by Nissan Reveals New Concept for Tokyo Auto Salon
A few weeks ago, Nissan sparked a wave of discussion by announcing a new concept for the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon. The first teaser revealed very little, showing only a fragment of the taillights and bumper.
However, since then, the Japanese automaker has released two more images that reveal more details. One of them shows an RS badge on the hood, and the other shows a tall, sculpted rear spoiler.
What’s Hiding Under the Camouflage?
Although the official Tokyo Auto Salon page still does not name a specific model, online investigation has almost confirmed what is hiding under the body panels. The publication Carbuzz noticed an important detail in the filenames of the teaser images. The URL metadata contains the name “Aura,” which perfectly matches the shape of the hood and the design of the taillights.
The Nissan Note Aura is a more premium version of the Note hatchback for the Japanese market.
This model was introduced in 2021 and received a mid-lifecycle update in 2024. The Nismo version appeared in the lineup from the very beginning, receiving a redesigned body kit, suspension tuning for sharper handling, and a slightly improved version of the e-Power 4WD hybrid powertrain, which, however, produces a rather modest 134 hp and 300 Nm of torque.
Expectations from the RS Concept
The concept heading to Tokyo is set to take this existing formula to a new level. Along with a more aggressive spoiler and updated body kit, the RS treatment could serve as an announcement for a future Note Aura Nismo RS. This version is expected to go beyond visual enhancements and offer a real performance boost from the hybrid powertrain.
We will get answers to all questions at the Tokyo Auto Salon, which opens on January 9th.
Expanding the Nismo Lineup
In addition to the Tokyo premiere, Nissan announced a larger-scale plan to double its global performance lineup, aiming to bring ten models under the Nismo brand to market by 2028. Part of this plan is a Nismo prototype currently being developed for motorsport, with a promise of a subsequent transition to a road-going model.
This car, whose name has not yet been disclosed, could point to the long-awaited evolution of the GT-R or something entirely new.
The presentation of the new concept takes place against the backdrop of the brand’s overall strategy to strengthen its sports identity. The emphasis on hybrid technologies in high-performance versions, as in the case of the Note Aura, reflects a general trend in the automotive industry where efficiency and environmental friendliness are combined with dynamics. The success of such models could significantly influence the perception of hybrids among car enthusiasts who value speed and driving emotions.
