Nissan · R35
Nissan GT-R R35
The R35 dropped the Skyline name and became simply 'GT-R,' a hand-built supercar-fighter engineered with help from Nissan's Nürburgring test program. It swapped the RB26 inline-6 for a hand-assembled VR38DETT V6 paired to a rear-mounted dual-clutch transaxle.
Spec Sheet
- Generation / Chassis Code
- R35
- Years Produced
- 2007–2024
- Manufacturer
- Nissan
- Country
- Japan
- Body Style
- 2-door coupe
- Engine
- 3.8L twin-turbo V6 (VR38DETT)
- Horsepower
- 480–600+ hp (varies by model year/trim)
- Torque
- 430–481 lb-ft
- Transmission
- 6-speed dual-clutch automatic
- Drivetrain
- AWD
- Weight
- ~3,800 lbs
- 0–60 mph
- ~2.9 seconds
History
Launched globally in 2007 (unlike its predecessors, sold new in the US and Europe from the start), the R35 was built to embarrass exotics at a fraction of the price, repeatedly posting Nürburgring lap times that rivaled cars costing four times as much.
Why It Became Famous
It proved a Japanese-engineered, launch-control-equipped daily driver could out-accelerate six-figure European supercars straight from the factory, and its continuous run of updates (Nismo, Track Edition, and more) kept it competitive for nearly two decades.
Strengths
- Genuinely supercar-humbling performance straight from the factory
- Officially imported and sold new in the US, unlike prior GT-Rs
- ATTESA AWD and dual-clutch gearbox make it devastatingly easy to drive fast
- Nissan continued developing it for 17 model years, so late cars are far more refined
Weaknesses
- Heavy and less mechanically 'raw' feeling than older RB26-powered GT-Rs
- Expensive to maintain and repair, especially the transmission and VR38 engine
- Firm ride and road noise on rougher pavement
- Some enthusiasts feel it lost the analog character of the R32–R34
Common Problems
- Transmission wear and costly repairs if driven hard without proper warm-up
- Expensive OEM parts and specialist-only servicing
- Front differential and transfer case wear over high-mileage use
- Turbo and cooling system stress under aggressive tuning
Modification Potential
The VR38DETT responds extremely well to tuning — bolt-on upgrades and ECU tuning push 700+ hp, and fully built engines with larger turbos have exceeded 1,500 hp in competition builds.
Buying Guide
Because it was sold new worldwide, R35s are far easier to buy and finance than earlier GT-Rs. Check for documented transmission and clutch service, verify it hasn't been tuned beyond what the drivetrain can handle, and prioritize dealer or specialist-maintained cars.
Enthusiast Popularity Today
A modern icon that brought the GT-R name to a global audience who never experienced the R32–R34 era, and it remains a benchmark performance car today.
Fun Facts
- Each VR38DETT engine is hand-assembled by a single technician, a practice called 'Takumi' craftsmanship
- Nissan repeatedly revised the R35's suspension and aero after early customer track cars uncovered real-world weaknesses the factory hadn't seen
- The Nismo version lapped the Nürburgring in under 7 minutes 20 seconds
More from Nissan
Nissan Skyline GT-R R32
1989–1994 · 276 hp · AWD
The R32 is the car that resurrected the GT-R name after a 16-year hiatus, and it did so by demolishing everything in its path. Built around the ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and the legendary RB26DETT straight-six, it turned Nissan's mid-size coupe into a touring-car weapon.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R33
1995–1998 · 276 hp · AWD
The R33 is the often-overlooked middle child of the R-series GT-Rs, criticized in period for gaining weight, but it quietly became the first production car to break the 8-minute barrier at the Nürburgring — a fact that still surprises people today.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R34
1999–2002 · 276 hp · AWD
The R34 is the GT-R most people picture when they hear the name — a tighter, more focused evolution of the R33 with a factory multi-function display, a stronger six-speed gearbox, and a starring role in Paul Walker's collection and Fast & Furious lore.