Nissan is out for hot hatch blood, it seems. A report in Auto Express has revealed the existence of the Pulsar Nismo S and RS, complete with some juicy details and pictures.
The Nissan Pulsar Nismo has a body kit and sporty diffuser with twin exhausts poking out the back, giving it a much sportier vibe than its standard hatchback sibling. Nismo’s traditional white paintjob with red detailing complete the look.
What really matters in hot hatch land is the power and handling. Thankfully, the Auto Express insider claims the Pulsar Nismo S will have in the region of 247bhp. The RS model will have 275bhp – Nissan Skyline GT-R territory, only without the four-wheel drive.
The exact engine used to achieve those power figures is unknown. In theory the Juke’s 1.6-litre be tuned to fit the bill, especially as Peugeot demonstrated you can get 270bhp from the same displacement with the RCZ R.
Bigger brakes, reinforced chassis, stiffer suspension, recalibrated steering, lower ride height and other performance-focussed enhancements are as likely as the sun rising. Think anything that goes with the hot hatch territory, basically.
Nissan is no stranger to performance. But it has its work cut out when cars like the Seat Leon Cupra 280 (the ex-fastest front-wheel drive around the Nurburgring), VW Golf GTI, Vauxhall Astra VXR and the Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy-R (the current record holder) represent the competition.
On the subject of the Nürburgring, Nissan is said to be gunning for the front-wheel drive record. Nothing like a bit of competition to spur innovation on, huh?
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