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"Nissan is in the midst of expanding its Nismo line from the fringe into a full-fledged performance brand in the same vein as Mazdaspeed, Mercedes-AMG or Chrysler&amp;#039;s SRT. When all&amp;#039;s said and done that will include Nismo versions of the Juke, 370Z and GT-R, to name just a few of the emerging highlights, and this latest release for the Japanese domestic market.  Previewed in pre-facelift concept form at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon, the new production-spec March Nismo is being launched in two states of tune: the base March Nismo with a meek little 1.2-liter engine producing just 79 horsepower and mated to a continuously variable transmission, or the more enticing 114-hp 1.5 coupled to a five-speed manual.  Even in the higher March Nismo S spec, those numbers barely put it into warm-hatch territory. Both the Renaultsport Twingo RS and Suzuki Swift Sport pack 1.6-liter engines with upwards of 130 hp. But the warmed-over March (also known as the Micra in certain markets) does get some other key upgrades to the suspension, exhaust, brakes, rolling stock, aero kit and interior. But like the diminutive hatchback on which it is based, the Nismo March won&amp;#039;t be making it to US showrooms from across the Pacific - or the border, we should say, as the Micra is assembled in Mexico for Latin American consumption as well. Which is just fine by us\u2014we&amp;#039;ll hold tight for that rumored 700-horsepower GT-R. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a4826/go-news-nissan-reveal-march-nismo-in-japan/>