Nissan Note Aura Nismo

The Note Aura, the dark side of the new Nissan Note that shares the same stuff as the regular one but with luxury touches and a wide form to differentiate, has been given the NISMO treatment and nothing says darker than a semi-hot hatchback fit for the grassroots racer starting his first track day at Tsukuba.

2022 Nissan Note Aura NISMO

2022 Nissan Note Aura NISMO

Priced at 2,869,900 Japanese Yen (around $29,000) plus additional costs, the Note Aura NISMO turns an oversized woman's purse into a speedo boy machine that looks like what speedo boys wanted but with the performance not yet ready to become a speedo boy's favorite. More with that later on but first, the styling.

2022 Nissan Note Aura NISMO interior

The normal Aura features a unique exterior design and a more premium interior to differentiate itself from the normal Note. The Aura NISMO, meanwhile, features signature NISMO elements implemented not just on the exterior but on the interior as well. The exterior features a signature NISMO aero kit to make look speedo-boy-friendly while the interior features a red-and-black theme just like most NISMO vehicles wear, not to mention the available RECARO sports seats to give speedo boys a much driving experience on the road and track.

No power boost here, sorry speedo boys. The Aura NISMO still runs on the e-POWER powertrain mated to a CVT gearbox. If you don't know what e-POWER is, it's where the 100kW electric motor does the talking while the 1.2L petrol engine supplements the battery and the motor.

The front-wheel-drive Aura NISMO features a specially-made NISMO mode that gives this hatchback a more responsive driving feel even while enjoying a nice Sunday drive at the Hakone turnpike. With cornering as its main topic, the Aura NISMO's aero kit features a greater downforce fit for cornering. Along with its sport-tuned suspension setup, monotube-type rear shock absorber, optimized body rigidity, and specially-made MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 tires, the Aura NISMO feels surprisingly accessible to drive on the road and track. Although not as fun as what the speedo boys hoped, it's rather impressive for a different kind of JDM hot hatch.

Of course, like today's cars adjusting to the new normal, the Aura NISMO features a wide range of ADAS such as Pro-Pilot, Intelligent BSI, and Intelligent FCW to name a few.

So, the Aura NISMO, what's it feel like? Although it's not what the speedo boys hoped for, this near-thirty-grand hot hatch is reasonably priced and fit for the grassroots driver within. Enjoy your Sunday drive with this newest NISMO vehicle.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.