Nissan inject Pulsar with Nismo flair

The Nissan Pulsar NISMO concept (front left) is set to bring Nissan back into the hot hatch game. Photo / Supplied

Are we finally going to see a successor to the last go-fast Nissan Pulsar, the GTiR?

Nissan's desire to bring the NISMO brand to more people than ever has taken another step forward at the 2014 Paris Motor Show with the global unveiling of the new Pulsar NISMO Concept, which leads us to think we're in with a sporting chance.

Shown in public for the first time, the dramatic design study explores the styling and engineering possibilities of a sporting flagship for the Pulsar range with its aggressive styling a fitting successor to the last truly sporty Pulsar, the GTi-R of the early 1990's.

While not as over the top as the GTiR, the Pulsar NISMO Concept isembedded with the same sporting DNA that runs throughout the brand's NISMO product line, and brings an exciting and much needed new performance dimension to the Pulsar range.

Although the concept is only a design study at this stage, Nissan is committed to developing its NISMO line-up with the ambition of delivering bold new performance models to a new generation of drivers.

The Concept's paintwork is finished in satin grey and surrounding the body is the NISMO's trademark Layered Double-Wing accentuated in red. Its unique shape is designed by airflow analysis, and it improves aerodynamics performance even better as well as giving lower gravity appeal to the NISMO cars.

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The aggressive front bumper features larger, optimised air intakes and striking brake cooling vents. Deeper side skirts, a lower ride height and 19-inch five arm alloy wheels with 235/35 R19 tyres emphasise the muscular form of the Pulsar's design, while the diffuser-style rear bumper and the central twin exhaust pipes, further reinforce the Concept's motorsport feel. Other elements include; a unique carbon fibre rear spoiler, side skirts and flared wheel arches. As opposed to the conventional white lamp reversing lamp, the Pulsar NISMO Concept's light hosts a clear, dark finish.

Image 1 of 10: Nissan Pulsar NISMO Concept.

Inside, the Pulsar NISMO Concept continues the race-inspired theme with a red coloured tachometer, deeply sculpted sports seats trimmed in Alcantara, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel and alloy pedals.

Under the skin, the Pulsar NISMO Concept features a revised suspension system that incorporates settings honed on the racetrack. In addition to a lower ride height, the Pulsar NISMO Concept incorporates revised spring and damper settings to provide drivers with the kind of agile and sporty responses that are synonymous with NISMO models.

Further details on the Pulsar NISMO, including how far Nissan are prepared to go to trying to reclaim their place in the hot hatch market will be announced in due course.

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