Nismo Builds the Ultimate Iteration of Nissan's Legendary Super Coupe Skyline R34 GT-R

By: Peter Lyon
Date Posted 07-28-2005

A watershed year for the Japanese car industry: 1989. In the space of just 12 months, more than half a dozen hit products landed on showroom floors. These included the Lexus LS 400, Mazda MX-5, Nissan 300ZX and the Toyota MR2 coupe.

But one car, above all others, had worldwide performance enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. That car was the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32. It was such a high-tech tour de force it instantly became the production car standard for cornering potential and gained global cult status without ever leaving Japan.

That's right: The Nissan Skyline GTR was never officially exported, but interest was so high the right-hand-drive car was privately exported all over the world, including the U.S. Its twin-turbo 2.6-liter engine and state-of-the-art 4WD system had put it on the high-performance map, but the basic fact that Nissan had developed the chunky-looking coupe solely to win Japan's Touring Car Championships seemed to add to the GT-R's mystique.

While everyone who drove the road-going car raved about its superb chassis and unbeatable handling, few were satisfied with the grunt under the hood. As U.S. and European sports cars were pushing through 400 horsepower by the late '90s, the third-generation GT-R R34 (the second-gen R33 debuted in 1995) stayed at a self-regulated 280 hp.

Toys in the Attic
Now this is where the story gets interesting: Nearly two years after Nissan phased out the GT-R due to stricter emissions laws, Nismo, the company's motorsports arm, has brought back the R34 for one last encore performance. Only this time, it's standing ovation material.

Nismo chose "Z-tune" for its name. It's the last letter in the alphabet and the last word on the current-generation GT-Rs. This mind-boggling R34 is the GT-R that Nissan should have built in the first place. It is also the ideal model to whet the appetites of potential buyers for the next-generation GT-R, which will be revealed at the Tokyo auto show in 2007.

In the same way that the original 1989 model GT-R was solely conceived to win races, the Z-tune was built as a specialized track-session car, the ultimate GT-R capable of being mercilessly thrashed for 30 minutes on a racetrack.

The Nismo lads could not just go to a Nissan showroom and pick up new R34s for modification, so they had to find pre-owned GT-Rs. As Nismo team leader Kojun Iwata explained, "We checked out dozens of GT-Rs, looking for cars with no body damage and less than 20,000 miles on the clock. It wasn't easy." Once located, the cars were then stripped down to the body shell and transformed into road-going racers.

Talk About the Passion
Leaning on more than 15 years of racing experience in Japan's GT Championships, the Nismo team's inspiration for the Z-tunes came from the series-winning GT-R GT500 racecar. Launched in limited numbers in Japan several months ago, the GT-R Z-tune costs the equivalent of $160,000.

Its twin-turbo 2.6-liter straight-six has been bored out to 2.8 liters and is packed with race engine internals borrowed from the GT500, including a pair of heavy-duty race-spec IHI turbos. The R34 now cranks out a more respectable 500 hp at 6,800 rpm and 398 pound-feet at 5,200 rpm.

Iwata said that he could easily tweak the car to a maximum of around 630 hp, but then they'd have to worry about emissions regulations. Torque comes on strong from 2,000 rpm, explodes from 3,500-4,200 rpm and stays on tap all the way to 7,000 rpm. Its lightweight aero parts serve purely to maximize cooling efficiency to the engine and brakes.

The Drive
This is a true supercar experience. Drop the clutch at 5,500 rpm and you're battling nearly 1.5G as the Atessa-Pro four-wheel-drive system fights to retain grip. Jump on the perfectly balanced six-piston monoblock Brembo brakes, and you'd better be ready for nearly 2G of deceleration as the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01Rs chirp and struggle to absorb the forces. We pushed the car hard for an hour or so over the mountain roads south of Tokyo, and the Z-tune just took everything in its stride, constantly tempting us to use a heavier right boot.

The steering is ideally weighted and razor-sharp for such a car. The Z-tune's turn-in is absolutely progressive without the slightest hint that these Potenzas employ such beefy shoulders. Its Super Coppermix twin-plate clutch is almost as light as a stock clutch, providing smooth gear changes through the six-speed Getrag gearbox, while the beefier bottom-end torque makes low-speed city cruising a pleasure.

When it comes to cornering, your brain needs to recalibrate its understanding of the laws of physics. Nothing prepares you for the phenomenal traction this coupe generates. On public roads, you run out of guts before you run out of grip.

Along with its reinforced chassis, this GT-R also gets specially tuned, race-spec Sachs three-way adjustable dampers. At $20,000 a set, they deliver a ride quality unheard of in a car this hard-core.

Inside, the leather and Alcantara-covered seats are comfortable but need more side support considering the car's cornering ability. A specially fitted 200-mph speedo and titanium gearshift knob hint at where the Z-tune's true colors lie.

It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Thanks to the glorious eccentricity of the Japanese, the legendary GT-R has been revisited one last time, as if to show just how capable it was all along. It's a shame only 20 will be built. But don't fret. Picking up where the Z-tune left off, an all-new 2007 GT-R will surface packing a 480-plus-hp twin-turbo 3.2-liter V6. Delicious. And all that through the rear wheels, too. Sure, it's going to have an array of traction control systems to die for, but Nissan knows all too well that buyers of such cars prefer rear-wheel drive.

Watch out, Ferrari and Porsche. At around $80,000, the new GT-R should have the credentials to make your lives miserable.

News source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=106627#1

Honda Builds a Better Civic

Still no double wishbones but a CRX is coming in two years

MARK VAUGHN
Posted Date: 7/26/05


The new 2006 Honda Civic, due this fall, is more fun to drive than the car it replaces, our spies tell us, and there will even be a return of the racer’s favorite CRX badge in 2007. That’s not bad news, is it?

Those we spoke to who have driven the new Civic were enthusiastic about it.

“It’s an awesome car. It drives like the Integra Type R,” said one.

“This is exactly what Honda needs,” said another.

And these were performance-lovin’ guys.

Though Honda calls it an “all-new” car, a number of platform and suspension pieces either carry over or are only slightly revised.
The new Civic makes those gains without a return to double wishbones in front. The new suspension still has MacPherson struts. The rear suspension is also “revised,” but details are scarce. Expect a slightly tighter multilink setup.

Top of the engine chart is the 200-hp version of the K20 four-cylinder that will power the Civic Si and CRX. Civic Si— the most powerful Civic ever, according to Honda—will bow at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas this November.
Of course, with the new SAE horsepower ratings, that 200-hp figure might wind up being 197, which doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as 200. Honda is wringing its corporate hands over that. Even so, a 197-hp rating is still better than the 160 hp of today’s Si, though maybe even that’s now 158 or so, SAE.

The new Si engine will have 16 valves operated by dual overhead cams and i-VTEC, or variable lift electronic control with intelligence. Redline will be 8000 rpm. The Si engine will be mated to a six-speed manual and it will get a helical limited-slip differential. It will ensure power goes to the ground instead of spinning the inside-front tire uselessly.
Most of the Civic lineup will have a new 1.8-liter four that will make more power and offer a 6 percent improvement in fuel economy. Honda says the 1.8 offers the acceleration of a 2.0-liter and the fuel economy of a 1.5-liter engine. The 1.8 uses improved i-VTEC, drive-by-wire and variable-length intake runners to achieve its increased performance. Peak power is 140 hp and peak torque is 128 lb-ft, though there are suggestions a 155- or 160-hp version could be coming.
The 2006 Civic line will get a new hybrid engine that will be 20 percent more efficient than today’s. The gasoline engine portion of the hybrid will be 1.3 liters and offer three phases of i-VTEC, one for low rpm, one for high and one for idle. At idle the gas engine shuts down, restarting when the driver steps on the gas.
All that running gear will be placed in what Honda calls a new body from the floorpan up. Standard wheels are expected to be 15 inches, with 16-inch wheels on the EX and 17-inch wheels on the Si.

The Civic will come in two body styles, a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe. Sources say the bodies are slightly longer and wider. Combined with a slightly more cab-forward style, interior space is thus opened up. The Civic dash, meanwhile, is two-tiered, with an instrument binnacle bulging out of it. The interior generally gets favorable reviews from those who have seen it.
The slightly larger 2006 Civic will move it upscale just enough to make room for the coming five-door Jazz/Fit, due in the first half of next year. That smaller car will be aimed at Scion and at whatever Nissan decides to call its entry-level youth-oriented line. Stay tuned for word on all that.

Lexus IS350 Available later this year

Lexus IS350

The IS will be arriving in showrooms across the country later this year, completely redesigned from the ground up and available in two separate V6 models, the IS 250 and the IS 350. The 2006 IS 250 features a manual transmission rear-wheel drive (RWD) model, as well as paddle-shift automatic RWD and paddle-shift automatic all-wheel drive (AWD) models. The top-of-the-line IS 350 will pack 306 horsepower. Generously sized 17-inch and available 18-inch tires [1] (RWD only) will help the IS handle corners with precision and authority. The available 255/40R18 rear tires’ substantial width and low profile will provide traction to get the power down . Inside all the IS models, the driver will find the engine's push-button start, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, available voice-activated navigation system [2] with backup camera [3], and many other luxury features.


3.5-Liter V6 With 306 hp

The IS 350 boasts a 3.5-liter V6 engine, that generates 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. A newly-designed direct fuel injection system and dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) that act on both the intake and exhaust valves provide optimal engine performance and efficiency under a variety of driving conditions. More good news: the IS 350's engine is so powerful it can launch you from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds [4].


2.5-Liter V6 With 204 hp

The IS 250 features an energetic 2.5-liter engine that packs 204 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Since it utilizes a new direct fuel injection system, this engine allows improved control of the air/fuel ratio depending on engine speed and load. This powerful engine is available in three thrilling IS models. The rear-wheel drive IS features either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed paddle-shift sequential automatic transmission. This IS is also available in all-wheel drive with a six-speed paddle-shift sequential automatic transmission.


Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)

The IS 350 features the next step in control, with its standard Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system [5]. Imagine VDIM as a computerized brain, coordinating the numerous vital systems of the IS 350, including the braking system, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Throttle Control with intelligence (ETCS-i) and Electronic Power Steering (EPS). Using integrated control software, the VDIM sensors calculate vehicle conditions to help maintain control. The VDIM system in the new IS 350 will be tuned for driving fun, allowing drivers to explore the outer limits of the car's handling.


Six-Speed Paddle Shifters

With the increased power of the IS, it's important to have greater control while driving. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters are standard with the available six-speed automatic transmission. They allow you to shift quickly and precisely through the gears without having to remove your hands from the wheel. The paddles are ergonomically designed so you can shift through all six gears with confidence.



Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound System

Lexus offers the powerful performance of an available Mark Levinson® [6] sound system. A 10-channel amplifier powers this 300-watt [7] system. The system's 14 speakers fill the IS cabin with superior quality sound, courtesy of four 25mm tweeters, two 16cm woofers, five 65mm mid-range speakers, two 100mm mid-range speakers and one 200mm inverted subwoofer. The proprietary metal cone midrange and tweeter transducers provide superior sound quality because of cone rigidity. Besides the crystal clear sound, this versatile system can play most formats, including 2-channel stereo, 2-channel surround sound, Dolby® Digital 5.1 [8], and DTS 5.1. It even plays MP3/Windows Media® files. The surround sound system with 7.1-channel architecture is tailored specifically to the acoustics of the IS interior and the discerning audiophile.


Bi-Xenon Projector HID Headlamps with AFS

While traditional High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting requires halogen bulbs for high-beams, the IS features optional Bi-xenon headlamps for a much brighter light. Featuring an inner shade that retracts when high-beams are selected, the Bi-xenon headlamps improve lighting in two ways. Now you can project a more intense light when high-beams are activated. And the other advantage is that these headlamps feature the available Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS). AFS provides optimum illumination around curves by rotating up to 15 degrees to the left and five degrees to the right, depending on vehicle speed and steering angle. This gives you the advantage of using your high-beams to see around curves.


Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

The IS offers available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control [9], a highly advanced system that utilizes radar wave technology to maintain a pre-set following distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, throttle is automatically reduced and brakes are applied so the IS slows down. Once the road clears, the IS returns to its pre-set speed. This eliminates the need to brake and reset the system.


MP3/WMA Audio Capability

All IS models come with a miniplug port in the center console for your MP3/Windows Media® Audio (WMA) player. Now you can plug your iPod® or other device directly into the IS audio system.


New Design Elements

The IS utilizes the new Lexus design philosophy of L-Finesse, which is elegant simplicity. Although this results in a stunning new style, many of these design elements also perform a valuable function. The door mirrors have been streamlined, which improves aerodynamic performance and reduces wind noise. Door handles are more ergonomically designed. The streamlined body shape, mirrors and taillamps contribute to smoother air flow around the vehicle, maximizing fuel efficiency and making the ride even smoother.

Lexus IS500 Spied!!

Could it be?? It would not surprise me one bit. People and the media had the same speculation when rumors of the IS350 and IS250 started a few years back. Now here we are with a 306bhp IS350 and a 206HP IS250, and even an AWD version is offered.

Insiders at Lexus tell us that the new IS500 will house a 5.0 liter version of the current LS430 V8, with some fine tunning it will produce around 400bhp. That's right, 400bhp. Also, some spy photos of a test mule around nurburing circle indicate larger wheel arches and quad exhaust hanging off the back.

Stay tuned for more to come.

2006 Dodge Charger Test Drive

Where do you beging with a car like this? At first, when Daimler-Chrysler first announced that the historic name Charger was being brought back, I immediately thought about some of the past failed attemps at reviving this name. At the same time, after seeing what Ford did with the new Mustang, I thought to myself maybe this won't be so bad.

Dodge got off on the wrong foot when I first heard news about it being used on a four door, I knew right then that this would be a simple attempt at capturing some baby boomers bank accounts, nothing more. The car finally appeared on magazines and at the Detroit Auto Show, and it started to peek my interest, but at the same time I was still not sold on the idea of the Charger name being brought back.

The new Charger continued to make headlines everywhere, getting good and bad reviews from all angles, but Dodge didn't listen and continued on, which after driving it, it all makes sense now.
I remember being 12 years old and a friend of my dads giving me ride in his Charger R/T, all I remember was the rumble the car made at idle, the smell of racing fuel pouring out of the carburetor, and the loudness of the turndown exhaust at the back. I also remember how the car would twist whenever the gas pedal was mashed to the floor. When I took delivery of the New Charger R/T, I was hoping to get that same feeling I had when I was 12.

The car arrived at my shop Monday morning, I got there around 9:45am and one of my employees informed me that it was sitting around back, I acted like I didn't care, but deep down I was dying to jump and do the biggest burnout one had ever seen. I grabbed the keys and told him to come with me, It was Stone White with 18" Chrome clad wheels, had a mean stance to it and kind resembled the old Coupes, I got in and looked around for a while, the seats felt nice and supportive and they are actually made of real leather according to the tag that was hanging from the headrest.

I adjusted my seat and mirrors and turned the car on, that rumble I had waited for was non existent, and nothing but a smooth quiet hmmm coming from the exhaust. We pulled around the front and proceeded to an industrial area that is not built yet, no traffic, no cars, no people, just me and my friend and a new Charger. The first thing I did was test the 0-60, It was definitely fast, but so quite..Impressive, but I miss the twisting of the body, the rumble of the HEMI, but the New Charger lives up to it's name. It's big, fast and l ooks like nothing else on the road. 60MPH came quick and so did 80MPH. I tested the brakes to see how fast the 2 ton beast would take to come to a halt, and that was also impressive, the old Chargers could go fast, but Dodge never considered how it would stop, I'm glad they did with the New Charger.

I will continue this later. Out for now.

Using the Internet is usually one of the best ways to get the best deal.

Yep, it's that simple. Almost all Dealerships across the US and around the world have their own websites, and most have a department that specifically handles Internet Leads.

Their websites will normally have a "quote request" form online. Fill it out and don't give out your phone number just yet, instead use email to communicate back and forth with the Internet sales department and haggle the best price possible. Be sure to get atleast 3 quotes from various car dealerships around your area. Once you find the best deal call them up and make an appointment.

Some good sites to get price quotes from are:

http://www.cars.com
http://www.stoneage.com
http://www.autotrader.com
http://www.autobytel.com


Other sources for information on buying a new or used vehicle can be found at:

http://www.nada.com
http://www.kbb.com

That's all folks.

Links that will help you in getting the best interest rates.

http://www.bankrates.com has up to date information on the latest rates for home and auto loans.

Don't forget to check manufacturers websites also for the latest incentives.

http://www.dodge.com
http://www.chrysler.com
http://www.jeep.com
http://www.chevy.com
http://www.fordvehicles.com

All these manufacturers are currently offering Employee pricing. It's a great time to buy car. For the meantime they say it will only be available to the public until the first of August, but I have a feeling it will continue on longer than that.

That's all for today.