Auction Car of the Week: Nissan Sunny GTI-R

Many enthusiasts use Car & Classic to search for retro cars that are usable and highly original. But what if you want the opposite? The UK’s leading car auction website has you covered there, too – with this Nissan Sunny on steroids.

To gain entry into the Group A rallying class, Nissan created the homologation special Sunny GTI-R. It wedged a 227hp 16-valve engine beneath the bonnet of this formerly humdrum hatchback, then added the ATTESA four-wheel-drive system from the mighty Skyline GT-R. Back in the 1990s, the result was a car to keep Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo drivers checking their rear-view mirrors.

Not content with the Sunny’s rarity (one of 18 taxed in the UK) and uprated power, this car’s previous owner added a dyno-verified 313hp to its output, bringing the total to 540hp. Whoah!

Here comes the Sunny

Extreme power is matched by extreme attention to detail, bringing up the rest of this rally replica to the same standard. A long list of modifications includes adjustable strut braces, a one-off carbon fibre bonnet, a roll cage, Brembo brakes, Compomotive alloy wheels and semi-slick Yokohama tyres.

The GTI-R is finished in a stunning – and period-accurate – Group A Monte Carlo racing livery. Clearly owned by an enthusiast, it has been very well looked after and was a passion project for many years.

The factory-backed GTI-R never quite found success in competition, but you would be hard-pressed to find anything that can outpace this version on the road. Even a modern supercar would struggle. And yes, this Nissan is road-legal, so there’s no need for a truck to transport it to the racetrack (or rally stage) of your choice.

The long and winding road

Inside, the Sunny forgoes nearly all amenities in pursuit of a pure driving experience. The rear bench has been binned, the door cards are carbon fibre, and the seatbelts are swapped for five-point Sabelt racing harnesses.

This is a hot hatch you could take to shows, enjoy on the road and thrash on a circuit. It really does cover all bases. Apart from usability and originality, of course…

Car & Classic’s auction for the 1993 Nissan Sunny GTI-R, in association with Retro Motor, goes live today and runs until 15 June 2023.

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