Tommykaira ZZII
The Tommykaira ZZII was a planned mid-engined sports car manufactured by two tuning companies, Tommykaira & Autobacs. The car was officially unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January 2002. The powerplant in the prototype was a 2.7L Nissan RB26DETT engine, but that was obviously a provisional unit. It seems that Tommykaira was actually considering offering a choice of engines in the 2L to 3.5L range, depending on intended application and/or racing category. For the transmission as well, the company was looking at offering a racing-spec sequential type in addition to the standard 6-speed manual. [1] The car was intended to be an upgraded version of the Tommykaira ZZ until the design was bought.
Tommykaira ZZII | |
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Overview | |
Manufacturer | Tommykaira |
Also called | ASL RS01 (after design was bought) |
Production | 2001 (one prototype) |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Sports car (S) |
Body style | 2-door coupe |
Layout | M4 layout |
Platform | Tommykaira ZZ |
Related | ASL RS01 Tommykaira ZZ |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 2.7 L (2700 cc) RB26DETT twin-turbocharged I6 |
Transmission | 6-speed manual |
Dimensions | |
Curb weight | 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Tommykaira ZZ (first gen.) |
Proposed deliveries and fate
After its unveiling in the Tokyo Auto salon, Tommykaira promised to sell the car in high-volumes. The company already had an organized delivery schedule from after the show.[1] Shortly after it was shown, however, the design was bought out by company Autobacs Seven, and later renamed the car to ASL RS01.
It too, remained in prototype condition, however, which meant the car was never able to get into production.
In early 2022, Tomita announced he was working on setting a limited production run of ZZIIs, but no further information has been disclosed. To promote the car and the revived brand, the ZZII will be placed in a showroom in Kyoto.
Specifications and design
The car is powered by a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged RB26DETT I6 engine sourced from Nissan delivering 542 hp (404 kW; 550 PS). The car was intended to weigh 1,000 kg (2,205 lb), mostly thanks to its ZZ-derived aluminium chassis and full carbon fiber bodywork.[2] The frame is of the same type of the ZZ - square section extruded aluminium tub, with steel subframes - but the tub was shaped as an oval instead of an arrow, by curving the walls, so the seats didn't have to be pointed inwards. The subframes were designed as crumple zones too, so that the car could be crash homologated.
The power is delivered to all four wheels by a 6-speed Getrag manual transmission borrowed from the Skyline GT-R BNR34 together with the ATTESA ET-S system, also making the car all-wheel drive. A custom transfer case had to be designed to allow for different diameter wheels front to rear. Autobacs estimated it to weigh 1200kg, due to the AWD system and to the bodywork of the prototype being made of fibreglass.
The ZZII is capable of doing 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 3.3 seconds (less than 3 s according to some sources) and a claimed top speed of over 205 mph (330 km/h).[2]
The design is aerodynamic, and also meant for lower drag coefficients and better airflow. The two distinctive roof dynamic air intakes come to shape a giant NACA duct on the rear window, which according to Kaira should suck even more air into the intercooler. The intercooler scoop starts just below the rear window.
In popular media
The ZZII is first featured in Gran Turismo 2 in the Gran Turismo series and has been featured ever since. The only exclusion it has had in the series is Gran Turismo Sport.
In Gran Turismo 2, however, the car's design is completely distinct since the car was featured when it still was in its first concept iteration, with RWD and 600 PS. The car has a more serious look and has an appearance that is similar to that of a GT1 race car, being it intended to be a true road going racecar.[3] Soon later, the concept was turned to a GT style car with AWD and a more gentle power delivery.
The definitive design of the car was featured only in GT Pro Series, while the Gran Turismo Series never saw their polygonal model updated since Gran Turismo 3 and after the car was finished.
References
- "Autobacs ASL RS-01". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
- "Tommy Kaira ZZII | Sports Cars". www.diseno-art.com. Retrieved 2017-04-29.
- xTimelessGaming (2014-07-21), Gran Turismo 2 - Tommykaira ZZII HD Gameplay, retrieved 2017-04-29