Perhaps one of the most interesting rumors of the year has been MT’s revelations that high level Nissan honcho’s are considering producing a four door version of the Nissan R35 GT-R.The car would apparently carry the original equipment on the standard GT-R, the 480-HP V6 VR38DETT, FSG-style 6-speed auto clutch gearbox, and AWD. However, considerable revisions to the car body structure in order to fit any decent seats in the rear would mean the car would be considerably more expensive, and of course, heavier than it’s already heavy brother.

What does this do to the GT-R namesake? Does it dilute the sports coupe into another high powered family car? It all depends on how much of a purist you are, and how good your knowledge of the GT-R is. The first GT-R - the 1969 PGC10 (later the KPGC10 coupe) Skyline GT-R (known as the “Hakosuka”) - was originally a four door car, not to mention the Autech and Nismo limited edition 4 door R33 Skyline GT-R’s of the 90’s.

That said, the GT-R is so named to distance itself from the old Skyline moniker. As Nissan’s premier flagship model, perhaps the 4door is better suited to Nissan’s premium Infiniti brand.

Bring on the Infiniti M38TT. Yeah, we just made that up.

[Source: Motortrend]

Popularity: 49% [?]

It turns out that Mitsubishi Europe has quietly released details on the Ralliart Lancer.

Mitsubishi doesn�t state whether the Ralliart will be based on the 4door Lancer or the upcoming 5door hatch, however Carscoop states the USDM Ralliart will be based on 4 door lancer sedan, whereas Europe will get the 5 door hatch. Since Australia classically gets the closest equivalent on the JDM, we can expect to see the 4 door on our roads.

The Ralliart is expected to run a detuned 177KW, 240PS version of the EVO X 2.0L, dual valve VVT turbo 4 cylinder. Coupled to this is the magnificent 6-speed Twin Clutch SST transmission, and AWD with Active Centre Differential and Active Yaw Control.

The final form of the Ralliart in Australia is unknown, but given the competition between Subaru and Mitsubishi in this segment we can expect the Ralliart to slot firmly into position against the standard Subaru Impreza WRX - leaving the Evo X to tackle the WRX STi.

Being somewhat given to fantasy here at IJ, we’d love to see that Sportback concept reproduced in full for the hatchback. Given the standard new Lancer is being hailed as a runaway success for Mitsu, a return of the Ralliart Lancer is sure to be nothing less than a added cream in Mitsu’s profits in an age of high demand for fast, small, fuel efficient cars.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Popularity: 71% [?]

While we were having technical difficulties this week, Nissan released the V36 Skyline Coupe! Unfortunately, it’s not turbo, perhaps fully marking the severance between the Skyline and now standalone GT-R - a now completely different vehicle.

Here’s the low down for those of you that hate reading a heap, but feel free to head over to the official release at Nissan:

• Engine

  • VQ37VHR 3.7L V6 with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift)
  • Power: 333HP
  • Red-line at 7500RPM

• Models/Trim

  • 370GT Type SP
  • 370GT Type S
  • 370GT Type P
  • 370GT

• Drivetrain/Transmission/Suspension/Brakes

  • Rear wheel drive
  • 5 speed auto, 5 speed auto with paddle shift, and close ratio6 speed manual. Auto features ASC(adaptive shift control)
  • Double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension
  • Standard 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Electronic Braking Distribution (EBD)
  • Brake Assist (BA)
  • Intelligent Brake Assist (option)
  • Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
  • Speed-sensitive hydraulic power steering system.
  • Four-Wheel Active Steering (4WAS) on 370GT S and 370GT SP

• Interior

  • Leather wrapped steering wheel
  • Two interior schemes - Fauve, with real wood trim (option), Cool Black, featuring real aluminum trim.
  • HDD CARWINGS Touch Screen Navigation (option)
  • Intelligent Key System
  • Blind Side Monitor & Rear View CCD monitor (BSM option)
  • Bose sound system (option)

• Pricing

  • 370GT Type SP : 5AT(paddle shift) is 4,473,000 yen, 6MT is 4,410,000yen
  • 370GT Type S : 5AT(paddle shift) is 4,179,000yen, 6MT is 4,116,000yen
  • 370GT Type P: 5AT is 4,011,000yen
  • 370GT: 5AT is 3,696,000yen

Our Word

We can’t help feel a sense of loss even while looking at this handsome car. Gone are the days of the turbo Skyline marque, replaced with large displacement cars which in their own right are great, but there’s something in the personality of a turbocharged Skyline which is gone, at least for a while. Still, the car is extremely handsome and should to well when badged as the Infiniti in the US.

[Source: Nissan]

Popularity: 43% [?]

The new Evolution X has been made official in a new press release from Mitsubishi, with cars hitting dealers in Japan today, October 1st, 2007.

Here’s a quick rundown of the juiciest features on the new Evolution X

• Engine
  • New, completely redesigned aluminium block ‘4B11’ 16-valve, 2.0L DOHC MIVEC intercooled turbocharged engine - 12kg lighter than the outgoing 4G63.
  • Power: 295HP, Torque: 422 Nm @ 3500rpm (300 lb-ft)
• Two trim levels: RS, GSR.

• Transmissions:
  • Twin Clutch SST 6-speed automated manual on the GSR or
  • 5 speed manual also available on the GSR
  • 5 speed manual on the RS only (No SST)

• 4WD S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) on the GSR
  • ACD (Active Center Differential)
  • AYC (Active Yaw Control)
  • Sport ABS (Sport Anti-lock Brake System)
  • Active Stability Control (ASC)
• Suspension/ Tyre / Brakes
  • MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension
  • (GSR) 18-inch Enkei 12-spoke high-rigidity cast alloy wheels. 18-inch BBS lightweight alloy wheels are also available as a factory-fitted option
  • GSR comes standard with Brembo 18-inch front and 17-inch rear ventilated disc brakes. (Unsure if this is a mistake. Though that’s what’s stated on the PR! - ED )
  • Bilstein single tube shock absorbers and Eibach coil springs

• Interior
  • Premium Rockford Fosgate audio, factory-fitted MMCS option with 30Gb hard disk drive audio/navigation system and 7-inch LCD screen on the GSR.
  • Recaro seats
  • Various interior upgrade option packages, including leather
  • High contrast instrument cluster
  • Leather wrapped steering with audio controls
• Pricing:
  • GSR: 3,750,600 yen with 6speed Twin Clutch SST
  • GSR: 3,495,450 yen 5 speed M/T
  • RS: 2,997,750 yen with 5 speed

And of course, required reading - the Press Release itself . This car has tonnes more features, admittedly more than we expected. The Impreza WRX STi has a battle ahead of it with the new Evo.

Popularity: 33% [?]