Nissan Kicks Sakura Edition Honors Racing With Style
Nissan Kicks Sakura Edition Honors Racing With Style
A Celebration of Racing and Innovation
The Nissan Kicks e-POWER Sakura / Formula E Edition is not your typical crossover. It’s a rolling tribute to Nissan’s motorsport legacy, a design-forward statement that connects the brand’s Formula E championship win in Season 11 with its vision for the future of mobility. Nissan Kicks Sakura Edition Honors Racing With Style
Unveiled during the Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) Tour in BGC, this special edition Kicks is more than just a showpiece. It’s a storytelling vehicle—literally. Every line, every accent, and every color choice is deliberate, designed to remind us that Nissan’s DNA is steeped in racing history while pointing toward an electrified tomorrow.
Racing History in Every Detail
Look closely and you’ll see the Formula E-inspired design cues. Aerodynamic contrast panels echo the sleek lines of Nissan’s electric race cars. A performance strip runs along the profile, giving the crossover a sportier stance.
But the real centerpiece is the number 23, proudly displayed on the hood and side doors. For Nissan, this isn’t just a number. It’s identity. In Japanese, “Ni” means 2 and “San” means 3—together forming “Nissan.” Over decades, the number 23 has become synonymous with the brand’s racing machines, from Super GT legends to the cutting-edge Formula E team.
This Sakura Edition carries that legacy forward, making it instantly recognizable to motorsport fans while educating new audiences about the brand’s heritage.
Wheels That Mean Business
To complete the look, Nissan partnered with Concept One to outfit the Sakura Edition with Momo Revenge MBKPOL wheels (19×8.5, 5H PCD 114, Offset +40). Wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires (245/40 R19), the crossover doesn’t just look sportier—it feels planted, confident, and ready to take on both city streets and long drives.
This isn’t just cosmetic flair. The combination of performance wheels and premium tires enhances grip, stability, and handling. For readers, that translates to a car that doesn’t just look like it belongs on a racetrack—it drives like it could hold its own there too.
A Sakura-Laced Salute to Heritage
The livery is where the Sakura Edition truly shines. Wrapped in a bold mix of racing red and sakura pink, the design draws inspiration from Japan’s cherry blossom season. Sakura, after all, is more than just a flower. It’s a cultural symbol of beauty, renewal, and fleeting brilliance.
The blooming sakura graphics flow gracefully from the hood to the rear quarter panel, creating a poetic contrast: delicate blossoms layered over aggressive, track-ready energy. It’s a visual metaphor for Nissan itself—balancing tradition with innovation, elegance with performance.
And for those who love details, Nissan has hidden Easter eggs throughout the design. Subtle nods to Formula E liveries, references to electric racing milestones, and color cues that bridge Japanese motifs with futuristic performance. It’s the kind of design that rewards a closer look.
The Technology Underneath
While the Sakura Edition is primarily a design showcase, it’s built on the Nissan Kicks e-POWER platform, which is itself a technological statement. Unlike conventional hybrids, e-POWER uses a 100% electric motor drive system. The gasoline engine doesn’t power the wheels directly—it acts as a generator to charge the battery, which then powers the electric motor.
The result? Instant torque, smooth acceleration, and the feel of an EV without the range anxiety. For city driving, this means responsive performance at stoplights, effortless overtakes, and a quieter, more refined ride.
As someone who has tested e-POWER systems before, I can say this: it’s a clever bridge technology. It gives drivers a taste of electric mobility while still offering the familiarity of a gasoline backup. For readers, that means you get the thrill of EV-like driving without worrying about charging infrastructure.
A Tribute That Moves
Nissan Philippines President Masao Tsutsumi summed it up best:
“Our victory in Formula E is a reflection of Nissan’s commitment to performance, precision, and resilience, values that define every vehicle we make. The Kicks e-POWER Sakura is a visual tribute to the brand’s motorsport legacy. It’s our way of showing how the same mindset that wins championships also drives the quality and spirit of the cars we bring to the road.”
This isn’t just marketing speak. It’s a reminder that motorsport isn’t just about trophies—it’s about technology transfer. The lessons learned on the track, from aerodynamics to energy efficiency, eventually make their way into the cars we drive every day.
My Take: Why This Matters
I’ve seen plenty of “special editions” that amount to little more than stickers and badges. The Kicks e-POWER Sakura feels different. It’s not just a cosmetic exercise—it’s a cultural and technological statement.
For readers, the benefit is twofold. First, it’s a reminder that electrification doesn’t have to be boring. The Sakura Edition proves that EV-inspired design can be bold, expressive, and rooted in heritage. Second, it highlights the e-POWER system as a practical stepping stone toward full EV adoption in the Philippines.
And let’s be honest—who wouldn’t want to drive a crossover that looks like it just rolled out of a Formula E paddock, wrapped in cherry blossoms? It’s the kind of car that turns heads at stoplights and sparks conversations in parking lots.
The Road Ahead
The Sakura Edition is currently a display concept, making appearances across Metro Manila as part of Nissan’s ongoing showcase. But its significance goes beyond the tour. It’s a glimpse into how Nissan sees the future: electric, stylish, and deeply connected to its racing DNA.
For Filipino drivers, it’s also a hint of what’s possible. Imagine a future where cars aren’t just functional—they’re expressive, sustainable, and infused with the spirit of competition. The Kicks e-POWER Sakura is a small but powerful step in that direction.
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