Nissan turns budget Sentra into a 224 kW sports car
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Nissan has revived the spirit of its former sporty Sentra Spec-V, turning an ordinary family car into a 224 kW front-wheel-drive sports saloon. Built for the SEMA show in Las Vegas, the concept features a turbocharged engine, a six-speed manual gearbox, and brakes and a rear wing from the legendary GT-R. For now, however, Nissan has no plans to put it into production.
Turbocharging doubles the power
The Sentra Spec-V is based on the new-generation Sentra, whose standard 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine produces 111 kW and 198 Nm.
The concept retains the MR20DD engine block but gains a Garrett G25-550 turbocharger, a larger intercooler, Carrillo connecting rods, JE pistons and an upgraded fuel injection system.
The result is 224 kW, measured at the wheels according to Nissan's technical specifications. That means the figure is not directly comparable with conventional power outputs measured at the engine's crankshaft.
Instead of the standard Sentra's continuously variable transmission, the Spec-V uses a six-speed manual gearbox from the Nissan Juke NISMO RS. Engineers added a helical limited-slip differential, a lighter flywheel, an uprated clutch and a short-throw gearshift mechanism.
GT-R brakes and NISMO racing suspension
Nissan did not stop at increasing power. The Sentra Spec-V uses the R35 GT-R NISMO's braking system, with six-piston Brembo callipers and 390 mm discs at the front. At the rear are four-piston callipers and 380 mm discs.
The chassis gains NISMO adjustable spring struts, stiffer springs and revised anti-roll bars. The aim is to improve handling on the track and reduce body roll through fast corners.
Contact with the road comes courtesy of 19-inch forged NISMO LM-RS1 wheels fitted with 265/35 R19 Yokohama Advan Neova AD09 tyres.
A BOMEX wide-body kit, a vented bonnet, a side-exit exhaust and a GT-R NISMO rear wing transform the exterior. Inside, the driver gets Recaro sports seats from the GT-R and a NISMO steering wheel.
A potential new rival for the Honda Civic Type R
The Sentra Spec-V shows that Nissan could technically return to the market for sporty front-wheel-drive cars.
With 224 kW at the wheels, the concept has considerable performance potential. For comparison, the European Honda Civic Type R produces 242 kW and the Hyundai Elantra N around 206 kW, depending on the market, but their official power figures are measured at the crankshaft.
Nissan's biggest challenge would be turning the extensively modified concept into an affordable production model. The GT-R brakes, forged wheels and extensive engine modifications add to the cost and would require further development to make them production-ready.
The Sentra is not officially sold in Europe, so for European audiences the Spec-V serves more as a reminder of a time when Japanese manufacturers offered relatively inexpensive, lightweight and capable sports saloons.
Nissan will display the car at the SEMA show on 3–6 November. The company has not confirmed production, but the potential of such a model would be difficult to ignore.
