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Pulsar Nismo Concept Proves Japan Has a Strong Pulse in Paris

For years, Nissan has only been selling its European customers either small import hatches or crossovers. Now that the company finally has a hatchback, it can finally turn the tables on its German and French rivals with its very own hot hatch. The Pulsar Nismo concept previews the future of that product during the Paris Motor Show.
2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos 15 photos
Photo: original image by autoevolution
2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos2014 Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Live Photos
It appeared in front of the public for the first time today and managed to wow everybody with its bold color statement and aggressive body kit. Right now, the Pulsar Nismo is only a concept, but Nissan says its “explores the styling and engineering possibilities of a sporting flagship for the Pulsar range”, meaning it's going into production soon.

Family car turns into bodybuilder

Nissan designed the Pulsar hatch to be as softly sprung and comfortable as an Audi A3. Its interior is all about simplicity and reducing noise levels. However, the in-house tuners at Nissan have radically altered the appearance if this average family hatchback

At the front, the bumper features large air intakes and vents to cool the brakes. Around the back, the exhaust has been installed in the middle, like on a Veloster Turbo or MINI JCW. This is flanked on either side by diffusers which lead to flared fenders and chunky 19-inch sports alloy wheels shod in 235/35 R19 tires.

Everything is finished in the same satin gray with red accents as the GT-R Nismo, probably Nissan's most legendary car. For the unique rear spoiler, Nissan even went as far as to use carbon fiber.

The secrets within

There's no official word on what will actually power the car yet, but reports suggest Nissan will forego the 2-liter turbo that most of its rivals use and go for a 1.8-liter instead. This new four-cylinder unit will feature direct injection and will also find its way into the forthcoming Qashqai Nismo.

Like in the case of the GT-R, Nissan is gunning for Nurburgring supremacy with the Pulsar Nismo. Taking the FWD crown away from Renault means posting a time better than 7 minutes and 54.36 seconds.

Only time will tell if they can hold on to their title after Honda's new Civic Type R comes out. That car is expected to be a track day monster with independent adjustable suspension and as much as 300 horsepower coming from a 2-liter VTEC turbo.

When will it be ready?

Nissan already has a handful of Nismo models on sale and the Pulsar version probably won't be ready for another year. When that happens, expect prices to start at around €25,000 in Europe. In America, however, this will remain a forbidden fruit, since the company has no plans to sell the Pulsar hatch.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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