Nissan 370Z gets Nismo treatment

Nissan took the wraps off two high performance Nismo-branded models at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan earlier this month, the 370Z coupe and Juke SUV.

Producing more power and torque than their donor vehicles, fitted with improved aero body panels and firmer suspension settings, the new models could slot into Nissan Australia's mooted Nismo sub-brand, which is expected to leverage the company's V8 Supercar championship tilt.

Nissan Australia's PR & Corporate Communications Manager, Peter Fadeyev, told motoring.com.au the Nissan 370Z Nismo was not being considered for Australia "at present".

"Australia certainly has an appetite for ex-factory, performance-enhanced sports cars," noted Mr Fedayev. "Other makes have shown growth in this corner of the Australian new car market."

The Nissan 370Z Nismo's 3696cc V6 engine outputs 261kW of power, a significant increase on the 'regular' cars 245kW output. The extra herbs come about via improved sports exhaust system and tweaks to the engine control unit, and the V6 is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual cog-swapper.

Iterations of the high-performance 370Z Nismo have previously been offered in North America and Japan, while more recently an updated version of the same car has been released in Europe, though it generates slightly less power - 253kW.

The two-seater sports car's handling dynamics have been sharpened with firmer Nismo-fettled springs and dampers, not to mention the addition of a strut brace, while lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels are shod with Yokohama Advan Sport tyres to improve grip.

The braking system has been upgraded too, sporting new brake lines filled with higher quality brake fluid.

Aerodynamic enhancements such as a large rear wing, plus deeper front and rear aprons with chin spoiler and diffuser respectively, are claimed to improve downforce significantly, while the interior gets a few tweaks - Nismo branded sports seats, red stitching - to denote the cars stepped-up performance.

Also on show at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Salon was the new Juke Nismo, the regular version of which is due locally during the third quarter of this year. The tricked-up compact SUV is powered by the same turbo-petrol 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that will power the Pulsar SSS, due here mid-year, producing 147kW/250Nm, a gain of 7kW/10Nm over its donor vehicle.

Like the 370Z Nismo, the Juke Nismo gets an aerodynamic body kit claimed to increase downforce by almost 40 per cent, interior updates, and firmer suspension aimed at improving the vehicle's handling.

Shoichi Miyatani, NISMO President, said from the Tokyo Auto Salon that plans were underway to develop more Nismo-tuned vehicles and not just focus on motorsport.

"Of course we have a plan. As I said, not only the motor sports fans, but we are trying to capture a wider audience. By definition, that means we are going to expand the Nismo version line-up."

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