1993 Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R V-Spec N1 Coupe

Description

From day one, the GT-R was designed to meet all present and foreseeable Group A rules. Its huge guards were designed to accommodate correspondingly impressive rims and rubber. The adoption of the ATESSA (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System) all-wheel drive configuration added about 100kg worth of avoirdupois, but the engineers compensated by taking the engine capacity to 2.6 litres and using aluminium for some of the panels. Turbocharged, this enlarged unit was good for a formidable 599 brake horsepower in race trim. As for the all-wheel-drive element, the R32 was designed essentially as a rear-driver with added front-drive, while most 4WD/AWD cars are the reverse. There was, even in those days, a degree of controversy about manufacturers’ claimed lap times of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, but it hardly stretched credibility when Nissan claimed that Japanese driver Hiroyoshi Katoh knocked 25 seconds off the production lap record held by a Porsche 944 when he stopped the watch at 8:20. In July 1991 Nissan introduced an N1 variant designed for a special domestic Japanese racing category. Essentially, this was a stripped-out lightweight version of the GT-R Nismo with aluminium bonnet and special Nismo front bumper. There was no air-conditioning, no sound system (although either could be specced into the car) no ABS, no rear wiper. The boot carpet had been removed. Even the paint weighed less, thanks to a thinner coat and all N1s were painted Crystal White. Different headlights were fitted to all N1s. Brembo brakes with improved cooling and a reinforced brake master cylinder were evidence of the car’s purpose-built nature. To celebrate the GT-R’s success in both Group N and Group A racing, Nissan released the GT-R V-Spec – yes, Victory SPECification – in February 1993. An N1 variant was also offered. All V-Specs had 17-inch BBS wheels with 245/45R17 rubber. 
In total just 245 N1 cars were produced, consisting of 118 GT-R N1, 64 V-Spec N1 & 63 V-Spec II N1.