Nissan Jarama II

Nissan Jarama II
Name	Nissan Jarama II
Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	1983–1986
Assembly	Suntory, Yokohama
Class	Grand tourer
Body style	2-door coupe
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine	2.8 L V6
Transmission	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2500 mm
Length	4550 mm
Width	1720 mm
Height	1260 mm
Predecessor	Nissan Fairlady Z (S130)
Successor	Nissan 300ZX (Z31)

Nissan Jarama II The Nissan Jarama II is a two-door grand tourer produced by Nissan in the mid-1980s. Designed as a halo coupe for export and select domestic markets, it combined Datsun-era sports car heritage with contemporary Yokohama engineering and a focus on touring comfort. The Jarama II competed with contemporaries from Toyota, Mazda, Honda, BMW, and Audi in the evolving sports coupe segment.

Introduction and Overview

Introduced in 1983, the Jarama II replaced earlier Fairlady-based models and sat alongside the Nissan Silvia and Nissan Skyline as Nissan's flagship coupe offering. Nissan positioned the Jarama II to rival the Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Honda Prelude, Mitsubishi Starion, Peugeot 505, and Renault Fuego in markets across Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Styling cues were influenced by collaborations with external design houses such as Bertone, Pininfarina, and consultants formerly of Lamborghini and Alfa Romeo. Its market strategy echoed tactics used by Ford with the Probe and by General Motors with the Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.

Design and Development

The Jarama II's development team drew expertise from engineering centers in Zama, Atsugi, and Yokohama, alongside testing at facilities in Fuji Speedway, Suzuka Circuit, and Hockenheimring. Styling incorporated wedge lines reminiscent of DeLorean, Lotus Esprit, and Ferrari models of the era while integrating practical elements seen on BMW E24, Mercedes-Benz R107, and Porsche 924 coupes. Chassis work referenced suspension geometry studies from Motorsport UK specialists and consulting firms like Ricardo and Yachiyo. The interior referenced ergonomics research from Toyota Technical Center and used components shared with the Nissan Maxima and Nissan Patrol to streamline production.

Technical Specifications

The Jarama II used a 2.8 L V6 derived from the VG engine family with dual overhead cam variants similar to engines in the Nissan Cedric and Nissan Laurel. Outputs were targeted to match competitors such as the Toyota 7M-GTE, Mazda 13B, and Honda VTEC-equipped models, with torque curves tuned for touring performance akin to the BMW M30. The suspension featured independent double wishbones front and semi-trailing arms rear, informed by designs seen on the Alfetta GT and Datsun 240Z. Braking employed ventilated discs and ABS options developed in partnership with Bosch and Brembo. Transmission choices included 5-speed manual and 3-speed automatic units sourced from Aisin, similar to those used in the Nissan Laurel and Nissan 200SX.

Production and Market Variants

Produced at Nissan facilities coordinated with parts suppliers across Japan, final assembly integrated panels stamped at plants near Sagamihara and trim fitted in lines influenced by practices at Toyota's Tahara Plant. Market-specific variants offered differing equipment levels for US Department of Transportation and European Economic Community regulations, echoing strategies used by Volkswagen and Volvo. Trim options mirrored packages available on the Nissan Skyline GTS-R, with limited editions bearing badges similar to those in promotional campaigns alongside partners like Magna International and Tokai Rika. Special exports to United Kingdom, West Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada included emissions adjustments paralleling models from Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën.

Performance and Road Tests

Contemporary road tests in publications such as Autocar, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Top Gear, and Evo compared the Jarama II to rivals Toyota Supra MKII, Mazda RX-7 FC3S, BMW 635CSi, and Audi Quattro Coupe. Reviewers highlighted handling reminiscent of tuned Datsun chassis and long-distance comfort rivaling Mercedes-Benz W123 saloons. Independent tuners like Spoon Sports, MOTUL, HKS, and NISMO developed aftermarket upgrades, while endurance testing at Nürburgring Nordschleife and Daytona International Speedway informed suspension and cooling revisions. Fuel economy and emissions figures were routinely benchmarked against EPA and EC standards similar to those used for Ford Sierra and Opel Manta.

Legacy and Collectibility

The Jarama II occupies a niche among collectors of 1980s Japanese performance cars alongside models like the Toyota AE86, Nissan 300ZX, Mazda Savanna, and Mitsubishi Galant VR-4. Enthusiast clubs such as JNC, Datsun North America, Nissan Heritage Collection, and regional registries in California, Florida, Victoria (Australia), and Ontario preserve examples. Auction appearances at houses like RM Sotheby's, Bonhams, and Barrett-Jackson have seen restored units fetch prices compared to unrestored Audi 80 coupes and BMW E21 models. The Jarama II's engineering influenced later Nissan projects including the Z31 and Z32 programs, and its parts-commonality aids restoration using donor components from Bluebird, Cedric, and Laurel lines.

Category:Cars introduced in 1983 Category:Grand tourers Category:Nissan vehicles