Usually, when we have a post about a tuner taking on the Nissan GT-R, we like to reiterate how common that is. Well for Ventros it is more so then other since this Project GT-R is their second, their first making its appearance almost a year ago. Continue reading
Remember when we spoke about Tommy Kaira’s latest project GT-R? You must remember it because it’s right below this post! If you haven’t read it, it would probably be best that you did before we continue. Go ahead, scroll down, we’ll wait…Alright, now that we’re all caught up, let’s press on. Tommy Kaira’s GT-R made it’s debut about 4 days ago at the Tokyo 2010 Auto Salon. We know you’ve already seen pictures but here are some more to help you decide whether you like this project GT-R or not!
Image Credit: GT-R Blog
BIG NEWS! This has never happened before! A Japanese tuner has decided make the Nissan GT-R their project car! Alright, you got us, this happens incredibly often. This time we’re talking about tuner Tommy Kaira. They have recently unveiled their GT-R project car.
Let’s start with it’s looks first. They are dramatically different, especially in the front. The kit you’re looking at is called ‘Wet Carbon’ and it is made up of a front bumper, front grill cover, front lip spoiler, front under diffuser, side ducts, side skirts, rear under spoiler, rear racing diffuser, rear wing and rear fender extensions. Of course all of these aforemention parts are made of carbon fiber. It is nothing new to see a tuner put their take on the ever so popular GT-R but we must admit that Tommy’s skyline happens to be one handsome looking Nissan. Of course it will cost you $18,500 to make your GT-R look so dashing. If you think it’s still missing something, there are extra pieces available and the list goes as follows: dry carbon front fender ducts ($681) dry carbon door handle surrounds ($520) and dry carbon front fender finishers ($740).
We know what you’re thinking. Just because I own a GT-R, doesn’t mean I’m a billionaire! Well Kaira took this into consideration. The second Front Style Kit comes in at about $6900 and includes: the front bumper, front lip spoiler, front grill cover, front under diffuser and the side ducts.
Which ever direction you decide to go, it is likely that you’ll be sporting a very beastly looking GT-R but there would be something missing. That’s right! The wheels! AVS Model F15 in Platinum black are the available choice which are sizes 20×9.5 +45 in the front and 20×10.5 +25 in back. These magnificent wheels will be comfortably wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 255/40R20 285/35R20 tires.
Ending the aesthetics package is the interior. A red leather package with Recaro racing seats is available for purchase.
Last but certainly not least, the numbers. Helping raise those oh so important stats would be a fully titanium exhaust setting you back $3800. Some more additions would include a Quantum Super Sports suspension kit priced at $6900 and an Endless MONO6 & 6R Caliper brake kit with 390mm rotors finally breaking the bank at a whopping $20,000!
There you have it. Tommy Kaira has taken the Nissan GT-R and has successfully transformed it into an aggressive, lively machine that many tuners will likely try to mimic and it will on cost you one gillion dollars!
Heading to the Tokyo Auto Salon on the 15th? Well one thing you may want to check out is the 2010 Nissan GT-R with Nismo’s Club Sports Custom Package. Basically, the Nissan’s supercar, currently equipped with the Club Sports Package will also be sporting Nismo’s newly developed data logger kit. This would permit drivers to collect data and download it on to a USB key.
Once you get back home, every bit of information you collected can be analyzed. Pricing is still scarce but we’ll be the first to let you know.
So what does everyone think? Is this a worthwhile addition to the GT-R? Leave your comments below!
Wish your STi had just a little more kick? Do you live in North America? Well we haven’t got the car for you! Yesterday, the much anticipated Subaru STi R205 was officially available in dealerships in Japan and Japan only. The lucky customer who spent about $49,000 to own one of these will be looking at a myriad of improvements.
Let’s start with brakes. They’ve been upgraded to a front six piston and rear four piston kit with slotted rotors. The wheels will still be 18 inches but wrapped snuggly in specially designed Potenza RE070 (245/40R18) tires. When we take a look at suspension, we see inverted strut and coil springs in the front and some STi tuned coils and dampers in the rear. You’ll also have the help of a front strut tower bar and lower arm stiffening brace to keep that beast gripped tightly on the road.
One thing everyone will be very happy about is that the R205 includes a completely re-tuned ECU and meaner turbo and exhaust system.
Out with the gray, in with the black when it comes to the bespoke front grill. Other improvements include a black spoiler and a front and rear diffuser.
For the people who thought that the 36k for the original STi was too much, the now 49k price tag for the R205 will not help it’s case much but perhaps the now 316hp and 319lb-ft of torque engine may help.
Convinced? Living in Japan? Well then you’re the perfect candidate! All you need to do now is speed over to a Scooby dealership before the limited 400 units are sold!
What do you do with one of the most successful supercars ever? Well if you’re an automaker, you usually think up ways to expand the model. SUV, sedan maybe or these days, a hybrid. Well it turns out Nissan has been thinking about all of the above for a possible GT-R expansion. Word on the track is that in the end, the Japanese automaker may end up going with a hybrid with a possible release date for the year 2013.
Nissan wouldn’t be the first with plans to take a hot supercar hybrid but when it comes to the GT-R, a hybrid model maybe be the best decision. No one wants to see them possibly ruin the GT-R brand with an overpowered SUV or a more calming saloon. A hybrid will let the GT-R keep its aggressive look while spitting less emissions from its tailpipes. Also, no one would be able to argue with going to the fuel pumps less often.
Our Thoughts? Sure, go ahead make a hybrid, as long as it looks like that!
Here’s a sneak peak at new comer tuner Runduce’s Project Nissan GT-R. The body kit is made mostly of carbon fiber and you can expect changes to be made to the engine as well bringing the GT-R’s total hp to about 600. Loving this body kit as much as we are? We’ll if you’ve got the extra points, take a trip on down to Japan for the next Tokyo International Autoshow next year! As always, we’ll keep you updated as well. You know, just in case you don’t feel like making the trip.
I can write a little tid bit for you but at this point, this guy needs no introduction. Here is what Ken Block’s been doing with his infamous STi.
And another:
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