Nissan eyes GT-R switch for 2017 V8 Supercars
Nissan could switch model from the current Altima to the GT-R for the 2017 V8 Supercars season when the new Gen2 regulations comes into force.
“I have always said we wouldn’t put a V8 in a GT-R because that is not what GT-R’s about. GT-R is about high technology and all those sorts of things,” said Nissan Australia president Richard Emery to motoring.com.au.
“But if the category structure works in such a way that we could provide an innovative car on the grid … (and) we might be in a position in 2017 to be the first to go with alternative solutions, then that kind of fits with GT-R; innovation and high tech and all those sorts of things.”
The new Gen2 regulations will allow four, six and eight cylinder engines, as well as two-door coupé models, such as the Nissan GT-R. Nissan’s current V8 Supercars contract extends to 2016, just as Volvo’s.
“I would hope by the middle of next year we would have nailed what we are doing in 2017 and 2018,” said Emery.
Nissan Australia and Nissan Motorsport Australia is going to meet Nismo, the official motorsport arm of Nissan, to discuss the future plans.
“We will spend probably half a day with them — the NISMO guys — and say ‘here’s what the Gen2 whitepaper says, here’s what we can do in 2017, what do you guys think? If we as an organisation together with NISMO feel comfortable about what the option is, then we do have the size and scale to build a GT-R to Car of the Future during the second half of next year or into 2016 to get a good feel for whether we can make this work,” said Emery.
