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 first-ever Sentra NISMO is also the first mainstream U.S. Nissan model to offer motorsports-inspired NISMO factory-tuned performance. It joins the GT-R NISMO, 370Z NISMO, JUKE NISMO and JUKE NISMO RS in the 2017 Nissan lineup.
The 2017 Sentra NISMO model's 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. The 2017 Sentra NISMO is offered in four exterior colors – Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Super Black and Aspen White.
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 seen throughout the interior, including on the unique Alcantara and leather-wrapped steering wheel, the push button start with red start ring, NISMO meter cluster and red tachometer, leather shift 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.
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 (DIG™) 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 (CVTCS), 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.
The NISMO-tuned independent strut front/rear torsion beam suspension goes beyond the SR Turbo's enhanced design (versus non-turbo Sentra grades) by adopting monotube rear dampers and unique tuning of the front springs and struts. The lightweight monotube shock design features separate oil and gas chambers and high-pressure gas charge to help provide quicker response to damper stroke and velocity changes. Faster damper response means faster reaction to changing steering or road conditions. In addition, NISMO tuning of the springs and struts helps improve body control (roll and pitch) for higher demand cornering.
Steering effort of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system has also been specially tuned to provide a "NISMO feel." The special dialing in of the effort/response relationship helps provide good highway and winding road feedback, precise on-center definition without overly high driver effort and a linear, direct steering feel at turn-in.
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, even over the new Sentra SR Turbo. 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.