As its NISMO in-house performance division becomes a household name, Nissan’s providing more opportunities for driving enthusiasts to enjoy performance-enhanced models. NISMO versions of the Juke, 370Z and GT-R are already on the ground, and Nissan’s considering further projects. Case in point: the Sentra NISMO Concept, just introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
So what does NISMO do when turned loose on a Nissan’s humble economy sedan? Well, first, the 1.8 liter direct-injection four-cylinder under the hood is turbocharged to the tune of 240 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is also included. The Sentra NISMO Concept is reminiscent of the legendary early-1990s Sentra SE-R. The engine is essentially an enlarged version of the DOHC powerplant used in the new Juke NISMO RS.
To keep that power on the road, the suspension’s been upgraded with NISMO performance parts, including new shocks and springs. Nineteen-inch wheels reveal red-painted Brembo brakes borrowed from the 370Z.
The Sentra NISMO Concept features body modifications similar to the Juke NISMO RS as well. Bright Pearl White paint with red accents and blacked-out trim provide this car with a serious face. A front splitter and rear underbody diffuser have been added as well. The headlights and taillights are blacked out, and the fenders get larger flares that flow into the ground-effects package.
There aren’t any plans to produce a Sentra NISMO…but take heart, Nissan fans. A “concept” is how the Juke started out as well. “Fans have asked that we bring back a high-performance Sentra straight from the factory, just like in generations past,” says Nissan Vice President of Product Planning, Pierre Loing. “We wanted to demonstrate where we could go in the future.”
