SOME of the UK’s top motoring journalists have travelled to Barcelona to get a taste of Nissan’s first mainstream production Nismo model – and some surprises too!
Journalists from the biggest motoring magazines and websites have been flown to Spain to sample the Juke Nismo – and deliver their all-important verdict.
Writers from Autocar, Auto Expess, Evo and Top Gear are among those currently trying the new performance crossover on a host of stunning roads in southern Europe.
So far the feedback has been resoundingly positive – many have been impressed with the way the new model handles and performs.
Demonstrator models have been arriving in Nissan dealerships this week, but this is the first time the press has had the chance to sample the £19,995 Nismo-tuned motor.
TRACK
From the airport the writers drove to a circuit kitted out in full Nissan Nismo branding. Here they got the chance to experience the Juke 
R with Lucas Ordenez behind the wheel while some even got to drive the Nissan Leaf Nismo race car!
A special treat was also in store – the journalists were given the chance to try a mule of the forthcoming high powered version of the Juke Nismo. Covered in camouflage black tape, the car has even more power than the standard Nismo model and sounded incredible. Although only on a short auto course, the high- powered model still had plenty of time to put a smile on journalists’ faces.
SHOCK
However, that wasn’t the only surprise lined up for the UK’s motoring press. After a presentation in the evening, European sales and marketing senior vice president Paul Willcox revealed the next stage in the Nismo story: The 370Z Nismo.
With power up to 340hp, improved handling and downforce equivalent to that of a GT-R, the sports car drew a large crowd and arrives this summer.
The launch programme has impressed the attendees too. Evo magazine’s Jethro Bovingdon tweeted that he’d seen some ‘cool stuff’ while freelancer Kyle Fortune was impressed the new 370Z Nismo would be more about throttle response – ‘better for catching a slide,’ he tweeted.
Nissan Insider will be keeping a close eye out for the writers’ verdicts in the coming days – and will report back to you with the consensus.
