Nissan has hinted fairly firmly at the possibility the next generation GT-R will use hybrid technology. The next GT-R is still a few years away, with 2017 and 2018 being the current rumoured arrival dates. Nissan still has plans for yet another update to the current R35 GT-R before then.

GT-R R35 last hurrah

Nissan believes there is ‘still room to improve’ in the current model and are to deliver a final facelift before shifting full attention to the new car. The next GT-R will then focus on how to incorporate hybrid technology into the supercar, possibly in a similar way to the Porsche 918, McLaren P1 and La Ferrari.

Nissan UK’s sports car chief James Oliver mentioned that ‘there’s been obsessive development of the GT-R over the years, and at some point we will move onto the next generation car. The overall market is looking at different methods of powering cars, and at Nissan we’ve got great expertise and investment of electric.’

Looks wise the 2020 Vision Concept that Nissan revealed at the 2014 Goodwood festival of speed earlier this year is a starting point for inspiration. The focus will be on performance though as Nissan looks to maintain the GT-R ethos of supercar performance at a bargain price.

Is hybrid the right direction for Nissan to take or should they be looking at more alternative ways to bang out responsibly insane amounts of power?

* Nissan 2020 Vision Concept pictured