Converted electric Nissan R32 GT-R concept teased

Nissan is fitting electric power into the iconic R32 Skyline GT-R, but it’s just a one-off concept car... for now.

The Japanese carmaker posted a now-viral video on Twitter depicting the rear of the 1989 to 1994 third-generation sports car with the startup sound of its 2.6-litre inline six-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol engine, then the title ‘R32 EV’.

Nissan states in the post that the R32 Skyline GT-R EV prototype is one of its engineer’s passion projects.

It’s uncertain when the converted electric classic will make its full debut, but it seems the Japanese automaker has planned a drip-feeding marketing campaign across its Twitter and Instagram pages.

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But judging by the video, the engine startup sound does suggest that the pure-electric Skyline will feature an artificial exhaust speaker system similar to the Dodge Charger EV concept’s Fratzonic setup or the Abarth 500e hot hatch’s strumming guitar and roaring engine Sound Generator feature.

Three generations after, the R35-series Nissan GT-R was released in 2008 and discontinued in Australia in late 2021 due to stricter Australian Design Rules (ADR) side impact standards.

However, Nissan recently gave it a 2024 model-year facelift overseas to keep the 16-year-old all-wheel-drive sports car alive.

A new generation model is expected in the coming years, with previous rumours pointing to hybridisation to meet increasingly strict emissions standards in Japan and overseas or even go all-in full battery-electric propulsion.

The company recently upped its electrification plans with 19 all-electric models to launch globally by 2030, along with eight hybrids. So, the Nissan R32 EV concept could be a sign of more to come…

Nissan currently makes the ageing Leaf EV hatchback – which dates back to 2011 – and sells the Ariya medium electric SUV overseas using shared alliance underpinnings with the forthcoming Renault Megane E-Tech crossover.

It also debuted a raft of new-generation vehicles recently in Australia, including the Qashqai E-Power and X-Trail E-Power that use an unconventional series-only hybrid drivetrain setup.