Aware of the new CanAm series in North America that ran under the new Group 7 classification, the new R381 became a much more powerful and faster car in comparison to the previous model.

Also borrowing from CanAm, most notably Chaparral, large rear wings were placed on the new design.

However, upon becoming aware of the new Toyota 7 car which also ran in Group 7 rules, Nissan chose to cut the roof of the R381 off.

Debuting at the fourth Japanese Grand Prix, three R381s fought alongside three older R380-IIs as well as three of the new Toyota 7s.

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, the R381 was replaced by the newer R382, which featured an entirely Nissan-built engine.