Nissan Skyline 2

R31



The R31 Skyline of 1986 was a natural evolution on the R30 shape, and also this one was loosely based on the Laurel platform (C32). The design was slightly larger and squarer than previous Skylines. It was available as a Sedan, Hardtop sedan, Coupe and station wagon. Affectionately known as the "Seventhsu" or simply "7th Sukairain" by owners, due to it being the 7th-generation Skyline.

The R31 Skyline introduced many new technologies and features. The HR31 was the first Skyline to be equipped with the new RB-series of engines. The HR31 RB engines are often referred to as "Red Top" engines because of the red cam covers. There were three variants. The earliest series of DOHC, 24 valve, RB engines used the NICS (Nissan Induction Control System) injection system with 12 very small intake runners, and a butterfly system to divide the intake ports in half for better low RPM performance. Later versions used ECCS (Electronically Concentrated Control System) engine management, discarded the twelve tiny runners for six much larger ones (though the cylinder heads still retained twelve individual intake ports separated by casting), and received a slightly larger turbocharger. Nissan's RD28, a 2.8 straight-6 engine, featured for a diesel option. Another technological first for the R31 was the introduction of Nissan's proprietary 4-wheel steering system, dubbed HICAS (High Capacity Active Steering). The R31 series were also the only models in the Skyline family to feature a 4-door hardtop variation. These models were generally badged as thePassage GT.

The R31 Skyline was also produced in Australia, with a 3.0 L motor (RB30E) available in sedan or wagon form, as well as a four-cylinder version called the Nissan Pintara. The wagon had the same front style as the coupe and sedan—the only difference being that it lacked the four round brake lights that had been a consistent element of Skyline design (except for the R31 series one/two which had rectangular taillights with a solid bar through the centre which was also shared by the Pintara). These cars were manufactured in Australia due to the heavy import laws which made it expensive to bring cars into Australia.

29,305 R31 Skylines were also manufactured and sold in South Africa in 4-door sedan form between 1987 and 1992. These were the last Skylines seen in South Africa. Power came from either the RB30E 3.0 straight-6 motor, RB20E 2.0 straight-6 motor or the CA20S 4-cylinder powerplant.


GTS-R
The ultimate version of the R31 was the RB20DET-R powered HR31 GTS-R Coupe of which 800 units were built to allow homologation forGroup A Touring Car racing. Introduced in late 1987, it had a reworked version of the normal RB20DET with a much larger turbocharger on a tubular steel exhaust manifold, as well as a much larger front-mounted intercooler boosting power to a factory claimed 210 ps (154 kW), with racing versions making over 430 hp (321 kW) in Group A trim.

Jim Richards and Mark Skaife drove a Gibson Motor Sport prepared Skyline GTS-R to win the 1989 Sandown 500 in Australia. Richards also used the GTS-R in 6 of the 8 races to win the 1990 Australian Touring Car Championship (he used the R32 GT-R in the final two rounds of the series). It was Nissan's first ever Australian Touring Car Championship series win after finishing second in 1983 and 1986 (George Fury), and again in 1987 (Glenn Seton).
Models

Japanese market:
1800 C, 1800 Excel and 1800 Passage – 1.8 L CA18S SOHC I4, 90 hp (66 kW)
GT Excel D, GT Passage D – 2.8 L Diesel RD28 SOHC I6, 92 hp (68 kW, 173 N m)
GT Excel, GT Passage – 2.0 L RB20E SOHC I6, 128 hp (96 kW)
GT Excel Twin Cam 24V, GT Passage Twin Cam 24V – 2.0 L RB20DE DOHC I6, 155 hp (114 kW)
GT Passage Turbo – 2.0 L RB20ET SOHC turbo I6, 167 hp (125 kW, 206 N m)
GT Passage Twin Cam 24V Turbo – 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 180 hp (133 kW, 225 N m)
GTS – 2.0 L RB20DE DOHC I6, 155 hp (114 kW)
GTS Turbo – 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC I6, 180 hp (133 kW, 225 N m)
GTS-X – 2.0 L RB20DET DOHC turbo I6, 190 hp (141 kW, 240 N m)
GTS-R – 2.0 L RB20DET-R DOHC turbo I6, 210 hp (154 kW, 245 N m)
GTS Autech – 2.0 L RB20DET-R DOHC turbo I6, 210 hp (154 kW, 245 N m)


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