Nissan GT-R: Pricing & Future Insights
To say the R35 Nissan GT-R was a big deal when it first debuted would be a gross understatement. The front-mid-engine, all-wheel-drive coupe was relatively hefty, yet drove around a track like a much lighter car. The same grippy AWD system and smart traction control programming that made this possible also facilitated the GT-R’s whiplash-inducing acceleration, a fairly new development at that time. With its arsenal of computers and sensors, the GT-R seemingly defied physics. However, that was well over a decade ago, and supercars have come a long way since then. Though still impressive, the Nissan GT-R is no longer the giant slayer it once was. When Nissan teased its lineup through 2023, the absence of a GT-R left many wondering if Godzilla’s reign had finally come to an end. Nevertheless, the King of the Monsters lives to roar another day—albeit without the Track Edition trim level.
2021 GT-R Lineup Pricing
Nissan announced pricing details for the 2021 GT-R lineup, which carries over virtually unchanged save for the loss of the Track Edition. This model bridged the gap between the “base” GT-R Premium and the range-topping GT-R NISMO, offering the same 600 horsepower as the latter, a more rigid body shell, special wheels, and other upgrades over the base car. It also fell right in the middle of the GT-R pricing spectrum, at just over $147,000. The 2021 Nissan GT-R Premium starts at $115,235, while the 2021 Nissan GT-R NISMO starts at $212,435—a considerable gulf that’s the same as last year.
Sales and Model Adjustments
However, given that Nissan only sold 331 GT-Rs in all of 2019 (down 38.5 percent from the year prior), the decision to streamline its offerings probably made sense. If you still want a GT-R in 2020 and have the means, the full-bore GT-R NISMO is the likely choice. Conversely, the Track Edition might have cut into the NISMO’s sales once its engine was upgraded to the same 600-hp tune as the top-of-the-line model (for $50K less). Regardless, the GT-R lineup is now leaner, if not any meaner.
New Features and Color Options
Another notable change is the addition of Bayside Blue to the GT-R Premium’s color palette. This color, known to enthusiasts as “Wangan Blue,” was previously exclusive to the 2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition and was last used on the R34 Skyline GT-R. The special paint is now a $1,000 option on the 2021 GT-R Premium.
Future of the GT-R
Nissan is currently focused on bringing back its other celebrated sports car, the Nissan Z car, but the automaker insists that the GT-R “remains an important part of [its] brand and DNA.” A next-gen GT-R has been rumored for years, yet no solid evidence has surfaced to confirm its arrival. Until then, many enthusiasts continue to hope for a new GT-R and will relish the R35 for at least another year.
