Nissan’s SEMA Sentra Spec-V Implies The Brand Still Cares About Small Car Performance

A Sentra with side pipes wasn’t on our SEMA bingo card!

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Have you ever wondered what the current Nissan Sentra would look like if it was upgraded to the nth degree and designed to look more like a race car than a road car? Well, Nissan has created just that: the dramatic Spec-V Concept, lifting the veil on it ahead of this year’s SEMA Show.

This wild Sentra is a thank-you to the Sentra SE-R community and arrives 35 years after that model launched. No stone has been left unturned in transforming the new car into a race-ready rocket ship, starting with the engine. Nissan’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four has been upgraded with new rods, pistons, 550cc injectors, and a new Garrett G25-550 turbo, delivering an impressive 300 horsepower through the wheels. A modified six-speed transmission and a helical limited-slip differential from a Nismo Juke RS help handle the extra grunt.

The mechanical upgrades continue with upgraded front shocks with remote reservoirs, stiffer springs, and new sway bars. Arguably the most impressive performance upgrade is the brakes. The Sentra now uses the same brakes as a GT-R Nismo, meaning there are six-piston front Brembo calipers with 15.35-inch (390 mm) two-piece discs and four-piston calipers at the rear complete with 15-inch (380 mm) two-piece discs. Does a 300 hp sedan need the same brakes as a 600+hp supercar? Probably not, but it’s better to have too much braking potential than not enough.

A widebody kit and a GT-R Nismo wing

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One quick glance at the Sentra Spec-V Concept is all it takes to tell it apart from a standard model. The car rocks a widebody kit from Bomex that includes flared fenders and a reshaped front bumper and grille that puts the upgraded intercooler on full display. A bespoke hood has also been designed for the car, complete with cooling vents for the engine. Nissan has even fitted the same rear wing as the GT-R Nismo and has engineered custom side-exiting exhausts. The car also rolls on a set of Nismo 19-inch LM-RS1 forged wheels with Advan Neova AD09 tires, which are well known for their exceptional grip. A custom wrap with red accents completes the exterior transformation.

As you may expect, the car’s interior is also rather special. It rocks the same Recaro front seats as a GT-R Nismo, has a Nismo steering wheel, a custom seatbelt harness bar, and several custom black touches.

“Nissan has always had passionate fans who aren’t shy about telling us what they love and what they’d like to see next, and we love that – a lot of us at Nissan are enthusiasts, too,” vice president of Aftersales & Customer Loyalty at Nissan Americas, Kim Less said. “These projects are a chance to have some fun with that shared passion, take inspiration from our fans and our own teams, and show what’s possible with cars like Sentra and Z.”

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Source: www.carscoops.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.