Nissan has just officially introduced three concept models that will appear at the SEMA 2026 exhibition, including Sentra Spec-V Concept, Project NAT2 Z and Datsun S30 Concept. The biggest highlight is the return of the Spec-V name on the Sentra using a 300 horsepower 2.0L turbocharged engine, 6-speed manual transmission taken from the Juke NISMO RS and Brembo brakes from the GT-R. Accompanied by a Z that was converted into a SCCA Touring 2 standard racing car by Nissan's own engineering team, and a restomod Datsun S30 of Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg, carrying the current Nissan Z's twin-turbo V6 engine.

All three cars will be displayed at Nissan's booth number 21521 in Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center (USA) from November 3 to 6, 2026. According to Nissan, the trio represents three "corners" of car culture: the Z heritage, the sport compact and custom car world, and modern sports car racing. These are all concept cars made specifically for SEMA and not for sale, but the company says ideas from SEMA builds can influence commercial vehicles, like the current Rock Creek line that was inspired by previous SEMA concepts.

Mr. Kim Less, vice president of Aftersales and Customer Loyalty at Nissan Americas, said many people within Nissan are also car enthusiasts, and these projects are an opportunity to express that shared passion for cars like Sentra and Z. The booth also includes the Z Kaze convertible concept, while pickup and SUV concepts will be announced later.

Nissan Sentra Spec-V Concept

To understand why this name makes American car enthusiasts excited, we need to go back to the early 90s, when Nissan brought the Sentra SE-R to North America. This small, light sedan using the 2.0L SR20DE engine quickly became a star in the Japanese imported car world and was called "a true sports sedan" by Car and Driver. In the early 2000s, that spirit was continued by the Sentra SE-R Spec V with a 6-speed manual transmission. The Sentra Spec-V Concept was born on the 35th anniversary of the Sentra SE-R's presence in North America, as a tribute to the community that made the car famous.

19-inch NISMO LM-RS1 forged wheels and Brembo brakes taken from GT-R NISMO

Regarding operation, the car uses a 2.0L MR20DD engine fitted with a Garrett G25-550 turbo with a capacity of 300 horsepower (Nissan's detailed data sheet states that it is measured at the wheel). The engine was rebuilt with a 10:1 compression ratio, Carrillo rocker arms, JE pistons, a pre-set Garrett intercooler and an auxiliary intake fuel injection system with Bosch 550cc injectors. Power goes through a 6-speed manual transmission from the Juke NISMO RS, upgraded with a limited-slip differential, Centerforce clutch and short shift lever.

Sentra Spec-V Concept engine compartment with turbocharged 2.0L engine.

The braking system is a conversion package from the GT-R NISMO R35 with Brembo 6-piston calipers, 390mm discs up front and 4-piston calipers, 380mm discs at the rear. Hanging is the track version of the NISMO coilover kit for Sentra with NISMO stabilizer bar, the car rides on NISMO LM-RS1 19x9.5 inch forged wheels and Yokohama ADVAN NEOVA AD09 265/35R19 tires.

Rear spoiler from GT-R NISMO and Spec V logo on trunk lid.

Appearance is the part I like most about this Sentra. The car has a BOMEX widebody kit, a separate hood with real working air intakes, side exhaust pipes and Terminax red and white striped stickers. The landing gear is a rear spoiler taken from the GT-R NISMO R35, turning the popular sedan into a machine that looks ready to run on the track.

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Recaro seats from GT-R NISMO with multi-point seat belts.

Inside, the front seats use Recaro seats from the GT-R NISMO R35, along with a NISMO steering wheel, custom belt mounts and black decorative details.

Nissan Project NAT2 Z

Nissan Project NAT2 Z with racing paint pays tribute to historic Nissan racing cars.

If the Sentra Spec-V is for the road, then Project NAT2 is the answer to the question: what happens when a group of racing-loving Nissan engineers get their hands on a Z? The car was developed internally by the Nissan Acceleration Team (NAT), a group of volunteer employees who pursue racing in their free time, to bring the Z from the street to the racetrack to compete in SCCA tournaments according to Touring 2 class standards.

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VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 engine on Project NAT2 Z.

The VR30DDTT 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine is fitted with a 38mm turbo intake restrictor for racing status, comes with a NISMO cold-air intake, a NISMO-designed stainless steel single exhaust following the GT4 car and a Z1 Motorsports tune. The fuel and cooling systems have been upgraded for road racing, the hood has additional heat vents, and the racing paint job was designed by NISMO Design Japan to pay tribute to Nissan's historic racing cars.

Project NAT2 Z tilt angle on the track.

The chassis uses NISMO coilovers, front upper arms and stabilizer bars. The car rides on 18x11 inch RAYS forged wheels designed by NISMO for GT4 cars with Maxxis 275/35ZR18 RC-1 tires. The front is a Z1 Motorsports brake set with 6-piston monobloc calipers and 380 mm discs, while the rear retains the original calipers and discs according to Touring 2 class rules.

The cockpit has been stripped bare, fitted with a roll cage and Sabelt racing seats.

The cockpit was stripped of carpet, soundproofing, interior panels, air conditioning and audio, and the door panels were trimmed and glass removed to reduce weight. Instead, there is an SCCA standard anti-roll frame designed and installed by Huffmaster Motorsports, Sabelt seats, 6-point belts, fire suppression system, flat bottom steering wheel with gearshift paddles, data recorder and AiM camera.

Datsun S30 Concept

Datsun S30 Concept with Nissan Seiran Blue paint.

The third car taps into the deepest part of Nissan's heritage. S30 is the chassis code of the first generation Z, most famous for the Datsun 240Z launched in late 1969, a model with a long hood and short tail that helped Japanese sports cars make their mark in the US. This time, Chris Forsberg, Formula Drift champion, long-time collaborator with Nissan and also a fan of the Z series, redid the S30 in the restomod style: keeping the classic car shape, replacing the mechanical parts with modern technology.

The Nissan Z twin-turbo V6 is currently in the S30 engine compartment.

The heart of the car is the twin-turbocharged VR30DDTT block taken from today's Nissan Z, connecting two generations of the iconic model. Forsberg upgraded the engine with a Garrett PMAX turbo and a series of NISMO accessories such as cold air intake, heat exchanger and carbon fiber engine cover. The transmission is Nissan Z's 6-speed FS6 manual, with a NISMO double-disc clutch and a NISMO R200 limited-slip differential.

The front fenders, hood, spoiler, front and rear bumpers, tailgate and spoiler are all made of carbon fiber. The car is painted Nissan Seiran Blue with NISMO 40th decal set, uses Techno Toy Tuning suspension package, 17-inch NISMO LM-RS6 forged wheels and Wilwood brakes with 6-piston calipers, 300 mm discs at the front.

Datsun S30 Concept cockpit with Speed ​​Hut gauge and Grip Royal steering wheel.

The interior is a mix of classic and racing with OMP Silverstone seats, Grip Royal steering wheel, custom Speed ​​Hut gauges and NISMO black aluminum gear knob.

The three concepts have three different personalities: Sentra Spec-V is a sport compact for the city, Project NAT2 Z is a real racing car made by Nissan engineers, and Datsun S30 is a bridge between the first Z and the modern Z. Although all three are not sold, Nissan repeating the name Spec-V on a 300 horsepower, manual transmission Sentra will certainly make many people hope for a true sports version for the Sentra in the future. And which one do you like the most?

Source: Nissan