This talk of a new GT-R doesn’t just feel like lip service or an executive trying to hedge. Espinosa has a deep love for both Nissan, having worked there for 25 years, and sports cars. So, when he says the GT-R is coming back, I believe him.

Nissan Motor Co.’s incoming chief executive officer said he’s open to pursing a partnership with Honda Motor Co., the Japanese peer his carmaker tried to combine with before talks broke down last month.

Don't give up on the possibility of a Honda-Nissan linkup just yet. Nissan's incoming CEO, Ivan Espinosa, at an event Wednesday said the next big step in the Japanese automaker's future could come with the help of a partner—which could mean Honda (HMC),