NISMO’s theme of passion and excitement has always been at the forefront of their challenging and excellent engineering feats. So it’s no wonder that the Pulsar Concept at the 2014 Paris Show turned some heads in the automotive industry.
Built by Nissan’s racing division, the new Pulsar Concept looks to employ similar themes from their Note and X-trail platforms. The sporty looking hatchback continues a theme with smaller bodies sports cars lately, one that doesn’t look to slowing. There is a 1.6 liter turbocharged variant that pushes horsepower to 250 which puts it in rather select company and puts the Pulsar Concept ahead of it’s competition.
Further it signifies a return of sorts for Nissan to a smaller chassis sports car, one with some decent punch. The Pulsar Concept shown at the Paris show looks great with select carbon fiber diffusers and trim around the car giving it a complete lowered look. It’s a bit much for street driving but it gives people a good idea of what body customization choices there could be further down the road.
The traditional dual themed NISMO colors and carbon fiber accents go a long way besides the obvious major upgrades, but that’s not all Nissan has planned for their new hatchback.
The new Nissan Pulsar is chock full of safety advances that can keep parents sleeping at night. Their Safety Shield system is a complete suite of designed safety features that can assist the driver in things like emergency braking, lane departure and blind spot warnings as well as informing you of moving objects.
It’s a little futuristic and advanced for even Nissan at this early of a stage to deliver such technologies, which could imply that this will be standard in production Pulsars. Really what it means is that Nissan is broadening their targeted consumer base, especially when you consider the lesser production models as well. If these standards come standard in all available trims, Nissan will have made quite a statement by setting the safety bar high for competitors.
Front bumper design is meant to route air to brakes to cool then and further accent the muscular design, the diffuser surrounds twin exhaust pipes perfectly mounted for that center mounted look.
There are several engine packages from the 1.2 liter DIG-T engine, which is incredibly small and light for it’s production. This engine is the basis of Nissan’s incredible ZEOD race car based on an 88 lb engine that can fit in your hands. There’s also a 1.5 liter as well as the 1.6 liter turbocharged unit that will be available as early as 2015.
Continuing with Nissan’s movement towards smaller and lighter vehicles, the new Pulsar has been mentioned by many media outlets for it’s emissions. We’ll have to wait and see those numbers exactly, but it’s not hard to believe given that engine displacement range.
Sporty lightweight coupes are back, but with the sales of the Toyota 86 twins rounding back to form as excitement calms, what do we make other rumors? Honda and Chevy have both been rumored with rear wheel drive coupes but the question may become will the market bear so many choices at that segment?
It may seem odd for many traditional automotive enthusiasts, but for automotive fans of smaller displacement engines the drawbacks may be fast disappearing. The advent of electric motors into the ZEOD line invites the aftermarket into production of upgraded electric motors and designs, which could change the way many of us think about modifying cars.
Have you seen the Pulsar? What did you think of it? Let us know below in the comment box!