Surprise to me... Nissan Sentra NISMO

[RicerX]

Quick points: The Sentra Nismo has a 1.6 liter turbo four under the hood with 240 horsepower and an equal amount of torque connected to a six speed manual.

FINALLY - a sport compact from Nissan that may stack up to the Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, WRX, and GTI. What say you, NICONAUTS?

(The previously-a-B15-SpecV-owner inside of me is actually kinda pumped.)

[nissangirl74]

Not that I would expect it but a heads up from corporate would have been nice. Oh well, whatever. I talked to a good friend that works in a dealership and asked him if he had heard anything about it and he claims that he hadn't seen or heard anything about it until he saw the post on FB today.

FWIW, I think it's hot. Not beating-the-Speed3 hot, but hot nonetheless.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

FWIW, I think it's hot. Not beating-the-Speed3 hot, but hot nonetheless.

I agree.
I also hadn't heard of it. You can bet it'll be built in Mexico as opposed to the US too (like some of the Sentras), although I wouldn't necessarily consider that a bad thing.
Definitely worth a test drive

[PEZi]

"Like"

[Bubba1]

It's certainly a step in the right direction IF IT'S TRUE, but I'm withholding my enthusiasm until confirmed they'll actually build it. Given their disturbing recent history, a CVT might still end up as their only transmission choice if/when it goes into production, which would be an embarrassment.

I'm also curious why once again after decades of developing a great brand name, Nissan walks away from it. First it was the Infiniti G/M that went buh-bye and replaced with the longtime Audi Q model designation followed by a zero, now SE-R?

[Hijacker]

I thought the same thing, Joel. They're really pishing the Nismo as a brand now instead of a great catalogue to get race parts. Not really sure how I feel about that. My worry is that in 5 years or so, the Nismo models will get distilled and be nothing more than a luxury sporty package like the SE-R became. The Nismo 370Z is already pretty lackluster, so they'd need to elevate it to be on level with these proposed Nismo models IMO, but I fear that we'll just see the newer ones get their balla cut off over time to lower the bar that the Nismo marquee will mean.

[RicerX]

This picture gives me hope:



As far as the NISMO approach goes, I am 100% confident that there will be a three-pedal setup on the Sentra version at production. In my eyes, the Juke was far less likely to retain a 6MT setup, but they made it work for the NISMO version. I think they understand that if they're going to push a product line geared towards enthusiasts then they absolutely have to keep three pedals available. Obviously the GT-R NISMO won't have a three pedal setup, but any other vehicle with the underlying architecture necessary will have a manual.

What's curious to me is, which other models could we see a NISMO version of? Vehicles like the Pathfinder and Altima are exempt, in my opinion, as they're really just people-movers now. The Altima had an SE-R version, but they were too expensive and didn't sell much (I badly wanted one but couldn't afford it at the time).

I could almost see a hopped up Rogue, but I think they want to leave the crossover NISMO for the Juke. The next Maxima MUST have a NISMO version to get back to the true 4DSC roots. The Z obviously will keep a NISMO version. I think the Xterra and Frontier could see that treatment as well, but I fear the Xterra is dying soon.

I'm really pumped about this Sentra, guys. It gives me hope that a part of Nissan is turning the corner.

[RicerX]

Also, Bex, I have to say that if this sucker was on the lot at the time I bought the MS3, I would have never gone to the Mazda lot. I like my Nissans and it was kind of hard to me to dump one for a Mazda, much less my Altima Coupe, but I needed the extra doors and a real trunk.

And if I have another damn motor mount issue, I can't even rule out that I'll trade for one if it hits production.

[NSRsheets]

I'm with Joel. Hopefully it makes it to production. Might look into one.

[VQpwrdSE-R]

It's nice to see Nissan producing something other than bland people haulers. I know this is only a concept. But if this goes into production I could see retiring my SER for one. 6spd, LSD, forged Rays and recaro interior. I'm not too fond of the red accent on the bumper or the fact that the wheels are 19s though. For performance/ cost of rubber I would much rather want 18s.

[RED_DET]

Needs two less doors and AWD... then we would be back in the right direction. Nissan, IMHO, failed at sentra right after they stopped making the B13, period.

[MinisterofDOOM]

The car is too damn tall.

Just like every car today, it looks like someone made a mistake in photoshop and stretched the car, adding 12 inches to the bottom edge. There's a problem when you have 19'' wheels and your headlights are STILL completely above the wheel arches. The tacked-on fender flares do manage to tastefully eliminate one particularly horrid example of miter-box fenders while also visually eating up some of the excessive height of the sides of that damn slab of boring. The tasteless and goofy rocker panels look stupid, though, and compensate for all the height-reduction the fender flares managed. Clearly, Nissan's philosophy is: leave the suspension alone, lower the BODYWORK instead. 19'' wheels and tires filling the wheel wells completely, gaudy "aero" pieces, and still enough ground clearance to win at Baja.

Not a fan. It lacks everything that makes the 3 and Focus great, and they lack everything that makes the Sentra about as inviting as a wet fart in a jacuzzi.

[dre1507]

MoD, you forgot to mention that the front looks a bit Lexus.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yes, but tasteful Lexus, which being a self-contradiction is something I'd rather just ignore. While Lexus is busy gluing lights in front of its lights so you can light while you light dawg, the Sentra is kind of just...there.