Nissan Displays Modified Products at 2004 SEMA IAS; NISMO Surges Ahead with More Parts for More Vehicles

LOS ANGELES--April 2, 2004--Nissan displayed an exciting mix of specially tuned trucks (Titan, Armada and Frontier) and performance-oriented vehicles (350Z, Sentra SE-R and Maxima) at the 2004 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) International Auto Salon (IAS). The SEMA IAS show takes place April 2-4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Also on display at the show are a variety of NISMO performance components. NISMO, the premier supplier of high-performance aftermarket parts and accessories for Nissan vehicles, now offers a wide range of hardware, accessories and apparel through participating Nissan dealers nationwide.

"Our aftermarket potential is exciting and with more-and-more NISMO parts becoming available, the future looks even better," said Kenneth Zapp, senior manager, Specialty Vehicle Group, Nissan marketing. "The IAS show is an excellent opportunity to showcase our aftermarket potential to performance enthusiasts."

NISMO Update:

NISMO entered the U.S. market in June of 2003 with a select number of performance-enhancing components for the Nissan Sentra SE-R and the 350Z. Since then, NISMO parts availability has been expanded for those two models, along with the addition of new parts for the Frontier, Xterra and Altima.

NISMO components in the U.S. cover three areas -- NISMO "S-tune" and "R-tune" and NISMO apparel and lifestyle items.

S-tune components are engineered for enthusiasts that drive their Nissan vehicles on the street. These parts are backed by Nissan's Parts and Accessory Warranty. The list of S-tune components includes a stainless steel cat-back exhaust system, lightweight forged alloy wheels, cast alloy wheels, shift knobs, sway bars, shock and spring kits, floor mats and license plate frames.

NISMO R-tune parts are intended for the hard-core enthusiast or weekend racer. The goal with R-tune components is maximum performance. Since street civility is compromised for performance, R-tune parts are intended for off-highway use only. R-tune parts include headers, camshafts, cold-air intakes, brake pads, lightweight flywheels, power steering oil cooler kits, clutch discs and clutch covers, limited-slip differentials, front strut tower bars, lower tie bars, rear stabilizer bars and bushing kits.

"NISMO has been proven at the highest level of Nissan performance, from the finest in factory-tuned performance components for Nissan street cars, to Le Mans and IMSA GTP race cars, to the wildest versions of the exciting Skyline GT-R," said Zapp.

NISMO Logo and Web Site

2004 marks NISMO's 20th anniversary and the globalization of the NISMO brand. To further expand the brand worldwide, NISMO has evolved its logo and redesigned the red circle that had been the symbolic figure "O" in NISMO. The new logo will be visible at all motorsports activities in which NISMO participates or is indirectly involved.

"NISMO expanded to the U.S. last year and with the planned expansion into Europe this year, the evolution of the NISMO logo enables the brand to become globally recognizable and legible, whether on a JGTC Z competing in Malaysia, a Paris-Dakar Frontier pickup in the Saharan dunes, or a Speed World Challenge Sentra at Road America," said Zapp.

In addition, NISMO will also launch a new Web site starting on April 7, 2004 -- http://www.nissanusa.com/nismo. The site will provide Nissan performance fans with a central source of information about the NISMO lineup and insight into Nissan's motorsports activities.

SEMA IAS Vehicle List

Following is a description of the vehicles on display at the Nissan booth during the SEMA IAS show.

NISMO R-tune Sentra SE-R Spec V

A close sibling to the NISMO-sponsored TeamRTR Racing Sentra SE-R Spec V, this Volcanic Orange vehicle is the ultimate for the small sedan enthusiast. The already impressive QR25 engine performance has been improved with a variety of NISMO R-tune components including NISMO R-tune camshafts, NISMO R-tune cold air intake and an R-tune off-road (no catalytic converter) header and S-tune stainless steel cat-back exhaust system.

Sporting an estimated 200 horsepower and increased responsiveness, the R-tune Sentra SE-R Spec V accelerates with authority. It also features a NISMO S-tune 23mm front sway bar, a heavy duty NISMO R-tune front strut tower brace, a NISMO S-tune shock and spring kit, a NISMO R-tune adjustable 25mm rear sway bar, and an R-tune 25mm front lower tie bar. Braking is brought to race levels with NISMO R-tune semi-metallic front brake pads.

The R-tune Sentra SE-R Spec V also features a NISMO graphics kit and 5-spoke bronze 17x7.5 inch NISMO lightweight alloy wheels.

Street Concepts Maxima

Taking hold of the new Maxima, Street Concepts adds a Magna Flow high performance exhaust system and K&N air intake system. Inside is an Advanced Mobile audio system, Eiger Vision 10.5-inch flip-down monitor and Katzkin leather and suede seats. A Stillen Big Brake Kit and Eibach springs are also added. For more information, please contact Shawn Williams at (714) 891-9513.

Ractive's Super Charged 350Z

The main goal with the Ractive 350Z was to build the hottest Nissan Z(R) on earth. The vehicle features a Pro Charger supercharger with front mount intercooler, Evotion cat-back exhaust system and stainless steel headers and pumps out over 350 horsepower. It also features a Evotion custom Big Brake upgrade, HKS coilover system, 19-inch Tune-R forged wheels. Inside, the 350Z features custom white carbon fiber and mesh racing seats, a complete Kenwood entertainment system with 7-inch Magnet speakers, widescreen monitor, DVD player with touch screen monitor, Mono Power amplifier and subwoofer. For more information, please contact Toucan Industries at (954) 978-8489 or awilliamson@toucanindustries.com.

Art Schmitt Frontier

Veteran off-road racer Art Schmitt drives the Nissan Frontier in the CORR Pro-Lite division under the Art Schmitt Racing Team banner. The Frontier races in Nissan silver, red and black colors and carries NISMO (Nissan Motorsports) graphics.

Schmitt has more than 100 career wins, 12 class championships, three Driver of the Year Awards and two Hard Charger Awards to his credit. The Nissan-powered Pro-Lite Frontier truck is powered by a 16-valve, 4-cylinder racing engine and produces 289 horsepower and 260 lb-ft torque.

WAV Armada

The WAV Armada is designed to be the ultimate Weekend Assault Vehicle. The vehicle can quickly be transformed from family taxi to race support vehicle to limousine for a dinner out, making it flexible and utilitarian without losing any of its luxury appointments. It features custom paint from Wet Works Garage, Borla stainless cat-back exhaust system, Street Scene stainless front grille and BFGoodrich tires. For more information, please contact Chris Horn at Creative Development House at (626) 795-5260.

Kenney's Garage Quest

Built around the exciting new 2004 Quest, the vehicle features Katzkin leather seats, custom mufflers, wheels and grill from American Products Co., Toyo tires, Elbach spring lowering kit and custom silver-over-gray two-tone paint. For more information, please contact Bill Kenney at Kenney's Garage at (714) 670-7509.

RYTEK Armada

The monster RYTEK Armada sits on I-Forged 22x10 Sprint wheels with 325/50R22 Toyo all-terrain tires and features a 6-inch suspension lift by Custom Motorsports. Performance features include Bassani stainless exhaust system with stainless steel headers, AEM brute force intake, Nitrous Express 100-shot nitrous injection kit with remote twin composite bottle openers. Recaro front and rear seats and Eclipse audio system highlight the interior. For more information, please contact RYTEK Motorsports at (206) 499-6495 or info@rytekmotorsports.com.

Axis Armada

The Axis Armada stands out in a crowd with its chrome yellow paint job and external roll cage by Twisted Tin. The suspension is provided by Bilstein coil-over shocks and Eibach springs and features big Toyo Open Country 325/60-20 tires. For more information, please contact Axis Sport Tuning at (562) 906-9898 or james@axiswheels.com.

Street Trucks Low Rider Titan

The all-new Nissan Titan is an aftermarket delight. The Street Truck's Low Rider Titan proves that with a Devious floorless body drop and air ride suspension, Kolor Factor paint, 22-inch Bon Speed Krokus wheels with 285/35/22 BFGoodrich tires, 5,000-watt Visonik audio/video system and Oasis off-road high volume air compressor. For more information, please contact Courtney Hallowell at (714) 939-9991 or tito@readersrides.com.

2005 Frontier

The 2005 Nissan Frontier compact pickup has more than a passing resemblance to the Nissan Titan full-size pickup. Along with its modern, rugged styling, the Frontier -- which goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in winter 2004 -- shares a number of significant features with Titan, including its rugged suspension design, innovative spray-in bedliner, Utili-track(TM) bed channel tie-down system and fully boxed, all-steel frame based on the Titan platform.

The 2005 Frontier will be offered in both King Cab and Crew Cab body styles and in 4x2 and 4x4 driveline configurations. The new Frontier, like the previous generations, will be assembled at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online CLICK HERE