There’s TRD for the Toyota enthusiasts, Mugen for the Honda fans, MazdaSpeed for the Jinba ittai followers, and NISMO for the Nissan devotees. While all four counterparts are based in Japan and compete with one another for the largest cult following, their basic principals remain the same: delivering performance-inclined versions of factory vehicles to cater to the needs of driving enthusiasts.
Following in the footsteps of TRD’s introduction in the region in late 2014, Nissan Middle East launched the NISMO brand at a glitzy event at one of Dubai’s major landmarks and had more than just an announcement to share. To the delight of many motoring enthusiasts, the hush-hush occasion also happened to be the world premiere of the Patrol NISMO – a vehicle targeted specifically at the Middle Eastern region.
Although NISMO is an established and well-known brand in the world of motorsports, it is now being expanded to other markets as Nissan’s exclusive performance road car brand. As part of its line-up in the UAE, Nissan showcased three NISMO models – the 370Z NISMO, the GT-R NISMO, and the Patrol NISMO.
Unlike its TRD rival, it is worth noting that all NISMO models welcome more than just aesthetic improvements and eye-catching livery. With a strong focus on performance at the heart of its DNA, NISMO models benefit from aerodynamic improvements and structural rigidity, in addition to improved acceleration and handling.
The 370Z NISMO receives a new lease of life with a new exterior appearance, redesigned wheels and an enhanced interior. Performance enhancements include a retuned suspension and Recaro seats co-developed exclusively for the Japanese sports car.
The Patrol NISMO, further to sporting a host of exterior upgrades, generates 428 horsepower – a boost of 28 horses over the regular LE variant – and a torque improvement that is felt in over 70% of the rev range. To improve its handling, it also boasts customised body reinforcements, a segment first zero-lift aerodynamic kit, a sport tuned power steering system, and Bilstein shock absorbers.
The halo model of the line-up, the GT-R NISMO, churns out 50 horsepower more than the standard car to arrive at an output of 600 horsepower and generates an additional 100kg of downforce at 300 km/h. It looks good and means business.