Japanese sports cars have proven to have everything it takes to go against some of the largest names in the industry. Nissan is among the JDM companies that have brought their A-game over the years. Their R34 GTR was one model that still brings nostalgic memories of the '90s to gearheads and continues to climb in value day after day.

This was part of the last generation of the Skyline GTR lineup, and it had a shorter frontal overhang and different colored valve covers. While the GTR lineup was phenomenal, the R34 GTR was in its league. Here are the 10 coolest features of the R34 GTR that you should know as a JDM enthusiast.

10 ATTESA ET-S 4WD System

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All GTR R34 models came with Nissan’s advanced four-wheel-drive system, ATTESA ET-S. This conventional four-wheel-drive system locked the car in 4WD all the time to improve grip. The ATTESA ET-S system was activated by a 16-bit computer that monitored the movements 100 times per second.

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This made the R34 a predominantly rear-wheel-drive car that only transferred torque to the front wheels when the rears began to slip. The computer also had three-axis G-sensors underneath the center console. They helped feed data to the ECU, thus determining when and where to direct the torque.

9 RB26 Motor

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The RB26 engine was also famous for its 2.6-liter displacement with a bore and stroke of 86.0 mm and 73.7 mm, respectively. Nissan added two turbochargers to the inline 6 to produce 276 horsepower, but the actual figure was around 330 hp.

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The R34 had a six-speed Getrag transmission, a significant improvement over the five-speed manual in the R33. The transmission featured well-defined gates and convincing short throws thanks to its close-ratio gearing.

Related: 15 Sick Photos Of The Nissan GTR Posted On Instagram

8 Iconic Color Options

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Alexander Migl

Nowadays, you will find R34 GTRs in an array of colors. The Bayside Blue was among the best color options on this car. White was the most popular color, especially in the base model, but Nissan made an array of unique colors, including Pearl White, Black Pearl, Lightning Yellow, and many more.

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However, there are a few rare colors for the R34 GTR, one of them being Midnight Purple. The color was only applied to 300 cars, making it one of the most sought-after options. It's easy to mistake the color for black, depending on the lighting.

7 Multifunction Display

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The multifunction display was a vital feature of all R34 GTR variants. Far ahead of its time, the 5.8-inch display showed all relevant information, including oil and water temperature, boost pressure, and throttle position. It also had seven different readouts, but this changed as the R34 GTR variants evolved.

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This display was ahead of its time back in 1999 with features like a TV. The TV was available in some markets, but Nissan designed it to turn off the video and continue with audio when the car is in motion for driver safety.

Related: 14 Pics Showing The Nissan GTR's Evolution

6 Active Rear LSD In The V.Spec

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The V.Spec was the most popular version of the R34 GTR. It was launched alongside the base GTR in 1999, but it was an upgraded version of the standard car. The V.Spec featured ATTESA ET-S Pro with an Active rear LSD.

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Other new additions to this model included a stiffer suspension, a new rear diffuser, and a front splitter. The first V.Spec version was in production until 2000, after which Nissan introduced the V.Spec II. The model featured carbon aero to reduce its weight, a NACA duct, and stiffer suspension. The interior also had notable changes, like the iridium center console and aluminum pearls.

5 Luxurious Trim In The M-Spec

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M-Spec was the most viable option for anyone who wanted a comfortable R34 GTR. The version had an upgraded leather steering wheel, heated leather seats, a cold-weather package as standard, and softer suspension with ripple control.

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Ripple control was one feature that stood out when the GTR was introduced. The shock absorbers had a faster rebound rate, thus allowing higher stability in corners while offering an improved contact patch on the tarmac. The M-Spec also had a reduced diameter rear anti-roll bar that adjusted the handling characteristics to a neutral feel.

Related: Check Out This Modified Nissan GTR

4 Larger Turbos In The Nurburgring Edition

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There were two nür versions of the GTR, the R34 GTR V.Spec II nür, and the R34 GTR M-Spec nür. These models commemorated the end of the RB26DETT and the R34 GTR. As a result, both models included larger turbos with higher boost, thus increasing the power output to 330 hp.

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Another difference between these versions was that the cam cover had a color change to Millennium Jade from Cherry Red. The nür models also had different color interior trim & stitching and a speedometer with 300 kph or 186 mph readings.

3 Rare Performance Models

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The most famous R34 GTR models were the V.Spec, M-Spec, and the base version. However, Nissan produced some rare performance models, namely the S-Tune, R-Tune, and Z-Tune models. These models had few changes, with the S-Tune featuring a light tuning package that made it easier to handle.

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The R-Tune was a high spec package that gave the GTR a high lap time potential around the track while still being a good car for daily driving. Lastly, the Z-Tune was the most powerful version, with a 2.8-liter engine that produced 493 hp.

Related: Watch This Nissan GT-R Pull The Fastest Pass Ever At The GTR World Cup

2 Handling and Comfort

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The R34 GTR was supposed to entertain, and it had all the guts to do so. Upon firing up the engine, you got to enjoy the sound of the descendant of the GT1 engine. The RB26 had an 8,000 rpm redline that promised a lot of fun. However, it only needed at least 3,500 rpm to pick up the pace.

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This version of GTR was perfect for spirited drivers because of its precise steering feel. It also featured comfortable bucket seats to keep you planted around the corners. The seats made it easy to get in and out of the GTR while offering an easy reach of all controls.

1 Tunability

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The R34 GTR is one of the most tuner-friendly cars around. With a simple remap, it's possible to get approximately 400 hp. However, there have been high horsepower GTRs in the market for a while now, with most of them surpassing the 800 to 1,000 hp mark.

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The RB26 engine has the potential for insane power, and the car was built to handle a great deal of more torque. That’s a consequence of the ATTESA ET-S and its handsome 18-inch wheels that were seen as massive back in the day.