February 2023 sees a new sports car concept from Nissan, the likes of which we have never seen. Called the Max-Out, the design study actually dates back to 2021. However, back then, it only existed as a rendering. Two years later, the Nissan Max-out gets a physical reincarnation at Nissan’s Yokohama headquarters. Nissan and sports cars are two things that go well together, as we have learned from the numerous iterations of the GT-R and Fairlady Z models. Nissan is currently on the up, but considering the brand’s performance models are aging and/or based on previous generations, the Max-Out foreshadows a grim future for Nissan’s iconic models.

Related: The Max-Out Concept Previews What Nissan's Convertible EVs Will Look Like In The Future

Neo-Retro Styling Is Here To Stay

Nissan Max-Out
Nissan

The Nissan GT-R has been around since 2007, which officially, makes it the longest-produced, modern-day, high-performance car. The Nissan Z is great value for money, but seems like a half-assed attempt to retrofit an old platform for another 10 years or so. With that said, the Nissan Max-Out joints other car companies, such as Hyundai, with a neo-retro-styled sports car concept.

Just like the Hyundai N Vision 74 is a preview of what future Hyundai models would look like (some of them already in production), the Max-Out is shaping up to be the same for Nissan. The key difference, between the Korean and Japanese neo-retro models is that the N Vision 74 relies on hydrogen while the Max-Out is fully-electric. It seems the 1980s are back and the Nissan Max-Out relays that quite well. The company is no stranger to square grilles, as seen by the neo-retro convertible’s front end, which incorporates neon and LED lighting. The rear features a similar, clean design, with a square, single-piece light bar, spanning the width of the car.

If the exterior looks like it was inspired by TRON Legacy, this is even truer for the interior. The two, lounge-chair seats are able to morph and flatten, maximizing storage space. This makes the interior extremely flexible for a two-seater, giving you the option of prioritizing seating space or cargo capacity. The upper half of the steering yoke is partially illuminated by neon accents and the whole floor of the car looks like a neon grid, like in the TRON movies. Last, but not least, is the full-width screen that gives you information about the vehicle’s status while serving as the access point for the car’s infotainment features.

Related: Nissan Is On Track To Become The First Automaker To Launch EVs With Solid-State Batteries

The Future Of Nissan Sports Cars

Nissan Max-Out  concept
Nissan

While nothing is set in stone at this point, the physical incarnation of the Nissan Max-Out concept speaks of the impending changes in the Japanese sports car segment. The North America-only, 2024 Nissan GT-R is heavily inspired by the R34 while the new Z is an amalgamation of Z-cars from the past. Neither of those are completely new models from the ground up, which speaks of Nissan’s reluctance to develop an all-new model for an increasingly niche segment. Sadly, it all makes sense as car companies aim to maximize profits. Nissan's recent exploits with the GT-R and Z are proof that sports cars are sadly, little more than the poster boys of an industry that relies mainly on commuter cars to make actual profit.

At this point, we don’t know if the Nissan Max-Out will enter production, in some form or another, but we do know that even models with a rich heritage like the Porsche 911 are adopting electrification in the form of hybrid powertrains, in order to stay relevant. The Acura NSX was a classic case of being too ahead of its time in this regard. We reported on a four-door Nissan GT-R EV, as disclosed by the Japanese publication, Bestcarweb, and while Nissan has not confirmed or denied it, this may be what we end up with at some point. Given the age-old rivalry between the Porsche 911 and Nissan GT-R, as well as the Porsche Taycan’s success, it would make sense for Nissan to build a high-performance competitor on Godzilla’s foundations.

Related: 10 Sports Cars To Watch Out For In 2023

Compact Sports Cars Will Still Be Around, But As EVs

Nissan Max-Out
Nissan

The key points of the Nissan Max-Out are an ultra-lightweight, low center of gravity, and the advanced e-4ORCE drivetrain. No exact figures have been quoted by Nissan, but in regard to the powertrain, we know that a Nissan Leaf concept packs 304 horsepower (224 kilowatts) and 501 pound-feet (680 Nm) from an e-4ORCE powertrain. The future of the GT-R and Z model hasn’t been fully decided yet, but the philosophy behind the Mac-Out concept sounds like an opportunity to bring back more of Nissan’s iconic nameplates. The Silvia, in particular, had its own logo, in the form of a red lightning bolt, so here’s hoping that happens…someday. At its current state, Nissan seems to be favoring internal-combustion engine vehicles when it comes to its sports cars.

The Nissan GT-R will be the first of the legacy models to go through the BEV transformation process, but to what extent, this hasn't been fully confirmed yet. A few options are on the table, among which are a hybrid powertrain, likely, derived from the GT-R NISMO LM race car and a Taycan-rivalling, fully-electric model. Given how many carmakers, currently, have ICE-powered and EV lineups on offer simultaneously, it is likely that, at some point, the Nissan Z will remain the only dinosaur-powered, Nissan sports car. Don't hope for major revisions, past the 2024 NISMO Z, however as the Max-Out concept clearly shows what the brand has in store for its sports car models in the future.