Nissan Takes 2003 SEMA International Auto Salon by Storm with Major Product, Racing Announcements; TeamRTR Sentra SE-R Spec V, 2004 Sentra, 2004 350Z Roadster, NISMO Updates

Business Wire, April 25, 2003

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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2003

Nissan made four major product and racing announcements today during a press conference at the 2003 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) International Auto Salon (IAS). Peter Marcin, senior manager, Model Line Marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. unveiled the 2004 Nissan Sentra sport sedan -- along with the West Coast debut of the upcoming 2004 Nissan 350Z Roadster.

Ron Stukenberg, senior manager, Nissan Motorsports Marketing and Operations, announced Nissan's association with TeamRTR, which will campaign a new Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V in the Speed World Challenge Touring Car Championship and also provided an important update on NISMO, Nissan's performance brand.

"We're thrilled to be here at the IAS," said Marcin. "With today's announcements and new product reveals, there is no question that Nissan is going to continue as a major player in the exciting import enthusiast arena as an original equipment manufacturer, aftermarket parts supplier and racing supporter."

TeamRTR Joins the Nissan Team

TeamRTR announced it will be running a new Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V racer in the 2003 Speed Touring Car Championship. Veteran driver and TeamRTR owner Peter Cunningham, with 74 professional road race victories, will drive the new Nissan. As the defending World Challenge Touring Car series champion, Cunningham will carry the number one plate as he aims for his seventh professional driver's championship.

The TeamRTR Sentra SE-R Spec V, which started life as a powerful street car, evolved into a top-flight racing machine. The 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine's output has been increased to 250 horsepower and the stock SE-R's handling prowess has been enhanced with a full array of NISMO components. The SE-R Spec V will also be easy to spot on the track with its custom silver and black paint with large Nissan symbols on the hood, rear and sides.

"The Sentra SE-R Spec V is a fast and fun street car, so it was easy to make it into a front-running racing machine. We expect the Nissan to be competitive right out of the box," said Cunningham. "Nissan has a long and distinguished history in racing and it is a great honor to be part of the Nissan team."

Stukenberg echoes Cunningham's sentiments. "We're proud to be associated with TeamRTR and Peter Cunningham," he said. "With his team's expert vehicle preparation, combined with proven Nissan vehicles and NISMO components, there's no doubt TeamRTR will be part of racing's record books this year."

The TeamRTR Sentra SE-R Spec V will make its racing debut at Mosport International Raceway in Ontario, Canada on May 16-17, 2003.

Official 2003 NISMO Launch

NISMO, Nissan's performance brand, will enter the U.S. market beginning in June of 2003 with a select number of performance-enhancing components for the Nissan Sentra SE-R, the 350Z and other Nissan vehicles. Also available will be official NISMO lifestyle wear and accessories.

Coming this fall will be additional components for the Sentra SE-R and 350Z, along with performance parts for the award-winning Altima sedan, the Frontier truck lineup and the Xterra sport-utility vehicle. NISMO parts will be available through Nissan dealers.

"The increasing popularity in manufacturer-backed performance parts and the requests of Nissan enthusiasts led the way for NISMO to enter into the U.S. market," said Stukenberg.

NISMO originated in Japan in 1984 and has established itself as the premier supplier of high-performance aftermarket parts and accessories for Nissan vehicles in Japan. NISMO components in the U.S. will cover three areas -- NISMO "S-tune" (which are backed by Nissan's Parts and Accessory Warranty), "R-tune" suited for the weekend racer and NISMO apparel and lifestyle items.

Official Debut of the 2004 Sentra

Also making its public appearance at the IAS was the new 2004 Sentra SE-R, which goes on sale this May. For 2004, the sport-inspired Sentra SE-R receives several body enhancements, including a new front and rear fascia, new headlamp shapes, restyled hood and two new exterior colors -- Volcanic Orange (late availability) and Sapphire Blue. The 2004 Sentra SE-R also upgrades its interior with a standard trip computer and a new charcoal-colored fabric exclusive to SE-R models and adds an impressive Brembo(R) Brake Package solely for the Sentra SE-R Spec V model.

Powering the Sentra SE-R is a 16 valve 2.5-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine producing 165 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The Spec V model gains 10 horsepower (175) and five lb-ft of torque (180) over the standard SE-R with use of a specially tuned exhaust system.

Available SE-R transmissions include a responsive, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission (SE-R Spec V), 5-speed manual transmission (SE-R) or a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with overdrive (standard on SE-R).