Nismo big announcement on 2/26?
 

Whats this all about? Anybody know?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=425200957565122

I've been hearing all kinds of rumors about this on FB. Latest one was Nissan is going to unveil a Nismo GT-R... I doubt that, I'm thinking its not going to be anything big.

A Nismo 370Z Twin Turbo numbered limited edition. If not......a Nismo Z with special wheels and thick racing stripes.

Nismo Leaf. Buy two in the MidWest and you have Nismo Fall

Didn't they already announce the 2014 Nismo?

If anything, probably a Nismo Sentra (aka Spec V) or Altima would be my guess.

This is what I found:
Over the years Nissan’s performance and motorsport partner Nismo has been working away on numerous projects, including launching its own mildly-tuned models like the 370Z Nismo and more recent Juke Nismo, as well as its own range of performance parts.

Despite the credibility of the Nismo name in performance circles, Nissan has never fully exploited the potential of the tuning firm for its own models

That looks set to change as Nissan has confirmed it’s about to make a major announcement concerning Nismo and its future with the automaker.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn will announce the new plans for Nismo at a press conference in Japan on Tuesday, February 26.

In a statement, Nissan has said its upcoming announcement will reveal the “new direction for Nismo’s core mission” and that it will also mark the opening of a new factory for Nismo near the automaker's own headquarters in Yokohama, Japan.

The new site replaces Nismo’s prior location in Omori, Japan, and includes a larger showroom for up to eight vehicles plus a retail outlet.

It is expected that Nissan will finally make Nismo an official performance division, similar to what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz and the M Division to BMW. When it comes to mainstream automakers, there are few official performance divisions, although Volkswagen and Chrysler have experienced much success with their respective R and SRT divisions.

The upcoming announcement is also expected to include details about an expanded motorsport program for Nissan together with Nismo.

I only hope that they have more parts for sale and not just models that you have to buy to get the performance, that is covered under warranty. Could you imagine if you can go to your local Nissan Dealer, order parts, and have installed or installed at your choosing. The parts will come with specifics about performance that you can believe and not claims that you don't see in the real world. It would be awesome.

I posted that article a while back. It wasn't taken very seriously by the forum. lol.
Well hopefully, Nismo and IPL will start something new for Nissan and take the company further in the sports arena? I really hope so. I like the New juke a lot in spite of what the majority of the forum thinks. It's the second most respectable car in the Nissan lineup in affordable sporty entries. I think this entry of this nismo. Though will probably be overpriced, is really nice too...

GT-R Nismo
Juke Nismo
Z 370 Nismo
BRZ fighter nismo.

That would be a great start for next gen Nissan.

Maybe Nissan will finally start giving us the news we need and we'll start seeing better car concepts and pre-production cars that are respectable for a change? lol :tup:

Unless they unveil something like a 380RS or 400R, it'll be lame.

They're just going to unveil their new NISMO factory.

Which is a good thing for Nissan fans in the long run. NISMO has been a joke for a long time compared to performance arms of other manufacturers.

Hopefully the new factory produces exciting, revolutionary products with more than modest performance gains.

Performance gains are going to be highly dependent on the platform they are working with. What's more important is that they might actually be building more robust factory aftermarket support. If you've ever had any Ford experience you know that Ford Racing is heavily involved in the aftermarket and offer TONS of quality parts and technical support to customers. Hopefully NISMO will go that route in the parts/support department.

I had written them a long letter about this a couple years ago. Like I said in the other thread about this. I hope These Nismo improvements don't only affect the track and the actual nismo cars that come out. I also hope it gives us way more aftermarket parts, way more aftermarket dealer support and lastly, I hope it helps increase z sales so parts can come down in price. Damn! lol:tup:

oh, im glad they're talking about the nismo, the company, not nismo the 370Z nismo.

No love for the 270R :shakes head:

I doubt it will be anything new in terms of cars (more of a company restructuring/company improvement) but a Z tune anything would be pretty cool.

i think they're just talking they need to change the logo color of the O to green to make it more environmentally friendly image.

I like the banter here. I must wait as I have no opinion on the article.

ricors are now asking if they can buy just the green O instead of the entire logo to save cost.

:icon18:

I know what it will be -

the 2014 Nismo Murano Crosscabriolet. FWD, CVT, and red racing stripes. The spirit of Nissan Motorsport. Don't blink - you'll miss your trip to soccer practice.

A whole-new factory dedicated to body kits and decals? NICE!

Ok Nissan, it's Tuesday 2-26-13, were is the official announcement. O wait, it's 2am. Guess ill have to wait longer.

better hurry and unveil the new 240, i love how it was on the jay leno youtube show and the designer never denied it! I really wana see the ugly frs go down and more cars in the 20k range start showing up. The last 10 years have been very dull for cheaper cars.

it came out at 8pm last night

here you go

Next Generation of NISMO Performance: NISMO GTR Coming in the next 12 months - R35 GT-R - GT-R Life

Ahem, for immediate release...

Linky





February 26, 2013
NISSAN REVEALS EXPANDING GLOBAL MOTORSPORT PROGRAM FOR 2013, LED BY NISMO
Nissan promises an exciting and expanded future motorsport program, led globally by Nismo
Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn pledges a return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 with a pioneering Nissan race car incorporating electric technology
Expansion is key to success as Nissan makes long-awaited return to Australia's V8 Supercars Championship with a four-car entry
Nismo steps up GT-R assault on GT3 and SUPER GT Series, highlighted by the flagship GT-R GT500
GT Academy continues to grow, with the latest graduates to compete in a GT-R in FIA GT Series and Blancpain Endurance Series
YOKOHAMA, Japan (Feb. 26, 2013) - Nissan today confirmed its extensive global motorsports program will continue to expand through 2013 and beyond and be led by Nismo, the company's dedicated performance road car and motorsports arm.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn also confirmed that the company will return to the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 as the Garage 56 entry for innovative concepts with an all-new race car incorporating electric technology. The entry will test innovative new powertrain technology and provide the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) with data to enable all parties to evaluate the incorporation of this breakthrough technology ahead of a potential return to LMP1 in the future.

“We will return to Le Mans with a vehicle that will act as a high-speed test bed in the harshest of environments for both our road car and race car electric vehicle technology,” said Mr. Ghosn.

Even before this innovative and dramatic new race car breaks cover, Nismo will be hard at work supporting expanded Nissan motorsports campaigns around the globe, in an extensive effort that includes:

- A continuation of our long term focus on endurance racing led by the Nismo-engineered flagship Nissan GT-R Nismo GT-3 in the FIA GT Series and the Blancpain Endurance Series.
- Nismo engines used in 17 cars at the Le Mans 24 hours. The equivalent of a third of the Le Mans starting grid.
- A return to top-level Australian motorsport with a four-car entry of Nissan Altimas in the V8 Supercars Championship.
- Further expansion of the GT Academy program, already a global success with competitions in Europe, Russia, the USA, South Africa and the Middle East.

Return to Le Mans

During today's opening of the new global Nismo headquarters and development center near Yokohama in Japan, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn made the pledge to return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2014 in Garage 56.

Further details will be released as the project progresses, but the company is focusing on innovation and excitement, continuing the pioneering spirit of the Nissan DeltaWing; the award-winning experimental entry at Le Mans last year. The ACO have invited Nissan to fill Garage 56 in 2014 in a program that will enable all parties to gather data and evaluate new powertrains ahead of a potential return to LMP1 in the future.

More conventional Nissan power will continue to be seen at Le Mans in the meantime. The 2013 Le Mans entry list displays 17 Nissan-Nismo-powered cars, the highest entry by a manufacturer for 15 years. The Nismo-tuned Nissan VK45DE V8 engine is now firmly established as the powerplant of choice for the majority of the LMP2 teams. All cars will carry the designation ‘powered by Nissan Nismo’.

GT-R Assault

One of Nissan's major motorsport programs is focused on Nismo-developed versions of the flagship GT-R sports car for both works and privateer customer teams.

During 2012, the GT-R won races around the world - in Japan's SUPER GT Series (GT300 class and GT500 class) and Super Taikyu (GT3 class) and took its first victories in the British GT Championship and GT Cup.

For 2013 the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 has been further developed after last year's successes, and the flagship Nismo-engineered GT-R GT500 version will once again compete in the SUPER GT Series.

SUPER GT Series GT500 class

Four GT500 GT-Rs using 3.4-litre V8 engines will represent the ultimate expression of Nismo and GT-R.

The 2013 GT500 GT-R has received the following modifications: 1) Aerodynamics: The rear end of the vehicle was extensively updated halfway through last season, and it proved to be a dynamic breakthrough for the GT-R. Specifically, we were able to maintain extreme levels of downforce while drastically cutting down drag via the distinctive “shark teeth” rear design and by modifying the underbody. The drivers have highly praised the effects of these changes during testing.
2) Engine: The 3.4L V-8 VRH34B engine will be used for the third straight season. We will not only try to keep maximizing the engine's output, but also strive to maximize its flexibility by modifying response and torque characteristics to match the layouts of different racetracks. Fuel efficiency will also be addressed by decreasing friction within the moving components of the drivetrain.


Kunihiko Kakimoto will continue as the Executive Team Director of the teams driving GT500 GT-Rs.

No. Entrant Team principal Drivers Vehicle name
Tire Brand
23 NISMO Yutaka Suzuki Ronnie Quintarelli (I) MOTUL AUTECH GT-R
Masataka Yanagida (J) Michelin
1 MOLA Toshiomi Oeki Satoshi Motoyama (J) REITO MOLA GT-R
Yuhi Sekiguchi (J) Michelin
12 TEAM IMPUL Kazuyoshi Hoshino João Paulo de Oliveira (Bra) Calsonic IMPUL GT-R
Tsugio Matsuda (J) Bridgestone
24 KONDO RACING Masahiko Kondo Michael Krumm (Ger) D'station ADVAN GT-R
Hironobu Yasuda (J) Yokohama


SUPER GT Series GT300 class

The Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 is used in the Super GT GT300 class. The 2013 model benefits from improved engine output and durability and brake distribution, and optimized aerodynamic performance. The suspension has also been fine-tuned to match the car's improved aerodynamics, and the gear ratios are being revised to match the engine's increased output.

No. Entrant Team principal Drivers Vehicle name
Tire Brand
3 NDDP RACING Masahiro Hasemi Kazuki Hoshino (J) S Road NDDP GT-R
Daiki Sasaki (J) Yokohama
7 Bonds Racing Sachiyuki Hashimoto Igor Sushko (USA) OGT Bonds Racing GT-R
TBA Yokohama
48 DIJON Racing Keiichi Inoue Hiroshi Takamori (J) DIJON Racing GT-R
Katsumasa Chiyo (J) Yokohama
360 RUN UP Sports Kenkichi Nakano Takuya Shirasaka (J) RUN UP GROUP GT-R
Atsushi Tanaka (J) Yokohama

Super Taikyu

One Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 and six Fairlady Z machines will compete in the Super Taikyu series. Three Bond Nissan Jidousha-daigakkou GT-R team is the result of a partnership between Nissan Jidousha-daigakkou (Nissan technical college) and Kondo racing. Students of Nissan Jidousha-Daigakkou participate in the race program as a school class.

Cls. No. Entrant Team principal Drivers Vehicle name
(Tire Brand)
GT3 24 Kondo Racing Masahiko Kondo Tomonobu Fujii (J) Three Bond
Nissan-Daigakkou GT-R
(Yokohama)
Gamisan (J)
Katsumasa Chiyo (J)
Daiki Sasaki (J)
ST3 5 OKABE JIDOSHA
motorsport Masaaki Nagashima Tsuyoshi Shirai (J) Okabe Jidosha Makers Z34
(Yokohama)
Daisuke Imamura (J)
TBA
ST3 14 OKABE JIDOSHA
motorsport Masaaki Nagashima Yoshinobu Masuda (J) Okabe Jidosha Myroad Kyoshinkeisoku Z33
(Yokohama)
Kenichi Sugibayashi (J)
Kazuomi Komatsu (J)
ST3 15 OKABE JIDOSHA
motorsport Masaaki Nagashima Masaaki Nagashima (J) Okabe Jidosha DIXEL Team Tetsuya Z34
(Yokohama)
Toru Tanaka (J)
Tetsuya Tanaka (J)
ST3 34 Techno First
racing team Satoshi Ozaki Masahiro Sasaki (J) asset Techno Z34
(Yokohama)
Shuji Maejima (J)
TBA
ST3 35 Techno First
racing team Satoshi Ozaki Kazuhiro Koizumi (J) asset Techno Z34
(Yokohama)
TBA
TBA
ST3 77 B-MAX ENGINEERING Kaoru Suzuki Dragon (J) B-MAX Nihon Konpo Shizai Z33
(Yokohama)
Yuhi Sekiguchi (J)
TBA

Nissan Driver Development Program (Japan)

Nissan will continue to support drivers who participate in Super GT GT300 class, National (N) class of All-Japan F3 championship and Formula challenge Japan.

Katsumasa Chiyo and Daiki Sasaki will participate in Super GT GT300 class.
Mitsunori Takaboshi will compete in All-Japan F3 championship and Kiyoto Fujinami will participate in Formula Challenge Japan.

Long-awaited Return to Australian Motorsport

In Australia, Nissan Motorsport announced earlier this month that four of its new Altima V8 Supercars will form the factory team for 2013, leading the company's long-awaited return to Australian Motorsport - where Nissan has seen some of its most famous victories.

James Moffat and Michael Caruso will drive Nissan Altimas backed by leading Internet security company Norton by Symantec, while the familiar black and white colors of global whiskey giant Jack Daniel's are now being worn by the other two Altimas driven by Todd Kelly and Rick Kelly.

The opening race of the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship is the Clipsal 500 at the Adelaide Parklands, March 1-3.

Nissan last competed in what was then known as the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1992, and the return places motorsport at the heart of the plan to launch the Nissan Altima model line-up in Australia later this year.

V8 Supercars Championship

No. Entrant Drivers Vehicle
7 Jack Daniel's Todd Kelly (Aus) Nissan Altima
15 Jack Daniel's Rick Kelly (Aus) Nissan Altima
36 Norton 360 Michael Caruso (Aus) Nissan Altima
360 Norton 360 James Moffatt (Aus) Nissan Altima


Virtual meets Reality in GT Academy

Linking the skills developed in the virtual world with real-life driving experiences is familiar territory for Nissan. The hugely successful GT Academy program is the trail blazing, award winning virtual-to-reality racing competition and, after four seasons, has turned a number of talented gamers into genuine real-world motorsport stars.

Based on the Gran Turismo®5 game for PlayStation®3, players use a range of virtual Nissan cars on a variety of circuits. Last year alone saw over 500 million miles of virtual test drives taken in Nissan products, including Nissan Leaf, and millions of viewers in more than 160 countries have enjoyed the breakthrough TV shows that follow the Academy from PlayStation® to Podium.

The popularity of the GT Academy concept has made it a successful global program, giving millions of gamers across the world the opportunity to fulfill their motorsport dreams. Competitions are run across Europe and in Russia, the USA, South Africa and the Middle East, with further geographical expansion plans underway.

Winning GT Academy is a passport to a career in global motorsport, and in 2013 the newest graduates are set to focus on the Blancpain Endurance Series in a pair of Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 cars.

The four graduates are Wolfgang Reip (2012 European winner from Belgium), Mark Shulzhitskiy (2012 Russian winner), Peter Pyzera (2012 German winner) and Steve Doherty (2012 U.S. winner).

The full programs for all of the GT Academy winners who have graduated to become “Nismo Athletes” will be announced soon. Nissan will also enter the revitalized FIA GT Series with the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3, after the rejection of their entry to the British GT Championship for being ‘too fast’.

A Strong Team

A philosophy of “Innovation that Excites” and a strong global leadership team highlight just how important competitive success is to Nissan's future plans on and off the track.

Darren Cox, Nissan's Director for Global Motorsports and the global lead for the company's numerous racing programs said: “Nissan sees Motorsport as a key element in building our brand globally. Our focus is providing Motorsport fans access to our Innovative and Exciting programs from around the world from V8 Supercars to SUPER GT in Japan and the global sensation that is GT Academy. These will be complemented by surprises on and off track as we explore more innovative approaches to motorsport.”

At the heart of all of Nissan's global motorsport programs is Nismo, the dedicated team that is now being strengthened with its newly opened headquarters and global responsibility for a new range of Nismo-badged performance road cars. Starting with the Juke Nismo, the range includes the 370Z Nismo and, in development, a new GT-R Nismo supercar that will be the ultimate road-ready flagship for the Nissan range.

Nismo President Shoichi Miyatani said: “Nismo is a key element in Nissan's future global road car and motorsports strategy and we will quickly establish it as Nissan's exclusive performance brand. This is the first time that all of our team has been located together and the entire facility will become a hothouse of passion and performance, and our talented engineers can stretch boundaries to create some new heroes.”


Page Top


HomePress Release 2013

^^ Thank you :tiphat:. I'm excited to see the Nismo GT-R.

will be very interesting to see how it all it develops cannot wait

All about the GT-R. Nothing new here.

I love how they decide to enter LeMans after Toyota did last year. Let's see what they can do to play with the Audi and Toyota

Nissan really confuses me with this announcement, why are they only focusing on Le Mans and Australia. Le Mans is legit, but they are racing a RWD v8 altima in Australia.. a car you cannot buy. Nissan's direction is foggy to say the least.

Yay for NISMO!
 

Maybe they'll release a NISMO variant of the steering wheel lock that can handle 24 hours of Le Mans. :ughdance:

I'm confused on what all this means to me the consumer. Why do I care?

I see the v8 Altima is because they had to use a factory car & engine, which means the best option is an Altima chassis for weight & balance.

Yes but why.. why pump money into a program that is developing a car that will never be sold? Why not use those resources to race real cars that are on sale now?

Because it is development for other cars.
Suspension, engine, drivetrain, etc may never be used in an Altima but could be in a Z, Titan or GT-R. This move becomes a testing phase for new products and will insure reliability of harsh conditions.

I could understand that IF they were already racing their Zs and GTRs.. but they aren't. As it stands Nissan is racing cars you cannot buy and ignoring the cars you can buy.

Nissan needs to take a page out of Honda's type R lineup. The JDM CTR, DC2 and DC5 Type R, and NA1 and NA2 NSXR...that lineup had a good run, light weight with form (subjective opinion) and function, very rewarding machines.

I didn't like the juke nismo idea, but well, if BMW is caving in and put M badge on the x5 then how can we say no....

That's my problem with the Altima too...rear wheel drive V8 Altima doesn't exist in the mass market! No car guy will walk into the show room and relate the stock Altima to the one in the supercar series, just like fusion NASCAR vs a street fusion. Nothing that matters are in common.

I think they are just starting to back to racing and this is the quick & easy route to get their name into the game.
Plus the Z or GT-R cannot compete in the Australia races so they had to go with the Altima. I give them 2 years and we will see the Z on a more global scale along with the GT-R.

Interview with Nissan People and facility:
The Dashboard - NISMO Special, Preview - YouTube

Nismo/Nissan Tribute from Nissan:
Our Hearts are Racing - Nissan and NISMO Motorsports DNA - YouTube

What great news. Le Mans again. No more R390. Hello GTR 3.4 V8.

Oh man, I totally forgot that this was today! LOL