We all know that one Nissan GT-R owner who’s convinced they’ll have the perfect R35 if they just add a little more power. Every time you see them, they’ll tell you of how they’ve had a stage-whatever upgrade that’s finally tipped them over the 1,000hp mark. “It’s unbelievable”, they'll say, only to then double the output a week later. So tuneable is the GT-R, it doesn’t take much to uncork its potential.
Even if tuning isn’t your thing, few can resist the temptation to make a GT-R go faster, whether through a simple remap or something a bit more substantial. The thing is, the R35 was built by a crack squad of very clever engineers working for one of the largest carmakers in the world. So if someone’s going to get their hands on your R35, you’d want to make sure they won’t muck up the handiwork of Yokohama’s finest. And it's hard to think of a better Godzilla tamer outside of Japan than Litchfield, as evidenced by the bonkers GT-R LM20.
Before you ask: no, the LM20 has absolutely nothing to do with the woefully uncompetitive, front-wheel drive GT-R LM NISMO that torque steered its way to a triple DNF at Le Mans in 2015. Instead, it was a 20th birthday present Litchfield Motors (get it?) built for itself and sold to just 20 lucky GT-R lovers. Surprisingly, the LM20 is far from the most powerful GT-R in existence, and Litchfield itself will sell you a 1,000hp+ upgrade if you hand over enough cash. What it is, however, is a major overhaul of the R35 GT-R aimed at turning the ‘PlayStation car’ into an even more rewarding driving machine.
Power, therefore, is pretty modest by GT-R standards. It’s built to Litchfield’s ‘Stage 4.5’ spec, which comprises an in-house air intake, intercooler and exhaust system, as well as an upgraded fuel pump and injectors, upping the output to 675hp and 615lb ft of torque. A stock GT-R is pretty devastating in a straight line, but the LM20’s ability to hit 62mph from a standstill in 2.5 seconds - not far off a second faster than the base car - just shows that Litchfield’s wares are mighty potent even without going overboard on the dyno.
Moreover, the chassis was given a comprehensive going-over with Litchfield co-developed Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs, Alcon brakes with massive 400mm rotors up front and a set of lightweight Rays Volk Racing wheels. Dan T found the upgrades transformed the car when he drove one back in 2017, saying “a 911 Turbo S has nothing on this in terms of feel or playfulness.” Not to mention that it’s capable of hitting over 200mph, which is something the stock GT-R and NISMO variants could never lay claim to.
So, no, this isn’t just another tuned GT-R; it might very well be one of the sweetest R35s in existence. And before you start searching for a NISMO GT-R, you’ll be paying well over six figures to get in either one of the pre- or post-facelift cars. This LM20, meanwhile, will set you back a not-so-eye-watering £89,495. The chassis number is 3 of 20, with a plaque to prove it, and benefits from a full Litchfield service history. So if you’ve ever wanted to experience a tuned GT-R without fearing it’ll blow up the moment you floor it, you really need look no further.
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