The curtain has fallen on an automotive icon as Nissan's final R35 GT-R departed the Tochigi assembly facility, after almost two decades of production.
Manufacturing operations for Japan's domestic market, the model's last remaining sales territory, concluded today at the plant situated approximately 100 kilometres north of Tokyo.
The final vehicle to emerge from the production line was a Premium edition T-Spec finished in Midnight Purple paintwork, bound for a Japanese customer.
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Factory employees assembled to mark the occasion as this final example completed its journey through the manufacturing process.
The final Nissan R35 GT-R was produced at the brand's Tochigi assembly facility
|NISSAN
The R35 generation debuted in 2007 and rapidly established itself as a benchmark in the high-performance sports car category, earning acclaim from motoring enthusiasts globally.
Throughout its production run, the model embodied Nissan's commitment to performance excellence and technological advancement.
Nissan President Ivan Espinosa assured enthusiasts that the GT-R designation would eventually make its comeback, though he cautioned that considerable time would be required.
The chief executive added: "After 18 remarkable years, the R35 GT-R has left an enduring mark on automotive history. Its legacy is a testament to the passion of our team and the loyalty of our customers around the globe.
The Nissan R35 GT-R has been in production in Japan since 2007
|NISSAN
"To the many fans of the GT-R worldwide, I want to tell you this isn't a goodbye to the GT-R forever, it's our goal for the GT-R nameplate to one day make a return."
Mr Espinosa acknowledged the substantial expectations surrounding any future iteration, noting that the GT-R designation could not be assigned to just any model.
"It is reserved for something truly special and the R35 set the bar high," he explained, requesting patience from enthusiasts while development continues.
The R35 demonstrated its capabilities through extraordinary circuit performances, particularly at Germany's demanding Nürburgring Nordschleife.
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A production model achieved a seven-minute and 38-second lap in 2007 despite encountering damp conditions on two sections of the track.
The pinnacle arrived in November 2013 when Michael Krumm piloted a GT-R NISMO featuring aerodynamic modifications and suspension refinements to achieve an impressive time of 7:08.679.
Nissan manufactured roughly 48,000 models throughout its lifespan, establishing the R35 as more than merely a performance machine.
Engineers designed the vehicle to excel as a grand tourer, combining refinement and comfort with racing-derived technology that justified the "R" designation.
Around 48,000 R35 GT-R models were produced during its 18-year run
|NISSAN
The development team pursued a "multi-performance" philosophy, creating a vehicle that delivered both daily usability and world-class capabilities.
Beyond conventional performance metrics, the R35 achieved unusual distinctions, including a Guinness World Record for drifting at 304.96 kilometres per hour while maintaining a 30-degree angle at Fujairah International Airport in 2016.
Mr Espinosa emphasised that insights gained from the R35 would prove crucial for future development, though no specific timeline exists for the nameplate's return.
He confirmed: "While we don't have a precise plan finalised today, the GT-R will evolve and re-emerge in the future."