Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

The Nissan Pulsar GTI-R (chassis code RNN14 - aka GTiR, i-R and 'R) is a homologated 2 litre turbo-charged AWD vehicle manufactured by Nissan in Japan between 1990 and 1994 in order to enter the WRC under Group A rules. The body is based on the Nissan Pulsar (aka Sunny) N14 3-door hatchback model, but distinguished by the large rear wing and bonnet scoop. It has an ATTESA 4WD system (also used on some U12 & U13 Bluebird models), and a unique variant (coded 54C) of the SR20DET engine (not used on any other car).

Models

Main versions:
There were 2 distinct models of the Pulsar GTI-R sold to the general public, identifiable by the model number found on the VIN plate located on the firewall in the engine bay. There are no external visual differences.

• RA models:

GTI-RA (aka RA / Alpha / Road / Luxury), model number EBYNRVFN14xxxx. This was the normal road car, which came standard with air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, and abs. About half way through the production (August 1992), Nissan made a range of small cosmetic changes to the interior of the RA model (mostly replacing trim that was unique to the GTI-R with trim that was common to other models in the N14 range). Although not advertised or branded as such, they were extensive enough (around 10 items) to be noticeable as a different phase or series and are defined by chassis numbers RNN14-100000 and above.

• RB models:

GTI-RB (aka RB / Beta / Rally / Homologation), model number EBYNRRFN14xxxx. The homologated model was stripped-down as a base for motorsport use (Group N rallying in particular). It had the luxury trimmings such as air conditioning, power windows, and ABS removed as standard, and the simple interior trim from the base model Pulsar which reduced the curb weight by 30 kg (66 lb) to 1,190 kg (2,624 lb). Some of the luxury items were available as an option. The engine remained the same as the RA model, but there were a few mechanical changes such as a close-ratio gearbox and a front lsd instead of the open diff from the RA model.

Other versions:

• NISMO

Nismo offered a "complete car" version based on the RB model featuring many of the Nismo rally options (suspension, LSDs, seats, roll cage, foot rests, etc.). A confirmed total of 21 were produced, all of which are individually numbered on a special Nismo VIN plate on the firewall. Some were used by Nissan and Nismo as promotional vehicles, the rest were ordered by private buyers. They were priced at ¥3,140,000.

• GROUP A

The Group A Rally Cars were not sold to the general public. They were specifically built and used for the WRC by the now defunct NME (Nissan Motorsports Europe) as their Works cars. After NME was disbanded, the cars were sold to private buyers, predominately in Europe, where some made their way into Rallycross events. Tony Bardy is currently still competing in UK rallies using the "J3" NME car.

Sunny:
Sunny was the badge used for the European-delivered GTI-R. They had a different chassis number of EGNN14, and came in both right hand drive and left hand drive variants. The engine output specifications (220 PS / 162 kW and 267 Nm / 197 lb·ft) were slightly less due to the ecu having different fuel and ignition maps to compensate for the lower octane fuel available in those areas. The Sunny GTI-R had several physical differences to the Pulsar, such as a the rear number plate surround and rear fog lights. The interior also varied from the Pulsar with some of the more basic trim from the RB model. In 1992 they were priced in the UK at £20,553.

Production:

• Pulsar

The Pulsars were manufactured in Japan between August 1990 until November 1994. The total number produced during the 4 years was between 12,000 and 15,000. It is unclear how many of them were RA and RB models. The first year of production (1990–91) was by far the largest due to Nissan fulfilling the FIA regulations (of 5,000 models total, with 500 of them homologated) in order to enter the model as a manufacturer in the WRC. They were priced at ¥2,270,000.

• Sunny

The RHD Sunny models were produced from 1992 until January 1995. There is no data for LHD models. No verifiable evidence has been available of Sunny production numbers, but it is generally accepted that less than 1000 were produced in total. They were officially sold in the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Iceland, Italy and France (possibly other countries, but details are unconfirmed).

Performance

With a power-to-weight ratio of 0.083 and AWD, the standard GTI-R is able to accelerate from 0-100kph in 5.4 seconds, cover the standing quarter mile in 13.5 seconds (Nissan never quoted the official figure but Best Motoring magazine conducted several tests with standard cars during production), and reach a top speed of 232 km/h (144 mph).

Specifications

WRC History

Group-A

After producing the minimum required 5,000 examples (500 of them being homologation models), Nissan entered the GTI-R under Group A rules in the FIA WRC as a factory team (Nissan Motorsport Europe - NME) in 1991 & 1992.

Based in Milton Keynes, NME only competed in selected rallies during both years (ones they thought had the highest potential for good results), but the initial success expected by Nissan Japan was not forthcoming, and they abandoned the campaign in 1992 after only 9 rallies. Factory development stopped there, and the GTI-R never won a WRC Group A rally. Nissan redirected funding to Le Mans and the development of the R390, and NME moved to the FWD Sunny GTI in the WRC F2 category (A7 class) where they had better success with Alister McRae winning the 1995 BRC. Much has been written about the reason for the GTI-R Group-A failure. The most notable being the uncompetitive Dunlop tyres, the inefficiency of the top-mounted intercooler when engine power was increased to Group A standards (especially in hot weather), and the political and cultural issues between Nissan Japan and the newly created NME (Nissan Motorsport Europe).

1991 Results

1992 Results

Group-N

NME did not enter Group N (Production) cars in the WRC, but other factory-backed Nissan teams did between 1991 and 1993. Most notable was the Nissan Belgium Rally Team with lead driver Grégoire De Mévius, and a Japanese entry (team unknown) driven by Hiroshi Nishiyama. The GTI-R dominated the Group N Championship (FIA Cup for Drivers of Production Cars) in 1992, taking the top 2 championship podium positions and clearly showing that the GTI-R had the ability to be a successful rally car at Production Class level.

1992 Results

Owners Clubs

Being such a rare-but-affordable street performance car, there is still a dedicated following of enthusiasts around the world. The first known RNN14-specific owners club was established in Japan in 1993. The first known English-speaking community was established in 1999 (initially through oneList, which evolved through eGroups and finally Yahoo! Groups).
Countries with the largest owners club membership are Japan, UK, Australia and New Zealand - all with online communities based around forums. The GTI-R has also been imported (under low-volume compliance schemes and motorsport-import rules) into many other countries (including Canada, USA, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica, Singapore, Malaysia, Zimbabwe, Canary Islands and Russia).

References

• WRC Rallying Record
• WRC Results Archive
• Gallery (Original brochures, magazine articles, WRC history, original and optional parts, etc.)
• Detailed specifications

External links

• Owners clubs: Japan · Australia · United Kingdom · Canada · UK & NZ