With the arrival of SEMA 2026 this week in Las Vegas, we thought it fitting to focus on a manufacturer that will be showing some cool performance concepts on the show floor. And while Nissan isn’t the only one that will be doing so, we think their booth will be very well trafficked by the time the show wraps up on Friday (Nov. 6).
And why wouldn’t it be? Nissan is bringing three performance concepts to Vegas, including the Sentra Spec-V Concept. This year marks the 35th anniversary since the Sentra SE-R first arrived in North America, and this year’s concept pays tribute to sport compact scene with a 300-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo engine, paired with an upgraded six-speed manual transmission sourced from a Juke NISMO RS.
Alongside the Project NAT2 SCCA Touring 23 race car, and Datsun S30 Concept restomod, Nissan’s booth in the Central Hall (#21521) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it’s a must visit for attendees at SEMA 2026.
See below for more info.
Nissan taps into enthusiast culture with Sentra Spec-V concept revival, two Z concepts at SEMA
Three project cars showcase Nissan performance, creativity and passion for personalization
LAS VEGAS – Nissan returns to the SEMA Show this year with a revival of the Sentra Spec-V and two enthusiast-inspired Z concepts, each offering a fresh take on Nissan performance and the possibilities of personalization.
“Nissan has always had passionate fans who aren’t shy about telling us what they love and what they’d like to see next, and we love that – a lot of us at Nissan are enthusiasts, too,” said Kim Less, vice president, Aftersales & Customer Loyalty, Nissan Americas. “These projects are a chance to have some fun with that shared passion, take inspiration from our fans and our own teams, and show what’s possible with cars like Sentra and Z.”
This year’s SEMA builds tap into three different corners of Nissan enthusiast culture: Z heritage, the sport-compact and tuner scene, and modern motorsports. Each is crafted to celebrate the rich passion surrounding Nissan vehicles, demonstrating how the brand’s most iconic nameplates continue to resonate with today’s enthusiasts.
These concept vehicles will be on display at the Nissan booth, #21521, in Central Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Nov. 3-6.
Also joining Nissan’s SEMA project vehicles on display is the Z Kaze concept, a custom open-top Z that offers another unique take on one of Nissan’s most iconic sports cars.
Nissan Sentra Spec-V Concept
Thirty-five years after the Sentra SE-R arrived in North America, Nissan is revisiting the spirit of the beloved sport compact with the Sentra Spec-V concept. Designed to commemorate the model Car and Driver described as “a true sports sedan,” the concept is a tribute to the community that made the Sentra SE-R a star of the import car scene.
Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 300 horsepower, paired with an upgraded six-speed manual transmission from the Nissan Juke NISMO RS. A GT-R-sourced Brembo brake conversion, custom NISMO coilovers and anti-roll bars, GT-R-sourced Recaro front seats and NISMO LM-RS1 19-inch wheels round out the performance upgrades. A custom body kit, topped by a GT-R NISMO rear spoiler, completes the look.
Nissan Project NAT2 SCCA Touring 2
What happens when a group of Nissan engineers who love racing gets its hands on a Z? Project NAT2. Developed in-house by the Nissan Acceleration Team (NAT), an all-volunteer group of employees who pursue motorsports in their free time, the purpose-built race car takes Z from the street to SCCA competition.
Project NAT2 Z was built to SCCA Touring 2 specifications with upgrades to its engine, suspension and braking systems using a mix of NISMO and aftermarket components. Inside, the cabin has been stripped and fitted with a roll cage and other competition safety equipment.
Datsun S30 Concept
Longtime Nissan collaborator, Formula Drift champion and Z enthusiast Chris Forsberg puts a modern spin on the original Z with this restomod-style S30 concept. The build pairs the unmistakable shape of the S30 with the twin-turbo V6 powertrain from today’s Nissan Z, bringing together two generations of the iconic sports car.
Forsberg and his team upgraded the engine with NISMO parts, replaced key body panels with lightweight carbon fiber and added custom suspension and braking components. It’s a modern take on the original Z, built by an enthusiast who knows the nameplate inside and out.
Q&A
Q: What is the SEMA Show?
A: The SEMA Show is an annual automotive trade show held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It features both manufacturers and aftermarket product developers, as well as countless modified, tuned and customized vehicles that inspire passion and enthusiasm among attendees and auto fans.
Q: Why does Nissan attend the SEMA Show?
A: Nissan uses SEMA to keep a finger on the pulse of the enthusiast community, while exploring ideas and gathering feedback that can influence future products. Our SEMA concept vehicles inspire drivers to personalize their Nissan using genuine Nissan and NISMO parts, turning passion into performance and creativity into reality.
Q: Will any of these concept cars become production models?
A: These vehicles were created as SEMA concepts and are not for sale. However, ideas explored through Nissan’s SEMA builds can influence future production vehicles. For example, today’s Rock Creek lineup, including Rogue Rock Creek, Kicks Rock Creek and Pathfinder Rock Creek, was inspired by previous SEMA concepts. 3
Some Nissan and NISMO accessory parts featured on these vehicles may also be available for purchase through Nissan dealerships.
Q: What is the connection between Nissan sports cars and SEMA?
A: Nissan has been a huge part of the automotive tuning, modification and motorsport scene for decades, including our many iconic SE-R models (such as Sentra and Altima), the iconic GT-R and the Z sports car. It’s inspiring to see how owners have personalized their own Nissan cars at SEMA, and it’s also an opportunity for us to creatively explore future directions for our production models, accessory lineups and NISMO components.
Photos courtesy of Nissan North America
