PC2 Nissan GTP ZX Turbo Project CARS 2 Reveal

Paul Jeffrey · Mar 2, 2017

Slightly Mad Studios have revealed the beautiful Nissan GTP ZX Turbo of IMSA fame will be making an appearance in Project CARS 2, a first inclusion of this classic car to the franchise.

The Nissan GTP ZX was a phenomenal piece of race car engineering back in the 1980's, sensationally showcasing Japanese technology as the mighty machines took on the established old guard and won against the odds. With Porsche taking home literally all the silverware whenever it's 926s hit the track, it was left to the relatively unknown Nissan brand to field the brand new GTP ZX around some of the greatest race tracks in North American, eventually taking home the spoils no less than nine times during the 1988 IMSA season, securing a first of four consecutive driver championships for Australian Geoff Brabham and the Nissan team, ending the Porsche winning streak that dated back to the early 1980's.

The version due to be included in Project CARS 2 is that immaculate 1988 specification car, probably representing the pinnacle of 80's GT technology.

Slightly Mad Studios had the following to say on chassis 8801 that is coming to the simulation:

"Elvis is the car that has been recreated in Project CARS 2. Chassis 8801. It will be one of the most violent and savage cars you have ever driven. With ’80s levels of power and lag from the turbo, and ground effects pushing enough grip to tear the skin from your grinning face, this is not a car that is easily tamed.
It comes with some peculiarities, too—the lack a front roll bar being one. In common with most ground effects cars of that era, you’ll find this animal reluctant to turn through the low-speed stuff. Back in the day, they’d run it with some serious toe at the rear to counter the severe low-speed understeer. This, though, is largely irrelevant because, once you start flinging it through the quick turns, you’ll understand why it was so dominant.

The engine is a 3-litre V6 turbo and when the thing spools up, you get about 960hp shoving 860kgs along with all the deliciously insane lag you’d expect. It’s also a bit of a pig in terms of visibility—the car was designed for aero’ balance, and you’ll be seeing precious little of the world outside. With no back window, you’re also reliant on some awful little mirrors—not that you’ll spend too much time worrying about what’s behind you.

When you lose it, you’re going to lose it big time—the car was notorious not only for its grip, but also for being difficult to bring back over the limit. You’re also going to be surprised at how quiet it is—you’ll definitely hear the brakes and the turbo spool at 9000rpm. In the low-noise cockpit of the Nissan GTP ZX Turbo, everyone will hear you scream".
Project CARS 2 is due to release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC September 2017.

Check out the Project CARS 2 sub forum here at RaceDepartment to keep abreast of all the latest news and discussions with regards to the game. We will be monitoring the development of this title closely in the coming months and offer a lively forum space for fans to discuss the game prior to release around September 2017.

Looking forward to trying the Nissan? Which cars would you like to see included in the game? Let us know in the comments section below!

yusupov · Mar 4, 2017

2112 said:
Try putting the hammer down on the 917/30 in Assetto Corsa. If the Nissan is anything like that then it will be a handful. And fun.

hard as it is to believe, the 917/30 was only a couple years removed from the 917K. maybe 100kg heavier in qualy trim, much wider tires, a ton of stacked on aero downforce, but damn near 2x the power (~1100+bhp vs 600+). so its closer to the ZX-T in form but absolutely primitive in comparison; the ZX-T wouldve had 15 years wroth of aero & tire tech advantage (incl ground effect), & with only 800+bhp to cope with. to me theyre barely comparable. the 962C should give a much better idea of what to expect.

2112 · Mar 6, 2017

yusupov said:
hard as it is to believe, the 917/30 was only a couple years removed from the 917K. maybe 100kg heavier in qualy trim, much wider tires, a ton of stacked on aero downforce, but damn near 2x the power (~1100+bhp vs 600+). so its closer to the ZX-T in form but absolutely primitive in comparison; the ZX-T wouldve had 15 years wroth of aero & tire tech advantage (incl ground effect), & with only 800+bhp to cope with. to me theyre barely comparable. the 962C should give a much better idea of what to expect.

The point was that when the turbo kicked in the 917/30 tended to go sideways in the blink of an eye if you were not ready for it. It did not help that the rear diff was locked.

The Nissan, according to Geoff Brabham, was also a beast to drive. I never thought the Nissan was anything like the Gp6-7 cars of the early '70's,I merely made a reference to another car that could become unglued quickly.