- Datsun S30 Concept blends the styling of the original 240Z, or Fairlady Z, with a twin-turbo V6.
- Sentra Spec-V Concept celebrates 35 years of the SE-R with parts from the Juke Nismo and GT-R.
- The Z Project NAT2 completes Nissan’s package at the SEMA aftermarket parts show in Las Vegas.
Nissan will show off three concept cars designed to tug at enthusiasts’ heartstrings next week at the SEMA (the Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show, the annual aftermarket auto parts showcase in Las Vegas. The concepts honor the original Datsun 240Z and the beloved Sentra SE-R sports sedan, blending 20th-century style with modern performance parts.
“While the concepts shown at SEMA are not intended for sale, Nissan has used the response at the trade show to build other models into the production line,” the brand said in a statement.
Nissan’s off-road Rock Creek lineup was inspired by past SEMA concepts, for instance. Now, Nissan’s concepts tease tuners with the possibility of what could be done to factory cars.
Here’s a look at the three concepts Nissan will reveal on the SEMA floor, which runs from Nov. 3 through Nov. 6. The Z Kaze Concept and its t-tops will also be on display.
Nissan Sentra Spec-V Concept
Nissan last built the sportiest variant of the Sentra compact sedan, the SE-R, in 2012. The affordable sports sedan that arrived in the U.S. 35 years ago is far removed from the proletariat Nissan Sentra on sale now.
The Spec-V Concept tunes the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine to 300 horsepower. It takes the 6-speed manual transmission from the bygone Juke Nismo RS, and slaps on a Brembo brake conversion and Recaro front seats sourced from the GT-R supercar, a beloved model discontinued in the U.S after 2024. The Spec-V Concept also has Nismo coilover performance springs, a Nismo anti-roll bar, a Nismo rear spoiler and body kit, and it rolls on Nismo 19-inch alloy wheels.
This could be a Sentra.
Datsun S30 Concept
The Datsun S30 Concept celebrates the original Datsun 240Z, known as the Fairlady Z in its home country of Japan. Internally, Datsun designated the model “S30,” which explains the concept car’s moniker. A style and performance icon that ran from 1969 through 1978, the S30 had an independent suspension, a beefy inline-6 under its long hood, and a reasonable price for performance.
Don’t let the Datsun/Nissan name fluidity confuse you. The first cars the company sold in the U.S. in 1958 were branded “Datsun,” a name from early in Nissan’s car-building heritage. The company rebranded as Nissan in the U.S. from 1981 to 1986 — but the S30 was firmly in the Datsun generation of U.S. sales. Hence, the Datsun S30 Concept from Nissan.
The S30 Concept evokes the 240Z’s looks, but carries the Nissan Z’s current 420-hp twin-turbo V6 powertrain. Formula Drift champ Chris Forsberg led a team to upgrade the engine with Nismo performance parts, swap out body panels for lightweight carbon fiber bits, and customize the suspension and braking to make it more drift-friendly.
Nissan Project NAT2 Z Concept
It’s always interesting to see what engineers can come up with in the skunkworks of an automotive company, where they’re mostly left alone to do what they can and want. The Project NAT2 is another Z concept designed to race in the Sports Car Club of America’s (SCCA) circuit.
Developed by the Nissan Acceleration Team (NAT), the Project NAT2 Z looks better than it reads, and features upgrades to the engine, suspension, and braking systems.
