SEMA: Nissan unveils 1st Nismo car


By Mark Rechtin
Automotive News / November 11, 2002


The 350Z, modified with Nismo performance parts, has an exhaust system that increases horsepower to 295 and torque to 280 pounds-feet.

LAS VEGAS -- One year after revealing plans to expand its performance-parts operation called Nismo, Nissan North America showed a 350Z heavily modified with Nismo parts.

The car features an exhaust system that increases horsepower to 295 and torque to 280 pounds-feet. The 350Z also has a high-performance air filter and oil cooler, lightweight flywheel, limited-slip differential and racing clutch. The suspension has improved coil springs, shocks and sway bars. An aero kit is included.

But Ron Stukenberg, Nissan senior manager of motorsports marketing and operations, said Nissan is not expecting to sell Nismo trim-level vehicles soon - although that eventually may happen. Rather, the Nismo 350Z merely serves as an example of what a creative parts department customer can produce. Dealers will install factory-backed Nismo parts, but Stukenberg expects a good number of over-the-counter transactions as well.

"This will not be a smattering of parts. Nismo will cover everything someone can use on the streets, as well as off-highway," Stukenberg said. "We have been selling Nismo parts for off-highway use for years. Now we are expanding."

By off-highway, Stukenberg does not mean off-road. Rather, if a part is too high-spec to be street-legal because of emissions or safety requirements, Nismo will sell those parts for racing use only.

Nismo is a truncation of Nissan Motorsports.

"We're dealing with true performance stuff, not just color and trim packages. This is how you enhance the brand," Stukenberg said.

For the first year or so, Nissan will concentrate on establishing Nismo for the Nissan brand. Infiniti will get Nismo parts only for the G35 sedan and coupe, then must wait to get more "R Spec" parts, Stukenberg said.

The Nismo parts will carry the factory warranty. If installed by a dealer, the part will be covered as long as the vehicle is in warranty. If installed by a customer, the part will have a one-year, 12,000-mile warranty.

Stukenberg said Nissan can stand behind those parts because they are proven Japanese domestic market parts, rather than newly conscripted pieces from a new supplier source.

 

Nice read.....thnx for sharing.

 

hmmmmm...wonder when that lightweight flywheel will come out...