Nissan to expand Nismo product range

Nissan is about to use its Nismo division to sex up its broader road-car image.

Until now best known for its motorsport and performance car involvement, the respected brand's influence will begin to appear on more mainstream Nissan products.

The idea, in much the same vein as Honda's Mugen tuning division, is to broaden the reach of normally pedestrian products into a more youthful demographic, while subtly toughening the across-the-board brand image.

The first non-performance Nissan to get the Nismo treatment is the Juke Nismo Concept shown at the 2012 Tokyo motor show, which gets a tuned version of the crossover's regular 1.6-litre turbo engine, bigger wheels, reworked suspension, and the essential aero body kit.

According to Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn "Nismo has carved out an enviable reputation in motor racing. In fact, in 2011, Nismo cars and engines won in every category they competed in... the first time we have achieved this milestone.

"The time is now right to let ordinary drivers experience what our racing drivers enjoy every time they head out onto the track. We aim to bring Nismo's passion and focus on driving excitement to mainstream models,” he said.

The initiative is also aimed at bringing "major growth" to the Nismo arm, which will also come with a bigger market for after-sales performance parts.

A new global HQ will open in Tsurumi, Yokohama at the start of 2013  (pictured) and will house a race shop, service facilities, a heritage area and a specialist store stocked with Nismo performance parts and "items from the Nismo collection."

The new HQ will also be able to stage the annual Nismo festival which, Nissan says, attracts more than 30,000 fans each year.

The Nisan 370Z and GT-R have been, and probably will continue to be the subject of Nismo attention, but what are the chances of a Nismo Micra?

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