Issue 85

November 2008
Issue 85

Is it just me or does anybody else feel that there's a bit of an Impreza revival going on at the moment? I still feel ambivalent about WRC replicas, though I have to admit that these seemed rather appropriate when taking part in the recent record-breaking McRae Gathering convoy (see p146). But it's the new wave of modified examples that are particularly exciting me.

In later issues we'll be debuting an Impreza so immaculate you could eat off its underside, and feature Charge Speed's current work on the new generation STI. Yet in a UK exclusive, we decided to push ESX Motorsport's stunning GDB drag car to the top of the pile (see p80-90). Though relatively restrained in appearance on its 16" alloys, this 2.5-litre beast produces upwards of 1000bhp and delivers it through a modified SVX gearbox to despatch the quarter-mile in under nine seconds.

Apart from an open centre diff, virtually every drivetrain component is an OE part, which speaks volumes for the inherent quality of Subaru vehicles. Another car that continues to make waves within our scene is the MX-5. We've perhaps been guilty of not featuring enough of these little masterpieces, so the multi-car feature on p58-63 aims to provide readers with tuning options regarding forced induction – the best method for extracting decent power out of the standard engines.

Is a turbo or supercharger preferable, and what is the difference between coldside and hotside 'charging? We hope the results are inspirational. One piece of news you may have heard rumours about is that Trust (which incorporates GReddy) has recently gone bust. In fact, the Japanese mega-tuner has filed for Minji-saisei-hou, which is a common strategy in Japan that allows companies to continue trading while carrying out internal reorganisation. How serious this reorganisation is remains to be seen.

The current financial climate is obviously as worrying for the car industry as it is for banks but, apparently, GReddy is still scheduled to appear at SEMA with a trio of display cars, and I hope to see the company fit and healthy at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January. I'd hate for the scene to miss out on brilliant little projects like the supercharged Swift Sport on p120. Before this recent revelation into the company's precarious finances, GReddy had decided to concentrate more of its efforts on small cars, well reflecting the public's desire to downsize.

It's a move that is seen elsewhere within the aftermarket industry, evidenced by Mugen's efforts to turn the new Fit/Jazz into a widebodied Time Attack refugee (see p114-117). It's an interesting, if slightly worrying, time for all, which I have to say made the recent JAE show all the more enjoyable. Congratulations to all involved in finding a superb new location for the event and restoring the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Thanks, too, for making sure it was held on the sunniest weekend of the entire summer.

Joe Clifford, Editor 

In the November 2008 Issue..

Sssweet as…
There’s far more to old skool Datsuns than the venerable 240Z, as Danny Day’s stonking CA18DET-powered 180B SSS conclusively proves

The Sunshine State
At last, the weather changed and the sun was shining at JAE. With a new location for 2008, would it still capture the relaxed atmosphere of previous years?

He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Can the UK-spec Evo X FQ-300 SST compete with a tuned version of its cheaper and lighter JDM-spec Evo X RS brother? We hit the back roads and dyno to decide the outcome

A force for good
We take a look at some of the forced induction tuning options available for everyone's favourite two-seater roadster, the original Mazda MX-5

And all that jazz
Has Honda achieved the impossible and improved on a winning formula with its second-generation Jazz?SX appeal
Some cars are just too hard to resist, or at least that's what Joe Terrell finds as the addicted owner of this lovely 180SX

Gasoline Ali
The Impreza might not be the most likely drag car in the world but Ali Afshar has proved that over 1000bhp and all-wheel drive make for a formidable and groundbreaking quarter-mile contender

A Sciontific creation
Chopped and dropped styling on a standard five-door hatch have resulted in another wild creation from Team Koshak and it's master of custom rides, Neil Tjin

History in the making (Part two)
In this second installment celebrating 60 years of the Honda Motor Co we chart the manufacturer’s accomplishments through the Sixties and Seventies

Round Five
The Japaneseusedcars.com European Drift Championship entered round five by returning to the prestigious Silverstone venue

The little monster
No sooner has the second-generation Fit/Jazz been launched than Mugen reveals its wide-bodied, supercharged ‘Little Monster’

Swift intentions
Like many Japanese tuners, GReddy has begun to focus its efforts on smaller cars. And this supercharged Swift Sport is a little belter

Plenty twenty vision
Neil Hughes has ignored conventional wisdom and replaced his Skyline’s RB25 straight six with a tuned SR20DET. Is it a shrewd or rude move?

Back
Want to order this issue?