► Nismo set to expand
► More fast Nissans coming
► Could Europe get Micra Nismo?
Nissan’s go-faster department, Nismo, is to expand. The Japanese brand has set up the Nismo Cars Business Department within Autech Japan – a Nissan company – to develop and build new ‘more appealing products in a shorter time.’
That means Nissan is looking to sell more Nismo models in new segments and futher expand its reach into different markets. Nissan flogs around 15000 Nismo cars a year globally, which is nothing compared to the approximate 5.5m cars Nissan sells globally.
Nissan Motorsports and Autech Japan boss Takao Katagiri, said: ‘With the combined expertise of Nissan group companies, Nismo road cars will make customers enjoy Nissan cars more than ever.’
There are Nismo versions of the Note and March (the previous-gen Micra) on sale in Japan, and there was even a Pulsar Nismo concept car revealed at the 2014 Paris motor show.
From a UK perspective, there’s currently the Juke Nismo RS, 370Z Nismo and the jaw-dropping GT-R Nismo to choose from.
A go-faster version of the new Micra would make most sense for UK and Europe buyers; the new model is a complete rebirth from the ashes of the frankly sub-par previous-gen car, and already has dynamic handling tech like Active Trace Control to make it a better steer. It would have to see off some serious rivals, including the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTi.
Nissan declined to comment on any future production plans when we got in contact.
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