The Nissan Pulsar Nismo Concept Is A 247bhp Hot Hatch That'd Make The Old GTi-R Proud

When Nissan revived the Pulsar name to re-enter the super-competitive C-segment earlier this year, we weren’t exactly bowled over with excitement after seeing what the Japanese company had come up with. But, now Nismo has gotten hold of it and made this hot concept model, we’re a lot more interested.

We’d initially expected Nissan’s motorsport and performance arm to lazily slot in the underwhelming 197bhp 1.6-litre four-pot from the Juke Nismo to make a Pulsar, but recent reports suggested much more power from the 1.6, and sure enough, this concept has 247bhp.

That’s enough to eclipse the 217bhp VW Golf GTI and almost enough for it to go toe-to-toe with the mighty Renaultsport Megane and Seat Leon Cupra. Once a production version of this already rather production ready concept comes out, an RS version will almost certainly follow, which will be a much closer match for the Megane and the Leon in terms of power.

And if prior reports are to be believed, Nissan will use that to try and steal Renault’s front-wheel drive Nurburgring record. Admittedly, that whole affair - along with all the other ‘Ring ‘records’ - is getting a little tedious, but if it means scorchingly fast hot hatchbacks in showrooms, so be it.

Other than the engine, details of what’s going on under the skin are still limited, but Nissan do say that the steering has been modified to make it more direct and responsive, while the revised suspension ‘incorporates settings honed on the racetrack.’

What do you think of it? Would you consider one over the ubiquitous Golf GTI, or the Leon/Megane arch rivals?

This is the Nissan Pulsar NISMO. Red side skirts, flared arches and 247bhp from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four. Try driving this over some speedbumps in London...