Nissan have just confirmed that they are planning special Nismo (Nissan Motorsport) editions of their Juke, 370Z, Leaf and GT-R models. Unlike some of the more mental Nismo special editions from the past, however, these Nismo models will be more aesthetic brand ambassadors for Nissan rather than exclusive, once off, money-no-object high performance offerings.
Pictured below is the Nismo Skyline GT-R R34 Z-Tune from 2005. It featured the racing engine from the JGTC GT500 Skyline racing car and was meant to be the ultimate factory tuned GT-R without the pesky Japanese power output regulations. Around 100 units were only ever built. It’s a shame that Nissan seem to be positioning the ‘new’ Nismo brand away from this hardcore philosophy and more as an equivalent to top of the range AMG and M-Sport cars from Mercedes-Benz and BMW, only more affordable.
Nissan say that Nismo versions of the Juke, Leaf, 370Z and GT-R will all get a power improvement of around 15%, as well as a few suspension tweaks, but alas, the main focus will be more on distinctive styling. First to arrive will be the Nismo Juke early in 2013 and over time the 370Z and the GT-R will follow. Nissan did do a Nismo version of the 370Z back in 2009 for the US market.
It has also been rumored that later on in 2014, when the new 370Z arrives, Nissan will introduce Nismo ‘RS’ models, which according to Nissan, “…will be much more track-focused than regular Nismo models.”
The Nismo Juke uses a formula of a more striking bodykit, 18-inch wheels and red wing mirrors. No specifics have been announced, but based on the quoted 15% increase in power, the Nismo Juke should produce around 160kW from its turbocharged 1.6-litre DiG-T engine. With that much power on hand, the Juke will definitely require a suspension tweak to channel it to the ground through its front wheel drive layout.
The only one we really care about is the Nismo GT-R of course. Although there are many exclusive offerings of the Nissan GT-R we cannot wait to see what the Nissan Motorsport boffins come up with. A 15% bump in power in this case, will take the GT-R to over 460 kW; our fingers are crossed.
