Nissan->ke62 started the GT-R->ke1592 name with the 1969 Skyline that put out 160 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. Fast forward to today and Godzilla is a well-evolved monster, with the current 2016 GT-R pushing 545 horsepower and 463 pound-feet of torque. Given its 46-year history, minus a 17-year hiatus between 1972 and ’89, what is the next major evolutionary step for Nissan’s legendary GT-R?

It looks like the answer to that question is that the GT-R just might evolve into an all-electric->ke1030 beast. According to Gareth Dunsmore, who is the director of Nissan's European EV division, a plug-in GT-R is something he would love to see: “We can’t build an electric GT-R today. But do I want to? I’d love to.” He continued to say, “I can’t see a technical reason why we wouldn’t be able to implement electric vehicle technology in something like a performance vehicle.”

Obviously Nissan’s technology is still a few years out before it can replace the GT-R’s gasoline-powered powerplant with and electric motor, but it looks like Nissan may explore that path when it can. Given the current advancement in electric motors and battery technology – the Tesla Model S->ke3329 being a prime example – an electric GT-R is certainly within Nissan's grasp.

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Why it matters

Nissan is already in the all-electric segment with the 107-horsepower Leaf. It has also developed the Leaf RC concept and Zeod RC racer. That being said, the roots are there; they just have to develop the technology. We’re only in the early stages of battery technology, and 1,000-horsepower electric motors already exist. Give it 10 years, and electric cars are going to put the performance cars of today to shame. I’m still not as accepting of the idea as some, but in a weird way, I look forward to seeing Godzilla trade its gas tank for a battery pack.

Nissan GT-R

Read more about the 2017 Nissan GT-R here.