Configuration:
Four door compact sedan
Front wheel drive
Models:
XE, GXE, SE-R, Ltd. Edition (2003)
Engines:
122-175 bhp
Base pricing:
$11,799 - $16,999
Changes for 2003
· New
Ltd. edition model with
165 bhp engine
·
Updated 6 speed manual
on SE-R
· SE-R
gets silver seat inserts
instead of red color
· Updated
steering ratio on
XE, GXE
· XE
and GXE 1.8L engines are
SULEV certified
The original Sentra SE-R (1991-1994) was
a serious pocket rocket that gained a loyal following of those who
appreciated it's low profile stealthy image, rev happy SR20DE engine, and
stiff chassis. So it's no wonder
Nissan chose to resurrect the SE-R nameplate for it's new high performance
compact sports sedan. Nissan began with an all new 2.5L inline-4 (QR25DE)
to replace both the SR20DE and beefy but low reving KA24DE engines in one
swoop. The engine features double overhead cams, 16 valves, direct
ignition, a timing chain, aluminum head and blocks, variable valve timing,
variable intake, and even balance shafts to smooth out vibrations. Nissan
cranks up the horsepower up to 175 in Spec V
trim to compete against the likes of the Integra RSX. Even the
"base" SE-R has a respectable 165 bhp; good enough for street
credentials. Add a sport tuned suspension and this car is a well qualified
heir to the Nissan pocket rocket throne.
So we were quite anxious to take Street Concepts' SE-R project car out for
a spin. As soon as we sat down we were impressed by
the support from the Cobra racing seats. Not too thin and not too thick
padding - we figure we could use these daily driver seats. The gauges were typical SE-R - aggressive
red lettering gauges. We also found a very cool Kenwood head unit
that replaced the standard Rockford Fosgate system. This Kenwood unit
features a motorized LCD panel with GPS navigation and DVD playback.
Street Concepts also replaced the front speakers with Kenwood
6.5" separates. We played around with the different features and
actually tried playing a DVD movie. The sound quality was quite good -
wishing that we had this system in our rides.
We started the ignition and heard the throaty Magna Flow high flow cat and
muffler roar to life. We shifted the cool looking 6 speed into drive and
were impressed with the gobs of torque available at lower gears. We pulled
out out of the parking lot, shifted through the gears for fun and were
impressed by it's precise rifle-bolt smoothness and precision. Once we
were on the freeway, we floored it and from the seat of the pants instrumentation,
we figure the car could easily take on an RSX. Not quite WRX territory but
then again there's a huge price difference! After some straight line
driving we decided to try flogging the cars around corners. The SE-R was
amazingly well composed even when we gunned it during the mid-corners.
Credit must go to the meaty Toyo FZ-4 tires mounted on huge 19" Axis
wheels, Eibach springs, and stock helical limited slip. Even the GPS
worked as advertised as we tracked our progress on the easy to read
display. We continued to
have a grin on our faces for about an hour or so until we looked at our
watches and saw it was time to return the car to Street Concepts.
It's not entirely a sad ending because Street Concepts plans to re-do the
car with more interior customizations and even higher performance parts -
hence it's revision 1.0 designation. Stay tuned to FA for progress
reports!
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