PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Completely Unwrapped, Can The Nissan Pulsar Nismo Make A Dent In The MINI Cooper Faithful?

Nissan is reviving the Pulsar nameplate as a hot hatch.  Now the Pulsar was never known for anything but a simple small car, but this time that is exactly the point.  What a better way to take on the barebones Mini Cooper than one of you own?

So the real question is will the Pulsar be able to make any ground on Mini with all of the variations on tap?  The Pulsar Nismo Concept might be a start as it is targeting squarely against the Cooper S model with more power tighter suspension and wider tires.

For now this one is for Europe only, but if we yell loud enough Nissan might reconsider.
 

 OFFICIAL Paris Motor Show Gallery

TheSteve - 10/2/2014 4:04:22 PM

+6 Boost

To *ME*, the MINI has iconic styling that's instantly and unmistakably identifiable. This looks like a generic Asian car with some body panels and bits o' bling. I believe it'll appeal to a totally different market.

jeffgall - 10/2/2014 5:14:19 PM

+4 Boost

Agreed. Mini faithful will not cross shop with this, but it will appeal to others.

KKO84 - 10/2/2014 4:23:48 PM

+4 Boost

Looks very similar to the Lexus ct200h.

KKO84 - 10/2/2014 4:24:20 PM

+3 Boost

Or the previous gen Mazda 3 hatch.

dumpsty - 10/6/2014 3:07:49 PM

+1 Boost

Is that a Versa?

Agreed. MINI fans like the brand b/c of the iconic design. I can imagine younger consumers x-shopping them both b/c of the general sizing.

It does look slick for a small hatch. But Nissan ain't that bold.

Yonder7 - 10/2/2014 5:21:05 PM

+3 Boost

Different markets, but I bet, this is a lot better than the Mini in every sense and most likely will be cheaper too.

cidflekken - 10/2/2014 8:29:28 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah,it looks like about 20 other Japanese cars that have already come and gone.

MDarringer - 10/2/2014 8:31:15 PM

0 Boost

I'll take the Mini over this "Renault"

MorePower - 10/3/2014 12:06:08 AM

+1 Boost

Looks fun!