R33 GTST Turbo Stock Make Information

The Legend

Several iterations of the Skyline can be traced back to the 1960's, but it wasn't until 1989 that the modern era of the car began with the introduction of the mighty R32. Considered by many to be the purest model ever produced, the R32 in GTR trim boasted a classic 80's wedge shape, powerful 6 cylinder turbo-charged engine, and a specially developed 4 wheel drive system. This combination proved extremely effective, and many driving enthusiasts immediately jumped on board. The car's excellent grip and handling dynamics also made it an ideal platform for several classes of racing.

R33 GTS-T in Stock Trim

Launched in 1993, the R33 GTS-T continued the Skyline evolution, adding a fresh exterior and new 2.5L turbo engine producing 250 horsepower. While not as desirable as the GTR, it nevertheless offered searing performance in a rear wheel drive only platform; since the 4 wheel drive system was deleted, it also had the advantage of being 440lbs lighter than its big brother. Available in both coupe and sedan versions, the GTS-T was sought after for its combination of performance, practicality and lower overall maintenance costs.

Tuning

The R32 and R33 cars were especially prized for their highly tunable nature and responsiveness to performance modifications. So robust were the Skyline motors, that Japanese tuning houses were often able to extract double the stock horsepower on factory engine internals. News of this quickly spread and the import car tuning craze began. Nearly every Skyline on the road had some sort of modification as huge horsepower gains could be unlocked with a few simple bolt-on parts.

Advantage GTS-T

The R33 GTS-T may just be the ideal Japanese sports car bargain. With nearly identical performance to the GTR, it offers a wider variety of body styles, lower entry cost (without the 4-wheel-drive system), and is lighter and cheaper to operate.