Thursday 25th September 2014

NISMO's 30th anniversary: Time For Tea?

From Micras at Tsukuba to R90s at Le Mans, take a look back at NISMO's fascinating history

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Was your introduction to NISMO through Gran Turismo? Us too. The 400R, R33 LM and 350Z S Tune road cars were good but the race cars. Wow. They were something else, weren't they? That 600hp Concept LM Fairlady Z was awesome and there were all manner of motorsport-spec R33 and R34 GT-Rs to live out your Japanese touring car fantasies.

In this interesting little video all of NISMO's road and track products are covered. All but the most ardent of Nissan fans will learn something. Never seen the NISMO Performance Package for Elgrand? Or the March Cup? Prepare to be amazed.

Jokes aside there are plenty of notable motorsport achievements from the past three decades too. You'll notice 'JGTC Champion' and 'GT-R' on the screen quite frequently, as well as that Le Mans qualifying lap and the Saurus Cup. The latter look exceptionally good fun.

Finally, NISMO has plenty on the horizon that will please enthusiasts. There's a Juke NISMO RS coming, the full LMP1 Le Mans campaign and the GT-R will continue to evolve. Here's to the next 30 years and beyond.

See the video here.

 

[cerb4.5lee]

Must admit I didn't know anything about Nismo until Gran Turismo but they have made some desirable motors over the years.

[soad]

The Saurus, Nissan's lightweight mid-engined sports car. Wasn't aware it existed.

[Captainawesome]

and now they've stuck the legendary NISMO name on a bloody juke. For shame Nissan, for shame.

[P4ROT]

Captainawesome said:

and now they've stuck the legendary NISMO name on a bloody juke. For shame Nissan, for shame.

Yes, I really struggle to understand this, despite thinking the duke is actually quite a cool car.

[cookie1600]

A 'NISMO attack package' Got to get one of those, should make Mrs Cookie1600's evening.....

[JackRS1]

I'm just wondering our Nismo Micra's are, could have been japanese twingo 133...

[Johnspex]

JackRS1 said:

I'm just wondering our Nismo Micra's are, could have been japanese twingo 133...

Pardon?

[Captainawesome]

P4ROT said:

Captainawesome said:

and now they've stuck the legendary NISMO name on a bloody juke. For shame Nissan, for shame.

Yes, I really struggle to understand this, despite thinking the duke is actually quite a cool car.

To understand look at the M-sport range (not the M-Performance range as they are actually good fast cars), the diesel RS Audi SUV thing, the diesel 'AMG' range.

The marketing departments hi-jack the illustrious names to sell more eco-boxes.

Makes me a little sad but hey-ho, thats life in 2014.

Year 31......the name is but a trim level (they missed that bit out).

[furrywoolyhatuk]

Brilliant video. Would love a nismo performance centre round the corner to me!

I think one of these nismo festivals has to go on my bucket list.

[Neith]

furrywoolyhatuk said:

Brilliant video. Would love a nismo performance centre round the corner to me!

I think one of these nismo festivals has to go on my bucket list.

Likewise, I've wanted to visit Japan for a while but it'd be incredible to see a NISMO Festival. The amount of classic metal hurtling round is great from what little I've seen through videos.

I'm not a big fan of the NISMO name being used for cars that aren't quick but I will admit to laughing when the Elgrand Nismo package came up though. Possibly the least sporty thing Nissan have made

Unfortunately this video just made me want a R32 GT-R even more. I'd finally managed to set the thought aside and save for more important things, then this happens

[Shuttle Cock]

Nice to see the R390 again, a lot of Walkinshaw involvement in that project, shame the road versions never really got going.

[big_rob_sydney]

Love the Calsonic cars. I reckon they'll be worth unbelievable money in the future.

[Mastodon2]

NISMO must be really pleased to have their name on a Juke these days.

[KM666]

Johnspex said:

JackRS1 said:

I'm just wondering our Nismo Micra's are, could have been japanese twingo 133...

Pardon?

I'm guessing the missing word is 'where'?

Anyway I thought that too, then looked them up, one has a CVT auto and the other makes 116bhp from a 'tuned' 1.5 engine. A bit underwhelming.

[Arun_D]

March Nismo and Note Nismo models look fairly bonkers!

[CamMoreRon]

I'm pumped for the Leaf Nismo Performance Pack.

Cool (if slightly amusing) video though.. ZEOD is the highlight for me. What an achievement.

[parabolica]

Nismo 400 R on the Deep Forest Raceway. Good times, good times.

[foxhounduk]

What a brilliant video! Really made my day! Thank you.

[JackRS1]

KM666 said:

I'm guessing the missing word is 'where'?

Anyway I thought that too, then looked them up, one has a CVT auto and the other makes 116bhp from a 'tuned' 1.5 engine. A bit underwhelming.

Correct! Maybe seeing those power figures I'm not too bothered, but was genuinely impressed when I drove the mother in laws micra, little go karts, so i imagine quite fun with 100+ hp (in the older 90's shape)