Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Nissan

That was short lived. Just a few days after announcing that it would be pulling out of both the Detroit Auto Show and the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan has changed its mind. Sort of. The Japanese automaker will indeed have a presence in the Windy City thanks to the support of its local dealerships, which will be manning the show in lieu of an official factory effort. This being the case, don’t expect a particularly showy display, but at least attendees will get the chance to see the new 370Z, Cube and Infiniti G37 Convertible that were all unveiled across the country at the LA Auto Show. According to Nissan, there’s next to no chance that the situation for Detroit will change.

To recap, Porsche, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, Land Rover and Rolls-Royce have all pulled out of the International Auto Show in Detroit. All’s not lost, though, as room is now available for a couple of Chinese upstarts to show their wares at the big boy table upstairs.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Nissan back on for Chicago Auto Show, still avoiding Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupes, Nissan, Rendered Speculation, Rumormill

Affordable rear-wheel drive performance looks set to make a comeback, as both Nissan and Toyota are planning small, sporty coupes that should stack up rather nicely in performance and price. Another player comes from Korea in the form of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which is set to do battle with the Mustang until the other Japanese players show up (assuming they make it to the U.S. market). We expect both the Toyota and the Nissan to use four cylinder engines, with manual transmissions sending power to the rear wheels. Reports indicate that the Nissan may use a turbocharged 1.6-liter unit putting out somewhere north of 200-horsepower, but less than 250. That would leave the 370Z to do battle at a slightly higher performance plateau and should allow Nissan to keep the price comparatively low, though we believe that both Nissan coupes could be based on the same platform. We should know more soon enough, as previous reports peg the new FR coupe to debut sometime in 2010. There’s one more rendering after the break.

[Source: 7Tune.com]

Continue reading More renders from Japan of the Nissan FR coupe

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Filed under: Supercars, Nissan, Porsche

As expected, Nissan has responded to Porsche’s claims that the GT-R isn’t quite as fast as they say it is. In fact, representatives for the German automaker suggested that Nissan may have used racing slicks to achieve the 7:29:03 lap time of the Nürburgring. Says Nissan, “The final word from us is that it was done on absolutely standard tires which are available to customers in the showroom. They’re not trick tires - absolutely standard tires, normal road tires.”

Despite the allegations, Nissan is remaining calm about the issue, adding that the fast time was set by its racing driver, Tochio Suzuki, and achieved using the GT-R’s optional Dunlop tires. Could it be that Porsche purchased a model with the slightly slower Bridgestones? Maybe, but can having the right tires could account for a 25-second lap time difference? In any case, Nissan’s taking the high-road, falling short of suggesting that Porsche’s drivers are slow. Thanks for the tip, Ed!

[Source: The Nissan GT-R Owners Club]

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Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Economy, Hatchbacks, Nissan

Many thanks to Autoblog reader Aaron, who appears to have been in the presence of printed materials pertaining to the 2010 Nissan Cube, which is set to be unveiled next month at the LA Auto Show. Aaron captured the moment with his camera phone, and thus, we have what may be the first unofficial official look at the U.S.-market Cube’s design. Or it could be something else entirely, but it sure doesn’t look that way. Up front, the new headlamps and grille form a thin line above the front bumper, giving the boxy little dude a face we expect to see start talking at any given moment. Follow the jump for more analysis, and check out the scans in the gallery below.

[Source: Aaron]

Continue reading Reader Spy: 2010 Nissan Cube is properly asymmetric!

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Filed under: Gadgets, Japan, Tech, Nissan, Lifestyle

Those wacky kids in Japan can do all kinds of things with their cell phones that those of us in the U.S. can’t. Thanks to Nissan, Sharp Corporation, and NTT DOCOMO, the Japanese mobile communications company, they can now add car control to the list of possible cell phone features.

The phone uses the two-way communication of Nissan’s Intelligent Key System, the same thing you use on your G37. For now, it can only lock and unlock the car and start and stop the engine, but if it takes off we imagine they’ll add other options later. This is about convenience, not necessarily about sense — if your phone gets stolen, that makes your car one more thing that the villains can abscond with.

The phone won’t go on sale commercially until 2009, but will be demoed at the CEATEC exhibition in Japan later this month. You can read the full press release is after the jump, and get ready to overhear this in Japanese: “I called the wrong number and my car just drove off…”

[Source: NTT DOCOMO]

Continue reading Nissan, Sharp and NTT DOCOMO develop smart-key phone

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You are watching Nissan Skyline R34 tuned by Signal Auto which deliver 700hp on wheel.  There is no details on the car spec, but enjoy the  photo taken in Japan

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Renault has made a mind to abide by the stringent environmental guidelines and is set to launch its all new ‘eco²’ vehicle line that will meet the three main guidelines as set by the ISO right from the birth of the car till its…

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Feeling lucky today? Win the ultimate grand prize of a fully imported NISSAN 350Z with a purchase of any new NISSAN vehicle.
Hurry up ! Get Nissan 350Z now.

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The new Sentra 2007 will be powered by 2.0L DOHC 16 valve, 4 cylinder engine which deliver 140bhp @ 5,100 rpm and 147 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm. For those who hungry of power, there is limited version of SE-R Spec V, which deliver 177hp/172 lb-ft of torque. It also features […]

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For the very first time, a fuel-cell vehicle has been made on hand for hired-car services thereby allowing the consumers with the opportunity to experience the performance and benefits of sophisticated uncontaminated technology. The latest version…

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Filed under: Hydrogen, Transportation Alternatives

To go along with the test drives that Nissan already allows in Japan, they will be allowing the use of their X-Trail hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as chauffeur-driven hired-car vehicles. According to this article, the vehicle’s fuel cell, batteries and motor provide similar performance to their gasoline counterparts, minus the emissions. As all of you probably know, the fuel cell creates electricity which charges the battery, making this an electric vehicle.

The nice thing about this is that it allows consumers a chance to get a feel for the technology and performance of it themselves. There is a big difference between reading about something and actually getting to see, feel and experience it yourself. Of course, when consumers find out how much it costs, that might just scare them right back home! This could bring a new meaning to the phrase, “you break it - you bought it”!

[Source: Huliq.com]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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1)Copy of Kopie Isuzu Axiom:

Original:

2)Copy of Kopie Isuzu D-MAX

Original:

3)Copy of Hyundai Santa Fé:

Original:

4)Copy of Kia Sorento:

Original:

5)Copy of Mitsubishi Grandis

Original:

6)Copy of Pick-up…

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Filed under: Hybrid, Nissan, Renault

As we reported earlier, Nissan plans to create a new series of hybrid vehicles to be released in 2010. It was just announced that Nissan may partner with NEC to create lithium ion batteries suitable for use in hybrid vehicles, reportedly also to be released in 2010.

Currently, Nissan purchases components for their newly-announced hybrid Altima from Toyota, and licenses certain technologies from them. The proposed venture with NEC would allow Nissan to use their own technology, and have a competing system separate from Toyota. Nissan is the second-largest automaker in Japan, after Toyota.

Related:

• Nissan anounces “Green Program 2010″
• Renault-Nissan to build an electric car in 2010
• Altima Hybrid won’t be cash cow for Nissan

[Source: Bloomberg.com]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Japan, Nissan

When Nissan unveiled the Fairlady Z Version NISMO (their description, not ours) along with the updated version of the iconic Z, we didn’t have much hope that we’d ever see the motorsports-massaged version here in the States. Well, it would seem that the folks over at Edmunds have it on good authority that a US-legit version of the NISMO 350Z will be revealed at the New York Auto Show in April.

Although the JDM model’s specs are already firmed up and the vehicle is currently on sale in Japan, there is no information about what could be lost in translation on the trek across the Pacific. We’d expect the aero enhancements to remain unscathed, along with the additional welds, reinforcement panels and bars. The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01Rs that are fitted onto the JDM version are also sold here in the US, so hopefully they will remain and be wrapped around a set of custom, lightweight rollers, possibly sourced from Rays Engineering (who Nissan has tapped in the past) or another premium wheels manufacturer.

We’ll be on hand for the official unveiling in Detroit, but in the meantime, feel free to ogle the gallery of the new Fairlady 350Z below.

[Sources: Straightline, Nissan]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Hirings/Firings, Nissan

Word has just come across the wire that Nissan will be offering a “voluntary transition program” to all of its hourly employees working in either its Smyrna or Dechard manufacturing plants in Tennessee. These are effectively buyouts, which can net an hourly worker a lump sum of $45,000 and a bonus $500 for each year of service. It’s certainly not the sweet deal offered to members of the UAW who work for General Motors and Ford, but the offer could help Nissan reduce the rank and file of its relatively young and non-union work force in North America. For whatever reason, the offer is only being made to employees at these two plants in Tennessee. The Smyrna plant employs about 6,700 people, though some are surely salaried, and produces the Altima, Frontier, Maxima, Xterra and Pathfinder. The Dechard plant only employs 1,400 people and produces many of Nissan’s engines, including the glorious VQ 3.5L V6. This news is pretty fresh, so we’ll keep our ears peeled for reaction from the auto pundits.

[Source: Jalopnik]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Japan, Nissan

When Nissan unveiled the Fairlady Z Version NISMO (their description, not ours) along with the updated version of the iconic Z, we didn’t have much hope that we’d ever see the motorsports-massaged version here in the States. Well, it would seem that the folks over at Edmunds have it on good authority that a US-legit version of the NISMO 350Z will be revealed at the New York Auto Show in April.

Although the JDM model’s specs are already firmed up and the vehicle is currently on sale in Japan, there is no information about what could be lost in translation on the trek across the Pacific. We’d expect the aero enhancements to remain unscathed, along with the additional welds, reinforcement panels and bars. The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01Rs that are fitted onto the JDM version are also sold here in the US, so hopefully they will remain and be wrapped around a set of custom, lightweight rollers, possibly sourced from Rays Engineering (who Nissan has tapped in the past) or another premium wheels manufacturer.

We’ll be on hand for the official unveiling in Detroit, but in the meantime, feel free to ogle the gallery of the new Fairlady 350Z below.

[Sources: Straightline, Nissan]

%Gallery-1176%

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Nissan

This just in: Carlos Ghosn is the man. He has rescued a car company from the abyss, he’s been immortalized in Japanese manga, and now he’s been knighted on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II by British ambassador to Japan, Graham Fry. Ghosn was bestowed the honorary title in recognition of his contribution to British-Japanese relations. It doesn’t hurt that Nissan owns Great Britain’s largest automotive factory, which accounts for 20% of total British car production. Ghosn described himself as feeling “proud and humbled’ to receive the honor, and called it an acknowledgment of Nissan’s 5,600 UK employees.

It’s hard to imagine how Ghosn will split up his already crazy schedule of running two automotive companies and sitting with the other knights at the round table…

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Green, Tech, Infiniti, Nissan

Ever-tightening emissions requirements, teamed with consumers’ lust for today’s high horsepower numbers, have led to some creative valve timing and lift schemes. Infiniti’s G37 will be pack some interesting tech underhood when it debuts at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. There are actually two new developments working in conjunction to give independent control over valve timing and lift. Nissan has dubbed the control technologies Variable Valve Event and Lift and Continuous Valve Timing control, or VVEL and C-VTC, respectively. VVEL uses a clever arrangement of links to actuate the valves, and moves the fulcrum for the links via a seperate shaft actuated by a DC motor. By moving the fulcrum, the valve lift is varied.

More after the jump, along with press release

[Source: Nissan via Gizmag]

Continue reading New York Preview: Nissan to introduce new variable valve timing tech

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

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Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Nissan

We’ve been wondering where Nissan was going to fit in on the docket of next week’s Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS), but InsideLine confirmed our suspicions - they won’t be having a press conference at all. Instead, the Forum concept will be set on stage and Nissan will turn its attention to the New York Auto Show in March. There, Nissan plans to take the wraps of the redesigned Maxima that’s destined to go on sale later this year.

Darryl Harrison, Nissan’s North American spokesperson, told InsideLine that the Maxima will be “all new” but he didn’t go into details about what changes would be made. He also said that a “couple of other things” would be on display in the Big Apple and that Nissan’s presence at the Chicago Auto Show would be minimal.

[Source: Inside Line]

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Nissan

Click above for a high resolution image

Wald International has never been one to offer subtle styling. Whether it’s the Lexus IS-F or the Mercedes-Benz CL, the Japanese tuner loves to create a bold look with vents, wings and wheels. The tuner recently turned its attention to the Nissan GT-R, and while we don’t have official information on the car, the photos offer a good look at what the package will include. A vented front fascia and splitter, side skirts, rear fender flares, a rear diffuser, carbon fiber rear spoiler and 22-inch wheels all lend to the more aggressive look. We actually like the majority of the body kit, although we’d prefer the rear fender flares to be the same color as the body, and the larger wheels probably don’t do much for the performance of the car. In the end, though, we’d probably spend our hard earned money on some of the Club Sport components from NISMO. Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: Wald International via Nihoncar.com]

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