There are some cars which look 'hard' but are in actual fact, pussycats under the hood. These are the cars which leave me feeling empty inside. These are the cars which enrage me. These are the cars which disgust me.

This DC5 looks 'hard' in a very subtle way. It's menacing black paint scheme and dark bronze wheels make the car blend in just as much as it stands out. The restrained paint job doesn't show off the bodykit's lines which gives the car its subdued and restrained appearance. This car is a paradox, I tell ya.

What separates this car from the rest is just how 'hard' it really is underneath its restrained looks. Under the hood, you'll find just about every part that can be fitted to the famed K20A. And the sound that this Integra makes at idle is one of the meanest four cylinder rumbles man has ever heard.

This engine bay defines the term 'built'. Almost nothing of the standard K20A remains. What makes this engine build so different from the others is that this K20A was built by Mr. Toon of Thailand, one of South East Asia's most renowned engine builders. Mr. Toon is one hard individual to please, as he is very meticulous when it comes to his engine builds, but it's because of this 'anal' nature that Mr. Toon has built such a reputable name for himself. When he builds his engines, he builds them to last, and this car has been driven up and down the Asian continent, from KL to Vietnam more than once, without a single hiccup.

Pry open the valve cover and you'll see Toda Spec C camshafts which push down on Crower oversized valves. The valves are held in place with JUN valve guides, Crower titanium retainers and Toda valve springs. Toda's VTC (or variable valve timing) killer cam sprockets replace the original sprockets as the variable timing system is more suited for the stock camshafts. With the higher profile and duration Toda Spec C camshafts, the variable timing system would have limited the amount of power that the Toda cams would unlock.

The head now is fastened more securely to the block with ARP head studs and sandwiched in between the head and block is a more durable Toda High Power head gasket to cope with the increased cylinder pressures brought upon by the forged high compression pistons from the Toda 2157cc stoker kit.

This stroker kit includes a fully balanced crankshaft, forged pistons, forged conrods, and conrod bearings. The 2157cc kit requires boring the cylinders out to 87mm from 86mm and the pistons have a high static compression ratio of 12.3:1; a volatile situation for any engine. Stroke is increased from 86mm to 90.7mm as well, which helps with torque production.

Freeing up the K20A's intake is a HKS Super Power Flow air filter and a Toda oversized throttle body. The restrictive factory exhaust was also replaced with a Toda exhaust manifold and a Buddy Club Spec III exhaust system, and it is LOUD. Extra fuel is needed for an engine built this extensively, so holding up that end of the stick is a Walbro fuel pump, a Golden Eagle fuel rail and RC Engineering 440cc injectors.

This car really proves that you can build an extreme car while being under the radar. One would never expect such a monster of an engine inside a car which looks as sedate as this. This is how cars should be built and modified, they should look hard and go hard, and be driven hard.

When I first saw the advertising campaign for the MINI Cooper, my praises went to the creative directors who were behind the project. The way they would highlight the car's ability with super cool billboards and catchy phrases was the reasons behind my good words for these people whom I didn't even know.

But then again, it didn't take me long to realize that it wasn't much of a task for these people. They simply had to elaborate on the truth. Though small in size, the reincarnated MINI was not to be underestimated as it has proved itself a formidable foe. The car was extremely planted and would take corners like a go-cart. It literally sticks to the ground!

But this was not enough to satisfy MINI enthusiast. So along came John Cooper, a legendary racing car constructor and tuner responsible for the Mini Cooper. He founded the company John Cooper Works (JCW) which specialized in producing tuning parts and accessories for the new MINI in the year 2000. This man was a legend and his heritage lives on till today.

A sweet looking fiery red Cooper S dressed in JCW MINI overalls. It was almost impossible to tell the car apart from the real deal. The car was fitted with a complete JCW kit comprising of the front as well as the rear bumpers, side skirts and a radically designed wing at the rear. Signature black 'racing stripes' and little 'Works' badges completed the look.

The newly fitted kit gave the car a much wider stance and looked more aggressive. To top things off, 18 inch JCW wheels in deep black were bolted onto the hubs for a more masculine look. These wheels are of a lightweight composition and have a much wider contact surface then the stock wheels. Up front, traction and acute maneuverability is provided by grippy Falken ZE912 tires, while the rear rides on Accelera tires.

Power Enterprise has been quiet on the GT-R tuning front until now. This week they break their silence and announce their product lineup including one new development that pushes the boundaries of what has been achieved so far.

First up in the range is the 35GTR 560HP kit. This includes the Power Enterprise P-Map ECU, PWR Air Impulse II air filters and intake piping kit. Obviously, this kit is good for 560hp when fitted to a standard GT-R.

Next is the 35GTR 600HP kit which features again, the P-Map ECU, PWR Air Impulse II air filters and intake piping kit. It also adds the PWR Supersonic Titanium 89mm diameter exhaust, and upgraded wastegate actuators.

Power Enterprise also have another secret project they’ve been working on to be shown at Tokyo AutoSalon in January, the Power Enterprise Four Charger System. What they’ve done here is add a pair (that’s right - two) of Rotrex C30-94 superchargers to the already twin-turbo VR38DETT making this a twin-twin-charged setup. VR38DETTRR right!?

Supporting the twin-twin-charged engine setup is upgraded PWR 650cc fuel injectors, a 35GTR 600HP kit as well as a few other custom items. Good for 650hp it’s designed for maximum mid-range torque for circuit time attack work.

The demo car will be at Tokyo AutoSalon from Friday 9th of January, GTRBlog will be there to get some more details and photos of the car so stay tuned for that.

Regular readers will remember when Nissan officially announced the 2009 Japanese model year updates for the Nissan R35 GT-R, something we’ve been calling the Series II R35 GT-R. Since then we’ve seen some press photos/photoshops but no great photos of the updated GT-R.

Today I headed down to Ginza Nissan Gallery in Tokyo to see if I could change this and here’s the results.

Here we have a MY09 JDM specification Nissan GT-R in the new-for-09 Brilliant White colour. This is a Premium version so it also features the new coloured wheels (Real Black colour). You can also see the updated logo on the brakes.

I took some other shots of the brake lines (upgraded stiffness) and the engine bay (not much changed). Also you can see this is the 12th MY09 JDM GT-R built with all MY09 GT-R’s beginning with chassis number R35-010000. Looks like engine numbers do the same, starting at VR38-010000.

Click through the jump to see the rest of the photos.

Follow up:

This is the COBRA N+ Tuning concept GT-R from Germany. So far COBRA haven’t done too much to this car, just an ECU reflash and a couple of panel filters. Planned modifications are an exhaust, metal catalyzers, aero kit, brakes, suspension, and some interior changes such as carbon seats.

If you look closely at the photos here you’ll see… precisely none of that kit though. Sorry you’ll just have to wait until it exists, which right now, it doesn’t. Not even any design sketches maybe? Sorry no! So why exactly is this press release worthy?

Well it does have stickers… what else could you possibly want!? Tell us the truth guys, would you let COBRA near your GT-R?

Read the press release and see more photos after the break, it’s much better if you put on a fake German accent while doing so though.

Source: Autoblog.com

Follow up:

PRESS RELEASE

The COBRA N+ Tuning Concept for the New Nissan GT-R

Rarely has a new car attracted this much attention a full year before its official market launch. The Nissan GT-R reaches for the stars on the wings of a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine with 485 hp / 356.9 kW and permanent four-wheel drive. The development of an extensive tuning program at COBRA N+, the division of Cobra Technology & Lifestyle (Alleestrasse 15-19, D-33818 Leopoldshöhe, Germany, phone +49 / (0) 52 02 / 99 92 60, fax +49 / (0) 52 02 / 99 92 50, Internet www.cobra-sor.com) that exclusively deals with the customization and tuning of Nissan automobiles, is running at full steam.

Power can only be substituted with more power. The COBRA N+ engineers are already hard at work developing engine tuning for the turbocharged engine. The first tuning stage is projected to deliver 550 hp / 404.8 kW, with an increase in torque to 680 Nm. To achieve this goal the engine electronics are reprogrammed, boost pressure is increased by 0.15 bar and the air intake is modified with sport air filters. Also under development is a free-flow COBRA N+ stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts.

Thus powered the Nissan GT-R from COBRA N+ will sprint to 100 km/h in less than 3.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of some 320 km/h. Plans exist for a COBRA N+ RACE PERFORMANCE engine version with 620 hp / 456.3 kW and a peak torque of approximately 800 Nm.

COBRA N+ also adds further sporty character to suspension, wheels and brakes of the new top-of-the-line model from the Japanese carmaker. Three-piece, extremely lightweight 21-inch COBRA N+ light-alloy wheels are slated to fill out the space beneath the wheel arches perfectly. They’ll also create the necessary space for COBRA N+ eight-piston brake calipers and 405-mm brake discs on the front axle. A COBRA N+ coil-over suspension gives the sports car even better handling. It features a multitude of selectable settings for ride height and damper rates.

The COBRA N+ tuning concept for the GT-R also includes a sporty designer suit. The front of the two-door car receives added character with a new COBRA N+ front apron with large air dams. The aerodynamic-enhancement part also reduces lift on the front axle and improves cooling-air supply of radiators and front brakes. COBRA N+ rocker panels ensure optimal air flow between front and rear wheel arches. The rear is upgraded with a new COBRA N+ rear apron with integrated diffuser, and a larger COBRA N+ rear airfoil. The COBRA N+ Speed and Stripes decal kit accentuates the striking lines of the sportscar.

For customizing the interior COBRA N+ offers two different options. Nissan GT-R owners can choose from a luxurious COBRA N+ interior with specially sewn upholstery for seats and doors, made from a high-quality combination of leather and Alcantara, and a COBRA N+ racing cockpit with ultra-light carbon-fiber racing seats, six-point seatbelts and roll cage.

The COBRA N+ tuning program for the Nissan GT-R will be available for the car’s European market launch in the spring of 2009.

Finally got a up close look at the Tokachi 24hrs Nismo prepared R35 Nissan GT-R this weekend and it’s certainly a cool car. Being the development platform for a number of parts that made it onto the final Nissan Spec-V GT-R as well as the Nismo ClubSport Package the likelyhood that some of these parts look very similar to the Spec-V is high.

So the biggest thing that strikes as you look at the car is the cooling ducts in the front bar. In an endurance race heat is you number one enemy so these ducts provide more airflow to the intercoolers, oil cooler, radiator and brakes. The brake ducts are almost identical to those found on the GT-R Spec-V with the exception of the mounting rivets. The Spec-V will have a much more finished look to it.

The car’s wheels are the Rays forged aluminium 20″ five spoke TE37-like wheels as seen on both the Nismo ClubSport Package and the Spec-V test mule. These are painted black and are wrapped in some Bridgestone RE55S tires which in 20″ sizes are not available yet. A lot of guys questioned if that really existed so I took a closeup of the front tire and yep, they exist alright.

The mirrors are one off dry carbon OEM shape items. Unfortunately this is the only set known to exist to date and will not go into production for the Spec-V. These will most likely make it to the next production class race car but for street they are distinctly unsuitable if not extremely cool. Fortunately the aftermarket will fill the gap left by Nismo here and Zele International have already completed theirs while Mine’s are still developing their final version.

Making our way to the rear of the car brings us to that Nismo exhaust with the distinct dual tips. While these did make it to the Nismo ClubSport Package we’re not expecting the Spec-V to use this exhaust. This particular car’s exhaust is also wrapped in fiberglass heatwrap, this keeps heat in the exhaust improving gas flow inside the exhaust and air temps under the car.

A differential cooler can be seen mounted at the rear also with an aluminium duct feeding it air from underneath. Other carbon NACA ducting can be seen riveted to the carbon undertray. We are yet to see the Spec-V’s carbon undertray for design changes.

Other carbon touches can be seen barely hidden under a thin red vinyl layer such as on the trunk lid. The hood is also carbon but the rear spoiler is standard issue plastic.

Inside, we didn’t get great photos of it, but the dash has carbon MFD surrounds straight from the Spec-V production line and a clean looking roll cage. Race seat and stripped out interior save a bit of weight in here.

Follow up:

Well the dates are announced and the website is redone so Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 must be just around the corner. If SEMA wasn’t exciting enough to drag you to Vegas (why not?!) well it’s time to book your flights to Tokyo because you’ll definitely get your GT-R fix there.

I promised a few Japan/Tokyo Auto Salon hints and tips all those months back and here’s a couple of the first of hopefully a few posts on this. This one’s going to focus on the logistics of putting a TAS trip together. I’ve had the pleasure of travelling to Japan many times in the past few years and plan many more trips back. So what’s the best way to do it?

Follow up:

First up the flights. January is actually a tough time of the year to head to Japan for anything but skiing. If you’re a skiier or a snowboarder, you’ve probably already heard of Hokkaido’s amazing ski fields and high quality snow. Why is it a bad time you ask? Well it’s cold and it’s expensive. Cold is one thing yeah but expensive is annoying. A lot of flights book up early with people hitting Japan for the snow season or returning to Japan to spend time with their family for the holidays. What can cost $1,000 in July could be $2,000 or more in January.

If you’re based in Australia probably the cheapest way to get there right now is Jetstar. They’ve just recently begun selling fares direct into Tokyo Narita airport and while it’s not a direct flight it is cheaper and more available than the competition right now. Fares are going between $1100 and $1600 AUD depending on dates. US guys, submit your cheapest airfares to Tokyo and let us add to this. The main point to take away from this is, book early and shop around.

Next up is accommodation, you need to book this in advance as you’ll almost certainly find it difficult to organise in-country. Depending on your budget you have a few options here.

Firstly decide where you want to base yourself. Tokyo Auto Salon is at Makuhari Messe at Makuhari which is an hour and a half by train from popular Tokyo suburbs. A fair commute but it’s only 3 days of what could be a longer holiday for you in Japan. You may also find yourself only being interested in TAS for two of the three days it’s open. So really it’s a decision to make based on:

• Are you willing to make the trek to TAS each morning?
• Do you want to go out at night?
• Are you staying for a holiday before/after TAS?
• Do you want to experience real Tokyo culture?

If you answered yes to two or more of those questions you’ll want to be based in Tokyo itself over being in Chiba/Makuhari area. Given that as a starting point, if it’s your first time in Tokyo, your search for accommodation is going to be pretty overwhelming. I recommend the Tokyo entry at WikiTravel in the medium range of the “Sleep” section towards the end of the page. I’ve stayed in a few of those places and can say that they get the job done although here are my top recommendations when booking Japan accommodation:

• Book in advance
• Book the newest place you can find
• Book a place within minutes from a train station on a good JR line such as the Yamanote Line
• Read review sites and all the comments you can
• Read about the area the hotel is in in advance, some places can be less desirable than others if you like shopping or staying out all night for example
• Book non-smoking rooms even if you’re a smoker
• If you know someone who can read Japanese that can be a big advantage (see using Jalan.net below)

Racing team Freedom Autosports has campaigned various cars in the Grand Am KONI Challenge racing series before and this colour scheme has worked well for them. They’ve now covered their Nissan GT-R in Porsche Signal Green vinyl wrap with vinyl graphics to compliment it.

Several other aero modifications have been made, a big front splitter and some front canards to name two. Wheels are CCW505 in 20″ rear and 19″ front sizes.

The colour I think is great for a race car. Those wheels… not so much.

Source: NAGTROC

Follow up:

The day Honda announced the new Odyssey model for 2009, Mugen also released pictures of their version which is available for both the standard M, L and Li trim levels as well as for the top of the range Absolute spec. The Aero kits are comprised of a grille, front and rear bumper fascias, side skirts and rear roof spoilers. You can also request a sport exhaust, brake pads, floor mats, two styles of aluminum wheels and i-TCMS which monitors the conditions on the tyres. Both kits are now available in Japan, with a starting price of around €2000.