Hiroshi Tamura said in 2019 that he wanted to keep working on GT-R development if he was able to. That was not an announcement that he had come out of retirement to join a successor program. Nissan says Tamura is now an ambassador for its sports cars and no longer directly responsible for planning the range; a February 2026 report says he is open to advising Nissan on a next-generation GT-R, but does not confirm an appointment.
What did Tamura mean by leaving retirement?
The “retirement generation” remark came from a July 2019 interview about the then-current R35, not from a recent announcement about an R36. Asked whether the new GT-R NISMO might be the R35’s final outing, Tamura said: “We’re almost a retirement generation. The company could say ‘Tamura-san, you are old, you must leave, so stop.’ But if I’m able to continue my job, why would we not keep going? Onto the next step, next step, and next step, and so on.”
In the same discussion, he talked about trying for later R35 model years and said options for what came next were already being considered. His answer expressed a willingness to continue his work; it did not establish that Nissan had asked him to lead a successor project. Top Gear Philippines published the interview on July 14, 2019.
What is Tamura’s role now?
Nissan’s August 2025 retrospective says Tamura serves as an ambassador for Nissan sports cars and is no longer directly responsible for planning the company’s sports-car range. AutoIndustriya reported on February 2, 2026, that he was open to Nissan consulting him about a next-generation GT-R. That report indicates willingness to advise, not a confirmed Nissan appointment or development role.
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Nissan’s retrospective says R35 production ended in August 2025 after an 18-year run. It describes Tamura’s influence on the car from early concept planning through production, including his advocacy around 2001 for a shorter V6 and advanced automatic transmission rather than a straight-six and manual. The R35 was intended to combine GT comfort and usability with high performance; the first GT-R NISMO launched in 2013. Nissan’s account of Tamura and the R35 provides that history.
What has been confirmed about the next GT-R?
The cited sources do not establish an R36 launch date, powertrain specification, or Tamura appointment. They also do not confirm what configuration Nissan will choose. Treat claims about a future model’s timing or hardware as unconfirmed unless Nissan announces them.
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Tamura has shared one personal preference: “For any future generation of GT-R, it’s just my personal preference, but I’d still like to have some hint of a combustion chamber note. Again, this isn’t a hidden indication of the company’s intent, or a clue to any potential direction Nissan might take, rather just my personal preference”. Nissan reproduced that statement in its retrospective and explicitly distinguishes it from company direction. It is not evidence that a future GT-R will use a combustion engine.
Why Tamura is associated with the GT-R
Tamura joined Nissan in 1984 and became officially involved with the GT-R nameplate in 1997. Nissan credits him with helping guide the R35 from concept planning to the end of production. His advocacy for the R35’s shorter V6 and advanced automatic transmission reflected a particular approach: pair high performance with everyday comfort and usability rather than simply carry forward the previous car’s layout.
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- Size:1/36 scale vehicle model with beautiful English packaging,ideal for toddlers to play with and carry. Car collectors will appreciate the perfect small size, which allows them to collect a complete set of cars without taking up too much space.
- Grow From Play:Help children learn more about car ,expand their knowledge ,increase the hand-eye coordination and the reaction speed of the children in the play.
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In the 2019 interview, Tamura also described Nissan as “factory tuners” and discussed the N-Attack package, which he said reduced weight by 50–60 kg. He framed the company’s task as making a safe car that gives drivers confidence, while leaving owners and tuners room to choose modifications. Those comments explain his thinking at the time; they are not current specifications or recommendations for a future model.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Tamura says the GT-R should deliver
On the model’s purpose, Tamura told Nissan: “The starting point and goal, should always be to bring a smile for the customer’s face, to deliver true driving pleasure. I tell people to be patient, we had a gap of seventeen years between the Hakosuka and R32 but, Nissan never gave up on the GT-R.” The statement reflects his view of the nameplate’s long-term appeal, not a timetable for a successor.
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