There is no doubt that the Nissan Skyline lineage and namesake is the icon of Japanese motorsports. From video games to movies and everything else related to the tuning cars of Japan, the Skyline is the king of the mountain. Even though we've grown quite accustomed to them here in the United States, we're still quick to point one out to the person next to us when we spot one on the highway. The Skyline is still the stuff legends are made of.
When one is capable of creating something that precedes its reputation, then they become legends in their own right. M Speed from the Nara prefecture of Japan did exactly that. They've not only taken the Skyline to unparalleled heights; they have also immortalized their very own BNR34 as the 2008 Rev Speed Time Attack champion. Not only that, with a 54.481 second lap time, they also hold claim as the fastest Skyline ever to lay rubber on the equally as legendary Tsukuba Circuit.
Simply put, the M Speed R34 is a beast. There's nothing attainable about it and you would never see this thing roll out of your neighbor's garage. Its sole purpose for creation is to seek and destroy lap times.
What's most recognizable about this Skyline is the colorful livery. The combination of the bright yellow paint and even brighter green center-locking TE37Mag wheels create a visual resembling a vehicle that might only appear in a video game or as a toy. The near paper-thin ground clearance provided by the Quantum dampers and Hyperco springs give it an R/C
car-like appearance.
The M Speed R34 may not look like your conventional Skyline because it's received a full platter of FRP body armor. Deemed by M Speed as the "Armor of Wind", the complete aero kit transforms the entire exterior of the Skyline into a much wider, track-ready missile. You wouldn't think that such a unique kit would be available to the public but indeed it is. M Speed limited production to just 10 sets but if you have 872,000 Yen (about $9,300 U.S.) and a R34 Skyline, then it can be yours too. The M Speed aero is available only as a complete set and comes with an FRP front bumper, front diffuser, side skirts, rear bumper and front/rear fenders that bring the Skyline out another 140mm. It doesn't end with the kit though; this particular R34 also has a plethora of dry carbon pieces. All remaining OEM metal body panels have essentially been removed and replaced with carbon-fiber
Inside the cockpit, as expected, contains nothing but the absolute essentials. All unnecessary panels, electronics and carpet have all been removed. What remains is a complete carbon-fiber dashboard with a MoTeC digital display. Next to the MoTeC unit are ABS and LSD indicators as well as a shift-light to let the driver know when to change gears on the Hollinger sequential transmission. The nifty original equipment navi unit and radio are long gone and a custom electrical switch panel sits in its place. A single Recaro seat is made available to the pilot while a custom M Speed fabricated rollcage provides driver-safety and further chassis reinforcement.
Holding the throne as the fastest Skyline on the Tsukuba Circuit is definitely no easy feat. To accomplish this, M Speed needed a perfectly balanced chassis and enough power to get it to its record-breaking 54-second lap time. We're going to go out on a limb and say that they have their own secrets but what we do know is that the RB26DETT has been stroked to 2802cc (2.8 liters) and the majority of the 720ps comes by way of twin AX53B60 A'PEXi turbochargers. All metal work and piping, including the manifolds and downpipe, are all done in-house at M Speed. The exhaust is noticeably absent from the rear and now runs out under the passenger-side door.
By Joey Lee
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