NISSAN SKYLINE R33

NISSAN SKYLINE R33

The Fast and the Furious franchise has done a lot to bring the Skyline R33 into the spotlight, as one of the films protagonists frequently drives a highly modified one. The R33 was released in 1993. There were various engines available for the R33, the most powerful of which was the 295 horsepower, turbocharged RB28DET engine. Some models came equipped with a new version of the High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering (HICAS) 4-wheel steering system called Super HICAS. This computer controlled system was first used on the R32 GT-R. Super HICAS used electric actuators to steer the rear, as opposed to the hydraulic HICAS. An active limited slip differential was available instead of the standard viscous LSD. The unit would lock the rear diff if it detected traction was lost by one of the wheels.

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MAZDA RX-7 THIRD GENERATION

MAZDA RX-7 THIRD GENERATION

The RX-7 was an awesome car when it first came out, and only got better with each generation. The third generation was released in 1993, and was the best RX-7 yet. The vehicle was the first ever mass produced sequential twin turbocharger system to be exported from Japan.  The sequential twin turbocharged system, introduced on this series in 1992, was a very complex piece of engineering. The system was composed of two turbochargers, one to provide boost at low RPM. The second unit was on standby until the upper half of the rpm range during full throttle acceleration. The first turbocharger provided 10 psi of boost from 1800 rpm, and the second turbocharger was activated at 4000 rpm and also provided 10 psi. This significantly increased the power output of the vehicle, and forced test drivers to adjust their driving styles so they didn’t understeer the vehicle.

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MAZDA MIATA 2ND GENERATION

MAZDA MIATA 2ND GENERATION

The Mazda Miata has been a popular since it’s release in 1989. Enthusiasts praise the vehicle due to its low center of gravity and low weight, while at the same time having a moderately powered engine. The second generation Miata was one of the slickest vehicles of the 90’s, taking its styling cues from the Mazda RX-7. The engine was a 1.8 liter capable of outputting 140 horsepower and 116 lb-ft of torque. The Miata had a four-wheel independent suspension and enlarged anti-roll bars at the front and rear. The suspension was able to handle anything the road threw at it, easily damping any road imperfections. The low center of gravity allowed the Miata to navigate sharp turns with relative ease

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MASERATI 3200 GT

MASERATI 3200 GT

Announced in 1998, the Maserati 3200 GT was designed to be both a luxury car and a sports car. Sold mainly in Europe, the 3200 GT was powered by the twin-turbo, 32-valve, dual overhead cam 3.2-litre V8 engine featured in the Maserati Quattroporte Evoluzione, The engine produced 365 horsepower and was mated to a manual transmission. The tail-lights were LEDs arranged in the shape of a boomerang, giving the 3200 GT a unique look. The suspension used a double-wishbone setup all around, with forged aluminium control arms and uprights, two anti-roll bars, and high end dampers. This gave the vehicle exceptional handling and stability. Brembo supplied the braking system, consisting of vented and cross-drilled disks with four-pot calipers on all four wheels.

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LOTUS ESPRIT V8

 LOTUS ESPRIT V8

The Lotus Esprit V8 was a modified version of the standard Lotus Esprit model. The Esprit V8 used Lotus’ self-developed all-aluminium, twin-turbocharged (Garrett T25/60 turbos) 90-degree V-8, Code-named Type 918. The engine was so powerful, it needed to be detuned to prevent damage to the transmission. Originally the engine was capable of 500 horsepower, but it was reduced to 350. A Renault UN-1 transmission was used for the Espirit V8. The Espirit V8 was able to rip to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and had a top speed of 175 mph. 50 special edition models of the V8 Espirit were made in 1999, dubbed the “Sport 350.” The engine put out 350 horsepower (hence the name) and had numerous engine, chassis, and braking improvements to make it more of a race car.

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