, who is not only a fan of the third-generation (R32) Skyline GT-R but also a former R32 owner himself. Taking an R32 GT-R and ripping out its petrol-powered inline-six is always going to be contentious, which is something Hiraku knew from the start of the project, but he believed that the end product would be rewarding.

“I wondered if 30 years from now — in 2055 or beyond — owners of this incredible machine could still buy gasoline and enjoy driving it. I saw merit in using electrical and digital technology to replicate the appeal of the R32 GT-R so future generations could experience it,” he said. With a team confident that they could successfully match the legendary model’s driving performance using electrons instead of gasoline, the first step was the transplant.

Out went the twin-turbo RB26DETT, five-speed manual transmission and ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, replaced with a pair of electric motors – one per axle – that each delivered 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) and 340 Nm of torque. To power the electric motors, the rear seats were removed and in its place is a 62-kWh battery taken from the Leaf RC_02.

With those components in, the R32 EV is 367 kg heavier than the donor vehicle, which weighed 1,430 kg. However, with outputs exceeding the latter’s 280 PS (276 hp or 206 kW) and 353 Nm and with some tuning, the team managed to match the original R32 GT-R’s torque-to-weight ratio.

According to Nissan, the idea is not to chase outright power and win drag races but to match the performance and “driver’s car” experience that the original offered. A key aspect of the R32 GT-R was its ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which had a hydraulically actuated clutch system that could apportion torque up to 50:50 between the front and rear wheels.

Engineers working on tuning the electric motors to match this benchmark found that with modern sensors and an absence of mechanical components like clutches, the motors are able to respond faster and distribute torque between the front and rear wheels with even greater precision than the mechanical system they replaced.

As for the suspension, the R32 EV gets the Nismo Sports kit with Ohlins dampers for optimal handling and limited body roll despite the additional weight of the EV components. The brakes are larger than the original and are scavenged from the R35 GT-R, including the rotors and monoblock calipers. Given their size, new 18-inch wheels (with 235/45 profile tyres) were developed that closely resemble the 16-inch units (with 225/50 profile tyres) fitted to the GT-R.

While EVs aim to provide a quiet driving experience, this wouldn’t do for the R32 EV. As such, a cabin speaker pipes in sound inspired by the original RB26DETT engine note. For more driver engagement, the team programmed the sensation of shift shock into the paddle shift logic, simulating the brief jolt a driver experiences when engaging the clutch and shifting up or down through a mechanical gearbox. An EV with paddle shifters? Sounds familiar.

With all the mechanical work done, the focus shifted to the R32 EV’s aesthetics. Rather than shaking things up, the team opted to preserve as much of the R32 GT-R’s styling as possible for an unassuming look. Break out the measuring tape and you’ll find the R32 EV and R32 GT-R share the same length (4,545 mm), width (1,755 mm) and height (1,340 mm).

The alluring Gun Grey Metallic paint finish also helps in giving the R32 EV a factory-fresh appearance that disguises its heart transplant. This approach of keeping things as original as possible extends to the interior, with only key items being upgraded. These include the custom Recaro seats, the double DIN head unit and meter cluster, the last of which gets high-resolution digital screens that replicate the R32 GT-R analogue dials.

The completed car was then delivered to Nissan master test driver Hiroyoshi Kato, who was responsible for providing the team with feedback. As one of Nissan’s most experienced drivers and a member of the evaluation group that fine-tuned the R32 GT-R ahead of its 1989 launch, Kato’s input is invaluable as them continues tuning and dynamic development work. Sadly, the company has no plans to commercialise the R32 EV or offer a conversion kit.

“Owners who can enjoy the R32 GT-R nowadays are very lucky. Recently to preserve the R32 GT-R is not easy in its good condition. We realised the way to prevent this extinction would be to convert its features using electric parts and digital technologies that would be more common in the future. The essence of the R32 GT-R could be kept alive for future generations. By remastering the analogue (gasoline-powered) model into a digital (EV) form, the R32 GT-R’s sprit will continue even 30 years from now,” said Hiraku.

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