Nissan Tuning Mag » Skyline

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R “JAPO spec”

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:02:11 +0000

The factory has shown the way: on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the company’s own sports department NISMO (NISsan MOtorsports International), in 2004, the Japanese presented a special edition limited to exactly 20 vehicles of the legendary Skyline R34 GT-R, the “Z-tune”. Since the production of the R34 had been stopped three years before, naturally, there were no brand-new cars of this series available at that time. NISMO 20 therefore purchased 20 used cars with low mileage which they dismantled down to their individual components and then re-assembled completely. Up to today the extremely rare Z-tune is known as the spearhead of the R34 GT-R family and was referred to as “the world’s best sports car” for a long time – there are many who still do.

“New cars” built in 1999

It is no wonder that JAPO Motorsport GmbH selected this vehicle as the demo object to start a new field of activity: with the specialised restoration of Japanese super sports cars the performance specialists from Essen are opening up new markets – with used vehicles in good condition which, after extensive restoration, almost have the feel of new cars. The individual concept of each project enables the construction of absolute rarities.

Let’s get back the vehicle: JAPO Motorsport bought a used Nissan R34 GT-R (constructed in 1999, chassis no. BNR34000500), took it apart down to its basic structure, followed by an extremely complex rebuilding – closely based on the legendary Z-tune model in terms of technology and appearance. The 100 percent restoration of the high performance coupés took 3.5 months, the result being truly breathtaking.

Original Z-tune

Without laying it on thick, original NISMO Z-tune components (front aprons, front mudguards and rear wheel housing) provide the skyline with impressive racing optics. NISMO also offers red rear lights. The expression “Technology made visible” could not be more fitting for anything but the ARC rear diffuser which purists are especially thrilled about due to its edges and naked metal.
Apropos naked metal: the bodywork was completely stripped of paint in the immersion bath, subsequently sealed and painted in the original silver “KY0″, formerly reserved for the Z-tune.

HKS-Bi-Turbo-Power

Without exception, JAPO Motorsport refined the legendary RB26DETT straight six cylinder engine bi-turbo motor with a cylinder capacity of 2.5 litres cylinder capacity using the finest HKS components. To name but a few, two GT RS turbo chargers are now blowing into the cylinders with powerful 1.5 bar boost, sparking off a true hell fire. The intercooler, elbows, half pipe, racing suction and chamber kit, injectors, ignition plugs and cylinder head gaskets are also made by HKS. An HKS Fcon Pro standalone engine management system is responsible for the combustion process. Due to its ARC-4 inch titanium exhaust system, you will already hear the JAPO-Skyline from far. Performance measurement resulted in powerful 523 PS and 597 Nm – on the wheel!

Traction with the gearbox is enabled due to a considerably resilient HKS clutch. JAPO Motorsport treated the switch box as well as the rear axle differential with additional coolers by ARC for optimised stability.

There is no doubt about the HKS Hipermax thread chassis – it has absolute cult status among experts. It is supplemented by an ARC strut mounted between the two front strut pillars, which makes the handling of the coupé even more reliable.

Semi slicks and classy interior

Real NISMO Z-tune 9.5×18 inch five spoke wheels are rotating in the GT-R wheel housing. Once they are heated, the Toyo Proxes R888 semi slicks in 265/35R18 offer an extremely high level of grip which should however not be tested to the limits by inexperienced drivers. The serial braking system of the R34 GT-R is often scolded. However, after the installation of a stoptech brake with 355/35 millimetre discs and four-piston callipers in front as well as 355/32 millimetre discs and two-piston callipers on the rear axle, JAPOS’s “new vehicle” now offers deceleration values to make the passengers’ eyeballs bulge.

The interior is sporty, classy and not purist at all. JAPO Motorsport installed leather/alcantara fittings for the front and back seats, the dashboard, the centre console, door and side panels, the columns, the roof liner as well as the rim of the Sparco steering wheel. The NISMO tachometer unit is scaled up to 320 km/h, the large multifunctional display above the centre console was extensively updated and now even includes a lap timer.

By the way: the vehicle shown, the no. 1 of an edition limited to 20 pieces (just like the grand original) is for sale. For EUR 89,900, which is quite appropriate given the elaborate, new construction, the exclusive Skyline could be yours.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster – First Official Photo

tuningmag — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:39:52 +0000

Along with an invitation to the members of the press for the media unveiling of its new 370Z Roadster that will take place ahead of the New York Auto Show, Nissan also included the first official photo of its rag-topped Z. There’s not much we can tell from this teaser image other than that the new 370Z Roadster looks a bit more curvalicious that its predecessor and that it retains the two separate roll bars behind the headrests.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the new 370Z Roadster will sport the same 3.7-liter V6 as the coupe model producing 332HP at 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm, compared with the previous 3.5-liter V6′s 306 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 268 lb-ft of toque at 4,800 rpm. The new V6 can be hooked up to either a close-ratio 6-speed manual or a new 7-speed automatic transmission.
When the 370Z Roadster hits U.S. dealerships later this year, expect prices to be a little bit spicier than those of the coupe model that begins from $29,930 (MSRP).

Nissan Suspends ‘GT 2012′ Business Plan

tuningmag — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:10:13 +0000

Driven by the severe downturn in the global economy and after the firm’s CEO Carlos Ghosn reversed his forecast for the 2008 fiscal year that ends on March 31, 2009, from a net profit of $1.76 bn to a loss of $2.89 bn (265 billion yen), Nissan has put on hold its “GT 2012″ mid-term business plan and announced a series of emergency measures.

For instance, the company plans to reduce its global workforce by 20,000 employees to 215,000 by March 2010 and cut salaries paid to board members and corporate officers by 10% and those paid to managers in NML and affiliate companies in Japan by 5%.

Nissan also said that it will revise its product portfolio canceling ‘selected future programmes’ without however giving out any specific details. From now until 2012, the automaker will launch an average of 10 all-new vehicles per year, including the company’s all-new, A-Platform entry-car lineup and a dedicated all-electric vehicle.

Commenting on the countermeasures, President and CEO Ghosn said: “The additional actions we are announcing today will reinforce our ability to manage through this global crisis, but they also position Nissan for rapid, strong growth when conditions improve. An organisation needs to be flexible enough to meet the changing needs of the business, and I am confident we have the talent, diversity and experience to lead Nissan effectively.”