After an 18-year production run and approximately 48,000 units sold, Nissan recently commemorated the end of production of the R35 GT-R. That's right, since its launch in 2007, the GT-R has stood as the symbol of performance and innovation for Nissan and has captivated enthusiasts, as well as setting benchmarks in the high-performance sports car segment.

Workers at Nissan's Tochigi plant, where the final GT-R was built, gathered to celebrate the legacy of the R35 as the final unit rolled off the line. The final vehicle is a Premium Edition T-Spec that's painted in Midnight Purple and is destined for a customer in Japan, the final sales region for the GT-R.

Throughout its 18 years of production, the R35 GT-R went through several updates, facelifts, and upgrades. Not only did the GT-R set a new standard as the ultimate grand tourer, but Nissan's planning and engineering team imbued the GT-R with a “multi-performance” character. The result is a vehicle that's quick, comfortable, and can handle itself well in various road conditions.

From just having 480 PS at launch, the GT-R's power rose to 570 PS from the 2017 model year onwards. For NISMO engineers, however, that wasn't enough, as they were able to extract more power via GT3 racecar-spec turbochargers and use weight-balanced parts, such as piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, flywheel, crank pulley, and valve springs. The result was a faster spooling turbo and an engine that delivered up to 600 PS for GT-R NISMO models.

The GT-R also made a name for itself in motorsports. It was able to take home five GT500 Class victories and three GT300 class wins in Japan's Super GT Championship. It also won in the 2013 Blancpain GT Series Pro-Am Class, a Bathurst victory in 2015, and five Super Taikyu Japanese endurance racing series wins.

In 2007, a production GT-R set a record lap time around Nurburgring of 7 minutes and 38 seconds, one of the fastest laps achieved by a production car despite being slightly damp on two corners. Nissan then returned in early 2008 with a base model R35 GT-R that was fitted with standard JDM tires. With chief test driver Toshio Suzuki behind the wheel, the GT-R slashed 9 seconds off, resulting in a faster lap time of 7 minutes and 29 seconds, cracking the seven and a half minute barrier for the first time.

A year later, the team returned and achieved an even faster lap time of 7 minutes and 26 seconds around the Green Hell. Then, in October 2012, the GT-R further improved its lap time around the 'Ring to 7 minutes and 18 seconds.

The fastest time the R35 was able to lap around Nurburgring was achieved in November 2013 with a GT-R NISMO equipped with track options like aerodynamic tuning, weight-reduction measures, and a uniquely tuned suspension system. With Michael Krumm at the wheel, they managed to record a blistering 7 minutes and 8.679 seconds.

Other key achievements by the Nissan R35 GT-R included the Guinness World Record title for the fastest drift ever. At a special event at Fujairah International Airport, UAE, a specially tuned Nissan GT-R drifted at 304.96 km/h at a 30-degree angle.

“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. Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey. 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,” said Ivan Espinosa, president & CEO of Nissan.

With the next-generation Nissan GT-R having big shoes to fill, we're curious as to what Nissan has in store despite the financial storm the automaker is facing. However, Espinosa said that enthusiasts need not worry that it would be diluted, as the CEO said that the GT-R badge is not something that can be applied to any vehicle.

“We understand the expectations are high, the GT-R badge is not something that can be applied to just any vehicle; it is reserved for something truly special, and the R35 set the bar high. So, all I can ask is for your patience. While we don’t have a precise plan finalized today, the GT-R will evolve and reemerge in the future.