• Nissan Aura Nismo RS Concept previews a tougher hot hatch.
  • It packs widebody styling and hybrid SUV-sourced power.
  • Concept borrows AWD hybrid setup from the X-Trail Nismo.

Nissan has its sights set on growing the Nismo family to ten models by 2028, though not every one will break new ground. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, the Aura Nismo RS Concept builds on the existing Aura Nismo, dialing things up with a significantly reworked bodykit and a stronger, more capable hybrid powertrain.

More: Nissan Gives The Z A Facelift And Finally Adds What Was Missing For 2027

Presented as a concept, the Aura Nismo RS serves as what Nissan calls “a technical validation exercise.” It’s not just a show car. The brand, working with its Nissan Motorsport and Customizing (NMC) division, is evaluating a potential production version while also using the study as a test bed for future motorsport applications.

A Wider, Lower Hot Hatch

Visually, the car leaves its Note Aura roots far behind and moves into track-inspired territory. The most dramatic changes come from the flared fenders, which widen the body by 145 mm (5.7 inches). Deeper front and rear bumpers stretch the car’s length by an additional 142 mm (5.6 inches).

Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It

In typical Nismo fashion, the splitter, side skirts, and diffuser have red accents, with the additional intakes sending GT-R vibes. Around the back, there’s a Formula 1-style brake light and a large rear wing perched above the standard roof spoiler. Nissan says the complete aero package balances two aims: increased downforce and reduced drag.

The look is finished with black alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and a matte gray paint job called Dark Matte Nismo Stealth Gray, which carries RS graphics to complete the transformation.

Hybrid Power from the X-Trail

Underneath the skin, the hybrid setup comes directly from the recently revealed X-Trail Nismo. That system pairs a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with two electric motors. The front motor delivers 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS), while the rear adds 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS). The gasoline engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly but works solely as a generator, rated at 142 hp (106 kW / 144 PS).

Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It

Despite those figures, the total system output doesn’t simply add up linearly. Based on the X-Trail’s configuration, it’s likely that the combined power output lands somewhere around 211 hp (157 kW / 215 PS) and 525 Nm (387 lb-ft) of torque.

More: Nissan’s 2027 Versa Looks Sharper Than Expected In New Leak

Power is sent to all four wheels using Nismo’s version of the e-4ORCE all-wheel control system. Nissan hasn’t published acceleration numbers, but the Nismo RS is expected to be quicker than both the milder Aura and the bulkier X-Trail.

What Else Has Nissan Changed?

Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It
Nissan Turned A Hybrid Hatch Into A Widebody Weapon, And It Might Build It

While Nissan hasn’t provided a deep dive into chassis modifications, it confirmed the concept sits 20 mm (0.8 inches) lower than the standard car. Performance tires and upgraded brakes are also part of the mix, which should help manage the added 100 kg (220 lbs) compared to the regular Aura Nismo.

The base for all of this is the Note Aura, which was introduced in 2021 as a premium alternative to the standard Note hatchback. That model received a facelift in 2024, and it’s expected to remain in production until at least 2028.

That timeline gives Nissan a healthy window to bring the Nismo RS version into showrooms in Japan. It’s not pitched as a direct rival to hardcore hatchbacks like the Toyota GR Yaris, but it would add an appealing option to Nissan’s growing performance roster.