Showing posts with label pulsar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pulsar. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Forza Horizon 4: Steady Pulsar

Now here's a classic JDM hot hatch some speedo boys are familiar with and this one is almost a near-forgotten gem that needs to be reintroduced to today's speedo boys. Care to guess what that is?



If the answer is the Pulsar N14 GTI-R, then you are darn right because it IS the Pulsar N14 GTI-R.



It's one of the early Heisei JDM sportscars if my memory serves me correctly and having won this JDM hot hatch from the recent Horizon Spring Playlist, let's dig the details about Nissan's unsung rally hero that time forgot.



The Nissan Pulsar N14 was launched in 1990 and it is offered with the choice of three variantsl the four-door saloon, the five-door liftback, and the three-door GTI hatchback. The GTI-R is based on the GTI variant and it is a rally homologation special that complies with the 5,000 unit regulations to compete in Group A regulations. It is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged SR20DET engine with induction system and Electronic Port Injection. It has a compression ratio of 8.3:1, power output of 230PS, and 29kgm of torque, while mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. It comes with the ATTESA all-wheel drive system. The Pulsar GTI-R features two variants such as the GTI-RA and the stripped-off GTI-RB. There's even a NISMO variant based on the latter as well.

The Pulsar GTI-R competed the WRC's Group A regulations under the NME banner in 1991 and 1992 but despite good results, this car never won a single race and therefore abandoned in 1992 after nine rallies.



Early Heisei babies such as the Nissan R32 Skyline GT-R, the Subaru Impreza WRX, the Honda NSX, and the first Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution are a real blast to drive in its heydays but what about the "other" Heisei baby? Yes, I heard stories about its failed rally attempt, which is a shame despite its potential, but on its road-going form, the Pulsar N14 GTI-R behaves just like the others and although short on power compared to the early Heisei era heavyweights, it's still a blast to drive and because of its ATTESA all-wheel drive system, the Pulsar GTI-R's not afraid to get itself dirty no matter how hard it tried. Although not the best hot hatch ever made but it's one of the coolest JDM hot hatches to emerge in the dawn of the Heisei era. It's the first before the first Honda Civic Type R took place and when you are busy debating which Heisei era JDM sportscar is the best (I tried and the GT-R won), it would be rude not to put the N14 Pulsar GTI-R to this conversation.

To show appreciation to the 90's JDM hot hatch unsung hero, let's take it for a spin, shall we? But first...







See here? It's been decorated to look like the stripped-off base model (GTI-RB if you prefer) but with some upgrades for competitive reasons, my special GTI-RB is ready to roll through the wilderness. Roll the tape!


Now this is how you treat the Pulsar right!



The N14 Pulsar GTI-R may be a lost cause for Nissan because of its failed rally attempt but as a bonafide hot hatch that caters a handful of speedo boys everywhere, it never fails to impress because of its dynamic character that will leave them driving for more until they are fully satisfied. I'd really wish I want to put this on the list of the best early Heisei JDM sportscars but since the R34 Skyline GT-R takes the cake, it's better late than never for this one.