- 825
- Charlotte, NC
- CosmicMS3
- I2valve
1967 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-B (S54A)
Insight
The reason for conducting these recommendations is to provide a helpful, easy to read, review of cars that sometimes may go overlooked, or never driven in Gran Turismo 4. Out of the over 700 cars in the game, I am choosing 2 per week to conduct a few driving tests so I can easily explain the basics of each car. I choose the Nurburgring as an overall test track because, eventually, over the 12+ mile course, you are going to come across many, if not all, different types or corners, sweepers, hairpins, long straights and other challenging track obstacles.
First Looks
Okay, so youve already started the game and are on the verge of completing the RWD Challenge. Whats this? A 1967 Nissan Skyline?!, must .sell. Wait; now hold on just a second. What you are looking at here is the earliest model Skyline available with a 2.0l SOHC L6. This puppy puts out about 131hp and about 129ft/lbs stock! Not only that but it powers just the rear wheels! And the styling, oh man, it has late 60s written all over it with the tall roof, long front and forward mounted mirrors. But style doesnt matter, when it comes to GT4, performance is everything.
Test Drive: Nurburgring: 937.509
Weighing in at only 1095kg, the S54A Skyline is quite light for a 4 door sedan. Along with being lighter than newer models, this Skyline is also one of the few that are naturally aspirated. So, take a light car and put a good engine to give power to the wheels and you have a great driving experience, in theory. When you first drive the S54A, you notice one major flaw while cornering, BODY ROLL! The suspension is uber-soft, allowing the tall roofline to sway under hard cornering. Luckily there is no tire rolling in GT4 because this car would be sitting on rims!
Another characteristic of this car is that it is underpowered. With 131hp at the flywheel, the rear wheels hardly allow the cars rear end to fly out and even can cause slight understeer due to the body movement. This combination is alright if you like driving grip style but if you like drift then you should modify this car pronto! However, like the GTO, you will not need to modify the transmission. It comes stock with a 5-speed manual which is actually geared quite well for its power. Around the ring, the uphill sections give the S54A a hard time but corners breeze by and because of its light weight, tire wear is hardly a problem.
Final Thoughts
The good thing about the S54A Skyline is that you do not have to purchase the car in order to enjoy the features that it offers. It is a light, quick sedan with the perfect gearing for the amount of power it puts out. This Skyline competes best at smaller tracks, many of which are found in the Sunday Cup and likes switch-back cornering. The RWD layout of this car also makes for fun driving on very tight courses found in the Special Condition section. Although it is RWD and NA, competing in both of those cups will be difficult to accomplish with a stock vehicle. Check the end of my write-up for 2 modification suggestions (One for under 15000Cr and the other a little more expensive)
Should this car be in GT4? Well despite the numerous amounts of Skylines in the game, I still believe this car should be recognized. This (to my knowledge) was the first Skyline to feature an SOHC L6 engine, and was also a non-turbo like many other earlier models. Although some may find it a hassle to drive compared to more modern and faster cars, this particular Skyline finds its comfort spot as being a sport cruiser. And although it may be slower than the Skylines to come, just remember, you have to learn to drive slow, before you can learn to drive fast.
Tuning Suggestions
http://www.gtvault.com/gt4/setup-view/s_sid::3420/Skyline-2000GT-B-(S54A)-FWDominance/
http://www.gtvault.com/gt4/setup-view/s_sid::3421/Skyline-2000GT-B-(S54A)-FWDominance/
Insight
The reason for conducting these recommendations is to provide a helpful, easy to read, review of cars that sometimes may go overlooked, or never driven in Gran Turismo 4. Out of the over 700 cars in the game, I am choosing 2 per week to conduct a few driving tests so I can easily explain the basics of each car. I choose the Nurburgring as an overall test track because, eventually, over the 12+ mile course, you are going to come across many, if not all, different types or corners, sweepers, hairpins, long straights and other challenging track obstacles.
First Looks
Okay, so youve already started the game and are on the verge of completing the RWD Challenge. Whats this? A 1967 Nissan Skyline?!, must .sell. Wait; now hold on just a second. What you are looking at here is the earliest model Skyline available with a 2.0l SOHC L6. This puppy puts out about 131hp and about 129ft/lbs stock! Not only that but it powers just the rear wheels! And the styling, oh man, it has late 60s written all over it with the tall roof, long front and forward mounted mirrors. But style doesnt matter, when it comes to GT4, performance is everything.
Test Drive: Nurburgring: 937.509
Weighing in at only 1095kg, the S54A Skyline is quite light for a 4 door sedan. Along with being lighter than newer models, this Skyline is also one of the few that are naturally aspirated. So, take a light car and put a good engine to give power to the wheels and you have a great driving experience, in theory. When you first drive the S54A, you notice one major flaw while cornering, BODY ROLL! The suspension is uber-soft, allowing the tall roofline to sway under hard cornering. Luckily there is no tire rolling in GT4 because this car would be sitting on rims!
Another characteristic of this car is that it is underpowered. With 131hp at the flywheel, the rear wheels hardly allow the cars rear end to fly out and even can cause slight understeer due to the body movement. This combination is alright if you like driving grip style but if you like drift then you should modify this car pronto! However, like the GTO, you will not need to modify the transmission. It comes stock with a 5-speed manual which is actually geared quite well for its power. Around the ring, the uphill sections give the S54A a hard time but corners breeze by and because of its light weight, tire wear is hardly a problem.
Final Thoughts
The good thing about the S54A Skyline is that you do not have to purchase the car in order to enjoy the features that it offers. It is a light, quick sedan with the perfect gearing for the amount of power it puts out. This Skyline competes best at smaller tracks, many of which are found in the Sunday Cup and likes switch-back cornering. The RWD layout of this car also makes for fun driving on very tight courses found in the Special Condition section. Although it is RWD and NA, competing in both of those cups will be difficult to accomplish with a stock vehicle. Check the end of my write-up for 2 modification suggestions (One for under 15000Cr and the other a little more expensive)
Should this car be in GT4? Well despite the numerous amounts of Skylines in the game, I still believe this car should be recognized. This (to my knowledge) was the first Skyline to feature an SOHC L6 engine, and was also a non-turbo like many other earlier models. Although some may find it a hassle to drive compared to more modern and faster cars, this particular Skyline finds its comfort spot as being a sport cruiser. And although it may be slower than the Skylines to come, just remember, you have to learn to drive slow, before you can learn to drive fast.
Tuning Suggestions
http://www.gtvault.com/gt4/setup-view/s_sid::3420/Skyline-2000GT-B-(S54A)-FWDominance/
http://www.gtvault.com/gt4/setup-view/s_sid::3421/Skyline-2000GT-B-(S54A)-FWDominance/
