Nissan Pulsar Nismo could rival VW Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST

Hot version of new C-segment hatchback could be fettled by Nissan's motorsport Nismo as the manufacturer broadens its performance car range

New Nissan Pulsar could receive performance makeover courtesy of Nismo

Nissan could build a hot Nismo-fettled version of the new Pulsar as part of its plans to roll out sporting variants across most of its model range.

Speaking to Autocar at the recent launch of Nissan’s 2015 Le Mans project, Nissan boss Andy Palmer said the company was working on a philosophy of “democratising performance” by offering a wide range of Nismo models across different price points to appeal to different customers.

Asked whether that could include a Nismo version of the Pulsar revealed earlier this year, he said: “It’s not something I’d like to confirm now, but would a C-segment hatch be the great place to have a Nismo? You might say so.”

Palmer emphasised the two-step division that will exist within the Nismo range, with a ‘warm’ versions presided over by full-bore performance models such as the GT-R Nismo. 

“Wherever you could imagine an S or GT grade in a passenger car line-up, we’ll have a Nismo. Generally speaking, we’ll have two levels of Nismo, this is very important because that was the original concept of Nismo, this democratisation of performance,” he said.

“You’ve got the Nismo S, which is more about exploiting the ride and handling of a car. Most of us can’t drive within the power of the engine we have anyway, even though we’d like to think we’re God-like in our abilities behind the wheel. Most of us basically just need the suspension and steering to do more. So the first step is a little bit of horsepower and a lot of improvements to the chassis dynamics.

“On top of that we come with the RS, which has got all the extra power. So as we go forward over time wherever you would expect there to be a GT or an S in a normal-grade line-up, there will be a Nismo S and a Nismo RS.”

Nismo is also keen to add hot variants of unlikely models, said Palmer: “It is being unconventional, which is why we started with the Juke. It really is the last place you’d expect us to start. In Asia we also do the March (Micra) Nismo.

“Anyone can go out and buy a Juke Nismo, which is signed off by Nismo and is inclusive of race technology. We’ve redefined the brand of Nissan as ‘innovation and excitement for everyone’. It’s about democratisation of exotic sports cars – even the most expensive Nismo is only $151,000, which isn’t a lot of money for the amount of performance you get.”