Nissan has built an electric R32 Skyline GT-R, and this is it

A Japanese company has ripped the petrol engine and manual gearbox from a timeless sportscar’s heart and inserted [shudders] electricity in its place. Put down the pitchforks, though: it’s an official Nissan conversion, and it’s been done to… preserve the timeless sportscar’s heart.

Welcome to the ‘R32 EV’. In news that’ll surprise, it’s an old R32 Skyline GT-R outfitted with much electricity. And it was built because Nissan’s own team reckoned the old timer was more fun to drive than its electric products and wanted to preserve that feeling.

Apparently, Ryozo Hiraku – Nissan’s ‘expert leader of powertrain systems’ – and his team were busy finalising the 4WD system on the X-Trail, but lurking nearby was an old R32. “Driving it brought an entirely different kind of excitement,” Hiraku-san said.

“Several younger members drove the Skyline and their response was unanimous: ‘this was more fun’,” he added. Ouch. The question then moved quickly to: “how can we preserve that sense of excitement in the age of electrification?”

By ripping the 2.6-litre twin-turbo sixer and five-speed manual and 4WD system right out of the R32, it seems. Nissan inserted two electric motors rated at 215bhp/250lb ft each – one on the front axle, one on the back – powered by a 62kWh battery from the Leaf Nismo. Though, shoving this much electricity into the R32 wasn’t easy.

“Its smaller size and older construction methods made integrating modern electric components difficult,” Hiraku-san said. “Installing the motor was one hurdle, but the biggest challenge was the battery.” Because the R32 doesn’t have a flat floor, Nissan had to rip out the R32’s rear seats to fit the pack. And just getting it in there required removal of the doors. They’re back on now, of course.

Elsewhere, the R32 EV gets the massive brakes from the R35 GT-R, Ohlins sports suspension, one-off 18in wheels, custom Recaros, custom sound – silent outside, engine-y inside – and an LCD control panel. Also gets more bulk, too: the R32 EV weighs 1,797kg – 367kg more than the original – largely because batteries are… large.

“Throughout the many trials during this project, we demonstrated that, to an extent, it is possible to channel the driving experience from such an iconic over 30-year-old car into a modern EV,” Hiraku-san said. “I firmly believe that the driving pleasure of iconic cars like the R32 GT-R is a legacy worth safeguarding for future generations. Moving forward, I hope to explore how we can retain them in the face of advanced technology.”