Forza Horizon 4: The hot Sylphy we can't have

The Nissan Slyphy B17 is a global compact midsize sedan that doesn't live up to the ranks of the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic when it first came out half a decade ago and during its lifespan, feels like the Sylphy never changed at all while the competition does. However, in America, they've performed the unfair measure by giving it a minor change that is not available in Japan and the rest of the globe, and then this, a NISMO version no one saw it coming.



Called the Sentra Nismo in the United States, this is the hot Sylphy we can't have and there are plenty of good reasons for that.

The Japan-spec Nissan Sylphy B17 was made to cater to middle-aged people rather than young drivers while international versions, even the United States, served people who are just too sophisticated to drive their entry-level saloon, the Latio (known as the Sunny, the Almera, or the Versa saloon). The United States is a strong market for this saloon and that's why, the B17 was blessed with a minor change for the 2016 model year, a minor change that the Japanese-spec Sylphy never had. If that wasn't enough, Nissan introduced a NISMO variant for the 2017 model year, which is also unfair for Japanese motorists wishing for a hot Sylphy to come knocking on the door.



The Sentra Nismo is powered by the same 1.6L DIG Turbo engine that powers the Nissan Juke. It produces 188HP of power and 177ft-lb of torque and the gearbox of choice is an XTRONIC CVT and a, wait for it, a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 6-speed manual gearbox! Not even a Japanese Sylphy has this! Apart from the Juke-sourced engine, the Sentra NISMO handles pretty much like a hot hatch because of the NISMO-tuned suspension, NISMO-tweaked Electric Power Steering, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and sports tires. With all of that mentioned, this gives the NISMO-fied Sylphy the dynamics and performance that raises the question "WHY ARE WE NOT HAVING THIS?"



Like a Japanese video game that when it went on sale overseas, it comes with a collector's edition that is not available in Japan, the NISMO-fied Sylphy is one of the finest examples of how Japan became cowards when it comes to selling their cars globally but not in Japan. Whatever their reason, cars like these showcase Japan's isolation from the motoring world like how America's foreign policy of today separates this great nation from the rest of the globe. I guess this is how Japan's motoring equivalent of the so-called independent foreign policy stands for but never mind all that because I want to show you this clip of the NISMO-fied Sylphy B17 in action but everyone in Japan might drown themselves with tears upon seeing the hot Sylphy that didn't make it to Japanese stores. Whatever, let's play this video.





Had Nissan done it sooner, they could have launched a facelifted Sylphy with the NISMO version along with it but it's too late now. With Nissan's plans to discontinue the Sylphy anytime soon, the dream of seeing a minor change with the NISMO variant in it on Japanese roads is all gone to waste. Thanks, Nissan for ruining the dream. In the meantime, I want every Japanese people to take a wistful look at the Sentra NISMO, the hot Sylphy B17 they'll never get in the Japanese market. Once sampled in Forza Horizon 4, they'll be driven into tears for the rest of their lives. Sigh.