The SE-R package is finished off with a sport tuned suspension incorporating stiffer springs, aggressive aero add-ons, large front fog lamps, 17" alloy rims, dramatic rear spoiler and large chrome exhaust tips. The Spec-V's sport seats are comfortable and supportive, but the volcanic red under black mesh fabric is one of those 'love it or hate it' items. Audiophiles can rejoice as a 300-watt, 9-speaker Rockport Fosgate sound system with a 6-disc in-dash CD player is optional, part of the SE-R and Spec V sport packages.

The SE-R Spec V is sensational on the open road. Its power is immediate, launching the little sedan to 100 km/h in just under 7.5 seconds with the ¼ mile arriving in 15.7. Top speed is 221 km/h (130 mph), heady territory for a 4-door economy car. Braking is equally impressive at 54 meters (177 ft) from 120 km/h (70 mph). Even more impressive, its roadholding on a 300-ft skidpad is 0.86 g's - equal to the Audi S4 quattro, Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, VW GTI and Mazda Protegé 5, while besting the Saab 9-3 Viggen, BMW 330i and Subaru WRX - not bad Nissan. While skidpad statistics don't relate a complete understanding of a vehicle's handling capabilities, the SE-R held its own during a high spirited test through curving, undulating stretches of pavement around Harrison Lake.

But wait, you don't really want all that asphalt burning power and athletic finesse do you? Maybe you're looking for something that just simply holds its own down a winding road and is capable of passing at freeway speeds when needed. That's OK, because the Mr. Hyde Sentra SE-R also has a Dr. Jeckyl side to its personality - the Sentra XE and GXE. Here, performance is also measured by fuel efficiency, a Sentra strong suit at 7.4 L/100 km combined city and highway. Although not as energetic as its sports oriented sibling, the 126-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Sentra sedan is lively enough. It comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission while a 4-speed automatic is optional.