Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

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Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
Manufacturer	Nissan Motors
Also called	Nissan Sunny GTI-R
Production	1990-1994
Assembly	Japan
Predecessor	None
Successor	None
Class	Sport Compact
Body style(s)	3 door hatchback
Layout	F4
Platform	N14
Engine(s)	169 kw (227 hp) 284 Nm) (209 ft·lb) 2.0L (1998 cc) SR20DET 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC with intercooled turbo
Transmission(s)	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2430 mm (95.7 in)
Length	3975 mm (156.5 in)
Width	1690 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1410 mm (55.5 in)
Curb weight	1220 kg (2690 lb)

The Nissan Pulsar GTI-R (chassis code RNN14 - aka GTiR, i-R and 'R) is a special and unique vehicle that was manufactured by Nissan 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 features a large rear wing and bonnet scoop. It has an ATTESA 4WD system (also used on specific U12 & U13 Bluebird models), and a unique variant of the SR20DET engine (not used on any other car).

The Nissan GTI-R is in the same specification-league (and often compared to) similar "rally-bred" 2 litre 4WD turbo vehicles from the late-80s/early-90s, such as the Subaru WRX, Lancer Evo, Ford Escort Cosworth, Lancia Integrale and Celica GT4.

[edit] Models

Main versions:
There were 2 versions of the Nissan GTI-R sold to the general public:
GTI-RA: (Alpha) aka RA / Road / Luxury = MODEL NUMBER: EBYNRVFN14xxxx
GTI-RB: (Beta) aka RB / Rally / Homologation = MODEL NUMBER: EBYNRRFN14xxxx
[the model number is located on the Vehicle_identification_number plate on the firewall in the engine bay]

RHD vs LHD models:

• RHD

The RHD versions (except the UK-delivered models) were manufactured in Japan. Production ran from August 1990 until November 1994. The total number produced during those 4 years was around 15,000. It is unclear how many of those were RA and RB (see below for differences). The commonly quoted figure of 5,000 applies to the first year of production only (1990-91), which Nissan had to fulfill under FIA regulations (5000 models total, with 500 of them Homologation) in order to enter as a manufacturer in the WRC.

• LHD

No verifiable evidence has been available of the details (numbers/dates/etc) of LHD versions produced, but it is generally accepted they were assembled in Europe, and less than 1000 were produced in total. They were officially sold in Germany, Italy and France (possibly other countries, but details are unconfirmed).

RA models:
About half way through the production (August 1992), Nissan made a range of aesthetic changes to the RA model. Although not advertised as such, they were extensive enough (around 10 items) to be noticeable as a different phase or series and are clearly defined by chassis numbers RNN14-100000 and above.

RB models:
The homologated model was specifically built to be used for motorsport (Group N rallying in particular). They had the luxury trimmings (such as air conditioning and power windows) removed as standard and the interior trim from the base model Pulsar which reduced the kerb weight to 1190 kg (2624 lb). Some of the luxury items were available as an option, but they mainly found in the later years of production. The engine remained the same as the RA model, but there were a few mechanical changes such as the open front diff replaced with an LSD and a close-ratio gearbox.

Other versions:

• NISMO

There were several RB versions produced with special Nismo VIN plates (total unknown, but there has been evidence of least 5). They featured many of the Nismo rally options (suspension, diffs, seats, roll cage, foot rests, etc - see below), and were built as promotional cars, then eventually sold to private buyers in the mid-late 90s.

• GROUP A

The Group A Rally Cars were not sold to the general public. They were 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.

• SUNNY (Euro)

Sunny was the name (badge) used for the European-delivered (both RHD & LHD) models. They have different model numbers to those noted above, and slightly different (lesser) specifications. All information that follows is related to the Japanese-produced Pulsar-badged RHD versions (unless otherwise stated).

[edit] WRC History

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

NME only competed in selected rallies during both years (ones they thought had the highest potential for good results), but the expected initial success did not materialise, and they never won a WRC Group A rally in the GTI-R. The campaign was abandoned in 1992, NME was shut down, and funding was redirected to Le Mans and the development of the R390). Much has been written about the reason for the NME failure. The most notable being the 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).

[edit] 1991 Results

• Round 4 - 39th Martini Safari Rally Kenya
  • Stig Blomqvist - 5th
  • Mike Kirkland - 7th
  • David Llewellin - DNF (Accident)
• Round 6 - 38th Acropolis Rally
  • David Llewellin - 9th
  • Stig Blomqvist - DNF (Differential)
• Round 9 - 41st 1000 Lakes Rally
  • Stig Blomqvist - 8th
  • David Llewellin - 10th
• Round 14 - 47th Lombard RAC Rally
  • Stig Blomqvist - DNF (Suspension)
  • David Llewellin - DNF (Electrical)

[edit] 1992 Results

• Round 1 - 60th Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo
  • François Chatriot - 7th
  • Tommi Mäkinen - 9th
• Round 2 - 41st International Swedish Rally
  • Stig Blomqvist - 3rd (BEST RESULT)
• Round 3 - 25th Rallye de Portugal
  • François Chatriot - 6th
  • Tommi Mäkinen - DNF (Accident)
• Round 9 - 42nd 1000 Lakes Rally
  • Stig Blomqvist - DNF (Engine)
  • Tommi Mäkinen - DNF (Gearbox)
• Round 14 - 48th Lombard RAC Rally
  • Tommi Mäkinen - 8th
  • Stig Blomqvist - DNF (Accident)

[edit] Group N

NME did not enter Group N (Production) cars in the WRC, but other factory-backed Nissan teams did. Most notable was the Nissan Belgium Rally Team with lead driver Grégoire De Mévius, and a Japanese entry (Team unknown) driven by Hiroshi Nishiyama.

De Mévius won 2 WRC Group N rallies: Acropolis (Greece) in 1991 & 1992, and won the Group N Championship in 1992 (FIA Cup for Drivers of Production Cars) with 37 points.

Nishiyama won 1 rally: the Rallye Côte d'Ivoire Bandama (a non-manufacturer round) in 1992, and finished 2nd in the Group N Championship in 1992 with 30 points.

These results clearly show that the GTI-R has the specifications and ability to be a successful rallying car at Production Class level.

[edit] Owners Clubs

Being such a rare-but-attainable road performance car, there is 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 dedicated 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, Singapore, Malaysia, Zimbabwe and Canary Islands.

[edit] References and Links

• WRC Rallying Record
• WRC Results Archive
• Gallery - WRC History, Magazine Articles, Original Brochures, Parts, etc
• Canadian GTi-R owners club, forum, importing information, etc