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  • 10KM R34 SKYLINE GT-R GOES TO AUCTION

    Having covered just 10km in its life and never registered, this R34 Skyline GT-R V-Spec II Nür could be about to rewrite JDM car prices.

    The Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R has enjoyed years of upmost praise, iconic status and rising prices. With the US just a short while away from being able to legally import the JDM legend thanks to its 25-year ruling, prices for ordinary examples are expected to continue to climb.

    10KM R34 Skyline GT-R

    This example set for sale with BH Auction in Japan is no ordinary model, though. This is a V-Spec II Nür, which means its one of just 718 V-Spec IIs built, with the Nür package only setting foot on 1003 R34s in total (285 M-Spec cars were also built). Of the 718 V-Spec cars, just 141 were finished in Pearl White. As part of the Nür upgrade, cars were treated to the gold-covered N1 engine you see under the bonnet. Before 2002, the N1 engine was reserved only for race cars. Nismo believed that the standard RB26 engine required too much maintenance to use in Group-A or Group-N race cars. As a result, Nismo balanced the crankshaft to a higher specification than stock, improved water channels within the engine block, upgraded the top piston rings, thicker cylinder walls and deck surfaces, as well as adding new camshafts and turbochargers.

    10KM R34 Skyline GT-R

    The change to the turbochargers came in the form of steel turbine wheels rather than the ceramic ones found in the standard RB26 unit, this was due unreliability at high temperatures on the ceramic wheel.

    If you aren’t clued up on your Skylines, a V-Spec II Nür sits high when it comes to hierarchy, with the ultra-rare (just 20 built) Z-Tune sitting above it. This isn’t the first time this car has been for sale, having been bought three years ago for 35.2 million Yen (around £234k), and it’s also not the only low-mileage V-Spec II Nür to sell, a Millenium Jade model sold two years ago for £161k with just over 4000km on the clock.

    10KM R34 Skyline GT-R

    How much will this 10km Skyline R34 GT-R fetch? It’s tough to say. BH Auction hasn’t, at the time of writing, published any estimates, but we would expect it to sell for upwards of £350,000…

    10KM R34 Skyline GT-R
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  • MINI JCW GP3 REVIEW

    With forged carbon fibre aero, no rear seats and over 300bhp under the bonnet, does the MINI JCW GP3 have what it takes to be a brilliant hot hatch?

    Review first appeared in Performance MINI. Words: Martyn Collins.

    It’s just a little badge, but we’ll wager the ‘GP’ badge gets performance MINI owners just as excited as us. Possibly the most highly anticipated third-generation MINI, the third volume of the MINI GP formula landed on UK roads last year, once again based on the more power and less weight concept.

    And what a power jump! This is the most powerful GP yet, with 306bhp as standard – the result of a modified version of the 2.0-litre, B48 four-cylinder TwinPower turbo engine. Top speed is a licence-losing 164mph, with 0-62mph acceleration coming up in just 5.2 seconds.

    MINI JCW GP3

    All good stuff aimed at the enthusiastic MINI owner, but the MINI JCW GP3 isn’t without its critics. The styling is a tad over-the-top for some, and most contentious of all is the fact the GP3 is an auto-only model. It’s fitted with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard, complete with integrated differential lock to get the power down.

    Inside, we marvel at the GP’s excellent driving position; there’s plenty of adjustment and the John Cooper Works sports seats feel comfortable and supportive from the start. The new digital dash is easy to read, and the GP interior highlights in general are tastefully done too.

    MINI JCW GP3

    Flick the start button and the familiar B48 engine roars into life. The soundtrack is louder and deeper than a standard JCW hatch, thanks to the lack of back seats and those bigger rear pipes. Then, slot the gear lever into Drive and we edge our way on to the main roads.

    For such a hardcore car, things are surprisingly docile and tractable around town, although the GP’s Auto transmission seems to hold on to gears for too long, making smooth progress at urban speeds difficult. Then there’s the ride which is super stiff and unyielding, which is fine for a track day or a B-road bit of fun but a tad tiresome on longer journeys.

    When the road opens up and the speed limits are less restrictive, that’s when you realise you’re driving something special. Look into the wing mirror and you can see the top of the unique carbon rear arch.

    This version of the GP’s exterior additions does divide opinion. We like them and feel MINI has made more of an effort with the GP3’s styling than the GP2. The Racing Grey paint reminds us of the GP1’s Thunder Grey, and it’s well-paired with the Melting Silver roof and mirrors.

    Now I can knock the gear lever to the left, putting the gearbox in Manual mode. The ‘GP’ metal gear paddles feel special as I flick through the gears and the speed builds so quickly. The GP3 is a very fast hatch.

    MINI JCW GP3

    Before long we’re on some decent B-roads, one of the places where any MINI GP should excel. Good news is turn-in is sharp, the steering super responsive, there’s plenty of grip, very little body roll in corners, and the brakes are strong.

    Yet on first acquaintance, this MINI frustrates. Why? Because it’s hard to drive fast here, thanks to torque-steer. I find myself constantly correcting the steering when pressing on. Also, personally, I always find a manual gearbox more involving, and the GP3’s auto box should, in my opinion, be more responsive.

    We are not saying the GP3 is unruly, it’s not. It is just that the torque-steer and stiff suspension can lead to a twitchy drive.

    It is always exciting though; we get the feeling the MINI JCW GP3 is a car you’d have to learn to get the best out of and think it might be better suited to the track.

    I would prefer a manual gearbox, plus the combination of torque-steer and stiff suspension make for a challenging drive, but does that put me off wanting one? Not a chance! I still want one just as much as I did with the GP1 and GP2 models before it.

    Tech Spec: MINI JCW GP3

    Engine: 2.0 litre, four-cylinder B48 turbocharged petrol engine, producing 306bhp
    Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic automatic
    Suspension: Specially tuned stiffened springs, dampers and stabilisers
    Wheels: Lightweight 18-inch four-spoke wheels
    Price: £34,995

    Couldn’t get hold a MINI JCW GP3 but fancy cashing in on F56-chassis fun? Make sure you check our our JCW F56 buying guide.

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  • AWD INTEGRA DA9 SLEEPER: NON-VTEC BRUISER

    That Racing Channel checks out an AWD Integra DA9 sleeper that’ll complete the 1/4 mile in 9 seconds and all thanks to a turbocharged non-VTEC B-series motor. 

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    It’s not unusual to see a B-series Honda screaming all the way to its redline, helped along the way by a big turbo and spinning its front wheels to high heaven. What is unusual is to see a non-VTEC B-series engine at the heart of the second-generation Honda (or Acura here as it was sold as in the United States) being pushed along the road by a turbo spinning at 36psi of boost while sending the power down to the ground to all four wheels. The result? An AWD Integra DA9 sleeper that’ll complete the quarter mile in 9 seconds.

    What’s nice to see is a sleeper that embodies that character to the max, with the only tell-tale signs that this is modified coming in the shape of sticky Toyos wrapped around 15-inch Volk TE37 wheels and a roll-cage inside. OK, you can peep the intercooler hidden behind the front grille, but you’d need to be looking for it to notice. The only other way you’ll see that this is no ordinary car is when it leaves you behind at a set of lights…

    Inside, a full interior with gauges and creature comforts fill the cabin, while under the bonnet resides things like power steering, to keep things comfortable.

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