By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Nissan US Media
The 2017 Sentra NISMO is the latest in a long line of compact Nissan performance sedans going back nearly 50 years to the Datsun 510 and the original Sentra SE-R. The new, first ever Sentra NISMO is also the first mainstream U.S. Nissan model to offer motor sports inspired NISMO factory-tuned performance.
Exterior
The first thing most people will notice about the new Sentra NISMO is its highly aggressive presence, the motorsports-inspired exterior features NISMO signature layered double wing design treatments in the front, side and rear lower body panels, with thin red stripe accents in the lower panels.
In front, a unique front fascia dominates, along with standard LED Daytime Running Lights, NISMO black grille and NISMO badge. Other unique styling features include unique side sills, NISMO rear fascia and spoiler, NISMO exhaust finisher, chrome door handles and trunk finisher, rear NISMO badge and black NISMO outside mirror caps with integrated turn signals and NISMO red stripe.
Helping give Sentra NISMO its aggressive stance, while also helping enhance handling performance, are 18-inch NISMO 10-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with specially selected 215/45R18 Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires. Ride height has also been reduced by 0.4-inch, four exterior colors are available: Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Super Black and Aspen White.
Interior
Inside, the Sentra NISMO interior is designed to support exciting driving starting with unique NISMO front seats with logo and additional side bolstering. The rear seats feature unique cloth material with red stitching.
Red motorsports-inspired accents are found throughout the interior, including on the unique Alcantara and leather-wrapped steering wheel, the push button start with red start ring, NISMO meter cluster with red tachometer, leather shifter knob and NISMO embroidered carpets. A dark headliner and NISMO logo on the instrument panel complete the special interior treatment. Just one interior color is offered, Charcoal with red accents.
Along with the long list of unique NISMO features, the 2017 Sentra NISMO also offers a 5.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display located between the tachometer and speedometer, soft-touch instrument panel, sliding armrest, Nissan Intelligent Key keyless entry, Rear View Monitor, power windows with driver’s one-touch auto up/down with auto reverse, power door locks with auto-locking feature, remote keyless entry and remote trunk and fuel-filler door releases.
Also, offered with the NISMO Premium Package is NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps with 5.8-inch color touch-screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for audio and navigation, SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and Nissan Connect Mobile Apps.
Performance
As expected of any vehicle wearing the NISMO badge, the new Sentra NISMO offers ample power under the hood. The 1.6-liter Direct Injection Gasoline turbocharged engine is rated at 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The 16-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy inline 4-cylinder engine includes a 10.5:1 compression ratio, a Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System, spray-coated and mirror-finish cylinder bores and a variable pressure oil pump. The DIG system helps improve combustion, enhancing power, torque, economy and emissions, while use of the turbocharger and intercooler helps boost power. The variable timing control for both intake and exhaust cycles improves low-end engine response.
The engine is matched with choice of a 6-speed manual transmission, with gear ratios selected to take maximum advantage of the engine’s powerband and torque curve, or an advanced, tuned Xtronic transmission. The Sentra NISMO also receives an enhanced body structure and NISMO-tuned steering and suspension tuning.
Also, contributing to the overall handling performance is the unique Sentra NISMO wheel and tire combination. Utilizing NISMO 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with newly developed 215/45ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires, cornering power and grip levels are improved. It is the first time 18-inch wheels and tires have been offered on a Sentra. For customers seeking maximum grip, high performance 215/45WR18 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R summer tires are available through Nissan dealers.
Summary
The 2017 Sentra NISMO model’s comprehensive transformation from everyday sedan to a highly personal performance machine includes aggressive exterior treatment, performance oriented interior and unique suspension tuning.
For me it was important to offer a 6-speed manual transmission with the new Sentra NISMO, both to reinforce its pure performance credentials and to up the direct engagement factor between driver and the vehicle. While today’s sophisticated, paddle shifted automatic gearboxes can often match or exceed the performance of a manual transmission, there’s still nothing like the experience of rowing through the gears with three pedals in the foot well.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $24,990.00 for the 2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO, the one I drove included NISMO Premium Package ($1,220.00), Premium Paint ($295.00), Rear USB Ports ($120.00), Carpeted Floor Mats w/ Trunk Mat ($200.00) and NISMO Door Sill Plates ($75.00), and it came in at $27,725.00 including destination charges.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
