5 Best R35 Nissan GT-R from the Tokyo Auto Salon

By OR Staff, photography by Christopher Jue

1. Top Secret Super GT-R

The distinctive gold Top Secret scheme was found on only one GT-R this year but what a demo car it was. Using a Top Secret BB900 turbo kit, JUN cams, HKS pistons, and connecting rods, the Top Secret Super GT-R puts out just under 900hp at 7,000RPM. A HKS Kansai Service rear limited-slip differential has been added along with a Dotson stronger first gear and clutch kit.

2. Gallant Abflug GT-R

During 2010, body kit maker Abflug joined forces with European specialist J.N. Hephaiss (also a Japan-based tuning company). The union has now given birth to Gallant Abflug, a new brand that specializes in high-end cars such as the R35 Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 GT3, and Ferrari F430. This R35 Nissan GT-R was the highlight of their stand, packing almost 630hp using a free-flowing exhaust and increased boost. Gallant Abflug claims that this car has run a best quarter-mile time of 10.8-seconds.

3. Mine’s 2011 GT-R

Mine’s used the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon show to showcase their Super Response Complete Engine, which was on display both inside and outside of this GT-R. Custom built by Mine’s, the Super Response Complete Engine is a VR38DETT that has been torn apart, hand built, and fit with new pistons and connecting rods. The setup will run you between $30,000-$50,000. Adding on the upgraded turbocharger kit will run you an extra $5,000-$10,000. That’s a pretty big hit on the wallet, this is real life, not Gran Turismo, but the engine produces almost 800hp with supposedly smooth drivability.

Mine’s also took a significant amount of weight out of the portly R35 Nissan GT-R with the aid of carbon fiber. Lots and lots of carbon fiber. The lightweight composite has been used in the hood, trunk, doors, and wing, shedding weight. Mine’s also took the less flashy approach by color-matching the carbon fiber pieces, leaving carbon visible only in the minor body accents. Matched with Mine’s distinctively subtle gray stripe and signature logo, this GT-R is sure to surprise more than a few Ferraris and Vipers.

4. Sumo Power FIA GT1 GT-R Racecar

Sumo Power’s Nissan GT-R GT1 is an almost 600hp turbocharged racing machine that regularly takes on Aston Martin DB9s, Corvettes, and Maserati MC12s. Typical stops for the FIA GT1 race series include Abu Dhabi, France, and England. Sumo Power claims that the louvers and aerodynamics don’t give enough downforce to be fully competitive, so the GT-R is purposely setup for low drag. This gives it an advantage at high-speed circuits.

5. M7 Japan R600 GT-R

With their company image centered around motorsports, M7 Japan is involved in Super GT and the D1GP, sponsoring RE Amemiya. The drift RX-7, driven by Imamura, was the 2010 D1GP champion while the GT300 RX-7 took third place in last year’s championship. Nobuteru “NOB” Taniguchi, one of the drivers of the Super GT M7 RE Amemiya RX-7, also took second place in the 2010 Japan Civic Championship one-make race.

Their tuned GT-R, called the R600, uses a combination of free-flowing exhaust, boost control, ECU tune, and intakes to generate 600hp. M7 Japan also fit the car with their own branded suspension kit, forged monoblock brake kit, and performance brake pads.

It comes as little surprise that M7 Japan takes this R35 out on track regularly and didn’t fit a chunky, high-concept body kit to it. They decided to keep it simple – 600hp, brakes, suspension, cooling, and good tires – and then drive the piss out of it. We can relate to that.