The R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R is often seen as the pinnacle of JDM performance cars, but can the humble Toyota AE86 actually give it a run for the money? With a 15-year age gap and 200-horse power gap the mismatch seems like something out of a Shuichi Shigeno manga. Here’s what happens when Nob Taniguchi, Max Orido, and Keiichi “Drift King” Tsuchiya puts the theory to the test.
This match-up has happened before. Back in 2003 Hot Version put the question to the test when Tsuchiya pitted his street-tuned AE86 with approximately 170ps (168 hp) against Taniguchi in a stock R34 Skyline GT-R with 280ps (276 hp) on paper. On the Gunsai Touge, despite technologies like AWD, ABS, twin-turbos and two extra cylinders, the heavy R34 wasn’t able to pull away from the AE86, which is a loss in touge rules.
Prior to that, they had tested another R34 against an AE86 by putting Jiro-chan, a Best Motoring staffer, in a tuned R34 against AE86s with Tsuchiya and Orido behind the wheel at Nihonkai Maze Circuit. The purpose of that match-up was to showcase how much a car’s size and weight can handicap a less experienced driver on a tight, technical track and how much raw driver skill and chassis balance can compensate for a massive horsepower deficit.
Over two decades later, the team has reunited to recreate the test. In a new video on Car Prime the trio is reunited again, this time at Sodegaura Forest Raceway, with a tuned R34 and three AE86s. This time the R34 Skyline GT-R is also tuned, an estimated 320 to 360 ps (316 to 355 hp) by Option magazine. The AE86s, including a replica of Tsuchiya’s famous white and green hatch, range between 170 and 200 ps (168 to 197 hp).
The four are let loose on a damp track, where one might assume the R34’s ATTESSA all-wheel-drive system will be an advantage. Instead, Tsuchiya’s AE86, which weighs an estimated 1400-pounds less than the R34, mops the asphalt with the GT-R. Tsuchiya’s driving style is far more aggressive as well, and he even handily beats the other two AE86s, which have more power.
Their conclusion: The AE86, if properly tuned, can indeed beat an R34 Skyline GT-R in a race, though driver skill is of course a huge factor. All things being equal the R34 would likely win, but where’s the fun in the story if Goliath clobbers David? Regardless of the results, it’s just plain nostalgic fun to watch these guys recreate a race from the golden age of Best Motoring.
If Takumi or Bunta were driving, then yes. Especially if said race took place in the Akina Mountains. What did I win?
No surprise here, back in the late 80s early 90s I passed plenty of Porsches at Mid Ohio with my street driven 88 CRX Si.
Without the expertise of a good driver, then it might be possible. But in any other case the Skyline will fly ahead as if nothing existed in front of it.