Forgotten: Nissan Pulsar GTi-R

Rally cars in the 90s were required by FIA to be production vehicles which are slightly adapted for racing. 'Homologation Specials' are a limited run of vehicles made by the manufacturer to comply with these requirements. The Pulsar GTi-R is one of the most underrated homologation specials of the 90s. It's humble outside hides technology and ability far surpassing the majority of its competitors of the time. A true wolf in sheep's clothing the Pulsar is a prime example how a car that has been overlooked when it was released could actually turn out to be really good.

Technical specification

Born in 1990 and produced for only 4 years the GTi-R featured the now quite famous in the modification scene SR20DET engine that is normally found in the S14 200SX  and  produced 227 hp and 280 Nm of torque. This engine is extremely easy to modify and maintain.  Power figures in excess of 300 horsepower are easily achievable with a few simple mods like a free-flowing exhaust, a boost-up and a front mounted intercooler. The Pulsar GTi-R was also equipped with the ATTESA all-wheel drive system. The system was also used on the R32 GTR and provided the Pulsar with huge amounts of grip.

Handling

Here is a video of the then brand new Pulsar GTi-R against the fastest Nissan model at the time the R32 Skyline GTR- a masterpiece of a car on it's own. The Pulsar had stock 14 inch tires and a stock braking system - it was really under par compared to the R32 GTR.

Yes, the Nissan was ahead after the first turn, but the Pulsar was hot on it's tail during the remaining lap despite the power difference of 60 HP in favour of the R32.

Interior

Inside the GTi-R was a typical 90s Japanese hatchback - hard plastic that starts to rattle almost immediately after you buy the car. The oil temp, boost and oil pressure gauges were the standard issue for any performance car from the era.  The sport seats offered great support but judging by the condition of the seats of the GTi-Rs' currently on sale they are of quite low quality. However the most interesting optional extra was the umbrella slot in the rear quarter panel of the car. Why isn't this a standard extra in all modern two door hatchbacks? Why aren't we funding this?

Modification

How a modified Pulsar GTi-R should look like.Modification

As the Pulsar GTi-R was a homologation special you can guess what most, if not all, of its owners did after buying one. They modified it. Extensively. Nowadays it is impossible to find a Pulsar GTi-R that hasn't been upgraded in some way. This is bad news for someone who wants to buy this piece of Japanese automotive history without any aftermarket modifications as standard GTi-Rs have become nearly extinct. The good news for us petrol heads is that the modified GTi-Rs look better, sound better and, with some of them pushing over 350 horsepower, quite fast. 0-60 times of 4.5 seconds are easily achievable with a modified Pulsar,  meaning that this modest looking 24-year-old hatch is as fast as a brand new Audi RS3 with launch control and a DSG gearbox and faster than a BMW M135i.

Buying one today

Nowadays Pulsar GTi-Rs are becoming more and more scarce. This is due to the fact that they suffer from a disease that affects all old cars. Metal oxidation or put simply - rust. It is close to impossible to find a rust free Pulsar and all of the ones for sale are suffering from rusty wheel arches - the most common area where they rust.  Pulsar GTi-R are becoming rare because half of them are too rusty to salvage and the other half have already been crashed in such a way that the are unrepairable.  At the moment there is just one for sale at PistonHeads that has all the basic modifications covered and produces a healthy 333 bhp at the wheels. It also benefits from a recent full engine rebuild and has been properly undersealed.  However this Pulsar also suffers from very rusty wheel arches - a plague of all GTi-Rs.

I will finish with this video of what a GTi-R drives and sounds like if you shoehorn the legendary RB26 engine from the R34 Skyline GTR in it.