Hot Nissan Pulsar concept likely to make production

NISSAN CREATED A Pulsar Nismo hot hatch concept for the Paris show. The Volkswagen Golf GTI rival’s makeover includes sharper handling and more power. Nissan says the restyled Pulsar is “a design study exploring the styling and engineering possibilities of a sporting flagship for the Pulsar range”, but it also hints that the variant is likely to make production.

A lower ride height, deeper side skirts and 19in alloys shod with 235/35 R19 tyres give the Pulsar Nismo a muscular appearance. The rear sports a diffuser-style bumper and central twin exhaust pipes. Completing the look are a carbonfibre rear spoiler and flared wheel arches.

Nissan says the Pulsar Nismo’s suspension has been honed on the race track. It incorporates revised spring and damper settings, while the steering has been tweaked for a more direct response and to give the car more agility.

Nissan refrained from offering any details on the concept’s engine, but the most likely candidate is the 187bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol unit that is due to be offered in the Pulsar range next year.A 212bhp, 210lb ft version of the same engine has already been confirmed in the Juke Nismo RS, which is due to go on sale in December.

Rather than make the Pulsar Nismo a full-blooded hot hatchback, it seems more likely that Nissan will leave room for an even hotter  Nismo RS variant, which  could follow late next year.