323/Familia GT-R

Everyone has heard of a Nissan Skyline GTR. This GTR is even rarer, but with a similar appeal. It is in fact the Mazda Familia (323) GTR world rally homologation special. Mazda probably went a little further than their competitors at the time with the modifications offered on the Familia compared to the Pulsar GTiR and EVO 1 Lancer GSR it was certainly a more comprehensive improvement over the cooking model GTX (roughly equivalent to our local Laser TX3 4WD turbo).

Mazda were just starting to get serious about the World Rally Championship when they decided to compete in the Group A class, building the mandatory 2500 road-registerable cars to meet FIA requirements. The year was 1992, and sadly most of these GTRs were snapped up by large and small rally teams, used for development and racing instead of regular street use.

(Courtesy High Performance Imports)

Engine model	BPT
Engine type	Turbocharged, in line 4 DOHC, 16 valves with intercooler
Displacement	1839 cc
Max power output	136 kW @ 6000rpm
Max torque	240 Nm @ 4500rpm)
Redline	7000rpm (Euro model 6500rpm)
Bore & stroke	83 x 85 mm
Compression ratio	8.2:1
Turbo	IHI RHF6CB (ball bearing) 62 mm Turbine, 62 mm Compressor (VJ-23)
Control system	Electronic Gasoline injection
Transmission type	5-speed manual (G5MX-R)

Mazda Familia GT-R