You’d Never Imagine That’s a Ford Pretending to Be a Nissan GT-R | Carscoops

      If you're not concerned about a GT-R's performance, this is an affordable way to achieve its appearance.

      18 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      This replica is built on a Ford from the early 2000s.

      It features a V6 engine, manual transmission, and front-wheel drive.

      Extensively modified to mimic a genuine Nissan GT-R.

      Some people crave attention so much that they are fine with driving vehicles that look impressive but lack the corresponding performance. Take, for instance, this remarkable replica of a Nissan GT-R, which is constructed on a Ford Cougar.

      The two vehicles, in their authentic forms, differ significantly—unless one of them is being towed. Nonetheless, someone chose to combine them, resulting in this surprising hybrid now available for purchase.

      See: A Honda NSX Owner Took the ‘Poor Man’s Ferrari’ Title Way Too Literally.

      The seller does not indicate the specific year of this Ford Cougar, but since its production spanned from 1998 to 2002, it falls within that range. Under the hood lies a 24-valve, 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Duratec V6, which originally produced 170 hp (125 kW).

      The Great Pretender

      This coupe hails from an era when skilled drivers with manual transmissions often outperformed contemporary automatics. Fortunately, this one features a five-speed manual that delivers power to the front wheels.

      This results in a 0-60 mph time of approximately 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). For a vehicle potentially manufactured in 1999, those figures aren't too bad.

      However, when you arrive in this car and your friends believe you've acquired a Nissan GT-R—one of the fastest cars you can buy for a reasonable price today—they may be let down.

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      The original version of the R35 that this replica emulates produced 478 horsepower (357 kW) and featured one of the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems available at that time.

      In other words, while this replica may look fast, it is quite the opposite. Nonetheless, the craftsmanship that transformed this otherwise dull Ford into something exotic deserves recognition. The Nissan has a wheelbase approximately three inches longer than that of the Cougar.

      Judging by the side profile image, the builder has effectively concealed this difference. It becomes a bit more apparent from the rear three-quarter view, yet it still appears surprisingly accurate. Even the interior closely resembles that of a real GT-R, regardless of the overall quality.

      See: This Toyota Identifies As A Bugatti, A Ford, And A Nissan.

      This entire setup is currently for sale in Croatia for €7,500, roughly $8,698. That's quite a price for a 25-year-old Ford, but it's likely the best-looking Cougar from that generation.

      Source: Mobile