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Nissan Revives Sentra Spec-V With 300-HP SEMA Concept

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Illustrative close-up of a Nissan emblem on a vehicle

Nissan is reviving the Sentra Spec-V name for a 300-horsepower SEMA concept, joined by a Z built for SCCA Touring 2 competition and a Datsun S30 restomod powered by the current Z’s twin-turbo V6. The three builds will appear at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas from November 3–6.

Nissan announced the cars on October 28, but none is a production model or available for sale. The company says SEMA projects can influence future vehicles and accessories; it has not promised a new Sentra SE-R or Spec-V for showrooms.

Sentra Spec-V concept makes 300 horsepower

The Sentra Spec-V concept uses a turbocharged version of Nissan’s 2.0-liter MR20DD four-cylinder engine. Nissan’s main release describes output as 300 horsepower, while the detailed build sheet specifies 300 wheel horsepower. Those are not identical measurements, and Nissan has not published a dyno method or corresponding crankshaft figure.

The engine receives a Garrett G25-550 turbocharger and front-mount intercooler, forged Carrillo connecting rods, JE pistons, supplemental port injection and an upgraded fuel pump. Power goes through a modified six-speed manual transmission from the Juke NISMO RS, with a helical limited-slip differential, lightweight flywheel and upgraded clutch.

The chassis combines custom track-spec NISMO coilovers and anti-roll bars with 19-by-9.5-inch forged NISMO wheels and 265/35R19 Yokohama Advan Neova AD09 tires. The brake conversion borrows GT-R NISMO hardware: six-piston front calipers with 15.35-inch rotors and four-piston rear calipers with 15-inch rotors.

GT-R NISMO Recaro front seats and a GT-R NISMO rear spoiler reinforce the parts-bin theme. A widebody kit, vented hood, side-exit exhaust and custom wrap move the concept well beyond a normal Sentra appearance.

Project NAT2 turns the Z into an SCCA race car

Project NAT2 was developed by the Nissan Acceleration Team, an all-volunteer group of Nissan employees who race in their free time. The car is built around a current Z and configured to Sports Car Club of America Touring 2 rules.

Its VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 uses 38-millimeter turbo-inlet restrictors for class compliance, plus a NISMO cold-air intake, a NISMO-designed GT4 single-exit exhaust and a custom tune. Cooling upgrades include a larger radiator, heat exchanger, engine-oil cooler and differential cooler.

The cabin is stripped and fitted with a roll cage, racing seat, harness, fire-suppression system, electrical cutoff and data-logging equipment. Nissan did not publish a horsepower figure, lap time or competition debut date. The concept demonstrates a Touring 2 specification rather than confirming a factory customer-racing program.

Datsun S30 concept links two Z generations

Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg’s Datsun S30 concept places the modern Nissan Z’s VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 and six-speed manual transmission into the shape of the original Z. The restomod also uses NISMO engine parts, carbon-fiber body panels, custom suspension and upgraded brakes.

Nissan has not disclosed output, curb weight or performance estimates for the S30 build. It is a one-off concept, not a factory restoration package or a new Datsun production model.

What the SEMA concepts do—and do not—signal

The Sentra is the most provocative of the three because it revisits a performance badge Nissan has not offered for years. Yet the build uses extensive custom fabrication and components from several other Nissan models, so it should not be treated as evidence that a 300-hp production Sentra is imminent.

Nissan also warns that modifications can affect performance, safety, emissions, durability, certification and warranty coverage. Some individual NISMO parts may reach dealerships, but the complete cars are show concepts.

For more current performance context, Chiefs Review recently covered an independently tested 2027 Corvette Stingray. The S30’s heritage approach also echoes the one-off nature of the Acura Avengers NSX Roadster charity auction, though the Nissan is a new SEMA restomod rather than a movie prop.

Featured image: illustrative archive close-up of a Nissan emblem; it does not depict the Sentra Spec-V or either Z concept. Photo by Nadia via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

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