Next Nissan GT-R will be inspired by Le Mans prototype

The next-generation Nissan GT-R will get hybrid technology that will closely align it with the firm’s Le Mans prototype.

The Japanese manufacturer recently revealed that its LMP1 challenger – which will compete at La Sarthe in 2015 – will be known as the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo, creating a link with the iconic GT-R road car, the current version of which is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine which delivers 542bhp and 64kgm of torque.

Although Nissan hasn’t laid out full technical details of its LMP racer – which will compete against Porsche, Audi and Toyota next year – it looks set to have a hybrid powertrain, although Nismo chiefs have vowed that its machine will be "a little bit different" from those of rivals's.

The next-generation GT-R road car will also have to feature electrification in order to boost performance and lower emissions. Earlier this year, Nissan trademarked the 'R Hybrid' name for possible use on high-performance hybrid vehicles.

"If you go to the patent office, you'll find something called R Hybrid, so there's obviously a connection there," said Nissan’s vice-president, Andy Palmer.

“We’re on a road towards low emissions, and eventually zero emissions, that is relevant to all cars. What’s interesting about hybrids is that they not only improve fuel economy but they also improve performance, so therefore it is relevant."

Palmer is keen that the technology Nissan is introducing on its racing projects – including the groundbreaking Zeod RC that will race in the invitational class at Le Mans later this month – should influence future road car technology.

“We very clearly want to have technological linkages between future evolutions of the GT-R and evolutions of what we do in LMP1, and the two do go in both directions," he said.