Awesome Video Find: Supercar Showdown
Best Motoring, one of Japan's most popular automotive media outlets, recently decided to put on a supercar showdown, and the results are fun in any language.
The showdown pits a 2011 (2012 in the U.S.) GT-R against a Lexus LFA, a Porsche 911 GT2RS, a Corvette ZR1, and a Ferrari 430F1 against one another for a three lap race on the famed Japanese Fuji Raceway. The dialog is all in Japanese, but when cars like this are racing, that doesn't matter does it? The vehicles all give a great showing, even though the GT-R's launch right around the Ferrari at the beginning of the race is one of the more impressive things I've seen in a long time. I'm used to seeing differences in acceleration like that between the GT-R and other vehicles, but never in a manner like this, where the GT-R is forced to go wide around a Ferrari within the first few seconds of the race because its get up and go is just that much more impressive. Not a vehicle to trifled with.
Ultimately, it's a fun race and a great video worth a watch. Hope you enjoy the results as much as I did!
Daijiro Yoshihara
In the motorsports world that seems to emanate from Japan, Daijiro Yoshihara—or Dai for short—has become somewhat of a legend. Some of you may or may not be familiar with the sport of drifting, but in the drifting world Dai is arguably one of the best drivers on the planet. At the age of 11, Dai found the thrills he was seeking in the street on top of two wheels with the only power coming from his legs. He was drifting bicycles. That's right—bicycles. For those of you unfamiliar with the sport of drifting, it is the manner in which a driver "slides" his vehicle (preferably a front engine/rear wheel drive platform) around corners and through turns. This process is achieved by breaking traction through a variety of ways at the entrance of the turn and then navigating the car through the preferred course at an angle nearing perpendicular to the travel of the car. Sound complicated? Here are some pictures to help:
The biggest thrill for Dai seems to have been perfecting his driving skills. After his bicycle drifting days, he found he could go faster on a motorcycle, and then eventually perfected his mountain driving experiences behind the wheel of a Toyota Corolla (AE86 chassis). From the days of driving the winding mountain roads of his homeland, he discovered a true passion for driving. This passion, which soon became a thrill seeking escape, became second to "getting a real job." Dai took a number of jobs that any early 20's male could see himself doing, but it wasn't until a friend offered him the opportunity of a lifetime with a trip to the US to drive in a competitive drifting event that his career unexpectedly took off. The stuff of legends and fairy tales. Dai drove the initial Formula D series in 2003 and placed very well in the top 16—by no means an easy feat. Regardless of exactly where he placed, the idea that he was driving trucks a month before, and was now competing on the world stage in the international drifting circuit at the highest level had to have been a mind blowing experience. For the next few years he competed at the highest level consistently placing on the podium in international competition. He now lives in Anaheim as well as Tokyo, and continues to drift a highly modified Nissan 240SX with a V8 engine swap, sponsored by Falken Tires and Discount Tire.
You might be saying to yourself—that's a very inspiring and all, but what does this have to do with my GT-R?
Patience, young grasshopper. The GT-R is a monster of a car on the track. For instance- Jeremy Clarkson of the popular British TV series Top Gear, lost his neck to G-Forces while test driving the car on the track in Japan. This is a man who drives every car you can imagine—and those you can't, on a very regular basis. His job is to test the most powerful and exotic cars on the planet, and the GT-R owned his neck. Pretty impressive. So, when an accomplished driver such as Dai hops behind the wheel of the R-35, you can expect great things to happen.
Now, imagine the GT-R was built and tuned by Mine's. That's right- the tuning giant Mine's of Japan has placed Dai Yoshihara behind the wheel of their highly modified R-35. Not only that, but they've arranged for him to be matched against the Honda tuning giant Spoon- and their NSX-R GT driven by American drifter Tyler McQuarrie. Tyler McQuarrie is no lightweight either when it comes to driving. He's an incredibly accomplished road racer, drifter and time attack driver who has competed all over the planet. The little known GTchannel online video group has put together these two heavyweight tuners and pulled some of the best drivers on the planet to put the two cars to the test in the hills of Buttonwillow. It's always fun to see two great drivers in two great cars go at it head to head. What makes this event even more interesting is the fact that neither driver has had any experience in the cars. So, you get a true sense of who builds an easier car to drive, and who can handle the car better.
Here's the low down dirty on what the Mine's car has in store for your drooling palette:
Engine (VR38DETT): 800ps @ 6,300RPM, 100kg-m @ 4,600RPM – Mine's Super Response Complete Engine (pistons, connecting rods), turbocharger kit, Spec-X 6.0 kit (Mine's VX-ROM Type-X ECU, turbo wastegate actuators, boost controller, HKS spark plugs), 800cc/min fuel injectors, high-flow throttle system, suction pipe kit, intercooler hard pipe kit, VX air filter, racing Silence-VX Pro Titan III exhaust, and Super Catalyzer II
Drivetrain: Mine's prototype clutch
Suspension: Mine's ESTA Full Spec Suspension III coilovers (Sachs 3-way dampers, Hyperco springs) and front/rear stabilizer bars
Brakes: Mine's prototype brake pads
Wheels: RAYS VR G12, 20×10-inch +30 (F), 20×11-inch +15 (R)
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE070R, 255/40/20 (F), 285/35/20 (R)
Exterior: Mine's carbon fiber Type II front lip spoiler, Type II hood, Type I trunk, carbon rear wing, carbon doors, carbon bumper protector, side steps, carbon engine cover, carbon fiber antenna cover, quad-light tail illumination kit, and carbon mirror surrounds
This combination of speed and style is a true mark of engineering prowess from one of Japan's top tuners. These guys don't play around. Perhaps one of the most impressive things about the car is the extremely non-flashy approach they've taken by paint matching all of the carbon pieces and only adding their very light gray signature on the side.
The Spoon NSX-R GT is an entirely different beast however, and has been built like a Honda fanatics dream:
Spoon Signature NSX Type-R GT
Engine: Turbo 3.0L Approx. 450HP
Spoon Balanced and Blue printed
Spoon Yellow valve Cover
All internals are Spoon balanced
Transmission: 6-speed manual, LSD Type-R Standard
Wheels: F: TypeR 17"x 7 ½" R: TypeR 17"x 8 ½"
Tires F: 215 40 17 R: 255 40 17 Bridgestone
Exhaust: Spoon Single Exhaust for Turbo
Brakes: Spoon Monoblock Calipers, Spoon Large Rotors, Spoon Brake pads, Spoon Brake lines,
Suspension: Spoon Custom Dampers
Exterior: Air duct Spoon Unicorn and sides air duct, Front Bumper Spoon aero, Rear Bumper, Spoon aero, Dry carbon Fiber trunk, Dry Carbon Door panels.
For more on Daijiro Yoshihara, Tyler McQuarrie or GT Channel visit their websites below:
http://www.tylermcquarrie.com/
For more on Mine's or Spoon please visit:
http://www.ppi-mines.com/index.html
Mine’s Goodies for the Nissan GT-R
The tuning giant known simply as Mine's out of Yokosuka, Japan, has been in the game of producing such high quality pieces for their homelands greatest cars since 1985. After being recognized as one of the first tuning companies to resell pre-programmed ECU's in the late 80's for Japanese sports cars, they went on to build an impeccable reputation- particularly in the Nissan community. They have always paid special attention to the flagship of the company: the Skyline GT-R, otherwise known as Godzilla. Mine's has had a special affinity for these cars since their modern inception in 1989, with the BNR32 GT-R , and since then has continued to produce some of the highest quality parts for the aftermarket scene in Nissans hardcore community. Today, after the GT-R namesake laid dormant from 2002-2007, Nissan ups the game again with the 2012 GT-R, and Mine's hasn't been far behind to follow up with goodies for its fans.
With the US market becoming more and more familiar with the capabilities of the GT-R, the pool of available cars increases. Since its debut release in 2008 to the US, the numbers have slowly crept up, and there are somewhere in the range of 5,000 GT-R's on US streets. This means that there are an increasing number of used GT-R's, which also means that there are an increasing number of new owners looking to modify their personal Godzilla. What this means for Mine's is an expanding market for their aftermarket parts. Thankfully, they have no problem taking the painstaking time to find the small things on the GT-R that could use a little aftermarket helping hand. What they have done so far, that bears at least a worthy mention is decode the factory ECU, and now offer a re-mapped and tuned ECU for our beloved monsters under the name of VX-ROM Performance Tuning Computer. This little guy removes the speed limiting function, adjusts both the air/fuel ratio and the ignition timing, remaps the boost map, modifies the variable valve timing, and leaves a significant safety margin to keep you and you're engine safe. This computer comes mapped for the US and is intended to be used with 92 octane pump gas, while also keeping all factory functions in place (think anti-theft, immobilizer, etc…).
So, if that doesn't impress you, and if you feel as if your throttle response could use a little help, sit tight. Mine's has taken the time to remove the factory throttle bodies, determine they could use a few more millimeters and some smoother surfaces to breathe that much better for an increased throttle response. So, after taking in the fact that Mine's found an area to improve in, just take a look at how different the stock pieces look next to the Mine's pieces. The interior of the factory throttle bodies has been machined using a diamond tipped tool to create a flawless finish with a perfect "venturi shape." These add a couple extra horses, and increased response, and after the addition of an exhaust, and especially an intake, you're looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of a 50 horse gain to be had. Pretty impressive gains (with minor bolt-ons) on a motor that is already had a very stout tune from the factory. Mine's has even gone so far as to minimize drag on the butterfly plates by using low profile screws. This attention to detail is what separates Mine's from the rest. They also have put out an array of beautifully crafted pieces of dry carbon fiber goods for our cars. They make everything from wings, sideskirts and hoods to engine covers and radiator shrouds as well as a host of exhaust and induction pieces- most out of Titanium. Be sure to keep an eye on these guys as time goes on, I guarantee that they'll be putting out more impressive stuff for our little city stompers.
Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Disasters not Causing Trouble for 2012 GT-R
Nissan expects to be able to fill, and even exceed, all of their projected GT-R orders for the year, even in the face of the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami disasters that rocked Japan. The GT-R, which is produced at the Tochigi plant in Tochigi, Japan, was originally announced to be delayed by the natural disasters which hit the country of Japan, but now those delays are being said to be minimal with already over 70% of the international supply of GT-Rs shipped out to dealers. The remaining 30% will be produced and shipped out as the year progresses, and no dealer will face a shortage at any point in time--some may even find themselves with extras, if production schedules remain as they're currently set.
Making this feat by Nissan more impressive is that, internationally, the company is expanding their GT-R market and introducing Godzilla to Australia this year. The Australian market, which has vehicle laws more in line with Japan than the U.S., has always been a large one for Nissan. Australian buyers are generally quick to jump on for high-end performance, and the GT-R's is impressive enough, and coupled with All-Wheel Drive, to be an ideal match for the country's public.
This is, beyond this expansion, a big year for GT-R production also, as it's the year that the updated version of the GT-R is being introduced. Having seen Porsche finally surpass the GT-R's performance (albeit, with a vehicle twice the cost of the GT-R) Nissan made the decision to increase the power output of their benchmark-setting Godzilla to fend off its German, American, and Italian competitors. The 2012 GT-R, which will retail in the States at about $90,000, has been given a HP boost from 485 bhp to an even more impressive 530 bhp. All of this was achieved without compromising the vehicle's MPG rating or changing the size of the 3.8 liter Twin-Turbo engine. In addition to the extra HP, Nissan has also outfitted the newest model GT-R with other race-ready pieces, as well as new carbon fiber body pieces.
Ultimately, the GT-R is being set-up to have a huge year. Thankfully, Nissan was not hit too badly (and our best wishes and condolences go out to those people who were injured or who lost their homes or loved ones in the disasters) and they'll be able to maintain the supply of GT-Rs needed to meet the demands of this expectantly huge year.
APR Performance Dry Carbon Fiber for the Nissan GT-R R35
The GT-R, which is arguably the most impressive vehicle on the road today, deserves only the best. Lots of companies make various carbon fiber pieces for the Nissan GT-R--hoods, diffusers, side skirts, spoilers, etc.--and now APR Performance, who have been making fantastic Dry Carbon Fiber pieces since 1999 are joining that group of companies. The benefits of carbon fiber are obvious: it's stronger than steel, far lighter than aluminum, and gorgeous. APR Performance has proven, too, that their carbon fiber work is second to none since they've entered the fray.
For years now, APR has been crafting carbon fiber pieces for high-end track applications (from Drag to Drift, and Rally to Road-Course Racing), and their pieces are always thoroughly track tested to ensure optimal performance. This dedication to quality and performance is what has me so excited about their new line of GT-R R35 Carbon Fiber pieces, too. Becoming available to the public in April, APR now offers Front Air Dam and Side Skirt options for the GT-R. These new stylish body pieces offer fantastic aerodynamic benefits to help with Lift and Drag reduction, as well as handling and cornering stability.
The first piece, their new Front Air Dam, is an absolute work of art. With an extended under-chassis plate, the APR Front Air Dam has both strength and enhanced performance, and the front lip spoiler design allows for fantastic airflow to reduce front-end lift and increase front-end stability and cornering grip. The extended under-chassis portion is also purposefully designed with fin-like curves to help increase the aerodynamic benefits. A lot of front lip spoilers don't include an extended plate like this one does, and in that way, they're immediately inferior. The plate, again, helps with the aerodynamics and really adds a lot of strength to the piece as a whole. The look of the front air dam is top-notch, too. The pre-pregnated Dry Carbon Fiber has a gorgeous, tight weave pattern, and the UV and fade resistant sealer that APR uses for finishing has an incredible brilliance to it. The curves and angles of the piece are aggressive and impressive, and do a lot to improve the over-all appearance of the front-end without being too showy or in your face, like some of the larger more extended front lips you'll see out there. Installed, it really looks like the piece was designed by Nissan engineers specifically for the vehicle, and you can see just how much care and concern APR has put in to this part.
The second piece, the Side Skirts, are everything that the front Air Dam is and more! Their lines, to start with the visual appearance, are absolutely fantastic. The extended flare past the door on the side skirts looks awesome, yet the piece itself still has a lot of the classy subtlety to it. Again, the quality of the Carbon Fiber is unmatched, and the finish has a great brilliance to it. The splitters work, functionally, in much the same way that the front air dam does, also. Their extended lips allow for a reduction in air roll underneath the vehicle chassis--this "roll" acts as a huge aerodynamic buffer eating away at over-all performance numbers. By channeling the wind flowing across the vehicle more efficiently, these Side Skirts help to reduce drag and improve handling. Again, too, they look near-perfect on the GT-R. These things were definitely designed to be installed on this vehicle. The portions of the splitters that attach these pieces to the vehicle are also thick and wide, and really guarantee a lot of strength and durability. They're pretty easily installed, and, once on the vehicle, certain to hold up for a very very long time. If the quality of APR's other work--they're incredibly popular within the Corvette, BMW, and G35 communities--is indicative of these pieces at all, they'll almost certainly stand the test of time longer than most OEM body components will.
Combined, these two parts add almost no weight to the vehicle thanks to the feather-like nature of carbon fiber, and they help with performance, and even things like gas mileage, thanks to their aerodynamic benefits. And you know, again, that they're great because they're an APR product--a company whose line-up has been used on winning vehicles at Pike's Peak, in SCCA Nationals, and record-setting Willow Ring laps. Ultimately, if you're looking to improve the handling abilities and the exterior styling of your Nissan GT-R, these new pieces from APR are an absolute home-run for you. Great products from a great company, and I'm so happy to see them really entering in to the GT-R market with some force! I expect even more greatness from them in combination with the GT-R in the future.
Nissan GT-R Laps Potrero de los Funes Circuit
Well, the FIA GT1 race circuit is hitting it's year end this weekend at the Potrero de los Funes Circuit, which is a gorgeous track in San Luis, Argentina that is put together from what are normally public mountain roads around the Lake Potrero de los Funes. This circuit course is a very fast and very challenging run, and always makes for a great race. With that in mind, there's probably no better car for driving around it than the Nissan GT-R.
In this video, you get a first eye view of what it's like to be behind the wheel of Nissan GT-R on a professional circuit course--something that most everybody can, and does, only dream about. The man driving the Nissan GT-R (which is, interestingly enough, the course's Safety Car) is none other than Sumo Power's veteran driver, Warren Hughes. Warren does a fantastic job snaking his way through the difficult course and around some other service vehicles, and provides a great look and great narration at what the track and the GT-R have to offer.
If you're interested in watching the final race of the FIA GT series, it will be airing tomorrow, 12/12, on SPEED channel starting at 12:30pm EST.
AMS Alpha 10 Goes Faster!
Recently I shared with you a story about a modified R35 that ran the 1/4 mile in 9.33 seconds. That R35 GT-R was the AMS Alpha 10, and it was an absolute sight to behold. Amazingly, though, the vehicle had some more oomph in it. Now, the crew over at AMS, has taken that same vehicle and run a quicker 1/4 Mile with it. Yeah, that's right, it goes faster. They just released video footage of them tearing through a 1/4 Mile run in 9.19 seconds at 163 MPH. Holy %$*&! Those numbers are damn impressive, and I'm sure the AMS guys wont rest there. They're very close to the fabled 8-second territory now, and I can't imagine that that's too far off. So, watch this GT-R tear it up, and dream about what an 8 second GT-R looks like and how you can get one.
2012 Nissan GT-R To Be Unveiled at LA Auto Show
The 2012 Nissan GT-R was recently debuted in Japan, and will soon be hitting American shores as well. Announced by Nissan, the GT-R will be making its American debut at the LA Auto Show in November. At the auto show American audiences will be able to get their first glimpse at the newly revamped and modified GT-R, which boasts many new features.
Externally, the vehicle looks very very similar to its 2011 brother. Some minor changes have been made visually (slight variations on the wheels, colors available, and under-chassis options) but its the engine output performance numbers that are generating the most buzz. The GT-R is already among the most impressively fast and powerfully quick cars in production today, and Nissan has retooled its brilliant Twin-Turbo V6 to deliver even more power. The HP and Torque numbers are being bumped up from their current 485HP/434 Torque to an even more impressive (reported) 523HP/452Torque. Combining that newfound power with a bevy of suspension alterations to improve the GT-R's already world-class handling only works to ensure that this vehicle will continue to break time records on tracks all around the world. Nissan has something very very special with their GT-R, and it's nice to see that they're very committed to keeping it that way.
Nissan GT-R Egoist Official Release in Japan
I wont begin to pretend that EGOIST is a good name for a car. And I know that when it was announced, a lot of people laughed at the very idea of driving a vehicle with that badge, but the car is official, it's released, and it looks really good. And, yes, it does have an EGOIST badge on the back, right below the GT-R Emblem.
The badge does look pretty, though. Pretty is the name of the game with the GT-R Egoist, too. Originally billed as the Spec-M, the GT-R Egoist is meant to combine the Nissan GT-R performance (which is top of the line) with incredibly beautiful styling. The exterior is already gorgeous, we know that, so Nissan put their focus on the interior of the GT-R, and they did a fantastic job with it. With 20 different interior leather options, a custom lacquer made steering wheel emblem, and other small visual details through-out the vehicle, the GT-R Egoist has style to put Porsches and Aston Martins to shame (just like its performance does!). These touches aren't just gorgeous, either. The lacquer work is done by renowned lacquerware artist Sakae Kubota of Japan, and the leather is hand-selected and hand-stitched by German leather masters Seton company. And, just as a fine wine gets better with age, so will the interior, as the Lacquerware is designed to age to bring out its deeper tones. This is achieved through a silverdust paint application applied to it.
The complete BOSE stereo system is also tuned to specifically match the GT-R purchaser, so that it optimizes its sound for exactly where the driver will be sitting. This fancy touch seems like a fantastic means of being able to hear your stereo well without having to turn it up so loud that you tune out the sound of the incredible exhaust.
As far as performance touches are concerned, the EGOIST doesn't offer much there. This upgrade of the GT-R is being made solely for the luxury aspect, it would seem (I mean, yes, it's still a GT-R and is still faster than much anything else you'll ever encounter on the road). The EGOIST only takes three performance cues from the Spec-V, but they're nice, and all of them add to the over-all visual appearance of the vehicle too. They are:
- 20″ Rays forged aluminium wheels (available in a new Blue Sword Chrome color)
- Titanium Exhaust system
- Carbon Fibre rear spoiler (manufactured by Challenge)
Of course, the EGOIST's price tag (which is almost double the Standard GT-R in Japan, and is in line with the Spec-V pricing) may be too high a price to pay for luxury. It's difficult to say without being able to see the vehicle's luxury modifications in person, honestly, and since it will only be available in Japan for some time, curious consumers elsewhere will have to wait. Either way, it's a great great looking vehicle and another great creation from Nissan.
Check the gallery below for the 20 different interior leather combination options. They are, in order as follows:
- Muelheim Brown lower with Muelheim Brown upper
- Ruhr White lower with Ruhr White upper
- Ruhr White lower with GT Black upper
- Ruhr White lower with R-Red upper
- GT Black lower with GT Black upper
- GT Black lower with R-Red upper
- R-Red lower with GT Black upper
- R-Red lower with R-Red upper
- Espresso Brown lower with GT Black upper
- Espresso Brown lower with R-Red upper
- Caramel Beige lower with GT Black upper
- Caramel Beige lower with R-Red upper
- Mimolette Orange (new) lower with GT Black upper
- Mimolette Orange (new) lower with R-Red upper
- Aqua Grey lower with GT Black upper
- Aqua Grey lower with R-Red upper
- Shadow Grey lower with GT Black upper
- Shadow Grey lower with R-Red upper
- Sakura lower with GT Black upper
- Sakura lower with R-Red upper
Also, here's an interesting GT-R Egoist documentary. It's all in Japanese, but, it has some great great shots of the GT-R Egoist and the build process involved with it.
More Spec-M Spy Photos, and a GT-R v. Datsun drag race that will shock and awe
The 2012 Nissan GT-R Spec M is being seen by everyone now, it seems! I'm half expecting to spy on at my local grocery store this week! Of course, the actual likelihood of that happening is slim to none, as there are so many different grocery stores in my city it's doubtful the GT-R Spec M driver would choose to shop at mine. All jokes aside, here's more spy photography of the 2012 Spec M in all of its beautiful Godzilla glory. The vehicle really does look fantastic. I think Nissan has gone an exceptional route with the small stylistic changes they've provided the already beautiful GT-R.
Click thumbs for larger images:
Now, for the drag race no one saw coming. What would you think if I told you that a Nissan GT-R and a 1972 Datsun 1200 were going to race? You'd laugh at the thought of the Datsun slowly pushing through the smoke left in the GT-R's wake, right? What if I then told you that the Datsun was an all electric modification? More humor. What if, I then told you that the Datsun wins?
I hate showing GT-Rs losing (and thankfully, those videos are so few and far between that I never really have to) but this one is too cool to pass up. Of course, the '72 Datsun 1200 in question (affectionately called White Zombie) is no normal Datsun. This 1200 runs off an all electric drive-train which delivers an immediate 772 pounds of torque. That's right, 772 pounds of torque delivered to all 4 wheels the second the accelerator is hit. That power makes this Datsun the fastest electric car on Earth. This incredible vehicle uses a cavalcade of batteries to power the vehicle for as much as 100 miles of driving, or if you're more interested in speed than conservation, 1/4 mile of all-out hauling ass. The EV Datsun 1200 hits 0-60 in 1.8 seconds and finishes a 1/4 mile run at a very very respectable 10.4 seconds. Not even the monster that is Godzilla can top this thing. The stats are impressive, but it's even more fun to watch. If you don't get a sick laugh watching a '72 Datsun 1200 run a 10 second 1/4 mile, you probably don't have a car-loving soul.