In an interview with Top Gear UK, Nissan’s LMP1 team principal and technical director Ben Bowlby, allegedly, confirmed that the 2017 Nissan GT-R will arrive powered by a variant of the twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.0 litre V6 mill currently employed in the insane GT-R LM Nismo racer.
Paired to a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) system which uses an electric motor to drive both the front and rear wheels, the GT-R LM Nismo is touted to put down as much as 1,500 hp – 500 of which comes courtesy of the regular petrol engine.
With a fairly logical power figure in hand, it’s not surprising that the aforementioned mill has been shortlisted as a top candidate to sit under the bonnet of the next-generation all-wheel drive supercar from Nissan. “The 3.0-litre V6 is a sort of god-child of the true, road-going GT-R,” said Bowlby.
“It’s a direct injection engine, and the combustion technology, and integration of turbo and intake system within the head design, is all very interesting and highly applicable to the road,” he added. Further emphasising its relevance is the fact that said engine revs to around 6,500 rpm – more or less the same engine speed limit as that of the road-going GT-R.
Whatever engine option it may present at the time of its launch, the new GT-R is expected to feature a hybrid powertrain option, set to augment the petrol unit as well as help to reduce its carbon footprint and boost fuel economy. Styling wise, the new car will feature a radical makeover inspired by the Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo
