Nissan
The R32 Skyline GT-R. RB26DETT inline-six, AWD, the car that won so much in Group A racing it earned the Godzilla nickname.
The Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R (1989-1994) is widely considered the breakthrough modern Skyline. The car was Nissan first Skyline GT-R since the C110 in 1973, returning the GT-R name after a 16-year hiatus. The R32 dominated Group A touring car racing globally; the car earned the "Godzilla" nickname in Australia after winning the Bathurst 1000 multiple years and effectively ending the Group A category there (rules were changed to ban it). The R32 GT-R uses the RB26DETT engine: a 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six making 280 horsepower (the famously underrated Japanese gentleman's agreement number; actual output was higher). The car has ATTESA-ETS all-wheel drive (which can transition from RWD to AWD electronically) and HICAS rear-wheel steering. The combination produces a remarkable chassis dynamic: the AWD provides launch capability, the rear-wheel steering improves cornering, and the engine delivers strong power across a broad range. Production was around 43,000 units across various trims (V-Spec, V-Spec II, Nismo, etc.). The R32 was sold only in Japan; North America never got the model new. The car has become eligible for US import under the 25-year rule starting in 2014 for early R32s. Used R32 prices have appreciated dramatically. On WhipJury, R32 GT-R submissions are particularly active among JDM enthusiasts. Stock factory cars and modified examples both reliably top voting. The community recognizes the R32 as the model that made the GT-R name globally famous.
The 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine. 280 horsepower factory rating (likely 320+ actual). Iron block, closed-deck head, oversized rotating assembly. The engine has been famous for handling huge power on stock internals (700+ horsepower with appropriate supporting modifications). The RB26DETT is one of the most modified production engines in tuner history.
The R32 GT-R dominated Group A touring car racing in the early 1990s. Multiple Bathurst wins, JTCC championships, and other touring car victories cemented the Godzilla reputation. The R32 was eventually banned from Group A racing in Australia because the rules could not handle its competitive advantage.
Stock and modified R32 GT-Rs both do well in voting. The community recognizes the R32 as the foundational modern Skyline GT-R. JDM imports are increasingly common as cars age into the 25-year rule.