Nissan Stagea Autech RS260
The R33 Skyline Wagon
Unlike the R35 GT-R wagon we wrote about last year, the Nissan Stagea RS260 is a real Skyline wagon. In 1996, Nissan launched its new Stagea to compete with the Subaru Legacy wagon. Two years later, they upped the ante and offered one of the greatest Japanese wagons of all time: the Autech RS260. Starting with the standard first-generation WC34 Series 1 wagon, Nissan contracted their in-house tuner Autech to make a Stagea for the history books. Autech added the drivetrain from the R33 GT-R and improved handling with thicker anti-roll bars, an above-engine strut tower brace, and a limited slip differential. The Autech RS260 was the only Series 1 Stagea to offer a 5-speed manual; all others only came with a fun-killing 4-speed automatic.
This meant the RS260 was powered by Nissan’s epic RB26DETT: a twin-turbo straight six producing an officially-claimed 276 hp. With a cast iron block, six individual throttle bodies (like the BMW E46 M3 Touring), and parallel T28 turbochargers, the RB26 actually had an output closer to 330 horsepower! The Japanese manufactures had a gentleman’s agreement to limit official horsepower figures, resulting in engines that were conservatively underrated to the tune of 15% or higher.
Like the Skyline GT-R, power is sent to all four corners via a sophisticated all-wheel drive system. Despite its portly weight, the RS260 is an excellent handler with its Skyline-sourced AWD system and limited-slip differential. Offering a similar boxy shape and dimensions to the Volvo 850R, the Stagea offered far more cargo volume and interior space than the rival Subaru Legacy. The Stagea also offered excellent competition for the Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4 Wagon, with its twin-turbo V6 and Evo-sourced AWD system.
While being an exceptional member of the Stagea family, the RS260 is not the only battlewagon to come from Nissan’s stables. The Series 1 Stagea RS FOUR featured the single-turbo RB25DET but only came in automatic. The Series 2 Stagea Turbo RS FOUR S (and Type B) were the only second generation models offered with a 5-speed manual, and came with a 280 bhp version of the RB25.
Like all amazing JDM Wagons, the Stagea was never offered in North America, but may well come stateside when they become eligible for importation.
That day can’t come soon enough.
September 16th, 2011
Specifications
| SWE Classification | Battlewagon |
| Company Designation | Stagea Autech RS260 |
| Engine | RB26DETT 2.6L Inline-Six |
| Displacement | 2568 cc |
| Aspiration | Parallel T28 Twin-Turbos |
| Output/ Horsepower | 276 bhp @ 6,800 rpms |
| Torque | 267 @ 4,400 rpms |
| Drivetrain | Front-Engined, All-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| Curb Weight | 3,792 lbs |
| Weight Distribution | |
| Drag | |
| Brakes | Brembo Vented Discs w/ 4-piston Calipers (front) Brembo Vented Discs w/ 2-piston Calipers (rear) |
| Tires | |
Luggage Capacity (Seats up) | |
Luggage Capacity (Seats down) | |
| 0-60 | 6.0 Seconds |
| 0-100 | |
| 1/4 Mile | 12.9 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 152 MPH |
| Production Run | |
| MSRP | |
Photos