Can an "authentic race car" really ever be road legal? Well, yes, according to British engineering firm JRM. The outfit has been at the front of racing grids for over a decade, winning the GT1 World Drivers' Championship in 2011 before finishing third in the 2012 World Endurance Championship. They currently run the Bentley Continental GT3 in the British GT Championship, while also being responsible for the development, construction and sales of the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3. So if anyone is well placed to make the claim, it would seem to be them.
And that's exactly what they've done with their new JRM GT23. Described as "the ultimate in performance," only 23 examples of the limited edition racer will be produced, with each being fully-customisable to ensure no two are alike.
Beneath the bonnet, the GT-R's 3.8-litre VR38DETT V6 has been tuned to 660hp, while the engine has also been moved to improve weight distribution and a six-speed sequential transmission fitted. The front and rear tracks are 90 and 100mm wider than a standard NISMO road car, too, with all four corners featuring double-wishbone suspension and ventilated disc brakes. All of which makes for a pretty racy road car, then, as well it might for £380,000.
Hand over an extra £59,995 for the Extreme Pack, though, and things get properly serious. Power is increased to 760hp; additional aero, including a race splitter and turning vanes, is bolted on; air jacks, a full FIA cage, a race fuel system and fire extinguisher are added; and uprated springs, anti-roll bars and wheels with centre-locking hubs are fitted. All while remaining road legal. Even without the Extreme Pack, though, the GT23 will still put out a massive 500hp per ton and withstand cornering forces of up to 2G on race slicks.
To ensure drivers are in the right frame of mind when behind the wheel, JRM says that the systems have been decluttered, while the interior has been designed with racing in mind. Each control has been simplified and placed readily to hand, creating an "authentic race car experience."
"It's comfortable, but you have no doubts about how serious the car is when you're in the cockpit," they say. A claim which we can't wait to verify for ourselves.
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