NISMO: DIGITAL AGE PERFORMANCE
For millions of gaming fans across Europe, Nismo is already legendary. Competing in high-octane driving games such as Sony's long running Gran Turismo® series, the Nismo brand's performance-oriented DNA has become known to a whole generation through pixels rather than pit stops.
The Nissan Juke Nismo bridges the gap between the online gaming community and real-world motorsport - and it's already breaking boundaries in the world of mobile gaming. The car has been stunningly recreated in a special version of Asphalt 7: Heat. Gameloft, a leading global publisher of digital and social games, has partnered with Nissan to give fans the chance to drive the car on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Also tearing up the tarmac in the same game is a digital recreation of the Nissan Juke-R. As a result, millions of gamers could unlock the thrill of the hottest Jukes before they even arrived in Nissan showrooms.
GT Academy
Linking the skills developed in the virtual world with tangible real-life driving experiences is familiar territory for Nissan. The hugely successful GT Academy programme is the ultimate virtual-to-reality racing competition. After four seasons, the European programme has turned four talented gamers into genuine real-world circuit stars.
Capturing the imagination of a generation of gaming fans, more than 830,000 people from participating European countries downloaded and played the online qualifying demo for 2012. Based on the Gran Turismo®5 game for PlayStation®3, players use a range of virtual Nissan cars on a variety of circuits, culminating in a one-lap time trial using a Nissan 370Z on a new virtual version of the Twin Ring Motegi circuit in Japan.
The popularity of the GT Academy concept has now made it a successful global programme. With competitions run in Russia, the USA, South Africa and the Middle East, millions of gamers across the globe have the chance to fulfill their motorsport dreams from the comfort of their living rooms.
All competitors need is access to a PS3TM connected to the internet and to be registered to the PlayStation® Network. Entrants have eight weeks to complete these adrenaline-fuelled driving contests, ranging from handling powerful Nissan rear-wheel-drive performance cars and mastering cornering techniques at high speeds, through to setting lap times in wet and challenging conditions.
For the winners there is the ultimate motorsport prize, a genuine money-can't-buy experience. They are enrolled in Nismo's comprehensive Driver Development Programme to transform their online gaming skills to real-world international race licence standard.
Winning the GT Academy is a passport to a career in global motorsport. European winners Lucas Ordoñez (Spain, 2008/09 champion) and Jordan Tresson (France, 2010 champion) both competed at the Le Mans 24 Hour race in Nissan-powered prototype cars in 2012. Jann Mardenborough (UK, 2011 champion), won a round of the British GT Championship in the GT Academy Team RJN Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 car at Brands Hatch in June. He also competed in the 2012 Blancpain Endurance Series in Europe.
The most recent European winner, Belgian competitor Wolfgang Reip, is currently completing an intensive Driver Development Programme.
The Nismo app
The Nissan Juke Nismo will play an innovative role in taking the link between the virtual world and real life driving to the next level, both for gaming fans and owners of the car. Nismo engineers have designed and brought to life an entirely new type of ‘connected' ownership experience, based around an app for the Apple iPad.
Still under development, it bridges the gap between the highly advanced race technology seen in the flagship Nissan GT-R and the aspirations of affordable performance car owners.
Running the app, the driver's iPad can be linked to the car's on-board computer systems via Bluetooth. That means the driver can view multiple gauges showing engine temperatures, pressures, G-forces or lap times. The motorsport-inspired layout is fully customisable on the iPad's screen.
The app also previews the vision of a connected Nismo community. Once connected to the internet, customers would be able to upload their performance stats, sharing them on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Points could be awarded based on a driver's skill and challenges set to improve ability.
Nissan believes this has to power to enhance the ownership experience, spreading the Nismo spirit to a new generation.
Please follow this link to access Juke Nismo full press kit: www.nissan-live.com/nismo