CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance is the theme at Nissan's display for the 2013 Chicago Auto Show. NISMO, Nissan's performance arm, will be center stage with the U.S. debuts of the new 2013 JUKE NISMO – the complete performance makeover of the popular JUKE crossover – and the 2014 370Z NISMO. The two NISMO models are part of an expansion of the NISMO brand worldwide.

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Also making its first U.S. appearance is an even higher-performance version of the 2014 Nissan GT-R, the limited-production GT-R Track Edition.

The new performance vehicles share the spotlight with the production debut of the all-new 2013 Nissan NV200 cargo van, the third entry in Nissan's Commercial Vehicle line-up.

"NISMO brings a new level of performance to the Nissan brand, reinforced by its heritage as the racing heartbeat of the company," said Simon Sproule, Nissan's Corporate Vice President, Global Marketing Communications. "With the global expansion of NISMO-branded products like the new JUKE NISMO and 370Z NISMO, we want to make NISMO the most recognized and respected performance brand from Japan."

NISMO vehicles are designed to be the most forward-looking expression of Nissan, offering cutting-edge performance, technology and aerodynamics, and the new JUKE NISMO is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in March 2013. It is offered in all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive models in three exterior colors – white, black and silver.

The JUKE NISMO model features nearly 100 individual revised components, including a NISMO-tuned 197-horsepower 1.6-liter DIG turbo engine, NISMO-tuned suspension, bold aerodynamic styling with a 37 percent improvement in downforce (versus non-NISMO models), NISMO interior with deeply bolstered front seats and red accents and lightweight 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

The 2014 370Z NISMO, which goes on sale this summer, features a number of exterior and interior enhancements that follow the global NISMO red-accented design theme. It is powered by an advanced 350-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine.

Completing Nissan's performance lineup in Chicago is the new Nissan GT-R Track Edition, the third and most exclusive model in the 2014 GT-R lineup with just 150 units to be offered for sale in the U.S. Designed to take Nissan's legendary 545-horsepower street supercar even closer to a pure motorsports competition machine, it features a firmer suspension, special brake cooling guides, front spoiler with carbon fiber air ducts and a lightweight quilted cloth mat where the rear seats usually reside. It is set to go on sale at select GT-R certified Nissan dealerships nationwide beginning in May 2013.

Also announced is an extension of the popular Nissan "Project 370Z," a group-sourced custom-built version of Nissan's popular sports car. Introduced at the Chicago show in 2012, the project's goal was to utilize the passion and knowledge of Nissan Z fans online to help direct the creation of a unique, one-off Nissan 370Z utilizing readily available aftermarket parts and accessories. Fans voted on potential modifications and followed along with the project's progress online. Now, a 500-horsepower 370Z has emerged, and in phase two, social media followers will select a privately owned Nissan Z to compete against Project 370Z in a showdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in mid-March in conjunction with Motor Trend magazine.  Details are available at https://www.facebook.com/NissanPerformance.

In addition to the array of performance vehicles revealed at the show, the all-new 2013 Nissan NV200 cargo van brings a new level of affordability and low cost of ownership to fleet and small business owners.

With a best-in-class starting M.S.R.P. of $19,990* and segment-leading** fuel economy of 24 miles per gallon City, the NV200 offers a large, 122.7-cubic foot cargo capacity within a compact overall exterior footprint.

Said Nissan Commercial Vehicles Vice President Joe Castelli: "For business owners who have been making do with larger, more costly vans and pickups than they really need, or re-purposing passenger vehicles, we're providing relief with this all-new 'right-sized' Nissan NV200. Here in North America we're projecting the compact van segment to nearly double in size in the next few years. The Nissan NV200 will be a major part of that growth."

The NV200 goes on sale at 300 Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers nationwide in April. Among its many features are a commanding driving position, "mobile office" style console and fold-flat passenger's seat, sliding side doors and standard tall, 40/60-split rear doors that open 180 degrees, a low 19.5-inch cargo floor height for easy loading and unloading, and segment-exclusive standard integrated mounting points. It is powered by a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter DOHC 4-cylinder mated to an advanced Xtronic CVT^® transmission.

All of these new vehicles will be on display alongside the complete lineup of Nissan cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs – including the all-new 2014 Versa Note hatchback that goes on sale this summer. The 2013 Chicago Show runs from February 8^th through the 17^th at Chicago's McCormick Place.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

* MSRP for 2013 Nissan NV200, excluding tax, title, license, options and destination. Dealer sets actual price.

** Ward's segmentation: Light Vehicle Small Van. '13 Nissan NV200 v. '12 and '13 competitors. EPA fuel economy estimate 24 MPG City. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions. Use for comparison only.

SOURCE Nissan North America