"An over 316 BHP street racer by SLP Engineering."
In 1998, the Camaro has received even further redesigns to its exterior, and the standard engine of the Z28 was switched over to the LS1 350ci aluminum block V8 that had been highly regarded in the new C5 Corvette.
In 1996, just two years before this minor change was implements, two letters once again made their grand appearance on the options list: SS.
At $3999, the R7T options package was by far the most expensive options package of all. It included performance parts such as a ram-air unit that pushed output up to 301 HP from the standard 275, functional hood scoops, a ground effects package and rear spoiler, as well as also including features such as upgraded suspension and exclusive wheels.
The sudden appearance of this new SS was actually not the doing of General Motors. Instead, it was developed by a group known as SLP engineering. Having earlier produced such models as the Pontiac Firebird "Firehawk", SLP Engineering was a hardcore race tuner with strong connections to General Motors that had engineered vehicle parts for stock cars, as well as performance parts for vehicles meant for the street.
With the fairly minor changes that were implemented in 1998, the standard engine for the SS was switched over to the LS1, and its maximum output was improved to over 316 HP. In addition to this, SLP Engineering even went so far as to offer hardcore SS-only options, such as Brembo brakes and a roll cage. The fully optioned SS could indeed be called a true street racer.
"A popular model of the R32. A masterpiece of rear-wheel drive sports cars made through Nissan's 901 movement."Not to be confused with the Skyline GT-R, the "normal" Skyline was continuously produced since the days of the Nissan-Prince merger. While many of the previous models were nothing to get excited about, the R32 definitely made a statement when it appeared in May 1989. The awesome R32 GT-R's foundations came from this car, which speaks volumes when you consider that car's performance. The handling of the FR (Front engine/Rear drive) was first rate being developed under Nissan's 901 project to make the best performance chassis by 1990. It possessed a rock-solid body structure that was compact in nature, especially if you compared it to the R31 which stretched 100 mm longer. Nissan also scrapped the suspension system of the previous model in favor of an all new multilink design that provided a solid ride quality and excellent cornering character.
The base GTS Sport came equipped with a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-6, aka the RB20DE, that produced 153 HP and 135.9 ft-lb of torque. The GTS-T Type M utilized a turbocharged version of the RB engine that produced 212 HP and 195.2 ft-lb of torque. Also in the lineup was the GTS4 that featured the ATTESA-ETS all-wheel-drive system from the GT-R. In 1991, the GTS25 Type S received a 2.5-liter displacement bump, which increased power to 178 HP.
The R32 Skyline ushered in a new era for Nissan, making the company the preeminent sports-sedan maker in Japan.
"An Italian hot hatch that represents an icon of the 1970s."
The A112 was introduced at the Turin Auto Show in 1969 as a compact hatchback from Italian car maker Autobianchi. It was based on the A111, a FF (Front engine, Front drive) sedan, powered by a 903-cc engine from the Fiat 850 Coupe and Spider. The A112 was originally an early test model for parent company Fiat's new line of FF cars, but it was so popular that Autobianchi decided to offer it as its own original vehicle.
The boxy body measured 3270 mm from bumper to bumper, 1480 mm wide and 1340 mm high, wheelbase was 2040 mm. These dimensions made it about the size of a kei car in Japan. But despite its small size, the A112 could seat four adults.
In 1971, the A112 Abarth was introduced, sporting a souped-up version of the stock 47-ps powerplant. In the hands of tuner Carlo Abarth, the engine's displacement was increased to 982 cc, resulting in 58 ps. The A112 Abarth saw further improvements in 1975. The engine was enlarged to 1050 cc, enabling it to produce 70 ps. With the car tipping the scales at 700 kg, this A112 reached a top speed of 160 km/h and dashed to the 400-m mark in 18.5 seconds. This A112 Abarth, with its front end bathed in fearless black paint, dominated the Italian sports hatchback segment throughout the 1970s.
"The revival of the SLR name; a supercar born in a collaboration with McLaren."
The concept version of the SLR McLaren was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 1999. It was the talk of the town, and everyone wondered if Mercedes-Benz was indeed going to build this supercar. The answer came at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show when a production version of the car was displayed. As the same suggests, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was built alongside McLaren Automotive of Formula 1 fame.
The SLR was a supercar of the highest order. It featured a carbon-fiber unitized body, ensuring low weight, which by the way was a lean 1768 kg, more than 200 kg lighter than the SL55 AMG. Under its hood sat a supercharged 5.5-liter V-8 with dry sump lubrication that produced a whopping 616 HP at 6500 rpm and 575.7 ft-lb of torque from 3250 to 5000 rpm. The SLR had the same 5-speed automatic that the SL used, but added sport, comfort, and manual settings.
The brakes featured SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control), a brake-by-wire system, with carbon-ceramic discs at all four corners. The front calipers were 8-pot Brembos while the rears, also Brembo had 4-pots. The suspension system consisted of double wishbones at all four corners.
"Its history started here. The first Impreza WRX crowned with the STi name."
When Subaru introduced the Impreza WRX in November 1992, it was immediately obvious that the car was destined to participate in the World Rally Championship. The compact body housed the EJ20 engine, a turbocharged flat-4 that produced 237 HP at 6000 rpm and 224.2 ft-lb of torque at 5000 rpm. It didn't take long for Subaru's motorsports and tuning arm, STi (Subaru Technica international), to get involved with the car, and in January 1993, it created the WRX STi. It represented the ultimate Impreza, highlighted by special racing parts such as forged piston and strut tower bars. But more importantly, output was increased to 247 HP and 227.8 ft-lb. Nine months later, after some minor modifications, the trusty boxer engine produced even more power, rated at 256 HP at 6500 rpm. STi followed this with a completely new model called the WRX Type RA STi, a motorsports-based car pumping out a whopping 271 HP at 6500 rpm and 235.0 ft-lb of torque at 4000 rpm.
In August 1995, STi introduced the WRX STi Version II, which was essentially the same car as the first version, only the WRX Type RA represented the base model (not the WRX) and a wagon variant was added to the mix. STi also released special edition models honoring its WRC #555 race rally car (500 sedans and 100 wagons) that brought Subaru its first WRC series title.
"A popular model of the R32. A masterpiece of rear-wheel drive sports cars made through Nissan's 901 movement."
Not to be confused with the Skyline GT-R, the "normal" Skyline was continuously produced since the days of the Nissan-Prince merger. While many of the previous models were nothing to get excited about, the R32 definitely made a statement when it appeared in May 1989. The awesome R32 GT-R's foundations came from this car, which speaks volumes when you consider that car's performance.
The handling of the FR (Front engine/Rear drive) was first rate being developed under Nissan's 901 project to make the best performance chassis by 1990. It possessed a rock-solid body structure that was compact in nature, especially if you compared it to the R31 which stretched 100 mm longer. Nissan also scrapped the suspension system of the previous model in favor of an all new multilink design that provided a solid ride quality and excellent cornering character.
The base GTS Sport came equipped with a 2.0-liter DOHC inline-6, aka the RB20DE, that produced 153 HP and 135.9 ft-lb of torque. The GTS-T Type M utilized a turbocharged version of the RB engine that produced 212 HP and 195.2 ft-lb of torque. Also in the lineup was the GTS4 that featured the ATTESA-ETS all-wheel-drive system from the GT-R. In 1991, the GTS25 Type S received a 2.5-liter displacement bump, which increased power to 178 HP. The R32 Skyline ushered in a new era for Nissan, making the company the preeminent sports-sedan maker in Japan.
Nismo's special edition 270R went on sale in 1994, limited to just 30 units. Nismo, Nissan's motorsports arm and factory tuner, was among the first factory tuners in Japan, and the 270R represented one of its first complete-car projects.
Based on the S14 Silvia, the 270 in its name referred to the power output of its engine, rather than the displacement, as was the case with the 180SX. Nismo increased the power of the engine, not by installing larger turbos, but incorporating custom cams, an intercooler and a revised ECU (Electronic Control Unit aka "chip"). Low to mid-range torque was retained in order to not compromise its on-road civility. An upgraded clutch and driveshaft were incorporated to match the engine's extra output.
The suspension was set up for the street, but slight modifications to the chassis were made to sharpen the car's handling. Ride height was lowered 0.3 inches, and the shock and springs were firmer. Improved bushings were also added.
Those who liked being noticed had nothing to worry about when driving the 270R because Nismo's body kit certainly stood out. It featured a vented hood that allowed excess engine heat to escape, as well as a flashy rear wing. All 270Rs were painted black, with a white stripe down the side of the body.
