Nissan's Nismo Sentra helps the sedan shed its "sedate" reputation. The maker has three vehicles in the Nismo stable.
Anyone who thinks of the Nissan Sentra as a sedate, even stodgy four-door may be in for quite a surprise when they get a look at the 2014 Nismo Concept version that made its first appearance today at the annual L.A. Auto Show.
The sportiest version of the Sentra yet is actually one of three new models to carry the Nismo badge as Nissan moves to expand the presence of its high-performance brand-within-a-brand. Also on display in Los Angeles is the all-new 2014 Nismo Juke, while Nissan is using the simultaneous Tokyo Motor Show to highlight the debut of the equally all-new Nismo GT-R.
“Fans have asked that we bring back a high-performance Sentra straight from the factory, just like in generations past,” said Nissan Vice President of Product Planning, Pierre Loing. “With Nismo, our in-house motorsports arm already producing versions of the 370Z Nismo, JUKE Nismo, JUKE Nismo RS and upcoming GT-R Nismo, we wanted to demonstrate where we could go in the future.”
The Nissan Juke also gets the Nismo treatment. It's the third vehicle in the group joining the Sentra and GT-R.
Its name shorthand for Nissan Motorsport International Limited, NISMO was launched in 1984 to focus primarily on sports car racing, including Japan’s Formula 3 series. Over the years, a few street models have occasionally shared the NISMO designation but that badge will become a regular part of the line-up going forward, Nissan global marketing chief Simon Sproule recently explained during an interview with TheDetroitBureau.com.
The new approach is closely modeled upon what Mercedes-Benz’s has done with its AMG brand-within-a-brand, as well as the vaunted M-line from BMW, said Sproule, acknowledging, “They have done a better job at this.” While Nissan has a “rich and credible history with performance vehicles,” he added that has “never been fully exploited.”
No longer. While the stock 2014 Nissan Sentra puts out what could be described as an adequate 130-horsepower from its 1.8-liter inline-four, the Japanese maker opts for some serious performance touches – including intercooled turbocharging and sequential direct injection to pump that figure up to a preliminary 240-plus horsepower and more than 240 pound-feet of torque.
The Nismo Juke interior hints at what's hiding under the hood.
Meanwhile, the Nismo Sentra Concept gets exterior modification that enhances its aerodynamics and adds a more menacing touch to its appearance with details like a deeper front fascia with lower LED lights and a wide lower grille. There’s a wide front spoiler, oversized fender flares, a rear spoiler – and all lights get a smoked look.
New 19-inch aluminum wheels are shod in Michelin Super Sport performance tires and the Nismo Concept gets bright red Brembo brakes borrowed from the Nismo 370Z.
(Nissan offers first official look at the new GT-R. For more, Click Here.)
Insider, Nissan gives the prototype Recaro front seats with custom black leather and Alcantara trim, the suede-like material also used for the rear seats, and pillar and headliner.
Not to be outdone, Nissan sports it up with the 2014 Nismo Juke RS, which, in this case, goes into production as the third model in the compact crossover’s line-up.
(Click Here for Nissan’s plans to expand production in the U.S.)
It now features a 215-hp I-4 engine that also churns out a tire-spinning 210 lb-ft of torque directed through a helical limited-slip differential on models equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The Nismo Juke will feature new bracing to stiffen up the little CUV’s body rigidity, as well as larger brakes to scrub off speed in a hurry.
The interior package will include Recaro front seats and carbon fiber-like detailing, as well as suede, Alcantara and leather details.
While Nissan isn’t saying if – or more likely, when – the Nismo Sentra will reach showrooms, the Nismo Juke RS is expected to go on sale early next year.