Monsato Tuning (モンサントのチューニング) is a Tuning firm based out of Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. Founded in 1972 to serve the needs of certain Japanese companies, and even the needs of individual persons. Monsato is sometimes contacted to perform and compete certain “packages” for different companies. Monsato focuses on tuning the Handling, Performance, and Interiors of their chosen cars, rarely touching the aesthetics of a car, unless truly needed.
Monsato Tuning was founded by えいひ もんさと (Eihi Monsato) in late 1972, pulling aboard a few compatriots and the like. Eihi pulled a very large loan from the bank, and began to get working on some cars for low prices.
For kicks, we sent our Limited Edition Montauk Slayer over to be tuned. For a reasonable price the improvement was definitely noticeable. It now boasts higher track times than our flagship sports car, the Meteor.
In 1986, Monsato was contacted by Petoskey to tune one of their existing models to be more competent around a track. Monsato quickly agreed to their terms, and their work off car was sent over.
Monsato’s team looked at the Slayer, and inspected everything they could. Almost immediately they all agreed to not touch the engine, as it was perfectly designed. They agreed to slightly re-work the suspension, and make some edits to the interior.
The first and major change was lightening the interior. They first removed all of the In-car audio systems and sound dampening, and slightly stiffened the interior chassis. Then, came the re-work of the suspension. This was slight, only reducing front camber, stiffening the suspension, and slightly raising the ride height. The outcome from the reduced weight and stiffened suspension was the car being ~2.5 seconds faster around our test track and costing only $220 more than the original.
Aesthetically, nothing was changed, accept for the widening of the arches, reduction of the rim size, and the addition of the Monsato Tuning Badge (represented as an “M” in game)
Can I send in a fully custom built hot hatch to you? It’s a challenge to your engineering team because I personally spent two hours designing the engine. A naturally aspirated 2.21 liter transversely mounted direct injected DOHC 40V Flatplane V8 powers this lightweight rocket. Guess how much power? 389HP and 230lb-ft, redline at 10.5k rpm. 0-62 in 3.5 and top speed is 177mph. Can beat a Pagani Huayra around the Airfield Track (also known as the TG test track).
Nobody does. The closest thing to this is a Golf W12 and that’s not in production because nobody would buy it. Clio V6 Renault Sport was a murderer of people in first guise and just plain too tricky for regular humans in second, so it didn’t sell well too.
In 1975, just three years after opening, a single Galt Communistasia wagon rolled into the shop. The entire car was just the chassis and some pannels, no engine, interior, doors, or windows. This was seen as an idea to make something that would set a stand for who Monsato Tuning were. Their first challenge was to find an engine that would fit, and allow for the right power and noise.
After some brief phone calls in somewhat comprehensive English and Italian, a single JSC 8C35-73 22T290 was ordered and shipped to Kurashiki. While the engine was being sent, Karuko, Eihi’s Daughter, went and searched for some spare Communistasia spares for things like doors and a new bonnet.
Once the Engine arrived, it was mounted into the body, and to a spare running gear. Once everything was hooked up, Eihi took the currently empty body for a drive. He was reported to have said that “[It] was the worst thing I have ever driven, and I’ve driven some bad cars.”
After fitting the replacement bodyparts, the design team went nuts, adding some crazy bits onto the car. The first was an American inspired massive bonnet vent. The second was another mad, American inspired cosmetic design, the side exhausts. The rear door was clipped shut (due to the exhaust), and a lip-like wing was added to the roof. the Monsato badge was added, and the car was completed. This Communistasia was a special one-off, and Monsato is still proud of this monster.
If Monsato is pursuing the rally version of the hot hatch I sent in, I want to add that you will be able to badge it as one of your company’s own, as a one-off or production, whatever floats your boat.
