Issue 81

Issue 81
July 2008

Without getting on my soap box to rant about UK motorists being forced into making extortionate tax contributions for the privilege of being mobile, the rising cost of motoring has begun to change the Japanese car scene.

Small cars are becoming big news both here and across the pond, and people are having to consolidate their motoring into one do-it-all vehicle. The estate car feature on p110 is therefore aimed to show readers that it is possible to have power and practicality in one package, with a welcome smidgen of lifestyle thrown in too.

As you can see from the photo below, the snapper we chose for this feature is also an estate car exponent, using his primer grey Volvo as a workhorse and climbing frame. Talking of the changing face of UK motoring, on p100 we also road test a Subaru that can easily crack 50mpg, courtesy of the world’s first boxer diesel installed across the Legacy range. By all accounts it is a superb engine that should revitalise the brand’s sales in the UK; more so when it finally makes its way into the Impreza.

Together with hybrids, diesel power is one of the primary means for car manufacturers to lower their overall emissions. So we’d better get used to it! Just don’t get me started on the higher cost of  diesel when it’s a by-product of the process for making petrol. Our cover feature, however, is a rude salute to environmentalism. John Bradshaw’s amazing Skyline GTS-T has been around for a couple of seasons but has been consistently improving its quarter-mile times through constant development.

This is no tube-framed silhouette; as a competitor in the Pro/Factory Modified class it remains a Skyline from bodyshell to engine and is unusual for retaining RWD instead of using 4WD like most of its Japanese competitors.Its most recent performance at the FIA Main Event at Santa Pod saw John post an incredible 8.11sec pass – a new personal best. Surely consistent sevens are within breathing distance now.

Joe Clifford, Editor

In the July 2008 Issue..

In the pink
Twin turbos, cross-breeding, Euro styling cues, and lots of pink bits: Australia's C-Red Tuning Garage cannot be accused of creating a subtle S14

Box fresh
What can you do to an R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R that hasn't been done before? Try Super GT overtones and a custom wide-body conversion...

Survival of the fastest
Think you are virtually unbeatable? You'll need to be to win this amazing competition!

Hyper-tracktive
Tracktive Solution's 650bhp 'Mule' provides the perfect test-bed for its latest weird and wonderful developments

Who are... Funky Power?
Sourcing products from Japan and the States no longer needs to be a costly headache with parts supplier Funky Power here to do the dirty work

The big freeze
We find out how a unique deep-freezing process can assist your engine components' longevity

Heath Exaustion
The Toyota Sprint Series became more hotly contested with a record field of competitors and full manufacturer support for round two

Best of the fest
With the promise of winter projects being aired for the first time, crowds flocked to the season opener – Japfest at Castle Combe circuit

Pod racer
It's 'only' a GTS-T but strap yourself in and prepare to have your perceptions of rear-wheel drive Skylines redefined by this full-on Pro class drag machine

It's not Tom's, It's mine
The badge says it's TOM'S but this supercharged Lexus IS350 is now Prolex-UK's demo car – an M3 rival without the brash association

50MPG Subaru!
A Subaru that's good to drive AND economical? Nah, can't be true...

Round Two
Round two of Time Attack and the European Drift Championship was a test of the brave as competitors headed north to the demanding Knockhill Circuit

Space Invaders
They came from a land far, far away and had the audacity to bring with them power and practicality. We had to witness this with our own eyes

Cruise Missile
Japanese tuner Cruise shows us its interpretation of a track-prepared Evo III

Straight and narrow
After Chuck Johnson's family had finished with their owned-from-new 1988 Sentra daily driver, he turned it into this SR20DET equipped 160mph racer

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