Nissan recently revealed plans to double its Nismo Performance range to ten models in the coming years. At the ongoing Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, the company is showcasing its commitment to sporty compact models in the form of the Aura Nismo RS concept.
But what exactly is the Aura? It's essentially an upgraded version of the Note, which Nissan has been selling in Japan since 2004. The third-generation model was launched in 2020 and was facelifted in 2024, with the Nismo version also being updated. At the TAS show in Japan this week, the company is introducing a fierce RS version with a wide body kit and a powerful rear spoiler as part of an aggressive aerodynamic package.
Nissan has lowered the car by 20mm and widened the fenders by 145mm for added visual drama. It is also 142mm longer than the standard Aura and weighs 100kg more, bringing the total weight to 1490kg. The high-performance hatchback rides on black 18-inch Nismo wheels and has bigger brakes, but retains a simpler torsion beam rear suspension.
Like the non-RS version, this hotter version has an internal combustion engine that's not mechanically connected to the wheels. Nissan's e-Power system uses a 1,5-liter gasoline engine that acts as a generator to charge the battery, which in turn drives electric motors mounted on each axle. Yes, this is an all-wheel-drive hot hatchback, while the Aura Nismo comes with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.
In terms of performance, the three-cylinder engine produces 142 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Nissan lists the front electric motor as 201 hp and 330 Nm, while the rear electric motor develops 134 hp and 195 Nm. The Aura Nismo RS concept borrows its powertrain from the much larger X-Trail/Rogue Nismo model, which was launched last year.
Nissan has yet to make a statement about production, but it plans to refine the vehicle and use it in racing before eventually offering it for sale. Given that this generation of the Aura is already five years old, the Nismo RS will likely serve as a farewell gift for that model. While the car is unlikely to be sold outside of Japan, if it ever goes into production, at least it won't be another crossover. Nissan already offers a number of Nismo-branded SUVs, so it's only right that it expands its portfolio with other body styles.
However, the car's appeal to enthusiasts is likely limited. Not necessarily because of the small engine - the Toyota GR Yaris also has a three-cylinder - but because that engine doesn't drive the wheels. The Aura Nismo RS behaves more like a high-performance electric hatchback, a far cry from the days when Nissan put a GT-R engine in the Juke.
