Latest news with #Pandikuthira
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Nissan and Honda may co-develop GT-R and NSX, despite merger talks falling apart. Check details
Although not set in stone, a GT-R and NSX partnership is possible, and, in fact, necessary in the current automotive environment Though their formal merger is on hold, reports have surfaced that Nissan and Honda are looking at the potential to collaborate on their next-generation performance icons using the Nissan GT-R and the Honda NSX. While nothing is signed yet, both automakers are considering sharing platform technology but maintaining their own distinct engineering philosophies. A report by stated that Nissan North America's SVP and Chief Planning Officer, Ponz Pandikuthira, encouraged said discussions in a conversation at the 2025 New York Motor Show about the possibility of co-developing the GT-R and NSX. He stressed they would try to maintain the uniqueness of the vehicles and not simply produce rebadged versions. Also Read : Nissan GT-R to make a comeback soon as part of global revival: Confirms new CEO 'Could we build the next GT-R and NSX on a shared platform, while keeping each car true to its legacy? I think we can," Pandikuthira stated. He made it clear that these cars must never be cloned. The NSX is known for its all-aluminium precise lightness while the GT-R is known for extreme power and aggressive performance. They illustrate two distinctly different performance philosophies. Future Powertrains: Hybrid and Electric on the Horizon Even though the current NSX has been discontinued, rumors surrounding an all-electric replacement persist. Pandikuthira clarified that an electric "NSX-type" model wouldn't rule out the possibility of a separate, new-generation NSX albeit a unique one. Meanwhile, the upcoming R36 GT-R will be hybrid and aims to take on its European rivals like Porsche 911—just like the R35 did back in 2007. Pandikuthira mentioned that Aston Martin's relationship with Mercedes-AMG is one instance of how to share technologies while remaining separate brands. He mentioned that although not set in stone, a GT-R and NSX partnership is possible, and, in fact, necessary in the current automotive environment. Also Read : Nissan teases compact SUV and MPV for India: First look at the upcoming models In spite of the collapse of the proposed merger between Honda and Nissan earlier in the year, Nissan's new CEO Ivan Espinosa has maintained dialogue with Honda leadership. Espinosa has "never stopped talking with Honda," per Pandikuthira, and the desire for strategic partnerships has been left open. While not a confirmation, Nissan's comments indicate interest in a partnership as both OEMs navigate the future of performance vehicles in an electrified world rapidly evolving. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 04 May 2025, 09:53 AM IST
ArabGT
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
What We Know So Far About the Upcoming GT-R and Its Arrival Date
Nissan has officially revealed new details about the upcoming GT-R, internally codenamed R36, marking the next major evolution in the legacy of its flagship performance car. Scheduled to debut between 2025 and 2028, the new GT-R won't be fully electric as once rumored, but instead will feature a hybrid powertrain that balances high performance with increasing environmental demands. After dominating the streets and tracks for over 15 years, the current R35 GT-R is finally approaching retirement. Launched back in 2007 and continuously updated over the years, production of this long-running generation is set to conclude in October 2024. However, the upcoming GT-R ensures the Godzilla nameplate lives on, albeit in a new and technologically advanced form. Confirmed by Nissan Executives The biggest revelations came during the 2025 New York Auto Show, where Nissan's North America Chief Planning Officer, Ponz Pandikuthira, outlined the direction of the R36. He confirmed that the next GT-R will adopt a hybrid setup—not full electric—because current EV technology can't yet deliver the level of consistent performance Nissan demands from its halo model. Earlier reports hinted at a potential electric GT-R, but real-world testing showed major limitations. Pandikuthira explained that electric prototypes were only able to complete a lap of the Nürburgring before needing lengthy recharges—an unacceptable compromise for a track-focused supercar. Nissan's goal remains clear: the upcoming GT-R must be capable of repeatable, high-speed laps, capable of challenging rivals like the Porsche 911 on circuits like the Nürburgring. Why Hybrid, Not Electric? While Nissan continues to invest in EV technology—especially through its participation in Formula E—executives made it clear that a hybrid powertrain is currently the best solution for the upcoming GT-R. In a mid-2024 interview, Nissan's SVP Ivan Espinosa praised electric drivetrains for their control and responsiveness in cornering but admitted that battery tech still limits sustained performance. The hybrid direction is strategic. It offers the torque and efficiency benefits of electrification without sacrificing the endurance and visceral experience that GT-R fans expect. Alongside its revised drivetrain, the upcoming GT-R will also introduce a completely new design language. Nissan aims to blend muscular aggression with modern sophistication, elevating both the exterior styling and the car's status as a high-tech, track-ready grand tourer. Expect a fresh interpretation of the GT-R's iconic shape—refined for a new generation of speed enthusiasts. GT-R Legacy, Reinvented Although Nissan previously remained vague on future plans, it has now clearly committed to preserving the GT-R identity through the R36. Despite stricter emissions laws and shifting market dynamics, the upcoming GT-R will continue to represent power, precision, and innovation. This next chapter of Godzilla's story won't just be about new powertrains—it's about adapting a motorsport icon to the realities of a rapidly changing automotive world. Hybrid performance, bold design, and relentless engineering are set to keep the GT-R relevant and dominant as it heads into a new era.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan Wants to Build a New EV Adventure Truck Right Here in America
You'd be forgiven for forgetting that Nissan was the first automaker to put an electric vehicle into regular series production, with the first-generation Leaf that debuted in 2010. That early mover advantage hasn't exactly helped Nissan corner the market here in the United States since then — but that could change soon. Senior vice president and chief planning officer for Nissan Americas Ponz Pandikuthira told Automotive News that the brand's future EV platform will support up to five new models built right here in America — and crucially, this plan includes provisions for a new take on an electric pickup. This particular new platform is centered around lower-cost lithium-ion batteries, and is separate from the solid-state battery-based setup that the brand hopes to roll out come 2028. That said, the brand does say that the new battery setup will provide faster charging times than current offerings; Nissan says it's has also developed more efficient motors, which will improve range figures. Production of the platform is set to take place at the brand's production facility in Canton, Mississippi, which could be a major boon, given the current tariff environment. The automaker had initially planned to roll out a pair of electric sedans to replace the Maxima and Altima, but that's no longer in play; Pandikuthira noted that the market isn't hurting for sedans at the moment, especially not at a price point in the mid-$40,000 range. Instead, the first models to arrive will be a pair of crossovers under the Nissan and Infiniti brands, aiming right for the heart of the market. 'The C-segment in the crossover space is the ideal starting point for us,' Pandikuthira said. 'As a brand, it's also our strength.' The pickup has yet to be officially green-lit, according to AN, which has been reporting on the rumors since 2021. The vehicle is described as a unibody platform machine that's smaller than the Rivian R1T, aimed at the weekend warrior more than the construction worker. 'There's a growing niche of people who want an adventure vehicle but are environmentally conscious and don't want to take a V-8 off into the woods,' Pandikuthira said. 'Do you have 100,000 of those willing to buy a Nissan electric truck? Doubtful. But that segment could grow, and we are keeping an eye on that.' With the recent death of the Titan pickup, a new EV could help Nissan solidify its spot in the segment. That said, electric trucks have already proved to be a bit of a lightning rod among fans, owing in no small part to the high price tags we've grown accustomed to seeing on them. We'll have to wait for more information about this upcoming platform, which should come in the coming months as the brand starts to move towards production. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Future of the GT-R May Not be so Uncertain
Nissan has closed the order book for its iconic R35-generation GT-R after 18 years of production. The automaker's Japanese website noted it received all the orders it could handle through the model's final production, putting a final nail in the legendary sports car's coffin. Despite closed orders, Nissan hasn't officially announced a successor to the R35 GT-R. However, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, Ponz Pandikuthira told Motor Authority at the 2024 New York International Auto Show that the GT-R nameplate won't die. Nissan hasn't yet defined a powertrain for a next-generation GT-R, likely named the R36, with Pandikuthira noting that the automaker is waiting for technology to advance. Still, he promised that performance in near-race conditions won't be compromised, even with a fully-electric powertrain, as Formula E will serve as a test environment. This won't be the first time GT-R fans have had to wait patiently for a new generation. The Skyline Kenmeri GT-R ended production in 1973, and the succeeding R32-chassis GT-R didn't hit the streets until 1989. While no GT-R variant was produced during this 16-year gap, the Skyline lineage continued with models like the C210, R30, and R31. It's worth noting that Nissan's confirmation of next-generation GT-R development during last year's New York International Auto Show occurred when the automaker's finances weren't as alarming. In the first nine months of 2024, Nissan's profits decreased from 478.4 billion yen ($3.23 billion) during the same time the previous year to 64 billion yen ($435.2 million). A Nissan merger with Honda failed to come to fruition, but a deal could be back on the table after Nissan's CEO stepped down this month. Pierre Loing, Nissan's head of global product, told Top Gear in September that regulations are the only reason the company is ending production of the R35 GT-R. Nissan was originally hoping to sell the R35 GT-R well into the next decade. 'It's been on sale for 17 years and we'd love to make it another 17 years, but the regulator gives us some trouble!,' Loing said. In Europe, the R35 GT-R fails to meet noise and emissions regulations, while Australian regulators didn't give it a passing crash safety grade. Stricter emissions in the US for 2025 compounded the R35 GT-R's troubles. Nissan's financial struggles may mean less money for R36 research and development, with more funds going toward sustaining mainline models, such as the Rogue and Altima. The automaker's head of global product said that solid-state batteries could aid an all-electric R36 GT-R's development, noting that the technology would remedy current issues plaguing electric sports cars, like battery weight and overheating hindering performance. Still, Nissan has clarified that they won't have solid-state battery technology ready until 2028. The Japanese automaker wrote the following farewell statement on its website regarding final R35 orders: 'We have received many orders for the Nissan GT-R, and we have now finished accepting orders for the planned production quantity. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our many customers for their patronage over the years since its release in 2007.'
ArabGT
27-01-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Infiniti QX50 and QX55 Set for Retirement
The Infiniti QX50 and QX55 luxury crossover SUVs are officially set to be retired, with production scheduled to end soon for both models. The year 2024 proved challenging for Infiniti, Nissan's luxury division, particularly in the United States—the world's second-largest car market—where sales declined by 10.2%. Despite the QX50 being Infiniti's second-best seller in the region, with 10,722 units sold, the decision to retire this luxury crossover has been made. When Will the Infiniti QX50 and QX55 Be Discontinued? Infiniti has informed its dealers that production of the QX50 will conclude in December 2025. This will also mark the end of production for its sportier sibling, the QX55. These changes follow the discontinuation of the Infiniti Q50 sedan in 2024 and the Q60 coupe two years prior. While the sedans and coupes won't receive direct replacements, Infiniti plans to refresh its lineup with new models, including the QX60 and QX65 crossovers. Infiniti's Vision for the Future This reshuffling is part of a broader strategy to elevate Infiniti's position in the luxury market. Ponz Pandikuthira, Nissan America's head of product planning, explained that the QX50 and QX55 are beginning to show their age, but replacements are on the horizon. Pandikuthira also acknowledged that Infiniti might lose price-conscious customers, as the new models will be positioned at a higher price point. However, the strategy focuses on selling fewer vehicles with higher profit margins. The upcoming QX60, a three-row SUV, is slated for launch in 2026, alongside the QX65, a two-row coupe SUV. Both models will be priced above the current QX50 and QX55. Pricing Details for 2025 Infiniti Models 2025 Infiniti QX50 : Starting at $43,000 (equivalent to 161,250 Saudi Riyals). : Starting at $43,000 (equivalent to 161,250 Saudi Riyals). 2025 Infiniti QX55: Starting at $50,150 (equivalent to 188,062 Saudi Riyals). Infiniti's Shift to SUVs With the elimination of the Q50 and Q60, Infiniti is now solely an SUV brand, offering four models: the soon-to-be-discontinued QX50 and QX55, along with the all-new 2025 QX60 and the luxurious 2025 QX80, which serves as an upscale counterpart to the Nissan Patrol. This pivot seems to be a response to Infiniti's significant drop in sales last year. With these changes, Infiniti aims to double its sales by 2025 while positioning itself as a more premium, high-margin luxury brand.
