When the SEMA show arrives, automakers show up with cool concepts and upgrades. Nissan got in on the action with some amazing NISMO upgrades.

Where do you expect to see NISMO upgrades added to the Nissan lineup? Typically, we find these performance improvements in the sports cars, which means the GT-R and Z, which both offer track-focused NISMO variants. For the SEMA show, Nissan went out of the box to deliver some amazing upgrades to other models that aren’t made for the track. Let’s take a look at some of the cool Nissan upgrades that made it to the show.

The Rogue goes rugged

Most drivers would never think of the Nissan Rogue as a rugged, off-road-focused SUV, but it certainly can be. The model found at the SEMA show is a lifted Rogue with mud-terrain tires to make this compact SUV a real terror out on the trails. This new model is called the Project Rugged Rogue and is fitted with a long list of NISMO equipment to make it more capable and impressive out on the trails.

This rugged version of the Nissan Rogue wears a tan and brown color scheme with a topographical design that looks like it should be offering a path somewhere. You’ll see a roof rack with a bike and kayak on it and a full front set of fog lights to light your way when you travel down the trails at night. The fender flares are made of carbon fiber, and you’ll see side rock rails and a front brush guard, giving this SUV the finished look. NISMO supplied this Nissan SUV with a three-inch suspension lift and 18-inch wheels that are bronze up front and black in the rear. These wheels are wearing a set of 32-inch Yokohama Geolander M/T G003 tires.

Nissan took the Sentra to new places

If Toyota can add GR equipment to the Corolla, why can’t Nissan do the same for the Sentra. Since nobody has an acceptable answer to that question, Nissan did just that. The NISMO team got their hands on the Sentra and went nuts. This isn’t the first time NISMO has provided performance features for the Sentra, but it’s the first time since the 2019 model disappeared. This new Sentra DET concept was built for the SEMA show, and it brings a long list of impressive upgrades, including a modified powertrain that uses a six-speed manual transmission instead of the standard CVT.

In true NISMO fashion, this small Nissan sedan wears the graphics to let everyone know this is a real performance car. The wheels are interesting with different colors, and this Sentra features hour-mounted heat extractors to give it a sportier look. Under the slots in the hood is the standard engine, but it now makes more power than the traditional model. This engine has been improved with a turbocharged, higher compression ratio, stronger internals, and an upgraded fuel system. This could be one of the loudest Sentra cars ever built.

As you would expect, the Nissan Sentra DET has other NISMO upgrades, giving it the desired performance bits for more fun and active driving.

A Frontier for some off-road racing

The latest changes to the Nissan Frontier brings a new retro-inspired Hardbody look, but Forsberg Racing created a new Frontier that made its appearance at the SEMA show. This is not a concept model but a race-proven truck that raced in the NORRA 500. As expected, this truck has stickers everywhere, including the recognizable Nissan NISMO sticker that shows performance items were applied to this truck.

The NISMO offering to this impressive racing truck is a set of black beadlock NISMO wheels wearing a set of Yokohama Geolander mud-terrain tires. This Frontier also has a lifted build and upgraded suspension, making it a real off-road racing machine that can take on some incredible challenges when called upon. Some of what you find in the Frontier lineup as options are also found on this truck, including the roof rack, light bar, and rock sliders. These items are in the NISMO catalog for the Frontier, which makes it easy for shoppers to add these items and improve the look of their trucks.

Three amazing Nissan NISMO vehicles

Nissan turned to the NISMO team for some amazing upgrades to three vehicles that don’t often receive improvements from this performance team. The Rogue, Sentra, and Frontier all made it to the SEMA show to offer possibilities and interesting styles that could be part of the future of Nissan’s performance.