Nissan and Infiniti once stood at the forefront of performance vehicles, capturing the attention of car enthusiasts worldwide. However, in recent years, the brands have seen a decline in their standing. While the Nissan Z is a solid vehicle, it was outsold last year by the now-discontinued Chevrolet Camaro. The iconic GT-R, which is no longer in production, accounted for just 657 sales over the past two years.
But change may be on the horizon. As of April 1, Ivan Espinosa has taken over as Nissan’s new CEO, replacing Makoto Uchida, who stepped down after a challenging period for the company. Espinosa, a self-described car enthusiast, aims to bring excitement back to the Nissan brand. “Driving excitement will always be at the heart of Nissan, it’s what we do,” Espinosa stated in a recent interview.
Reviving Iconic Models
In an exclusive interview with Top Gear, Espinosa shared his ambitious vision for the future of Nissan’s lineup. He envisions four or more standout vehicles that will serve as “halo” cars for the brand, acting as a global representation of what Nissan stands for. “I want to have four or five cars at the top of our portfolio that are really brand-oriented cars; cars that truly reflect what Nissan is about,” he explained. “These cars should go everywhere in the world.”
Espinosa hinted at several possibilities for these future models, including a new Z, a more affordable car, a potential future GT-R, and possibly a new Patrol. These vehicles, he says, would embody the driving excitement Nissan is known for.
The Future of Performance Cars
Espinosa also alluded to the possibility of creating cars that can be sold in markets where Nissan had previously pulled back due to regulatory challenges, such as in the UK and Europe. He referred to the concept of “Hyper Force,” a potential super sports car that would push the limits of performance. This is likely a reference to the Hyper Force concept introduced at the Japan Mobility Show, which boasts an impressive 1,341 horsepower.
In addition to high-performance models, Espinosa spoke of the need for a more affordable option, which could take the form of a new hot hatch or a revived Silvia model. With a large fanbase eager for performance vehicles, the key to success, according to Espinosa, will be building cars that are both exciting and well-executed.
In summary, under Espinosa’s leadership, Nissan plans to reignite its performance car lineup with a mix of iconic and new models that will appeal to enthusiasts worldwide. The future looks promising for fans of the brand, with the potential for exciting cars on the horizon.
