<P> Nismo originally designed the concept of the Z - tune in 2002 when Nissan was putting an end to the R34 Skyline production . The first Z - tune was built in 2003, using a used 2002 Skyline GT - R V Spec II . It was built with a concept RB26DETT' Z1' engine . This engine was based on Nissan's Le Mans GT2 and GT500 racing experiences . As with the racing vehicles a strengthened engine block and stroked crankshaft were utilised . The engine was also bored . With the new displacement of 2.8 L and upgraded turbo - chargers the Z1 produced 370 kW (500 hp). The Z - Tune had a 0--100 km / h (0--60 mph) time in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of over 327 km / h (203 mph). </P> <P> Nismo was then given the approval from Nissan to build Z - tune models for the Nismo anniversary . Nismo then purchased 18 used R34 GT - R V Spec, each with less than 29,000 km (18,000 miles) on the clock, they were then completely stripped and were resprayed to a "Z - tune Silver," a special colour exclusively for the Z - tune . One car was left in its original colour of Midnight Purple III . For each of the 18 production models, the 2.8 L engine was revised to allow it to reach 8000 rpm . The turbochargers were supplied by IHI in Japan . The engine is advertised as making as much as 370 kW (500 hp) (for warranty reasons). This second revision of the Z - tune engine is called the' Z2' . The bodywork is designed with the same functional components used in Nismo's GT500 racing cars, such as engine bay vents on the bonnet and bumpers, as well as wider arches for wider wheels . The Z - tune is also improved with an aggressive suspension setup from Sachs, and a specially designed Brembo brake system . </P> <P> The entire car is essentially handmade, with the car being completely stripped and re-built from the chassis up . Engineers reinforced and stiffened the chassis seam welding in key areas such as the door seams and door frames and added carbon fibre to the strut towers and transmission tunnel and the engine bay, completely redesigning the suspension, drivetrain, engine, gearbox and other components so as to work at maximum efficiency and reliability as is expected of a road - going vehicle . Although Nismo planned on building 20 cars, they ceased production on only 19 (including 2 prototypes). The Z - tune is often regarded as the most expensive (prices for some have been known to exceed US $290,000) street legal GT - R ever built . </P> <P> Following the end of R34 production in 2002, Nissan announced they would separate the GT - R model from the Skyline name, creating an entirely new vehicle--though based on the same platform as the Skyline . This new car, now known simply as the Nissan GT - R, debuted in 2007 in Tokyo . Released to consumers in 2008, it was the first GT - R available worldwide, entering the North American market for the first time . </P>

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