Is the petrol-powered hot hatch dead? Not if you ask Nissan. This is the Nissan Aura Nismo RS Concept. It is electrically powered, but also has a petrol engine on board.
The Tokyo Motor Show is underway in Tokyo, and it is at this show that Nissan is presenting the Aura Nismo RS Concept. What it is: a preview of a sporty Nismo version of this Note Aura, which is not available in the Netherlands. What the Aura is: a derivative of the relatively tame and current Note, which is also not available in the Netherlands. The Aura Nismo RS Concept proves that a petrol-powered hot hatch can still exist, even if in this case, it doesn’t directly drive the wheels.
The Nissan Aura Nismo RS Concept features an e-Power drivetrain. This means the car is electrically powered, and there is a petrol engine that recharges the small battery. This Nismo preview has a 204 hp electric motor on the front wheels and a 136 hp unit on the rear axle. The petrol engine, which acts as a generator, is a 1.5-liter unit producing 144 hp. The expanded and heavily-spoiled preview features 18-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and is equipped with, among other things, extra potent braking.
We dare to say with near certainty that any production version of the Aura Nismo RS Concept will remain a Japanese affair.