Author: GATER KAZUKI

Hello everyone, this is GATER KAZUKI.

In my previous article about the secret history of the R32's birth, I mentioned that I would discuss ATTESA E-TS and HICAS in more detail in a separate article. So, this time, I'm going to do just that.

First, let me clarify my stance.

I don't like the electronic controls on the R32.

When I say this, people often say, "Then you don't like the R32," but that's not true. I think some people might feel the same way, but liking the R32 car itself and liking the electronic controls in the R32 are two different things.

Today, I'll sort out these points clearly.

First, let's talk about ATTESA E-TS — Between "Annoying" and "Necessary Evil"

ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All – Electronic Torque Split). This system primarily operates in 100% rear-wheel drive under normal conditions and, upon detecting rear wheel slip, controls the torque distribution to the front wheels in real-time within a range of 0-50%.

I understand the mechanism and the reasons for its adoption. As I wrote in the previous article, it's a system with context, born from the harsh realities of Group A racing where the limits of FR were exposed.

But I don't like it.

The moment ATTESA E-TS intervenes is precisely when the driver would normally feel the rear wheels slip and react by counter-steering or controlling the throttle. The machine steps in and interrupts preemptively. It's like "by the time I try to control something myself, it's already over."

It just dulls the senses, that's all it does.

What I value most when driving a car is the feeling that my body's senses are directly connected to the car's behavior. Feeling the rear wheels subtly begin to slip with my seat-of-the-pants, and then making a judgment and executing an action based on that. I believe that this series of actions is the essence of driving a car. ATTESA feels like it says, "No, I'll handle that," and snatches that process away.

I understand the argument, "But it helps you set faster lap times." Yes, it does. However, "being fast" and "feeling good while driving" are not necessarily the same, so for me, it simply boils down to "unnecessary interference."

However, I will say one fair thing.

I also feel that without ATTESA E-TS, the R32 package as it was probably wouldn't have been viable. The 29 consecutive wins in Group A likely wouldn't have happened without ATTESA E-TS. In that sense, I believe it has value as a "necessary evil." But my feeling that I don't like it remains unchanged.

I dislike HICAS just as much

HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering). This system electronically steers the rear wheels, enhancing cornering performance by moving the rear wheels in the opposite phase at low speeds and in the same phase at high speeds.

Like ATTESA, I understand the mechanism and its intent. But I don't like it.

I think most serious drivers disable it.

I know very few people who seriously track their cars and use HICAS as is. HICAS cancel kits are widely available, and they have become somewhat of a de facto standard. This is the reality.

Why do so many people disable it? Because the rear end moves without you turning the steering wheel, and the timing of this intervention changes with speed. This is fundamentally the same problem as ATTESA: when the machine moves on its own, you lose trust in your own body's senses. I dislike that.

Unlike ATTESA, the context of HICAS being "necessary to win in Group A" is weaker. Honestly, I understand the developers' desire at the time to "pack in all the cutting-edge technology," but I think it's better to accept the fact that actual drivers are quietly dealing with it by using cancel kits.

So, are you saying I should disable everything?

For those who've read this far and thought, "GATER wants me to remove both ATTESA and HICAS," please wait a moment.

For normal street driving, I don't believe either needs to be removed.

ATTESA E-TS certainly contributes to safety on public roads. In rainy conditions or on slightly more spirited mountain roads, there are undoubtedly situations where that system helps. HICAS also goes largely unnoticed during normal driving.

My feeling of "it's annoying" only applies when I'm seriously driving on a circuit or when I want to feel and control the car's behavior to its absolute limit. This is from the perspective of someone who uses the R32 for such purposes, and I'm not recommending cancel kits to all R32 owners.

Even so, the R32 is the best.

Let me say this one last thing.

I don't like ATTESA E-TS. I don't like HICAS either. But the R32 as a car is the best.

That sound of the RB26DETT. Its lightness at 1,430kg. The direct feeling of the steering. In every aspect, it offers something that no other generation of GT-R can match. Even setting aside the electronic controls, the fundamental potential of this car is genuine, which is precisely why people continue to drive it even today.

If you ask someone who dislikes electronic controls why they continue to drive an R32, I would answer, "Because it has more than enough compensating qualities." That's how much I trust the core essence of this car.

That's all from GATER KAZUKI.