Sentra

Make
Nissan
Segment
Sedan

A Nissan source has told CarBuzz that a production version of the Sentra NISMO will be making its debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Japanese automaker showed off a concept version of the Sentra NISMO at the same auto show three years ago. No other information was revealed, but it's likely the car coming to LA this year will be similar to the concept from three years back. That means an engine lifted from the Juke NISMO RS, albeit with a few tweaks to squeeze more power out.

The Sentra NISMO concept had a direct-injected, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (the Juke's displaced 1.6-liters) good for 240+ horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual sent power to the front wheels while a limited-slip differential ensured everything stayed under control. All that sounded fine three years ago and still sounds just as good today. It's likely that Nissan made a few tweaks in the intervening years, though, so there's the potential for more horsepower and a new look. We liked the appearance the concept Sentra NISMO cut and wouldn't be too salty if the company's designers just left well enough alone. While no one was exactly begging Nissan for this car the decision to put it into production does make sense.

If priced right it could be a reasonable alternative to something like the Honda Civic Si, which will also be making its world debut at the show. There's even an off chance that some people would rather have a sporty sedan over a hot hatch; that's a not-so-subtle warning to the Ford Focus ST and the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Nissan has increased its sales in the US on the back of strong SUV and truck sales, but it's nice to see that the automaker is still thinking of enthusiasts. We'll know more about the Sentra NISMO once it makes its debut in LA. Until then you'll just have to star longingly at these concept photos from three years ago.