The history of the TSR Kansai
1955 (1st generation)
TSR needed a GT car. They created the Kansai. It sold really well and enable them to get big profit with big mark-ups. At 1956, they started importing the Kansai to the US to see if it sells well in the US. With import taxes and other stuff, the car became expensive although still sellable. The car was ahead of it’s time using all wishbone suspension (front and rear) and a 4.8 litre DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) V8. At 1957, TSR makes the SL Fallwing trim which is exclusively for the US.
-SL Fallwing trim shown circa 1957
Original review is here!
Original advertisement is here!
1960 (2nd generation)
The 2nd generation is also very popular. Although the front is weird, the rear makes up for it. It now utilizes a DOHC I6 instead of a V8. As expected, it sold well in the US and other countries.
-Luxor trim shown circa 1961
Original advertisement is here!
2000 (3rd generation)
TSR haven’t made the Kansai for 40 years since the first time the 2nd generation was launched. This one, the purist says is the worst and weirdest one. Normally, the older generations has RWD only. Well, this generation is FWD available with AWD for the 1st time. The base trim is an inline-4 with a V6 available in higher trim levels. The car’s design is very uninspiring. Some say the worst looking from all Kansai’s. Maybe because the design team only concentrated at the front rather than the back. Although quite competitive, this generation don’t sell well. At least for the first time, it came with an NR5 trim at 2002. Unfortunately, this generation is not a true GT car…
-RS trim shown circa 2001
2010 (4th generation)
TSR needs something to rival the Nissan GTR. It’s very fast and advanced. Well, they came out with the 4th generation Kansai. This time, no inline-4 and AWD comes as standard for the first time. Sales were improving. In 2017, the Enthusiast Edition was introduced featuring a Manual. Only for the NR5, it made sales increased by 5% only. Less than 200 Enthusiast Edition Kansai’s were made.
-NR5 Carbon trim shown
20XX (5th generation)
The year is unknown but the 5th generation is coming. Featuring a more aggresive design language and a different and more advanced V6. So far, only teasers were shown. As always, AWD as standard.
If you want to see the 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Kansai, please contact (PM) us for a test drive. Unfortunately, the 4th generation is unavailable.