What do you get when you combine a small team of passionate engineers, one of Nissan's most iconic performance cars and the latest EV technology?

While traditional car enthusiasts might be tempted to say "controversy," the answer to this question was revealed when Nissan displayed its one-off R32 EV conversion at the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon.

Created as a passion project by a small group of adventurous Nissan teammates in Japan, the R32 EV probes the potential of electrification to deliver a driving experience every bit as engaging and rewarding as the R32 GT-R's.

【R32EV】PROJECT MOVIE4:55

The driving force

Heading up the project is long-time Nissan EV powertrain engineer Ryozo Hiraku. A fan of the R32 GT-R and a former R32 Skyline owner himself, Hiraku knew from the start the project would be both rewarding and contentious.

Central to his decision to leverage an R32 GT-R as the donor vehicle for the team's exploration was a desire to electrify a car he revered and ensure it could be driven for decades to come.

Hiraku says, "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."

The team was also confident that if it could successfully match the legendary model's driving performance using electrons instead of gasoline, the resulting knowhow could support the development of future EVs.

Deceptive appearance

At first glance, the R32 EV could almost pass as a standard R32 GT-R. Finished in Gun Grey metallic, the vehicle's factory-fresh appearance disguises its heart transplant.

An electrifying experience

Aiming to reproduce the prowess of the revered 2.6-liter twin-turbo engine, the team installed a pair of 160kW electric motors, each capable of delivering up to 340 Nm of torque. They removed the rear seat and in its place installed a 62kWh battery borrowed from the LEAF NISMO RC02.

While the tuning and development of the R32 EV is ongoing, the team's aim is to not to exceed but rather match the performance of the original GT-R, which produced 280 PS (206 kW) and 353 Nm of torque.

Although the R32 EV is approximately 370 kg heavier than the donor vehicle due to the battery pack and electrical components, engineers have tuned its output and torque to match the original R32 GT-R's torque-to-weight ratio.

Targeting dynamic performance

As was the case with the R32 GT-R, the team working on the R32 EV aims to create a true driver's car rather than chase outright power and straight-line performance. And likewise, the key to achieving the desired dynamic prowess is an impressive all-wheel drive system.

When it debuted 35 years ago, Nissan's ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system ensured the original R32 GT-R delivered impressive all-weather traction and stability. With a hydraulically actuated clutch system, it could apportion torque up to 50:50 between the front and rear wheels.

As the team progresses in developing the R32 EV, they are working to tune the twin electric motors to match the benchmark set by the original vehicle. With an array of modern sensors and an absence of mechanical components like clutches, the dual electric motors can respond faster and distribute torque between the front and rear wheels with even greater precision than the mechanical system they replaced.

Sports suspension

The R32 EV features a NISMO Sports suspension kit with Öhlins dampers to ensure optimal handling and limited body roll despite the additional weight of the EV components.

Engaging the senses

While most mass-produced EVs today aim to provide a whisper-quiet cabin experience, the R32 EV team sought to replicate the sensory engagement of the R32 GT-R.

The R32 EV features paddle shift functionality and a cabin speaker pipes in sound inspired by the original RB26DETT engine note.

To replicate the sensation of manual gear shifts, the team even programed 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.

Bigger brakes and factory-inspired wheels

The team sourced larger rotors and larger monoblock calipers from the R35 GT-R, ensuring optimal stopping power despite the R32 EV's added heft. To accommodate the larger discs and meatier calipers, the team developed a factory-inspired 18-inch wheel that closely resembles the 16-inch alloys fitted to the R32 GT-R.

An upgraded interior

Inside the cabin, the aim was to keep things as original as possible while upgrading key items to enhance the driver's experience. The factory seats were changed to custom Recaros. The double DIN audio, gauges and meter cluster received high-resolution digital screens that provide key driver information while retaining their original profile — a touch R32 GT-R aficionados will no doubt appreciate.

Feedback from an R32 GT-R team member

Once all the components were painstakingly installed, the team turned to Nissan master test driver Hiroyoshi Kato to assess the driving experience. Kato is not only one of Nissan's most experienced drivers but was a member of the evaluation group that fine-tuned the R32 GT-R ahead of its 1989 launch. He spent time in the R32 EV's driver's seat, providing the project team with invaluable feedback.

What's next for the R32 EV?

With the fabrication and assembly stages complete, Hiraku and the team can now focus on tuning and dynamic development.

While there are no plans to commercialize the R32 EV or offer a conversion kit, the project is yielding valuable insights for the team's members, who have dedicated countless hours of their spare time to make their vision a reality.

Electrifying an icon: 10 things to know about the R32 EV project1:10

How the R32 EV stacks up against the R32 GT-R

Specifications	R32 EV	R32 GT-R
Length (mm)	4,545	4,545
Width (mm)	1,755	1,755
Height (mm)	1,340	1,340
Weight (kg)	1,797	1,430
Motor/Engine	Twin electric motor	RB26DETT
Transmission	N/A	5-speed manual
Max power	160 kW motor x 2	206 kW (280 PS; 276 hp)
Max torque	340 Nm motor x 2	353 Nm (260 lb⋅ft)
AWD system	Twin motor AWD	ATTESA E-TS
Brakes	Upgraded R35 ventilated discs and calipers	Ventilated discs
Wheels	235/45R 18	225/50R16
Seats	2	4