Unlike the R35 GT-R wagon we wrote about last year,
the Nissan Stagea RS260 is a real Skyline wagon. In 1996, Nissan
launched its new Stagea to compete with the Subaru Legacy wagon. Two
years later, they upped the ante and offered one of the greatest
Japanese wagons of all time: the Autech RS260. Starting with the
standard first-generation WC34 Series 1 wagon, Nissan contracted their
in-house tuner Autech to make a Stagea for the history books. Autech
added the drivetrain from the R33 GT-R and improved handling with
thicker anti-roll bars, an above-engine strut tower brace, and a limited
slip differential. The Autech RS260 was the only Series 1 Stagea to
offer a 5-speed manual; all others only came with a fun-killing 4-speed
automatic.
This meant the RS260 was powered by Nissan’s epic RB26DETT: a
twin-turbo straight six producing an officially-claimed 276 hp. With a
cast iron block, six individual throttle bodies (like the BMW E46 M3 Touring),
and parallel T28 turbochargers, the RB26 actually had an output closer
to 330 horsepower! The Japanese manufactures had a gentleman’s agreement
to limit official horsepower figures, resulting in engines that were
conservatively underrated to the tune of 15% or higher.
Like
the Skyline GT-R, power is sent to all four corners via a sophisticated
all-wheel drive system. Despite its portly weight, the RS260 is an
excellent handler with its Skyline-sourced AWD system and limited-slip
differential. Offering a similar boxy shape and dimensions to the Volvo 850R,
the Stagea offered far more cargo volume and interior space than the
rival Subaru Legacy. The Stagea also offered excellent competition for
the Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 Wagon, with its twin-turbo V6 and Evo-sourced AWD system.
While
being an exceptional member of the Stagea family, the RS260 is not the
only battlewagon to come from Nissan’s stables. The Series 1 Stagea RS
FOUR featured the single-turbo RB25DET but only came in automatic. The
Series 2 Stagea Turbo RS FOUR S (and Type B) were the only second
generation models offered with a 5-speed manual, and came with a 280 bhp
version of the RB25.
Like
all amazing JDM Wagons, the Stagea was never offered in North America,
but may well come stateside when they become eligible for importation.
That day can’t come soon enough.
First posted: September 16th, 2011
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