# Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 (R35, 2012 and 2018 generations)

- Source: https://racingcarnetwork.com/wiki/nissan-gt-r-nismo-gt3/
- Publisher: Racing Car Network (racingcarnetwork.com), the race car marketplace
- Type: car · Brand: Nissan
- Discipline: gt-racing
- Series: gt3
- Era: 2010s
- Last updated: 2026-11-06

The FIA GT3 customer version of Nissan's R35 GT-R, sold by NISMO from 2012 and rebuilt as a new generation for 2018. It uses a race-tuned VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 and rear drive. It won Bathurst, Blancpain Endurance and three Super GT GT300 titles, and suits buyers wanting a front-engined GT3 with Japanese support.

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | Nissan VR38DETT 3,799 cc twin-turbo V6, front-mounted, 40 mm restrictor on each turbo inlet (2014 spec) [0][6] |
| Power | 523 bhp at launch in 2012; over 550 PS (405 kW) at 6,500 rpm from 2013, subject to BoP [3][2][0] |
| Torque | Over 637 Nm at 5,000 rpm [0] |
| Weight | 1,300 kg (2012-2014 cars); 1,285 kg (2018 car), both subject to FIA BoP [2][0] |
| Gearbox | 6-speed sequential, paddle shift, rear-wheel drive; Hewland unit on 2014-spec cars; new transmission for 2018 [6][0] |
| Chassis | Production R35 steel bodyshell, welded FIA cage, carbon roof, doors and panels [6] |
| Brakes | Steel discs; 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers on the 2018 car [0] |
| Dimensions | Length 4,780 mm (2013) or 4,832 mm (2018); width 2,036 mm; 2018 wheelbase 2,817 mm [2][0] |
| Years | 2012 to date; 2013, 2015 and 2018 updates, minor 2020 update [2][5][0][7] |
| Class | FIA GT3 [0] |
| Built | Assembled by JRM in Daventry, UK, around 2014; 2018 cars delivered from the NISMO factory in Japan [6][0] |

## History

Nissan raced the GT-R in the FIA GT1 World Championship before that class disappeared at the end of 2011 [13]. NISMO and the British firm JR Motorsports then developed a GT3 version. It was announced in January 2012 at about £266,000 [3][4]. The car kept the road GT-R's VR38DETT engine but dropped four-wheel drive, as GT3 rules require [5].

The first cars raced from March 2012 in Super GT GT300, Super Taikyu and British GT [2]. NISMO handled sales in Japan, Asia, the Americas and Oceania, while JRM covered Europe, Russia and the Middle East [2][4]. For 2013 NISMO revised the camshaft timing, reinforced moving parts and added front canards. A kit was offered to bring 2012 cars up to date [2][14]. Around 2014 JRM built each car by hand in about 300 hours [6].

The 2015 update made the car lighter. The alternator moved from the engine bay to the rear axle, the seat position changed and the brakes were reworked [5]. That year the car won the Bathurst 12 Hour outright and the Blancpain Endurance drivers' title [0][13]. Gainer also took the Super GT GT300 crown with Andre Couto [13].

A second generation tested at Fuji in April 2017 [15]. It went on sale in 2018 at ¥60 million before tax, with deliveries from January 2019 [0]. The engine sits 150 mm further back and lower, fed by a new dry sump [0][1]. Suspension, crossmember, gearbox and brakes are new, and air conditioning became an option [0]. Kondo Racing won GT300 titles with it in 2020 and 2022 [13]. By August 2024 the car was one of the oldest active GT3 models, homologated until 2030 [7].

## Palmarès

The car's biggest wins came in 2015. It won the Bathurst 12 Hour outright, and Alex Buncombe, Katsumasa Chiyo and Wolfgang Reip took the Blancpain Endurance drivers' title [0][13]. GT Academy also won the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Pro-Am team title [13]. In Super GT GT300 it took championship doubles in 2015 with Gainer, then in 2020 and 2022 with Kondo Racing [13]. It also collected Super Taikyu, British GT and ADAC GT Masters titles [13]. An ex-GT Academy car finished ninth at the 2015 Nürburgring 24 Hours [10][11].

## What to check before you buy

Confirm which generation and spec the car really is: Length is 4,780 mm on the 2013 car and 4,832 mm on the 2018 car. The 2018 car also has a dry sump and the engine set 150 mm back. Get engine kilometres since last rebuild and total kilometres: The 2014-spec schedule called for rebuilds every 4,500 km and an engine and turbo exchange at 18,000 km. Get gearbox kilometres since last rebuild: Early cars used a Hewland unit rated for 4,500 km between rebuilds. Ask for invoices for every NISMO upgrade kit fitted: Many early cars were upgraded to 2014 or 2015 spec. NISMO offered a kit to bring 2012 cars to 2013 spec. Check chassis number, FIA papers and any replacement shell: Chassis numbers such as R35GT3-3A04 appear in adverts. At least one car was rebuilt on a new chassis after an accident. Ask about the ECU and data: The 2014-spec car used a Pectel ECU with fuel maps per track. Confirm the maps, logs and software come with the car. Confirm parts and technical support in your region: NISMO supports Japan, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. JRM was the partner for Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Check the series you plan to enter accepts your spec: Weight and power are set by Balance of Performance. Option and spare parts needed vary by category, NISMO says.

## Did you know

- Around 2014 each car took about 300 hours to build at JRM in Daventry, using a production GT-R bodyshell from Japan [6].
- The 2018 car was the first GT-R GT3 with optional air conditioning for the driver [0].
- An ex-GT Academy car driven by Jann Mardenborough appears in the 2023 Gran Turismo film [10].

## Frequently asked questions

**How do I tell a 2012-2017 car from a 2018 car?** The 2018 car has the facelifted road-car nose and is longer, at 4,832 mm against 4,780 mm. It uses a dry sump and its engine sits 150 mm further back and lower. Ask for the build sheet, because many older cars were upgraded with NISMO kits.

**How often does the engine need rebuilding?** For 2014-spec cars the published schedule was a rebuild every 4,500 km, with an engine and turbo exchange after 18,000 km. No figure was found for the 2018 engine. Ask the seller for logged kilometres and the last rebuild invoice.

**Can I still race one in GT3?** A 2024 report said the car is homologated until 2030. It still raced in Super GT GT300, Super Taikyu and GT World Challenge Asia that year. Organisers set its weight and power through BoP, so check the current table.

**Who supplies parts?** NISMO handles Japan, Asia, the Americas and Oceania. JRM covered Europe, Russia and the Middle East for earlier cars. Nissan said in 2021 it would keep supplying parts and technical support to GT300 teams.

**Is a 2012 car worth upgrading?** NISMO offered a kit to bring 2012 cars to 2013 spec, and several cars were later raised to 2014 or 2015 spec. The 2018 changes moved the engine and sump, so a full 2018 conversion is unlikely to be practical.

## Sources

- 2018 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 to go on sale — https://global.nissannews.com/en/releases/2018-nissan-gt-r-nismo-gt3-to-go-on-sale
- 2018 Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3: Factory Racer Refined — https://www.thedrive.com/news/21236/2018-nissan-gt-r-nismo-gt3-factory-racer-refined
- The 2013 model Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 released — https://uk.nissannews.com/en-GB/releases/the-2013-model-nissan-gt-r-nismo-gt3-released
- NISMO Nissan GT-R GT3 racing car revealed — https://www.evo.co.uk/nissan/gtr/12198/nismo-nissan-gt-r-gt3-racing-car-revealed-nismo-nissan-gt-r-gt3-racing-car-revealed
- Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 now available to order for $388,000 — https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/01/nissan-gt-r-nismo-gt3-now-available-to-order-for-388000.html
- Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 2015/2016 update — https://www.forcegt.com/?p=48582
- Building the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 — https://carwitter.com/building-the-nissan-gt-r-nismo-gt3/
- Nissan todavía no contempla un sucesor para el GT-R NISMO GT3 — https://www.diariomotor.com/competicion/noticia/nissan-todavia-no-contempla-un-sucesor-para-el-gt-r-nismo-gt3
- Change of SUPER GT GT500 class vehicles — https://global.nissannews.com/en/releases/change-of-super-gt-gt500-class-vehicles
- Wednesday Want: Nissan GT-R GT3 — https://www.gtplanet.net/wednesday-want-nissan-gt-r-gt3/
- Nissan GT-R race car from new Gran Turismo movie for sale at Silverstone Auctions — https://www.racecar.com/news/98871/market-and-auction/nissan-gt-r-race-car-from-new-gran-turismo-movie-for-sale-at-silverstone-auctions
- 2014 Nissan R35 GT-R 8A01 — https://race-cars.com/Advert/Details/132042/2014-nissan-r35-gt-r-8a01
- Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 (2013) for sale — https://en.ascottcollection.com/nissan-gtr-nismo-gt3
- Nissan GT-R in motorsport — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_GT-R_in_motorsport
- Nissan sharpens up the GT-R: Japanese GT3 sports car gets updates for 2013 — https://www.adac-motorsport.de/en/adac-gt-masters/news/2012/nissan-sharpens-up-the-gt-r-japanese-gt3-sports-car-gets-updates-for-2013/
- New Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 breaks cover — https://sportscar365.com/other-series/new-nissan-gt-r-nismo-gt3-breaks-cover/

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