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Widebody GT-Rs Part I: Axell Auto
Tokyo Auto Salon saw the debut of what many consider the most radical aero parts for the GT-R ever in Axell Auto’s full widebody kit.
We can let the pictures do the talking…
Prior to their GT-R kit, Axell Auto had been primarily known for their modifications to Japanese luxury vehicles like SUVs and vans, but their GT-R kit is Axell trying their hand in the sports car realm. Axell’s fascination with the R35 started after the President of Axell purchased his GT-R and began modifying it with off-the-shelf parts.
The kit takes some styling cues from Tommykaira and features wide front and rear fenders, completely new front and rear bumper designs with a carbon fiber rear diffuser, rear wing and side skirts with functional brake ducting.
While pricing hasn’t been released, you can visit Axell’s website for pictures, video and more information.
Link: Axell Auto’s Website
In addition, Axell has enlisted GT-RR to be the first international distributor for the kit.
Link: Axell Auto on GT-RR.com
This post will be the first in a series regarding the recent widebody options that have been released for the R35. Look out for more in the coming week!
JUN Carbon Exhaust Ducts for Nissan GT-R
JUN has deviated a little from their hardcore engine upgrades parts range to include this new Carbon Exhaust Duct in their GT-R lineup. These carbon exhaust tip surrounds will liven up your GT-R’s rear end for about 29,400 yen in Japan.
Possibly more interesting in the release than the parts themselves is that JUN seems to have a bright yellow R35 GT-R happening. Is this the return of the fabled JUN Hyper Lemon 1000hp GT-R in R35 format? We’d like to think so…
Link: JUN R35 GT-R Parts Website
Preview: TopSecret Carbon Fibre Hood for Nissan GT-R
Top Secret have leaked a few images of their upcoming newest product. A carbon fibre hood for the R35 GT-R. As you can see the hood features some large vents to improve engine bay cooling in much the same way as the GT1/GT1 style hoods do.
Looking forward to getting more details on this one soon…
Link: Pre-order Top Secret’s new carbon hood @ GT-RR.com
Update: Mine’s Carbon Front Bumper Revised Packages and Pricing
Mine’s have released updated packages and pricing for one of their premier carbon products recently. Their Mine’s Carbon Front Bumper, which we got to debut after visiting Mine’s early this year, has been beefed up with an optional modified OEM reinforcement bar and bundled with canards. The end result is more delicious Mine’s carbon for your dollar. The full details of the different packages available are below:
| Product | Includes | Price in Japan (Inc tax) |
| Carbon Front Bumper Full Set No Clear Coating |
Front Bumper, Radiator wing, Canards, modified OEM Reinforcement bar | 934,500 yen |
| Carbon Front Bumper Full Set No Clear Coating No reinforcement bar |
Front Bumper, Radiator wing, Canards | 861,000 yen |
| Carbon Front Bumper Only | Front Bumper only | 598,500 yen |
| Radiator Wing | Radiator wing, no clear coat | 168,000 yen |
| Canards set | Canards set, no clear coat | 168,000 yen |
| Modified OEM Reinforcement bar | 73,500 yen |
This represents a pretty hefty drop from the original price tag which was over a million yen for the front bumber plus canards set. Good job Mine’s.
For more info on Mine’s products, hit up their English website in the link below… While im on the subject of the Mine’s front bumper though, I’m gonna go ahead and use this as an excuse to post my favourite photo I’ve taken of the Mine’s demo car down there vvv.
Link: Mine’s Website (English)
TopSecret Release Carbon Bumper Air Intake Ducts for Nissan GT-R
Top Secret have launched a new product this week designed to improve cooling airflow to the intercooler / radiator. The GT-R’s front end, while aerodynamic, does leave something to be desired in the use of the surface area to great cooling effect. Understandably so too since Nissan had to fit a bumper reinforcement in there somewhere.
The aftermarket doesn’t need to be concerned with bumper reinforcement however so with some modification this bumper duct will direct air straight onto your cooling systems.
Priced at 65,100 yen for the half carbon version or 79,800 for the full carbon version, you can get in touch with your local Top Secret distributor for more info…
Link: Top Secret Website
Varis Launch Extremor Range of Carbon Fibre Parts for Nissan GT-R
Building on their original range of carbon parts that we first saw back in January, Varis have launched some additional bits and pieces recently to compliment their aero.
The additions come in the form of interior carbon pieces and carbon side mirror covers which are priced as follows:
| Part / Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| DRY CARBON MIRROR COVER (2pcs/set) | 31,500 yen |
| INTERIOR FULL KIT | 75,600 yen |
| – SHIFT LEVER COVER (1pc) | 25,200 yen |
| – AIR VENT COVER (4pcs/set) | 16,800 yen |
| – DOOR HANDLE COVER (2pcs/set) | 27,300 yen |
| – DRINK HOLDER COVER (1pc) | 12,600 yen |
For more info and local pricing, check out your nearest Varis dealer.
Link: Varis Extremor Website (Japanese)
Link: Varis Carbon Online @ GT-RR
Esprit Dry Carbon Wing for Nissan GT-R: Wing 052
Esprit are well known for their past creative rear wing design for the Nissan GT-R – the GT Wing 262. You’ve seen it on the ‘blog before but for those who need a refresher you can see our photo gallery here. This week they released their latest update to their carbon parts catalog, the Wing 052 for the R35 GT-R.
Quite a striking design, one of these babies will set you back around 325,000 yen in Japan.
Top Racing HK Report from R35 Street Battle at ZIC in China
The 27th and 28th of March was a big weekend for the GT-Rs around Hong Kong and China. For the first time ever, the R35 Street Battle was held at the Zhuhai International Circuit (ZIC) on the 29th and organized by the Hyper Zpeed Magazine. Many GT-Rs turned up for the event to see how fast they were able to go. Although there was a small drama on Saturday, one of the GT-Rs was severely damaged during practice, the race course was required to shut off for a while for clean up. It was a great day with nice sunshine, with an air temperature of 20 degrees and overall, it was proved to be an enjoyable event run smoothly.
Top Racing GT-R Professional Workshop also attended the event with their customers and became the spot light of the day. Since Top Racing had experience at Zhuhai International Circuit from previous trackdays, the track’s layout was well known to them. Since it was technically a Street Battle, Top Racing brought their street demo car up to ZIC to conduct the speed trial. This street spec car was able to manage a respectable 1:46.28 lap time and also set the highest top speed for the day of 244km/h at the end of the main straight. To top it off, on the very same night at the after battle dinner party, Top Racing GTR Professional Workshop won the Most Fashionable award, Quickest Lap Record award and the 2009 Media Best Tuner Gold award for their street demo car.
The Top Racing street demo car was equipped with the Willall Racing WR35MTT turbo setup which runs 1.1 bar of boost, HKS Hipermax III ZIC spec suspension, Tanabe sway bar, SSP radiator, Trust oil coolers for the engine and transmission, HKS Superior Spec R, Trust Intake Suction kit, HKS GT600 Kit, COBB Tuning AccessPORT, Dixcel R15 brake pads and SP FSC brake rotors. Also, in the transmission department it was equipped with the Dodson Motorsport mechanical circlips and FWD gear lock to ensure durability, as well as Willall Racing WR35CP clutch packs to ensure good bite while shifting gears.
What is special about this time out is a newly in-house designed aero kit which borrows concepts from the Nissan FIA GT1 spec race car. Not only does it give the GT-R a new aggressive look, but it could also decrease the engine oil, transmission oil and water temperature dramatically. This aero kit completely solves the usual temperature issues and allows the driver to drive their GT-R on the race track at full pace with peace of mind. The aero kit is made out of light weight, rigid dry carbon, and provides ducting to cool the front brakes down which helps solve the problem of brake over-heating. The new aero front bumper is also designed to give greater down-force and provide greater stability at high speed, add that to the fact that it reduces weight and you can see how it can improve handling. The kit reduces weight by 5kg in the hood, 5kg in the front bumper and under panels, 2.5kg in the rear bumper and 2.5kg in the rear trunk lid.
The Director of HKS product strategy management, Suguru Kobayashi, was also there on the day as a spectator, he was astonished with the cooling ability of this new aero kit and admired the quality and design. He is greatly interested in the aero kit, and in discussions with Top Racing, has requested a set for testing on the HKS R35 demo car.
Unfortunately, Top Racing’s race ready R35 “TR35” was unable to attend this event. The TR35 GT-R features an even more aggressive aero kit which provides for even wider front wheels. We are all anxious to see how well the TR35 will perform with the wide body kit on the race track.
So it was an enjoyable weekend at ZIC, everyone from Top Racing and their clients had fun and enjoyed the thrill of high speed on the race track, they are all looking forward to hitting the track again very soon.
Top Racing Hong Kong would like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to the following:
- Weave Carbon Series
- HKS
- Dodson Motorsport
- TRUST
- TANABE Japan
- Willall Racing
- TOYO
Link: Top Racing GT-R Professional Workshop Hong Kong
Do-Luck Carbon Honeycomb Front Diffuser System – Sneak Peek
Here’s our first look at one of the best new Japanese carbon products to be produced for the GT-R yet. Do-Luck have enjoyed a stellar reputation for quality and innovation in their aero products for many years now and finally they’re turning their talents to the GT-R.
The Do-Luck front diffuser seen here is still a prototype mold but it gives you a solid idea of the features the final version will have. Firstly and most obviously you can see the aerodynamic shape of it is designed to give a needed boost to front downforce. Secondly, wide, integrated brake ducting channels feature prominently. This is important because many GT-R owners are putting that as one of the critical criteria for front diffuser selection.
As hinted in the title, the construction of the front diffuser will be a carbon fibre honeycomb for both strength and weight reduction. The front lip and under diffuser will be a single piece. The bottom plates that add the front spoiler sections on each side are then bolted on to finish it off.
All tallied, one would normally expect to pay a decent premium for something like this, JDM parts, carbon honeycomb? GT-RR have done some hard negotiating on your behalf and have the price down to around the $2595 mark.
Pre-orders available now for a May 2010 estimated ship date. Hit up the link below to secure yours now.
Link: Do-Luck Carbon Front Diffuser @ GT-RR
Esprit Dry Carbon Front Diffuser for Nissan GT-R
Esprit have remained quiet for some time now on the development front but they’ve been busy behind the scenes. This front diffuser is the result of some hard R&D on the circuit where they found the ideal setup for front aerodynamics could be added on with relatively little fuss. It’s helped them to some fairly impressive laptimes @ Fuji Speedway as well.
The Esprit front diffuser replaces the GT-R’s standard front undertray with a dry carbon item. The diffuser channels air into the wheel arches for brake cooling and extends forward to offer more front downforce.
Almost all teams competing with GT-R’s in motorsports are finding additional front downforce helpful. The way they’re gaining it is, by and large, by adding front splitters and canards. This elegant solution may be welcome to those not wanting to DIY. Retail price is set at $3995.
Link: Esprit Front Diffuser @ GT-RR.com
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