HKS Zero-R: A High-Performance R32 Rarity
Building on the already killer R32 GT-R platform, the HKS Zero-R is a rare and beautiful tuner-optimized dream come true.
We don’t need to explain to you what makes the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R great. It’s no secret that they’re a phenomenal platform and they’ve had virtually every swap, upgrade, and modification one could imagine. In a similar vein, if you’re a fan of JDM cars, we probably don’t have to tell you about legendary tuner and aftermarket parts manufacturer, HKS. What you might not be aware of, though, is the HKS Zero-R. So, we’re here to fill you in.
According to Which Car?, there are only four examples of this hardcore R32 from HKS. So, don’t get your hopes up too high if you happen to be in the market for a JDM legend. Still, even with the chances of owning one far and away from the realm of reality for most of us, it’s still worth digging into the details. Shall we?
Single Turbo Perfection
Forget about the gentlemen’s agreement “276 horsepower” that the R32 GT-R left the factory with. HKS wasn’t an auto manufacturer, so it was entirely exempt from that agreement. Because of that, they spared no effort in modifying the legendary RB26DETT powerplant. With a new displacement of 2.8 liters and a single turbo conversion, the HKS Zero-R steps things up more than a bit. At 591 horsepower, this ferocious GT-R sports over double the factory horsepower. The power runs through a factory six-speed manual transmission assembly and throws it down at all four corners.
HKS did employ the use of a handful of NISMO performance parts. However, the suspension on the Zero-R was developed in-house by HKS and tuned specifically for this chassis. As you might expect, this GT-R is much more than just a high-horsepower hero. HKS made it a point to create the true pinnacle of performance with the R32 platform. From power output to suspension, this car is a certified track weapon.
Bespoke Styling and Bewildering Pricing
Though the Zero-R clearly sports a healthy bit of the original GT-R design. However, the front and rear bumpers are the most obvious departure from stock. Most notably, the rear of the car features a twin-exit exhaust system that’s integrated into the bumper. That’s definitely not something you see on the stock GT-R. Overall, though, the Zero-R styling isn’t too over-the-top but stands out just enough to be recognizable for those in the know.
When these cars were originally sold, they had an asking price of 10 million yen (around $66,000 currently) because they were, in the eyes of the law, HKS-manufactured cars. So, they would have needed crash testing for public sale. The project was abandoned and only one was sold. It’s buyer, in a balanced surprising and unsurprising twist, was the Sultan of Brunei. However, HKS rebuilt the Zero-R models that remained in the early 2000s and set them free. The one pictured is offered by V-Spec Performance in Australia with a cool asking price of AUD 1,000,000, which is around $650,000.
Photos: Which Car/V-Spec Performance