2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R and SE-R Spec V

When Nissan introduced its all-new, fifth-generation Sentra compact sedan in the 2000 model year, the car rekindled fond memories of the Datsun 510 and its success in small-bore GT racing. After this Sentra went into production, one of the development cars was collecting dust at Nissan's Arizona Proving Ground, and several of the engineers started fiddling with it in their spare time. After an engine tweak here and a suspension mod there, these Nissan brains realized that they had something special. So special, in fact, that they couldn't contain their enthusiasm.


After the Nissan brass saw this skunkworks Sentra, the suits decided to green-light it as a production vehicle. The end result is the 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R and the even-higher-performance SE-R Spec V.

The SE-Rs' new 2.5-liter four-banger is a little brother to Nissan's award-winning "Q" family of V-6 engines. The Spec V version puts out 180 horsepower.

Although based on the "standard" Sentra, the SE-R (which replaces the SE trim level for 2002) has numerous performance upgrades. Starting under the hood, the SE-R is powered by Nissan's new QR25 four-cylinder engine. Based on the modular architecture of the six-cylinder engines that power the Maxima sport sedan and the Pathfinder sport-utility vehicle, the 2.5-liter engine produces 170 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque.


With its sport-tuned suspension—MacPherson struts in front, multi-link beam in back (but with larger front and rear stabilizer bars than the Sentra SE and with front strut-tower bracing)—the car becomes even more aggressive. The SE-R also has four-wheel disc brakes with 11-inch front rotors, 16-inch tires and a front fascia inspired by Nissan's awesome Skyline GT-R.


The interior upgrades include special seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and titanium-colored gauges. Certainly it is a car worthy of reviving the famed SE-R badge that adorned the sportiest (even at only 140 hp) of Sentras from 1991-94.