Sold at a lower price than the R33 Skyline GT-R

Taking advantage of the 1990s wagon boom, the Nissan Stagea was introduced in 1996. With its size and driving performance, the Stagea became a popular model, and in 1997 the Nissan Stagea Autech Version 260RS, also known as the wagon version of the GT-R, was released.

The Stagea 260RS was given exclusive tuning

Many engines represent Nissan, but the RB26DETT engine is the one that stands out as the most special of all, and has been the focus of intense interest not only in Japan but also overseas. Among Nissan’s in-line six-cylinder RB engines, the RB26DETT engine was installed in the second-generation Skyline GT-R, with the supreme aim of winning Group A competition.

The displacement of 2568 cc, which at first glance appears to be halfway there, was calculated following race regulations and, even though under the Japanese tax system it would be subject to the same automobile tax as a 3-liter class car, which would be disadvantageous in terms of sales, the attitude of being determined to win is also a story that fans will find irresistible. This is also an irresistible episode for fans.

As mentioned above, the RB26DETT engine was created to win races, so it was installed only in the second-generation Skyline GT-R (excluding tuning cars with engine conversions). However, there was only one exceptional model equipped with this engine. This was the Stagea Autech Version 260RS, produced by Autech Japan (at the time).

The Stagea, which appeared in October 1996, was a station wagon based on the Skyline/Laurel chassis and was equipped with an in-line six-cylinder RB engine. Its top grade, the 25t RS FOUR V, was a sporty wagon with an RB25DET 2.5-liter turbo engine and an FR-based 4WD system, and the 260RS was based on this for further performance.

However, this model is not just a Stagea with an RB26DETT engine, it has a transmission, electric SUPER HICAS, electronically controlled torque split 4WD, Brembo brakes, 17-inch tires, and other functional features that are on a par with the GT-R. The configuration is comparable to that of the GT-R.

Because it is a station wagon body, the body has been reinforced in various ways to cope with the high power output, and the suspension has been specially tuned to match Stagea’s characteristics, as would be expected of a factory-tuned model.

It is also surprising that despite all these modifications, the new car was priced at 4.4 million yen when it first appeared, less than the R33 Skyline GT-R of the time.

While used Skyline GT-Rs are now very expensive, the Stagea 260RS is not yet that expensive, so if you are longing for an RB26DETT-type engine, this could be an option for you.

translated by DeepL