Meet the four horsemen behind Nissan's GT-R engine
Thu, 25 Jul 2013
"Handbuilt by Takumi Kurosawa," a nameplate you can find on Nissan GT-R engine blocks, describes the actions of one of four takumi who build VR38 engines for the Japanese supercar. Each of Nissan's four artisans ensure that every twin-turbo V6 receives the utmost in care and feeding from the moment each component enters the clean room for assembly.
Takumi Kurosawa is the lead engine builder for Nissan's halo car, and he is joined by three others, Izumi Shioya, Nobumitsu Gozu and Tsunemi Oyama. The men clearly take great pride in their work, and they should, being the only four people at Nissan sanctioned to put their names on a car.
"By putting our nameplates on GT-R engines it gives us pressure in a positive way," says Tsunemi Oyama.
Kurosawa states that any skilled person can learn how to build a GT-R engine in three or four months, but, with 100 years of factory experience between the four takumi, they have learned how to inspect parts for quality before assembly starts and can guarantee precise fitments for each engine built – important in a car that can be used for grocery shopping and lapping a racetrack on the same day.
All the magic takes place at Nissan's Yokohama plant, where the company was established. For your enjoyment, Nissan has made a couple of behind-the-scenes videos, which you can watch below.
By Damon Lowney