80s “Bulldog” Brawl

Original by Hon达誌 – Japanese Car Enthusiast Magazine
Published: 2025-02-13 14:49:03
#ForTheHighPerformanceLegaciesYouAdmire 🚗🔥

Earlier, we introduced the City Turbo developed by Mr. Honda Hitoshi, son of Soichiro Honda and founder of Infinite.
This car created quite a sensation overseas—with a body weighing under 800 kg, turbocharged to deliver 100 hp and nearly 15 kgm of torque, plus a 2220 mm wheelbase, it was as nimble as a little mouse, dominating both city roads and the racetrack.

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Later, in a bid to enhance stability, Honda upgraded the City Turbo with a wide-body kit and an intercooler.
This not only elevated its performance but also earned it a new name—City Turbo II—and the nickname “Bulldog.” 🐶💨

The City Turbo II R isn’t a mass-produced street car at all;
it’s a race car refined by Infinite based on the City Turbo II—arguably the most potent version ever produced. 🏁

After modifications such as replacing the exhaust, fuel injectors, turbocharger, and adding an intercooler, this beast—under a 1.5 bar boost—unleashes 138 hp and 22 kgm of torque. ⚙️🚀

Did you know? There’s an even more powerful variant of the City Turbo II—designed exclusively for racing and known as the City Turbo II R.
Developed jointly by Infinite and Honda for a single-make series, every car was built on the production City Turbo II platform, delivering 138 hp and 22 kgm of torque while keeping its weight under 800 kg. Infinite’s upgrades—new turbo, intercooler (boosted to 1.5 bar), higher-lift camshaft, upgraded fuel injectors, and a beefier exhaust—made this performance possible.
How fast is it? It accelerates 0–400 m in just 13.5 seconds—a remarkable feat for a car with only 138 hp, especially in the 80s. ⏱️🏎️

The car’s impressive 0–400 m time is not only thanks to its power but also its ultra-light design. 🌟

After the series, all the City Turbo II R cars were purchased by an Australian entrepreneur. Unfortunately, in 1995 the Hanshin earthquake struck while the cars awaited shipment in a warehouse—burying every vehicle and dooming that batch. 😔🏚️

At the time, this one-make race series was incredibly popular.
Because all cars were identical, hardware differences were eliminated—making the event a true test of the technicians’ tuning skills and the drivers’ abilities. It was a proving ground where performance was measured by genuine skill.
Moreover, the City Turbo II R, being both competitive and fun, naturally won the hearts of enthusiasts. 🏆❤️

Not only did the series attract local Japanese drivers, but it also drew international attention.
An Australian entrepreneur even bought all the City Turbo II R race cars to launch a similar series in Australia. Sadly, his dream was shattered when, in 1995, the Hanshin earthquake buried the vehicles in a warehouse—ending the legacy before it could take off. 🌏🚫

Speaking of racing events, here’s a thought from this writer:
Although passion for motorsports has surged in recent years—with many new tracks built—the actual events still seem out of reach. Two factors are at play: excessively high entry barriers and insufficient promotion.
The Pearl River Delta, the birthplace of racing in our country, once hosted the grassroots Pan-Pearl River Super Racing Festival. Lately, however, fewer enthusiasts sign up, and rules are frequently changed to lure participants. Ultimately, the lack of accessibility forces ordinary racers into an arms race of modifications—diminishing the grassroots spirit.
After all, can a lap time trial truly replace on-track battles? If so, would F1 be decided by qualifying alone? 🤔🏎️

Infinite also released performance upgrade products for the City Turbo II—for example, an oil cooler kit designed exclusively for the model. 🔧💡