Nismo (abbreviated from Nissan Motorsport International Limited (ニッサン・モータースポーツ・インターナショナル株式会社, Nissan Mōtā Supōtsu Intānashonaru Kabushiki-gaisha^?)) is the motorsports and performance division of Nissan Motor Company. Formed in 1984 as a result of a merger of two motorsport departments, Nismo cars have participated in JSPC, Formula Nippon, JTCC, 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona. They currently participate in the Super GT and FIA GT Championship.

History[link]

In 1984, Nissan decided that it wanted to merge its two motorsport division, founded in the late 1960s, they were Publication Division 3, based in its Oppama factory, responsible for the needs of privateer teams and Special Car Testing Division, within its Ōmori plant, responsible for its factory operations.^[1] The company's intention following the merger was to specialize in sportscar racing, but it also provided support for teams competing in the domestic F3 series.^[1]

In 1988, Nismo built its first car, the Saurus for motorsport use for its one-make series. The following year they developed the Skyline GT-R for racing as well as building the 500 evolution editions for road use.^[1]

Products[link]

Tuning kits[link]

Nismo designs and manufactures a range of aftermarket performance parts for Nissan cars including Aerodynamics parts such as spoilers and diffusers, alloy wheels, engine and suspension parts.

Most Datsun, Nissan, and Infiniti branded cars have performance parts available from Nismo, either in production or as old stock. For example, Nismo sells parts such as unground cam billets, performance cams, pistons, etc. for the KA24E engine, which was used in the Nissan small pickup truck for several years and also used for the 1989 and 1990 model years of 240SX, a popular car among Import scene enthusiasts (especially Drifters) in North America.

In Japan, the V35 Skyline and Z33 Fairlady have both received several levels of Nismo tuning packages (E-Type, S-Tune, R-Tune, and S1 packages), with a full track spec Fairlady Z debuted at the 2005 Nismo Festival of Speed held at (formerly) Fuji International Raceway.

In February 2007, Nismo announced the launch of the Nismo 380RS. The Nismo 380RS is a factory modified version of the Nissan Z33 Fairlady Z tuned by both Nismo and Autech. Two versions were released, the first was a track-only model called the 380RS-C (C for competition), the second is a street model being sold at Nissan dealers. Both versions use a Nissan VQ series V6 engine, bored and stroked to 3.8L. The track-only 380RS-C makes 400 hp (298 kW), and the street version makes approximately 350 hp (261 kW). The Nismo 380RS was only sold in Japan.

Complete cars[link]

When Nismo released the Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec complete car, the Z-Tune. Because there was a limitation in the number of parts, Nismo was only able to create 20 of them. The complete version sells for 17,745,000 Yen (USD $146,600, as of December 7, 2005) in Japan. However, the parts-conversion version, where the customer's Skyline GT-R's become the base car, sells for 13,125,000 Yen (USD $108,500, as of December 7, 2005). However, it is known that the GT-R Z-tune can exceed the $180,000 USD price tag in car market. The engine is an RB28DETT Z2 (a normal GT-R engine with a stroked displacement of 2.8 liters & Nismo parts designed specifically for the Z2). All of the Z-Tunes have been sold already. The car weighs 1,600 kg (3,527 lb).

Nismo was also responsible for the R33 Skyline 400R and S14 Silvia 270R models. Both featured comprehensive modifications to the drivetrain, suspension, brakes, chassis, and aero work. Very limited numbers of both models were sold in 1997, and both command high resale prices even today. These models stressed Nismo's link to street car tuning, and were developed (as was the Z-Tune GT-R) at their Chiba City tuning garage. Nismo street tuned vehicles have been sold at Nissan dealerships for years, and come with full warranties.

Exit and re-entry into the US market[link]

Nismo pulled out of the US market in the late 1990s due to parent company restructuring worldwide. The company's return in 2002 was celebrated with the launch of several US only models and tuning packages for the Sentra SE-R Spec-V, Frontier, 350Z, and recently the Titan and Murano. Most Nismo parts available for general consumers are their S-Tune and R-Tune packages. These packages are designed for street (S-Tune) and light track duty (R-Tune). Full race parts and equipment are also available to make this car a highly competitive vehicle within its class range. Most recently was the introduction of the Nismo GT-R, where the customer provides the base GT-R, and at the cost of $56,000 USD Nismo will upgrade the car.To start with, you can choose to fit the chassis package first for just $22,500. This begins with Bilstein Damptronic coil-over struts, which combine electronically adjustable damping with adjustable ride height. They're complemented by competition-grade springs, rated at 1,036 pounds/inch in front and 538 pounds/inch in the rear. There are forged-aluminum RAYS wheels, 20-by-9.5 inches in front (with 45 mm (1.8 in) offset) and 20-by-10.5 inches in the rear (with 45 mm offset) and 20-by-10.5 inches in the rear (with 25 mm offset). The wheels carry Bridgestone RE070R run-flat tires, 225/40R20s in front and 285/35R20s in the rear. For another $19,500 you can upgrade to a titanium exhaust system plus a carbon-fiber aero diffuser. The final step is a pair of Recaro carbon-fiber racing seats, similarly priced at $19,000.

Entry into the UK market[link]

On the 6th of October 2009 NISMO announced entry into the UK market with official partner Middlehurst Motorsport. Middlehurst Motorsport have long connections with NISMO stretching back from the early 1990s in both motorsport, car supply and parts supply relationships.

Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. (NISMO) have certified Middlehurst Motorsport as an authorized dealer in the UK to sell "NISMO Club Sports Package" for Nissan GT-R (R35). The Club Sports Package was developed and put into production through the joint efforts of the NISMO development staff and the NISSAN GT-R development staff. It aims to increase performance at race circuits, but has also given consideration for driving comfort on normal roads so that it can perform well in highway driving situations as well. This is an upgrade menu which provides the highest quality product and performance, so installation, alignment, and other setup-related fees are included. The NISSAN motors warranty will continue by having NISMO Technical Master Technicians who have been trained at NISMO install and set up your package at Middlehust Motorsport, a Nissan High Performance Center. • MIDDLEHURST MOTORSPORT

Middlehurst Motorsport was established in St. Helens, Lancashire, in 1992 by Andy Middlehurst. He and his racing team took driver's championships in 1995 and 1996 with R32 Skyline GT-R in the National Saloon Car Cup in the UK. This started the Middlehurst story with the GT-R and they were the only dealer to officially sell the R33 and R34 Skyline GT-R in the UK. They started dealing with NISMO in 1996, and have been importing NISMO products for R32-R34 Skyline. In 2008, Middlehurst Motorsport was officially appointed as an R35 NISSAN GT-R dealer, an NHPC (Nissan High Performance Center).

Motorsports[link]

Nismo cars have participated in JSPC, Formula Nippon, JTCC, 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona. They currently participate in the Super GT and FIA GT1 World Championship.

Nismo Festival[link]

An annual exhibition held in Japan by Nismo to show off the company's current motor-sports and heritage.

See also[link]

• IPL
• Autech
• Nissan

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nismo

• [1] Middlehurst Motorsport & Nismo Official Press Release
• Nismo official web site (Japanese), Japanese official web site for Nismo products.
• Nissan Motorsports, coverage and information on Nissan motorsports events. (English) (Japanese)
• Nismo USA official website

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