The Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) is a vast collection of hot performance cars and concepts that rarely disappoints, year after year. Come January, it’s a sure bet TAS will have new metal worth talking about.
And 2026 is no exception. The ’26 show, which just wrapped up over the weekend, featured several interesting reveals, with the Japanese manufacturers taking center stage.
Nissan, which also revealed an updated Fairlady Z, debuted the Aura Nismo Concept. The Aura is an upscale version of the Nissan Note compact hatchback sold in Asia. The Aura Note’s ancestor, the Versa Note, was sold in North America from 2013 through 2019.
This concept has a hybrid powertrain (e-Power) like the one found in other Nissans sold in Europe and Asia, including the Qashqai and X-Trial (Rogue). Of note, the next-gen Rogue, due to be revealed later this year, will feature a variant of this powertrain.
Nissan says in the press release (pasted below), that a production version of the Aura Nismo RS is being considered, but it’s unlikely to make it to North America, given the Note / Aura aren’t currently sold here. Still, the Aura Nismo RS Concept is a cool hot hatch that’s worth a closer look.
Full press release follows.
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Yokohama, Japan – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co., Ltd. (NMC) today unveiled the Aura NISMO RS Concept at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026.
The Aura NISMO RS Concept is a high-performance hot hatch that started its life as an Aura NISMO, then merges form and function with aggressive styling and aero with a healthy increase in output to the wheels from the X‑Trail NISMO’s e‑POWER system. Designed as a technical validation exercise, the concept leverages vehicle technologies refined through mass production and expertise gained from motorsports development. Looking ahead, Nissan is exploring the potential of bringing this concept to market as a production car.
Purpose-built design
The exterior design evolves the Aura NISMO’s “Agile Electric City Racer” concept, opting for a more muscular, performance-driven styling with sharp surfaces. Wider fenders — expanded by 145 mm — combined with a 20 mm drop in ride height deliver a low center of gravity and an aggressive silhouette.
Aerodynamic enhancements include a front spoiler, side skirts, a rear diffuser with NISMO’s signature red accents, airflow-optimized front fenders, side air splitters and a dedicated rear spoiler. All are designed to improve downforce and reducing drag. The exclusive Dark Matte NISMO Stealth Gray finish ensures a consistent surface look despite sunlight intensity.
Performance development
The concept takes advantage of years of motorsports engineering to elevate every aspect of performance including acceleration, handling and braking. It begins by pairing the Aura NISMO’s lightweight form factor with the X‑Trail NISMO’s high-output e‑POWER powertrain, Nissan’s series hybrid technology, delivering a significant boost in power at the pedal and transforming driving dynamics.
The wide body extends the vehicle’s stance and handling ability on straight and twisting roads. High-grip tires and NISMO tuned e‑4ORCE all-wheel control technology provide impressive traction and cornering performance. Braking performance is enhanced by large opposed-piston calipers — four-pot front and two-pot rear — ensuring confident stopping power despite a roughly 100 kg weight increase over the Aura NISMO.
Nissan and NMC plan to further refine and optimize the concept for potential racing applications in addition to potential future commercialization.
“Under our Re:Nissan strategy, we are committed to introducing heartbeat models at speed that resonate with customers,” said Yutaka Sanada, president and CEO of NMC. “We are extremely pleased to unveil the Aura NISMO RS Concept as our first offering born from our collective NMC expertise. Since the beginning, NISMO has pursued motorsports with a belief in pushing people and technology to the limit to achieve victory. That passion has driven innovation and peak excitement; and we’ll continue striving to deliver that to customers and fans worldwide.”
Aura NISMO RS Concept key specifications (compared to the AURA NISMO)
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Length |
4,262 mm (+142 mm) |
|
|
Width |
1,880 mm (+145 mm) |
|
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Height |
1,485 mm (-20 mm) |
|
|
Vehicle weight |
1,490 kg (+100 kg) |
|
|
Wheelbase |
2,580 mm (±0 mm) |
|
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Front motor |
Model |
BM46 |
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Maximum power/maximum torque |
150 kW / 330 Nm |
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|
Rear motor |
Model |
MM48 |
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Maximum power/maximum torque |
100 kW / 195 Nm |
|
|
Power generation engine |
Model |
KR15DDT |
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Displacement |
1,497 cc |
|
|
Maximum power/maximum torque |
106 kW / 250 Nm |
|
|
Suspension |
Front |
Independent suspension strut |
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Rear |
Torsion beam type |
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Wheels |
NISMO LM GT4 |
|
|
Tires |
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|
Photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co.
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