Autoblog

NISMO confirms hotter GT-R, return to Le Mans and more performance models [w/videos]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Nissan, Racing

Nissan has made three announcements, all of which intend to sharpen the global significance and sales of its NISMO performance arm. Calling it "a new era for NISMO as its global performance car and motorsports brand," Carlos Ghosn cut the ribbon on the new, larger, nicer NISMO headquarters in Yokohama, Japan. For the first time since the division was founded in 1984, all of its employees are located in one place that was dubbed "a hothouse of passion and performance." Sign us up.

There, the team will start overhauling Nissan's entire range with NISMO models. The Juke NISMO is right around the corner for the US market, the second generation of the 370Z NISMO is coming for 2014, the first GT-R NISMO is being developed, and after that will come "a range of affordable performance Nissan models from small cars to flagship sports cars" - a new model every year. The expanded product line will mean that markets that haven't had access to NISMO's works will finally be able to buy them.

The last big news is that from now on NISMO will manage every one of Nissan's global motorsports programs, and its largest initiative will be prepping an entry for Le Mans in 2014. While Nissan has left the DeltaWing project, it hasn't walked away from experimental racers: the brand aims to have "a pioneering Nissan race car showcasing electric technology" ready in 15 months that shows "a new approach to innovation and excitement."

You can find out more about all the news in the three press releases and two videos below.

Continue reading NISMO confirms hotter GT-R, return to Le Mans and more performance models [w/videos]

NISMO confirms hotter GT-R, return to Le Mans and more performance models [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Nissan Juke Nismo is the runabout we've always wanted

Zach Bowman — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:22:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Performance, Hatchback, Nissan, Design/Style

The 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo has officially bowed at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. Wearing a full body kit that serves up 37-percent more downforce than the standard front and rear fascias, the tuned hatchback also comes equipped with larger 18-inch wheels and a lowered suspension. Up front, LED daytime running lights join the festivities as well as contrasting side-view mirror covers and wider fender flares. Inside, buyers can expect to find a new sports steering wheel clad in Alcantara, as well as a set of Nismo seats stitched with red accents.

Nismo also cranked up the power on the Juke's turbocharged direct-injection 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. The Juke Nismo delivers 197 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, compared to the 188 hp and 177 lb-ft available in stock configuration. Buyers can have the engine with either a six-speed manual transmission or CVT gearbox, and the Juke Nismo can also be had with either all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Check out the full press release below for more information.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo is the runabout we've always wanted

2013 Nissan Juke Nismo is the runabout we've always wanted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan gets racy at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Minivan/Van, Performance, Japan, Crossover, Nissan, Tokyo Auto Salon, Specialty, Design/Style

Nissan is headed to this year's Tokyo Auto Salon with a spate of custom hardware, including tweaked versions of the company's Juke, Note, Fairlady Z and GT-R. Even the humble Leaf EV and hefty NV350 have received a little love from designers and engineers. The Juke Nismo will share the stage with creations like the Leaf Nismo Performance Package and the GT-R Nismo GT3. That last beast debuted in 2012 and boasts more engine output and enhanced aerodynamics while still complying with FIA GT3 regulations.

But our favorite of the bunch has to be the NV350 Caravan Rider Transporter. Custom-built for TAS, the commercial van was penned to toe the line between a hard-working commercial van and a luxurious leisure machine. We dig it.

Nissan is also showing off a number of race cars, including the Motul Autech GT-R of Super GT fame and the company's wild DeltaWing. Check out the full press release and videos below for more information, and be sure to take a look at the full gallery for a glimpse of the models in attendance.

Continue reading Nissan gets racy at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

Nissan gets racy at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan releases one-off Dark Knight Rises Juke Nismo

Steven J. Ewing — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Crossover, Nissan

To celebrate the launch of The Dark Night Rises on DVD and Blu-Ray in the UK, Nissan has created this one-off special edition of the Juke Nismo. But instead of plunking a price tag on the hotter Juke, Nissan is giving away its Nismo crossover to one lucky winner after. Interested parties can take the automaker's Thrill Test and enter for a chance to win the one-of-one Juke.

The Dark Night Rises Juke builds on the sport-tuned Nismo model, packing a 197-horsepower, 1.6-lite turbocharged inline-four, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Specific enhancements for this one-off include matte black paint, a shark fin antenna (yep), aluminum bat badges on the front and rear and red accents along the body. There are a whole host of bat logos on the suede-trimmed interior, and a clever up-lighting system projects that bat logo onto the Juke's headliner, as well.

Scroll down for the official release. The contest runs until the end of February, and the winner of the Dark Night Rises Nismo Juke will be announced in March.

Continue reading Nissan releases one-off Dark Knight Rises Juke Nismo

Nissan releases one-off Dark Knight Rises Juke Nismo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Nissan Juke Nismo closer to coming to America

John Neff — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Nissan

First shown as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show and first unveiled in production trim at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo has just had its first in-person meeting with the Autoblog team at the Paris Motor Show. While not quite as extreme as its Juke R brother - not having a GT-R drivetrain kind of takes the edge off - the Juke Nismo nonetheless kicks the standard car up a few notches to become even more of an enthusiast's plaything than a quasi-crossover.

With the laying on of hands from Nismo, Nissan's in-house performance tuning and motorsports arm, this Juke benefits from a host of improvements that up its performance game. The changes begin with a complete Nismo aero package that includes new front and rear bumpers, wider wheel arches, side skirts, rear spoiler and front grille. Eighteen-inch alloys wheels get tucked under those new fenders, while the interior benefits from a lavish swathing of grippy Alcantara on the new sport seats and steering wheel.

Nissan says that the Juke's direct-injected turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder has been modified for Nismo duty, presumably for more power, though the company is still keeping tight-lipped about new power figures. The 1.6-liter as it stands in the base Juke produces a healthy 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, but even if the engine weren't upgraded, Nismo has also addressed performance from a handling perspective by fitting the Juke with a stiffer suspension and revised steering, along with tweaking its traction control and torque vectoring systems.

Launching in Europe early next year, the Juke Nismo will then be made available in Japan before finally making its way to North America at a yet-to-be-determined later date. Pricing is still a mystery as well, but it's safe to say the Nismo will probably be at least a few thousand dollars over the standard model.

2013 Nissan Juke Nismo closer to coming to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan unveils Juke Nismo hot-ute at Le Mans, will come to U.S.

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Crossover, Nissan

Sprightly as it is, the Nissan Juke manages to straddle the line between hatchback and crossover with aplomb. As such, it's one of the most suitable cute-utes for tuning, and that point hasn't lost on Nissan itself. The UK-based racing division of the Japanese automaker transformed the controversially-styled mini-CUV into the tarmac-munching Juke-R. But if that elite vehicle's stratospheric price tag turns you on and away at the same time, another Nissan division might have the answer for you.

What we're talking about is the new Juke Nismo. Having showcased a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show show last year, the company's performance arm is unveiling the production-spec performance crossover this coming weekend at the 24 Hours of Le Mans - an event with an unprecedented number of Nissan-powered vehicles on the grid, including the experimental DeltaWing prototype.

The enhancements to the Nismo model over the stock Juke include a more aggressive aero package complete with new front and rear bumpers, wider wheel arches, side skirts, a tailgate spoiler and a new grille. The flared fenders house wider 18-inch alloys, while the interior has been retrofitted with sportier control surfaces and red-stitched, suede-covered sport buckets with greater lateral support.

Just like the standard Juke, the engine is quoted as a 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four, though output figures have not been released (the North American spec Juke rings up 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque). The Nismo is enhanced, however, by a stiffer suspension, revised steering geometry and performance-tuned traction control with torque vectoring.

While the Juke Nismo will be available in Europe from the start of the new year - about six and a half months from now - Nissan has confirmed that the vehicle will be made available in its own Japanese Domestic Market and (most importantly) in the United States at an as-yet undisclosed later date. In the meantime, you can admire from afar in the high-res image gallery above and the press release below.

Continue reading Nissan unveils Juke Nismo hot-ute at Le Mans, will come to U.S.

Nissan unveils Juke Nismo hot-ute at Le Mans, will come to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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