Nissan Built A 300-HP Sentra Concept With A Manual. Please Make It

The beloved sport compact returns as a SEMA concept with GT-R brakes, Nismo suspension, and a six-speed manual transmission.

Photo by: Nissan

By: Jeff Glucker

Oct 28, at 8:00am ET

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Remember the Nissan Sentra SE-R? It was a fun, sporty little thing with BMW-like performance for significantly less dough. Mind you, I'm talking BMW 318, not M3. Still, the SE-R was a fantastic bargain barnstormer powered by the plucky SR20 2.0-liter engine.

Nissan wants to see what a modern take on the SE-R formula would look like, and the result is unsurprisingly awesome. I say unsurprising because the latest Sentra is actually an amazing little machine with an affordable price tag.

The automaker has taken the standard car as its starting point, tossed a ton of awesome parts on it, and given us the SE-R reborn. Say hello to the Nissan Sentra Spec-V Concept, which lands packing 300 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox.

Massive Engine Upgrades

Nissan Sentra Spec-V Concept

Photo by: Nissan

Nissan isn't playing games with the Spec-V. The turbocharged 2.0-liter MR20DD engine makes 300 horsepower at the wheels. Normally, the Sentra makes just under 150 hp, so we're talking about a rather substantial upgrade.

The automaker swapped in Carillo rods, JE pistons, and upgraded internals. A Garret G25 turbocharger and front-mount intercooler have been installed. There's a proper blow-off valve, a more aggressive fuel pump, stronger main and head studs, and a stronger crank girdle.

If you're going to throw 300 hp at a Sentra, you want to make sure the engine doesn't immediately go kaboom. Nissan then added a lightweight flywheel from Centerforce. That's paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential from the Nismo Juke RS.

GT-R Parts On An Economy Car

Photo by: Nissan

Since Nissan can also pull parts from other great members of its lineup, this Sentra wears a few bits from the R-35 GT-R. That would include the rear spoiler, Recaro front seats, and the front and rear brakes from the GT-R NISMO.

Taking things further, however, Nissan has also given the car a widebody kit, racing harnesses, a custom vented hood, and the oh-so-excellent side-exit exhaust.

To keep you rolling right, the Sentra Spec-V features upgraded NISMO Sentra coilovers. The bouncy bits feature revised front shocks complete with external reservoirs. Additionally, the damping profile has been tuned for the racetrack.

Literally rounding out the upgrades are the NISMO LM-RS1 19-inch forged wheels wrapped in a set of 265-section-width Yokohama Advan tires.

What do you think?

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A Concept Only... For Now

Photo by: Nissan

Though just a concept at the moment, the Sentra Spec-V shows that there's still a passion for fun vehicles at Nissan. And I can only hope that some version of the Spec-V makes it into production.

I don't believe that will be this full track-ready 300-hp monster with GT-R brakes. But if Nissan delivers a version close to this, it could be a great win for the brand.