Japanese carmaker Nissan has finally pulled the curtains down for its mighty R35 GT-R. Popularly known as the “Godzilla,” the Nissan R35 GT-R has become Nissan’s symbol of power and performance since its launch in 2007. Yet, it seems that even as the last unit of the GT-R rolled off the production line last August 26, 2025, the stage is already being set for what comes next.
This time, however, it’s not just about introducing a new generation of Godzilla. Now, Nissan is set to defend its place in a new era of Japanese sports cars, according to a post by Japanese media outlet Best Car.
It said that fellow Japanese brands Toyota, Lexus, Honda, and Mazda are reportedly gearing up to create new flames in the sports car scene. This implies that the landscape in the region could spark a new battle royal, which may allow Nissan to re-enter the game and introduce a challenger.
In more detail, Toyota is currently developing a road-legal 2-seat hypercar, derived from its Le Mans racing program under its motorsports division, Toyota Gazoo Racing. Expected to be called the Toyota GR Super Sport, it is rumored to feature a hybridized 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that could deliver approximately 900 hp. The report added that a production release isn’t expected until 2027, but it mentioned that a GT3 racing version could be released this year.
As for Lexus, the report stated that the brand is readying a GR Super Sport-based electrified sports coupe, which is targeted for release in 2027. It’s estimated that this will produce approximately 1,000 hp to all four wheels. Based on the looks, could it be the Lexus Sport Concept? It has the potential to compete in the Japanese sports car scene, as the LFA did over a decade ago against the Nissan GT-R and the Honda NSX.
Meanwhile, Honda is now developing the successor to its mid-engined masterpiece, the NSX, which is slated for release in 2028. In this year’s Monterrey Car Week in the USA, Honda released a teaser of the “Acura Electric Vision Study.” It features a sleek sports car concept, which Honda claims has a battery-electric powertrain that may produce over 1,000 hp.
Mazda is not left out of the game, either. Its Iconic SP Concept, which was first seen in 2023, hinted at the brand’s return to rotary-powered sports cars, possibly paired with hybrid technology. The Mazda Iconic SP concept could soon enter the production phase, possibly debuting as early as 2027, marking a new and interesting era in the Japanese high-performance car scene.
With these latest developments in the Japanese sports car scene, will Nissan bring out a Godzilla successor to stir the competition? While it hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, Nissan did give a hint that may come as good news. According to Ivan Espinosa, President and CEO of Nissan, the brand is committed to reimagining the future of the GT-R. In other words, the R35 may be gone, but the GT-R legacy will live on.
This is solidified by a statement from Espinosa that said, “We understand the expectations are high, the GT-R badge is not something that can be applied to just any vehicle; it is reserved for something truly special, and the R35 set the bar high. So, all I can ask is for your patience. While we don’t have a precise plan finalized today, the GT-R will evolve and reemerge in the future.”
To us, what Espinosa said calls for an optimistic approach. In today’s era of electrification, could Nissan already be in the works of bringing back Godzilla with a modern heart to dominate the road and track once more? The anticipation is strongly brewing, and we can’t wait to see the outcome.
