Nismo Marches On at the Tokyo Auto Salon

01.16.2012

, Makuhari, Japan

Nismo Marches On at the Tokyo Auto Salon

Nissan sprang a surprise at Tokyo Auto Salon 2012 in Makuhari on Friday, revealing the March Nismo Concept, a modified version of its popular compact.

Hot on the heels of the Nismo versions of the Juke and LEAF electric car, both shown at the Tokyo Motor Show last month, the pearl white March boasts customized parts developed by Nissan’s motorsports division.

Its features include a lower stance, sportier suspension and lightweight wheels, said Chief Designer Shinji Sasaki.

“Mainly it’s exterior parts — front bumper, rear bumper and side sills, and mirrors as well — to improve aerodynamic performance,” Sasaki said, speaking at Nissan’s booth, which was jointly assembled by the automaker, Nismo and Autech Japan. “We also changed the ride height, added a high-performance suspension kit and modified some interior parts to make for exciting driving.”

The March Nismo Concept is presented alongside ten Nissan models at the annual Tokyo Auto Salon, which runs through Sunday, and features some 367 exhibitors and 630 vehicles.

The Nissan booth has both the look and feel of a race circuit, all the way to a spectator stand, displaying Nismo versions of the Juke, LEAF and Fairlady Z cars alongside everything from the iconic GT-R supercar to sporty minivans.

At last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan hinted that it would produce the Juke Nismo, depending on public response. So what’s in store for the March Nismo Concept?

“This is still under discussion, but if we get a good reaction at this show we should consider it for production,” says Sasaki.

Judging by the public’s reaction on opening day to the March, further Nissan Nismo models already seem to be a racing certainty.

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