Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

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	3-door hatchback
Layout	F4
Platform	N14
Engine	230 PS (169 kW; 227 hp) 29 kg·m (280 N·m; 210 lb·ft) 2.0 L (1998 cc) SR20DET 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC
Transmission	5-speed manual

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 three-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 two 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. Roughly half way through the production (August 1992), Nissan made a range of 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. They were priced at ¥2,270,000.

• 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 (such as suspension, LSDs, seats, roll cage and foot rests). 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 defunct NME (Nissan Motorsports Europe) as the 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 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 that time was somewhere 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 the largest due to Nissan needing to fulfill the FIA Group A regulations (of 5,000 models total, with 500 of them homologated) in order to enter the model as a manufacturer in the WRC.

• Sunny

The RHD Sunny models were produced from 1992 until January 1995. No recorded data has been found for LHD models. No verifiable evidence has been available of Sunny GTI-R 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.

Performance

With a power-to-weight ratio of 0.083 and AWD, the standard GTI-R is able to accelerate from 0-100kph in the 5 second bracket, and cover the standing quarter mile in the 13 second bracket (Nissan never quoted the official figures but Best Motoring magazine conducted several tests with standard cars during production). Top speed is officially stated as 232 km/h (144 mph).

Group-A GTI-R (NME)  Modified GTI-R (Japan)

Specifications

	PULSAR RA	PULSAR RB	SUNNY
Drivetrain
Engine Type	Turbocharged inline-4
Displacement	1,998 cc (122 cu in)
Power	230 PS (169 kW; 227 hp) @ 6,400 rpm		220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) @ 6,400 rpm
Torque	29 kg·m (280 N·m; 210 lb·ft) @ 4,800 rpm		27.2 kg·m (267 N·m; 197 lb·ft) @ 4,800 rpm
Redline	7,500 rpm
Bore & Stroke	86.0 mm (3.386 in) x 86 mm (3.386 in)
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Valvetrain	16-valve DOHC
Turbocharger	Garret TB2804 (T3/T25 combination) Compressor: 60mm, 60trim in .60A/R Turbine: 53mm, 79trim in .86A/R
Transmission	5-speed manual
Gear Ratios	1st: 3.285 2nd: 1.850 3rd: 1.272 4th: 0.954 5th: 0.740 Reverse: 3.266 Final drive: 4.125	1st: 3.067 2nd: 2.095 3rd: 1.653 4th: 1.272 5th: 0.911 Reverse: 3.153 Final drive: 4.125	1st: 3.285 2nd: 1.850 3rd: 1.272 4th: 0.954 5th: 0.740 Reverse: 3.266 Final drive: 4.125
Fuel consumption
Urban	13.2 L/100 km (17.8 mpg-US; 21.4 mpg-imp)
Constant 120 km/h (75 mph)	10.6 L/100 km (22.2 mpg-US; 26.6 mpg-imp)
Constant 90 km/h (56 mph)	8.1 L/100 km (29 mpg-US; 35 mpg-imp)
Dimensions
Length	3,975 mm (156 in)
Width	1,690 mm (67 in)
Height	1,410 mm (56 in)
Wheelbase	2,430 mm (96 in)
Track	F: 1,446 mm (57 in) R: 1,421 mm (56 in)
Curb Weight	1,220 kg (2,690 lb)	1,190 kg (2,624 lb)	1,240 kg (2,734 lb)
Other
Wheels	Alloy 14×6 JJ
Tires	195/55VR14 (alternative 185/60VR14)
Brakes	F: 257 mm (10 in) ventilated discs R: 258 mm (10 in) solid discs
Ground Clearance	150 mm (6 in)
Turning Circle	10.4 m (34 ft)
Paint Codes	KH3 (Black - entire production) AJ4 (Red - series 1 only) TJ1 (Grey - series 1 only) KJ7 (Ivory White - series 1 only) 531 (Bright White - series 2 only) DL2 (Green - series 2 only)		KH3 (Black) AJ4 (Red) 531 (Bright White)

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 nine 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

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

1992 Results

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

Group-N

Nissan/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 1st and 2nd places, clearly demonstrating the GTI-R's the ability at Production Class level.

1992 Results

	Round 3	Round 4	Round 6	Round 8	Round 9	Round 12	Round 14	Final Classification
	26th Rallye de Portugal	40th Martini Safari Rally Kenya	39th Acropolis Rally	12th Rally Argentina	42nd 1000 Lakes Rally	24th Rallye Côte d'Ivoire Bandama	48th Lombard RAC Rally
Grégoire De Mévius	3rd		1st	DNF (Late for start)	3rd	DNF (Engine)	2nd	1st
Hiroshi Nishiyama		3rd		2nd		1st		2nd

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, New Zealand and Canada - 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 Ireland, USA, 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