Skip advert
Advertisement

Nissan GT-R and 370Z not safe from rise of autonomous drive tech

Autonomous drive tech could extend to Nissan GT-R and 370Z sports cars in the future to improve driving experience

It’s not just Nissan’s family cars that could feature autonomous drive technology in the future – the brand’s GT-R supercar and 370Z sports car could also benefit from the firm’s advanced self-driving systems, according to Nissan’s Global Vice President for Research and Advanced Engineering, Takao Asami.

Speaking to Auto Express at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan exec confirmed that, “The GT-R and 370Z are not immune from autonomous driving systems” as part of the company’s future plans, adding, “Whereas we will use piloted driving on regular cars to improve safety and comfort, autonomous technology could be used on the GT-R and other sports cars to help extract more capability and improve performance.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Asami outlined that a future Piloted Drive mode on cars like the GT-R and 370Z could potentially offer a bespoke track mode that will deliver performance more like a computer guided race driver to increase driving pleasure and serve up a thrilling experience for owners.

On top of this, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn added that the brand is not interested in making a driverless car, fitting with the firm’s intent to deliver excitement through these new forms of tech.

Ghosn said, “We want to make an autonomous car, so the driver decides when they want to drive. We want to empower the driver to drive when they want to.”

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Nissan is focused on driver satisfaction, and while that might initially apply to busy urban traffic, the ability to thrill through autonomous driving performance could be an area for future development.

Nisan’s Chief Planning Officer, Philippe Klein, also believes autonomous technology could spread to the brand’s halo models.

He told us, “I see all of our technologies as connected, which creates excitement. We’re presenting one form of excitement with autonomous drive, and this is another way to thrill customers. I don’t see any contradiction between serving performance fans with the Nismo brand and those looking for comfort and safety improvements.”

Klein was keen to point out that the Nismo nameplate can exist alongside Nissan’s electric vehicle autonomous drive programme without any problems. In the future the firm’s line-up of sporty cars could even benefit from the integration of this technology to improve performance for owners.

However, with Nissan targeting 2020 as the roll-out for its Piloted Driving 3.0 evolution of software that allows fully autonomous city driving, expect this technology to spread to sportier models like the next-generation GT-R following its debut on more conventional cars.

Would you want your Nissan GT-R to help you drive faster on track? Let us know below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Three-car garage: Nissan Qashqai, Leaf and 370Z Nismo for the price of a top-spec Ariya
Three-car garage for £50,000 - header image

Three-car garage: Nissan Qashqai, Leaf and 370Z Nismo for the price of a top-spec Ariya

The Nissan Ariya is a former Auto Express Car of the Year, but you can also get a selection of other great Nissans for a similar price
Features
7 May 2025
Return of the Mazda RX-7 draws close as Iconic SP is marked for production
Mazda ICONIC SP concept – front (doors closed)

Return of the Mazda RX-7 draws close as Iconic SP is marked for production

Mazda’s designer has said we can expect a production model “in the not-so-distant future”
News
7 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025
Audi e-tron GT gets huge £20k price cut as new entry-level quattro joins range
Audi e-tron GT quattro - front 3/4 dynamic

Audi e-tron GT gets huge £20k price cut as new entry-level quattro joins range

Most basic e-tron GT also comes with the longest range and nigh-on 500bhp
News
13 May 2025