Nissan shows stunning Nismo racer in Chicago

CHICAGO — It was Nismo fever when it came to Nissan's efforts during the press preview at the Chicago Auto Show.

Nismo, the motorsports and performance arm of Nissan, showcased its new GT-R LM Nismo race car that made a cameo during Nissan's Super Bowl commercial.

The car was created by engineers in Japan, the U.S. and Europe who put the 3-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine in the front of the front-wheel-drive car that also has hybrid power to improve acceleration.

The GT-R LM Nismo will compete in the 24 hours of Le Mans, one of Europe's most famous races.

"LM P1 cars are the most extreme sports cars in racing today so, for Nissan and Nismo, the opportunity to innovate at the highest level could not be missed," said Darren Cox, global head of the Nismo brand's sales and marketing. "Taking on the best in the world and competing to win is a daunting task for Nissan...but this is a challenge that Nissan has accepted and the Nissan Nismo team will fight like it has never fought before."

There are also two concept vehicles, the Sentra Nismo and a new Nismo street concept that were to be unveiled Thursday at the auto show.

Nissan also used the Chicago show for the first look at the Nissan 370Z Nismo convertible.