Nissan is set to expand its range of high-performance Nismo models in Europe, including the return of sports cars and modified versions of key mainstream models.
The Japanese company recently confirmed that it will launch the Ariya Nismo in Europe early next year. It will also be the first Nismo model in the region since the GT-R Nismo was dropped due to increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
The Z sports car is also not sold in the UK because it does not meet emissions regulations, but Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s head of global product strategy, confirmed to Autocar that electrification will allow such models to be sold here.
“Our future high-performance car will be electrified, not only because of the direction of our brand, but also because the regulations are pushing us in that direction,” he said.
“Obviously, that’s an area we have to move towards.”
Espinosa added, “You can also imagine a few of our key models having a Nismo version, as that’s a way to bring the Nismo excitement to more customers. These are key elements that we will be playing with for Nismo in the future.”
Hinting at an electrified future for the GT-R, Nissan showed off its Hyper Force concept (pictured) last year. Asked if a potential production version of the car would make it to the UK, Espinosa said: “The fact that it’s electric helps: making electrified sports cars makes it easier to bring them to a lot of markets that are limited today.”
Speaking specifically about the UK market, Espinosa continued: “There are many enthusiasts in the UK and it is in our hearts to bring sports cars back to the UK.”
Espinosa did not give any indication as to which electric models might be next to get the Nismo treatment. However, he insisted that everything he does will be focused on performance.
Prepared by: Ivan Mitić – Autoblog.rs
Source: autoblog.rs
