Rumors of hybridization for the next-generation Nissan GT-R have been floating around for a few years now, and while nothing is confirmed yet, a hybrid GT-R feels inevitable. With the facelifted 2017 GT-R (pictured above) unveiled, Nissan has turned its attention to the R35's successor that's set to debut in 2020.

Nissan chief creative officer Shiro Nakamura told Automotive News that work is underway on making a more fuel efficient, better proportioned GT-R, in an interview published Monday. Nakamura-san dropped very strong hints that the R36 GT-R will be a hybrid because Nissan wants to boost efficiency and performance over the current car.

"Electrification is almost inevitable for any car," said Nakamura-san. "If the next-generation GT-R has some electrification, nobody would be surprised at that time."

It's not difficult to imagine Nissan taking a similar approach as McLaren with its P1, which uses a torquey electric motor to compensate for the lag of its heavily turbocharged V8. It's also worth noting that the GT-Rs chief Japanese rival, the Acura NSX, has embraced hybridization.

Nakamura-san also says the next GT-R will look fairly different than its predecessor, all in the service of better performance.

"I think we can change to better proportions–the width, the height," said Nakamura-san. "Anything that we change on this car will contribute to better performance, better aero."

There is still a chance the next GT-R won't be a hybrid, but we'd frankly be surprised if that were the case. We'll know for sure in around three years or so, if not sooner.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io