14 May 2025 – London, UK
With the all-new MICRA EV poised to usher in a bold new chapter for Nissan’s smallest icon, the marque has reached into its own back catalogue to celebrate one of its most outrageous creations: the Micra 350SR. Now, 23 years after its original debut, Nissan GB has given this mid-engined, Murano-powered oddity a respectful and thoroughly modern restomod makeover to mark its so-called ‘Ni-San’ anniversary*.
Originally built in 2002 as a one-off showcase of the Micra platform’s performance potential, the 350SR was far more than a novelty. Created by the same engineering minds responsible for Nissan’s British Touring Car Championship successes in the 1990s, the 350SR took the unassuming K12 Micra and transformed it into a 300hp, mid-engined monster – a car that still startles onlookers and journalists alike more than two decades on.
The Beast Beneath the Bonnet
Power comes from a 3.5-litre V6 borrowed from the Murano SUV, enhanced with 350Z headers, NISMO high-lift cams, upgraded induction and a reworked ECU. While the original car was rated at 265hp, the refreshed model now pushes close to 300hp – all in a package weighing just 1200kg. The result is a hot hatch with supercar provocation, built not for production but purely to showcase the breadth of Nissan’s engineering imagination.
Although the 350SR has spent the past two decades attending shows, thrilling journalists and gathering dust in corners of the Nissan GB HQ, its revival is both a timely tribute and a wink to the brand’s past as it gears up to electrify its future.
Designed with Respect, Updated with Flair
For the restomod treatment, Nissan GB turned to Nissan Design Europe in Paddington – the same studio behind the new MICRA EV and the acclaimed Concept 20-23 showcar. Drawing inspiration from both the K12 and the brand’s modern design language, the studio’s young designers have executed a sensitive yet striking update.
The 350SR’s original silhouette remains intact, but it now wears a sleek satin ‘liquid silver’ finish, accented by vivid blue highlights and graphic details referencing Nissan’s new ‘=III 23’ iconography. These elements not only connect the 350SR visually to the new MICRA and LEAF, but also nod to the heritage of the 300ZX’s rear light signature.
Gloss black detailing now adorns the grille and lower bodywork, while the iconic 18-inch RAYS alloys – originally sourced from the 350Z – have been fully refurbished for the occasion. New LED headlights, complete with semi-circular daytime running lights, provide a modern twist that also ties in with the MICRA EV’s signature lighting.
Modern Comforts, Classic Soul
Inside, the cabin has been lightly overhauled to include a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – a subtle but welcome upgrade for modern-day usability. New seats and harnesses also make the car more comfortable and secure, whether on road or track.
That said, Nissan’s engineers have wisely left the V6’s untamed voice untouched. While Bluetooth streaming is possible, the VQ35’s guttural soundtrack remains the real audio experience – best enjoyed at full throttle, rather than over Spotify.
A Birthday Debut at a Familiar Venue
Fittingly, the refreshed Micra 350SR will make its public debut on 15 May at the 2025 SMMT Test Day at Millbrook Proving Ground – the very track where it was first put through its paces more than 20 years ago. Motoring journalists eager to revisit this ferocious footnote in Nissan’s history – or experience it for the first time – are encouraged to book their seat early.
As Nissan prepares to redefine the Micra name with a fully electric sixth generation, the 350SR’s return is a timely reminder of just how wild, inventive and joyfully unhinged the brand can be when it lets its engineers run free.
