In the U.S., Nissan’s tiny-auto lineup is like watching late-evening skin flicks on Cinemax—you’re technically receiving what you want, but a lot is left to be desired. In Europe, on the other hand, Nissan’s compact rides are much far more effectively equipped and satisfying. Take, for example, the Nissan Note, a loose cousin to our Versa Note hatchback on the Continent, the Note is very nearly a premium automobile. Right here, the “Versa” badge marks it as deeply flawed. At the 2014 Paris auto show, Nissan showed off its newest European-market compact—the Pulsar—and it follows the pattern by appearing much more interesting than any little auto the brand peddles to Americans.
Besides bearing a name very best remembered in the States for the awesomely funky late 1980s Pulsar NX, this new Pulsar is a C-segment hatch that seems to share much more than just its basic size with our Sentra sedan. The 2 share a 106.3-inch wheelbase, and in-person study of the Pulsar reveals a clear familial resemblance. Compared to similarly sized rides like the Ford Concentrate and Mazda 3 hatchback, the Pulsar is much taller. At a mighty 59.8 inches, it measures nearly one inch taller than the already height-endowed Sentra, and towers more than the Ford and Mazda hatches by much more than 2 inches. It pays off inside, where occupants of any height—and in any seat—will uncover practically nothing to complain about. As is the case in the Sentra, the back seat is huge and the legroom limo-like.
The Pulsar’s fundamentally useful packaging also benefits in a enormous and usefully shaped cargo area, and the automobile is eye-catching inside and out. Soft-touch components adorned the dashboard and door panel uppers in the examples we prodded on the Paris auto show floor, and the exterior mixes in some of the 2015 Murano extroverted flair. The front finish looks a tiny bland, but nevertheless delivers a far more upscale impression than the somewhat overwrought nose of the Sentra.
Mechanically, the Pulsar utilizes either a 113-hp 1.2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder or a 108-hp diesel 4. Transmission selections include a 6-speed manual and Nissan’s Xtronic CVT automatic, and all versions are front-wheel drive. Do we hope Nissan brings the Pulsar to the U.S.? Of course! The brand could use a C-segment 5-door hatch to compete with the likes of Ford, Mazda, and Volkswagen, and the Pulsar name alone is enough to grab our consideration, despite the fact that it would need one more 40 horsepower or so to be competitive.
But the actual consideration-grabber is the high-efficiency NISMO version Nissan also displayed at the Paris show in “concept” form. The practically production-prepared idea attributes the very same black-and-red trim theme as the Juke NISMO, as well as 19-inch wheels, sport seats, and faux-suede interior trim. Nissan is maintaining mum on suspension and powertrain information, but it is nearly a provided that modifications to each would be in the cards for a production version. (Final year’s Sentra NISMO notion packed a 240-hp 1.8-liter turbo 4, as effectively as retuned shocks and springs.) Were Nissan to send either version of the Pulsar our way, it might just send the message that it is ready to show Americans what’s airing in prime time, but we’ll have to wait and see what the company decides.
Nissan Pulsar: A single Hell of a Sentra Hatchback—and There Could Be a NISMO Version
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