Nissan Pulsar GTi-R
Surely one of the best-ever cars for a low-flying mountain blast is Nissan's all-wheel-drive turbo Pulsar GTi-R. It helps to think of the GTi-R as a more compact version of the popular Subaru WRX - but also lighter, more powerful (thanks to its superior engine) and certainly much less common.
In order to make it a WRC contender, only 5000 GTi-Rs were built from 1990. The car offers a level of factory performance that's rivalled by few (hence its 'baby Godzilla' tag). With 164kW (at 6400 rpm) and 272Nm (at 4800 rpm) on offer from its transversely-mounted, quad-throttle SR20 turbo engine, the 1200-odd kilogram hatch can blast from zero to 100 km/h in less than 6 seconds. That's gotta make it a hot hatch in anyone's book!
And that SR20 engine is a treasure chest for the go-fast tuner. With a huge assortment of parts available from Japan (such as GReddy, HKS, Trust etc), the sky is the limit for those seeking monster power. With our feet returning back to Earth, however, even just a high-flow intake and exhaust and a tad more boost is enough to make most people reach for the interior grab handle. It's also a good idea to replace the factory top-mount intercooler with something front-mount (or maybe just relocate the factory core, if possible).
Handling wise, the viscous-coupled AWD GTi-R does suffer from understeer - some people would say more than the WRX. However, with some additional front castor (or simply a bit more neg camber) and some ultra-grippy tyres (preferably on larger than standard 14-inch alloys) this can be largely eliminated. (See our article on GtiR handling for more information - "Suspension Intervention" )
Using a short wheelbase version of the N14 Pulsar platform, the GTi-R is also quite practical for everyday use and is rated to carry 5 people. Inside it carries air conditioning (optional climate control), central locking power windows and mirrors and a reach-adjustable steering column. Externally, the GTi-R sports a roof spoiler, an aggressive front bar and an aesthetically questionable bonnet scoop. However, the aftermarket fitment of a front-mount intercooler gives the perfect excuse to bolt on an un-scooped Pulsar bonnet for more sleeper appeal.
This is a car with fantastic performance out-of-the-box and aftermarket potential. Prices range considerably - from around $20 to $30k. Note that, at present, there is only one company in Australia that can arrange compliance for this wild beast.
Mitsubishi FTO MIVEC V6
If you want a sexy sports coupe with a complementary combination of handling and straight-line dash, then the Mitsubishi MIVEC V6 FTO must be on your list. With a 6A12 2-litre 'Mitsubishi Innovative valve and Lift Electronic Control System' heart pounding away under the sloping hood, the FTO can willingly wind out to its 8000 rpm redline. Certainly, it's a keen revver, with maximum power (150kW) arriving at 7500 rpm, and maximum torque (200Nm) at 6000 rpm. These figures would indicate that the engine delivers nothing at low revs - but thanks to MIVEC, it's only slightly doughy below 3000. Relatively short gearing helps to overcome this.
Weighing only 1190kg, the FTO MIVEC V6 can hustle to 100 km/h in around 8 seconds dead (in Tiptronic automatic form). A 5-speed manual shortens this travelling time. The ride is not for the faint hearted, though - the MIVEC V6 exhibits teeth-rattling spring and damper rates. On the other hand, its front-wheel-drive handling is razor-sharp (with mild understeer when pushed) and the power steering is beautifully direct.
Released in 1994, the FTO's styling is refreshingly daring. Its profile is short and stumpy, and it uses a high waistline and subtly pumped guards to good effect. Its taillights have a sharp appearance and the 'scoop' nose is quite stylish.
Inside, the FTO is rated as a 4-seater. Standard fare includes climate control, central locking, power windows and mirrors, highly supportive 'race' seats and - get this - green illuminated badges on the door scuff plates. And when you look out over those curved doorsills, you can't help but think you're riding in a 'little Ferrari'.
Prices for the FTO MIVEC V6 start at around $25,000.
Nissan S13 180SX/Silvia
Another flier from the Nissan stable is the S13 180SX/Silvia range; these are brilliant cars for somebody wanting a high-powered RWD sportscar. Early models were equipped with DOHC CA-series 1.8-litre engines (good for 130kW in turbocharged form), while later models came with the 2-litre SR20. Certainly, the pick of the crop is the SR20 turbo, which generates 150kW and 275Nm. Chuck this much grunt toward the rear wheels and the 180SX/Silvia is a guaranteed power oversteerer - hence its popularity in the drift scene.
But the chassis can handle very well if set up appropriately. Poised on MacPherson front struts and a strut/semi-trailing arm rear suspension (some models also with HICAS), S13s turn-in very well and - with careful use of the throttle - can be punted through corners quite swiftly. But don't plan on taking too many passengers along to see how well the car performs; the rear seat (of the 180SX especially) is not suitable for anyone over about 170cm tall. The rest of the interior, though, has good space and is tastefully appointed.
Silvias and 180SXs are amongst the most popular imports in Australia - and with good reason. A good (standard-ish) 180SX or Silvia with a SR20 turbo 5-speed sells for around $17,000. The 5-speeders - due to their easy low-to-mid 6 second 0-100 km/h performance - are generally a grand or so dearer than an auto. With locally delivered S14 200SXs starting at around 20k, this means the lighter weight S13 flyers must be amongst the best value RWD guns in the land. Like the SR20DET-powered Pulsar GTi-R, tuning potential is also immense.
Toyota Soarer/Lexus SC400
Moving up a class, Toyota's Soarer is the perfect machine to deliver silken high performance. The same Soarer shape (released in 1991) comes in 3 different engine configurations - a 4.0-litre V8, a twin-turbo 2.5-litre six and a 3.0-litre atmo six. Note that the V8 was dubbed the Lexus SC400 in the American market.
In terms of luxury, the Limited version of the V8 Soarer is the crème-de-la-crème. This top-line model delivers leather trim and a full list of electrics - including 'air bag' suspension. Such extravagant items as GPS, a TV and reversing camera are options. A cheaper cloth-trim version of the V8 Soarer - the GT - was also produced. The V8 is not the quickest of the Soarers, however; its 194kW/365Nm 1UZ-FE engine is convincingly out-performed by the twin-turbo 1JZ-GTE 2.5-litre six.
And this is a fantastic engine.
With sequential turbos blowing through an air-to-air intercooler, the 1JZ-GTE can stomp out 209kW at 6200 rpm and 363Nm at 4800. Unfortunately, though, twin-turbo models also equipped with factory leather are very rare. Even rarer are 5-speed manual versions - these, the fastest of all Soarers, can reputedly sprint to 100 km/h in around 5-6 seconds. All performance oriented Soarers put power to the ground through a Torsen LSD.
The 'base model' Soarer (which is still very luxurious) is the 3.0-litre 2JZ-GE atmo version. With 168kW on tap, this vehicle has respectable performance without the insurance hassle of 'turbo' or 'V8'. It retains the digital dash, power windows, climate control and many of the standard luxuries of the TT and V8 models.
With a high 1500-1700kg kerb mass (depending on spec), Soarers ride quite softly. Handling is adequate and the chassis is generally very stable - the traction control option makes it even more so. Having a peer underneath, the suspension appears to be very well engineered, with aluminium components widely used.
The Toyota Soarer delivers an excellent blend of class, sophistication and - depending on your choice of engine - performance. They can be picked up for anywhere between $18,000 and $45,000 - the exact price is largely determined by specifications.
Toyota Supra Twin-Turbo
Using very similar underpinnings to the Soarer is Toyota's more hard-edged Supra twin-turbo. Released in 1993, this vehicle is right up there with Skyline GT-R performance - the only thing it doesn't have is all-wheel-drive. This monster puts its drive through the rear rubbers only.
Under the bonnet is arguably Toyota's finest-ever engine. The 2JZ-GTE (a twin turbo-charged version of the 2JZ used in the base-model Soarer) is an engine that delivers the Japanese-regulation 209kW at 5600 rpm along with 431Nm at 3600. Anybody in 'the know' will tell you, however, that the standard output figure is more like 230kW. Supposedly keeping to this same max power output is the VVT-i version of this engine, as can be found in the most recent Supras. Backing this pearl of a donk is either a 4-speed auto or a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox.
Like the Soarer, the Supra TT also uses a handful of aluminium suspension components and - as standard - a Torsen LSD. Spring and damper rates are firmer than the Soarer, and the basic design of the chassis is extremely competent. Testament to this is Craig Dean's Supra twin-turbo RZ, which - with pretty minimal mods - took him to third place outright in the 2001 Targa Tasmania. The RZ twin-turbo model also features 320mm 4-pot front brakes hiding behind standard 17-inch alloys.
Indeed, the RZ - rather than the heavier GZ twin-turbo - is the quickest Supra available. Equipped with the 6-speed Getrag, you can expect it to run low 5s 0-100 km/h and around 13.6 over the quarter mile. Not bad for a car weighing nearly 1600kg! Despite its considerable size, the Supra is only a 4-seater. However, climate control, power windows and mirrors and central locking are there to keep you happy; the interior is also very cockpit-like.
If you're thinking about potential mods, the Supra TT will respond unbelievably well. Just a 2½-inch exhaust and a slight increase in boost were all that were needed to make Craig Dean's RZ into a Targa Taz third place getter. These mods, reportedly, yielded 172kW at the rear wheels on a Dyno Dynamics chassis dyno.
Expect a twin-turbo Supra to set you back at least 35 thousand.
Toyota Hilux Surf
The Toyota Hilux Surf is no rocket, but is does perform well - on and off road. When Toyota Australia stopped selling its Hilux range of SR5 sports-trucks, it opened the floodgates for a whole heap of second-hand Japanese imports to arrive.
Amongst the most desirable imported Surfs is the late-model SSR-G (the top-line spec). If you want to tow your drag car to and from events and enjoy the odd spot of 4WDing, this is one of the best vehicles you could pick. Especially if it's powered by one of the torquey 1KZ turbo diesels; depending on whether they're intercooled ore not, these motors generate 289/333Nm at 2000 rpm and 96/103kW at 3600.
Backed by either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed auto, the Hilux will let you engage RWD, constant 4WD, diff-lock 4WD or low-range diff-lock 4WD. Off-road, the Hilux is a proven performer that's stood the test of time. On the other hand, it's also quite at home dealing with traffic jams.
One of the attractions of a late-model Surf is its interior comfort. There's a tasteful combination of fabrics and wood (where fitted), the instruments are clear and the seats are comfy. SSR-G models score power windows (including the rear glass), climate control and central locking and - if you're lucky - a reversing mirror that retracts into the rear spoiler.
Older model Surfs can be picked up for as little as $18,000, but an immaculate, low-km late-model top-of-the-line SSR-G costs around $36,000.
Nissan Skyline R32-R33 GTSs
Released in 1990, the all-new R32 Skyline shape brought with it the very first twin-turbo AWD GT-R; the famous Godzilla. But - on a more affordable level - there was also the GTS-t...
Using the same basic Skyline chassis design as the GT-R, the GTS-t is a 'humble' rear-wheel-drive 2-litre single-turbo vehicle without the aggression of pumped guards and a large rear wing. But it can still perform. Using an intercooled turbo DOHC RB20, the R32 GTS-t could produce a handy 158kW at 6200 rpm and 263Nm at 3200 rpm. Backed by a 5-speed manual (a 4-speed auto was also available), the 2-door Skyline can leap to 100 clicks in easy low 7 seconds.
The R32 body now looks a little dated, but it's quite a nice shape with well matched proportions. The GTS-t is listed as a 5-seater, but - like the 180SX/Silvia S13-range - the rear passengers would have to be either quite small-framed or very friendly... Under the skin is a wishbone front-end and a wishbone/multi-link rear. Ride is about perfect for a hi-po everyday streeter.
After the R32 GTS-t came the R33 GTS25T of 1993. The R33 is notably larger than the '32 and - accordingly - it sported a higher power engine. Based on the same RB-design is the R33's 2.5-litre DOHC intercooled turbo, which generates a smooth 187kW and 294Nm. Like the R32 predecessor, the GTS25T comes with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed auto; the manual 'box car rockets to 100 km/h in around 6 seconds.
With its extra power, the GTS25-T has the potential to be a big-time oversteerer. It's nicely controllable for a quick urban chuck-about, but - when you start really pushing - it does require a little more care. We get the feeling that if its 1360kg 'got away', the whole shebang would be quite difficult to gather up. Certainly, it can be punted very hard - but with caution.
The updated body of the R33 GTS25-t is a little on the bulbous side, but - to our eyes - it gets away with it thanks to the sexy rear lights, integrated rear spoiler and parabolic headlights. Inside is comfortable and functional, with the usual fruit of power windows, mirrors and climate control. Despite its added size, the R33 GTS25-t's rear passenger space is still quite limited (Nissan obviously didn't care much about rear space in the early-mid '90s!).
Both the R32's RB20DET and the R33's RB25DET respond very well to power-ups. With an exhaust, intake, intercooler and more boost, you should be looking at a 30 percent increase in power. Note that the ceramic turbines fitted to these engines should not be relied on for anything over about 12 psi boost - they are prone to 'flaking' apart.
A R32 GTS-t sells for about $17,000, while a R33 GTS-t will consume an extra $10,000 of your available (?) funds.
For more info on any of these vehicles, simply use the AutoSpeed search facility at the bottom of the page. And - remember - there will be more hot imports coming at you next week!
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