Enthusiasts shed a tear a few years back when Nissan finally axed the Sentra SE-R, a potent performance machine in its first edition (1991-1994) that won numerous magazine awards and generally made life respectable at the thin end of the wallet.

Now Nissan is set to reclaim the mantle it once held with a four-door SE-R based on the current Sentra. Adding two doors to the equation might seem like heresy to some, but the Sentra’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines sound just about right. Whether you order the 170-hp SE-R or the 180-horsepower SE-R Spec V, Nissan hopes you’ll be reminded of the glory days when it fielded some of the most performance-minded machinery coming out of Japan.

The 180-hp SE-R Spec V will also come with a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. So equipped, Nissan is estimating that the car will scoot to 60 mph in about 7.0 seconds. Our guess, from limited driving in Arizona a few months back, is that the standard 170-hp SE-R won’t be far behind, even with its standard five-speed manual (a four-speed automatic is optional on this version as well). The SE-R also wears 195/55R-16 tires, while the Spec V gets 215/45ZR-17s. Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control are standard on both models, as are dual front and side airbags.

Inside, the new SE-R gets a special cloth interior with metal-colored faces on its gauges, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, and an overhead console. The Spec V goes way out there on the styling edge with vivid red inserts in the black sport bucket seats. On either model, a 280-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system with a six-disc CD changer can be ordered.

The new SE-R remains a front-driver, and Nissan officials say the base version will come in under $20,000. That should please the bargain-minded guys who want aftermarket-style performance and looks without actually having to wrench it themselves.


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Gabriel
CL Type S

 

God help IS owners lol.

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Gold CL-S with comptech headers, mufflers,Springs, V-AFC,AEM CAI. ACE hyper black Wheels 235-40-18ZR.
In the future..Supercharger or turbo if there is any.
Gtech run 0 to 60 in 5.41sec

 

I would say that the 0-60 number is very conservative. I estimate the 180HP version to hit 60 in about 6.0-6.5 sec. range. Damn, the 140HP version hit 60 in low 7's.

 

Yeah, but it hit low-mid 7's with the old body style that was quite a bit lighter. Same with the old Civic Si from '92. Only 125hp, but it could nearly match the '99+ Si's with 160hp because it weighed nearly 300 lbs less!!!!
I'd be totally shocked if this thing was faster than 6.5. Unfortunately, the days of true pocket rockets are long gone. All these little cars are weighing in at over 2500-2600lbs. Pitiful. My '92 Si weighed 2250lbs. No power windows, no ABS, etc etc. Even economy cars are more laden with features nowadays bringing up their weight.



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2001 Acura 3.2CL Type S
Comptech Springs
Comptech Sway Bars
PIAA 19169

 

Agreed 100% Weight is the secret here.


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Gabriel
CL Type S

 

I would rather them had bring in Skyline GT-R 35 than a Sentra SE-R.
I thought they "WERE" actually gonna do that ?

was it this year or next year ?

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2001 Acura CL Type-S. Blk/Blk w/Navi, Spoiler, PIAA Platinum Series Super White High Beams, PIAA 19169 Platinum Super White Wedge Bulbs, 20% / 5% tints.


So far four door dings, two on each side, DVD Navigation System Unit replaced, Both Driver and Passenger side seat back fell off, Metal piece inside of the wiper came out, planning to replace both wipers and wind shield next week.