Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

The GTI-R (chassis code RNN14) is a special and unique car produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan in 1990 in order to enter the WRC under Group A rules.
The body is based on the Pulsar (aka Sunny) N14 model.
It has an ATTESA 4WD system based on the Skyline GTR ATTESSA-ETS, which is also used on specific U12 & U13 Bluebird models.
It has a unique variant of the SR20DET engine.

Models

There were only 2 versions of the 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 VIN plate on the firewall in the engine bay]

There are both RHD and LHD models.

• LHD
  

No verifiable evidence is available of the details (numbers/dates/factories) of LHD versions produced,
but it is generally accepted they were assembled in Europe and less than 1000 were produced in total.

• RHD
  

The RHD versions were manufactured in Japan.
Production ran from August 1990 until November 1994.
The total number produced during those 4 years was around 14,000.
The commonly quoted figure of 5000 applies to the first year of production only (1990-91)
which Nissan had to fullfill under FIA regulations in order to enter as a manufacturer in the WRC.

Other versions:

• NISMO
  

There were several RB versions produced with special Nismo VIN plates (total is 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),
and were built as promo 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 only 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, mainly in Europe.

• SUNNY

This was the name (badge) used for the European-delivered models.
They have different model numbers to those quoted above.
Exact numbers are unknown, but there were some RHD versions sold in the UK, and the LHD units were sold in Germany, Italy and France (other countries unconfirmed).

Misnomers:

• DAKAR
  

The name Dakar is often used in reference to the RB model,
but that name does not appear in any official texts or anywhere on the cars themselves,
and no GTI-R has ever been entered in the Dakar.

• HKS

Contrary to some references on the internet, there was never an HKS version or an HKS promo car.

Production

There were 5 periods of production:

000102 (08/90) - 005769 (04/91) [5667]
020004 (06/91) - 021480 (09/91) [1476]
051003 (10/91) - 053490 (07/92) [2487]
100003 (08/92) - 102340 (07/93) [2337]
150002 (08/93) - 151846 (11/94) [1844]

RNN14 VIN (date) - RNN14 VIN (date) [total]

Standard Specifications

Length: 3975mm
Width: 1690mm
Height: 1410mm
Wheelbase: 2430mm
Tread Front / Rear: 1440mm / 1415mm
Ground Clearance: 150mm
Kerb Weight: RA: 1220kg (RB: 1190kg)
Fully Laden: RA: 1495kg (RB: 1465kg)
Seating Capacity: 5
Turning Circle: 10.4m (5.2m radius)
Drag Coefficient: 0.39
Engine Model: SR20DET (54C version)
Engine Type: 16 valve DOHC 4 cylinder, with intercooled turbocharger
Displacement: 1998cc
Bore & Stroke: 86 x 86mm
Compression Ratio: 8.3:1
Control System: Electronic Port Injection
Turbo: Garret TB2804 (T3/T25 combination)
Compressor: 60mm, 60trim in .60A/R
Turbine: 53mm, 79trim in .86A/R
Max Turbo Pressure: 550mmHg (10.6psi / 0.73bar)
Max Power: 230ps (169kw/227hp) / 6400rpm [Euro: 220hp (164kw)]
Max Torque: 29kgm (284Nm) / 4800rpm [Euro: 27.2kgm (267Nm)]
Max Speed: 232kph (calculations prove that the 223kph quoted in one of the official brochures is a typographical error)
Acceleration 0-100kph: 5.4 seconds (tests have shown the 6.4secs in one of the official brochures is a typographical error)
Acceleration 0-400m: Not defined (tests have shown mid-high 13s is possible in standard trim)
Steering: Rack & Pinion with gear sensitive power assist and tilt adjustment.
Suspension - Front: Independent McPherson multi-link strut (hydroscopic and telescopic), coil spring and torsion (sway) bar stabiliser.
Suspension - Rear: Independant strut, parallel link, coil spring and torsion (sway) bar stabiliser.
4WD System: ATTESA - Viscous coupling, centre differential and Viscous LSD (open front, vlsd centre and rear)
Brake System: 4-sensor, 2-channel electronic ABS.
Brakes Front: Ventilated Discs
Brakes Rear: Solid Discs
Wheels: 14 inch Aluminium 14x6JJ
Tires: 195/55R14 82V
Fuel Type: Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres
Fuel Consumption:
13.2ltrs/100kms (Urban Cycle)
10.6ltr/100kms (Constant 120kph)
8.1ltrs/100kms (Constant 90kph)
Boot Capacity: 280ltrs
Max Towing Weight: 1560kg
Transmission Type: 5-speed manual

Gear Ratios

• 1st - 3.285 (RB: 3.067)
  
• 2nd - 1.850 (RB: 2.095)
  
• 3rd - 1.272 (RB: 1.653)
  
• 4th - 0.954 (RB: 1.272)
  
• 5th - 0.740 (RB: 0.911)
  
• Reverse - 3.266 (RB: 3.153)
  
• Final Drive - 4.125
  

Diferences in the RA

There were 2 main versions of RA cars, which can be identified by their chassis numbers:
BELOW RNN14-100000 = SERIES1
ABOVE RNN14-100000 = SERIES2

These are the changes made to the SERIES2 models:

• body colour super white [531] replaced the early ivory/marble white [KJ7]
  
• body colour only available in black [KH3] or the above super white (no more grey [TJ1] or red [AJ4])
  
• umbrella holder removed (blank panel, rather than vent from the RB model)
  
• headrests changed to solid (from hollow/donut-style)
  
• interior fabric trim changed to the same as the SSS model (no longer specific for GTI-R)
  
• badge on front grill changed to "Nissan" (from the Prince "P")
  
• steering wheel changed to generic black Nissan logo debossed (instead of red GTI-R logo button)
  
• windscreen changed to monotone (no more upper blue section)
  
• roof lining changed to vinyl from twill (except for those that chose the sunroof option)
  
• main instrument cluster modification (logos changed to hidden unless lit, and ANTI-LOCK logo changed to ABS)
  
• the water pump model was updated
  
• a couple of supports were added (clutch pedal bracket and side door beams)
  

There were no changes to the engine or exterior.

There was a limited run of Turquoise Metallic [DL2] coloured examples during SERIES2.
They do not differ in any other way to the other models.
No evidence exists of the reason for this rare colour, but the common rumour is that it was for a commemorative event in Japan (possibly Emperor's Day).
Also unconfirmed is the number, some suggest as little as 20, some as many as 100 - but it is clear that they are by far the rarest of the colours.

Diferences in the RB

The homologation (RB) model was specifically built to be used for Group N rallying, and had all the luxury trimmings removed as standard.
Many of the luxury (RA) items were available as an option (mainly found in the later years):

• no colour-coded side mirrors (grey plastic - standard)
  
• no umbrella holder (a vent is there instead - standard)
  
• close ratio gearbox (standard)
  
• front lsd (standard, but other front diffs optional)
  
• steel wheels (standard)
  
• no rear wiper (optional)
  
• no air con (optional)
  
• no electric windows or mirrors (optional)
  
• interior from base-model pulsar (vinyl trim, basic seats, rubber gearstick boot - standard)
  
• exterior paint marble/ivory white (optional - but it seems most of the early ones are this colour)
  

There were also many Nismo Rally Options (as seen in the Best Motoring Special #13 VHS video, circa 1991)
(see list below)

Nismo had a promo RB version featuring all the Nismo options (see gallery links below).
Autech prepared and sold some of the RB versions.

Options

There were factory options available throughout production:

• climate control (common)
  
• wind deflectors (common)
  
• plastic protectors (doors, handles, bumpers)
  
• heated seats (very rare)
  
• heated mirrors (rare)
  
• illuminated ignition ring
  
• rear parcel shelf speaker upgrade
  

There were also 'Motorsport' (not Nismo) options:

• rear roll bar
  
• driving lights
  
• knee rests
  
• bumper protector
  
• foot rests (different from Nismo ones)
  
• strut braces (different from Nismo ones)
  
• rear diff cover (different from Nismo one)
  

There were also Nismo options:

• strut braces
  
• suspension
  
• clutches
  
• bushes
  
• steering wheel
  
• seats & belts
  
• underbody guards
  
• diffs
  
• etc
  

NOTE ON NORMAL FACTORY OPTIONS:
Many late models have more of these options than early models,
this is most likely due to the general rule that towards the end of production showrooms include them in deals for the customer.

Colour Codes

KH3 = Super Black (entire production)
AJ4 = Red (early models only)
TJ1 = Blue-Grey Graphite Pearl (early models only)
KJ7 = Ivory/Marble White (early models only)
531 = Super White (late models only)
DL2 = Turqoise Metallic (late models special only)

WRC History

After producing the required 5000 examples (500 of them homologation (RB) models),
Nissan entered the GTI-R under Group A rules in the FIA WRC as a factory team (NME) in 1991 & 1992.

They only competed in selected rallies during both years (ones they thought had the highest potential for good results),
but NME never won a WRC Group A rally, and the campaign was abandoned in 1992 (diverted their funding to LeMans instead).

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)
    

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)
    

Group N

NME did not enter Group N (Production) cars, but other factory-backed Nissan teams did.
Most noteably the Nissan Belgium Rally Team driven by Grégoire De Mévius,
and a Japanese entry (Team Unknown) driven by Hiroshi Nishiyama.

De Mévius won 2 WRC Group N rallies: Acropolis 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-manufaturer 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 rally car at Production Class level.

Video Games

The GTI-R appears in the following console video games:
PlayStation2: GT1 & GT2, Kaido Battle 1, 2 & 3
Dreamcast: Sega GT
NES: Championship Rally
NeoGeo: Thrash Rally

References and Links

Pictures, Part Numbers, WRC History, Original Brochures, etc
RNN14 Owners Club Australia
World GTI-R Mailing List
World GTI-R Modifiers Club
UK GTI-R Owners Club
WRC Results Archive