Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Nissan Future Designs Influenced by 2013 Altima, Hi-Cross Concept
Nissan Cars
Godzilla may produce offspring, as the report says Nissan is planning an “undetermined” number of GT-R variations to arrive sometime between 2014 and 2016. Before that happens, though, Nissan’s next 370Z will arrive in 2014 as a 2015 model, with a leaner body, and perhaps a smaller front-drive sibling dubbed the Mini Z. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the affordable Versa hatchback will arrive next spring as a 2013 model with bolder and sportier styling, including a more angular front end and more sharply raked roofline at the rear.
The Maxima will see changes similar to those made to the 2013 Altima, which is lighter and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor. Expect to see the redesigned Maxima in 2014 or 2015. Those who have been waiting for the Nissan Leaf to drop in price may be in luck, as the price will be changed for the better as a result of moving production from Japan to Smyrna, Tennessee. Instead of a redesign, the main focus for the Leaf is extending battery range so green-conscious shoppers can have more confidence in an all-electric car without having to suffer from range anxiety.
Nissan Trucks/SUVs
Just like how families’ needs have changed, so has the Pathfinder. With about two more months to go until it arrives in showrooms, the Pathfinder has softened up its appearance while still maintaining its off-road prowess. Ditching the body-on-frame construction for a unibody structure will help it achieve better fuel economy, with estimates reaching for 20/26 mpg city/highway. Its 3.5-liter V-6 replaces the outgoing SUV’s 4.0-liter, with which it will be paired with an updated CVT. Changes for Nissan’s smaller off-roader, the X-Terra, won’t be as drastic, with a reskin scheduled for 2014. Don’t expect major changes for the Juke either, though a refresh is set for 2014, and the hot-rodded Juke-R continues limited production on a built-to-order basis.
The popular-selling Rogue already has a winning formula, but Nissan hopes to improve it by incorporating styling cues found on the Hi-Cross concept, which debuted at the Geneva show earlier this year, in the new car’s design. Though powertrain specifics haven’t been revealed, it’s possible the revised crossover will use something similar to the concept’s hybrid drivetrain coupled to a direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine when it debuts in 2014. The third-generation Murano, on the other hand, will arrive one year later in 2015. New sheetmetal is in store for the Frontier, which is scheduled to arrive in 2014. The new skin, designed with aerodynamics in mind, will help it achieve more mpgs, while production moves to Canton, Mississippi.
As for full-size Titan pickup and Armada SUV, both are on the same schedule, though it’s unclear when we’ll see the new versions. The Titan’s redesign, scheduled for 2014, is being dragged out as a result of the strain put on engineering resources by the 2011 Japan earthquake. Automotive News reports Nissan is considering offering different variations of the full-size truck, including a regular cab body style. That would be a first for Nissan, and offering the truck with a smaller-displacement engine option along the lines of the F-150 EcoBoost is also a possibility.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Nissan Opens Virtual Showrooms to Personalize Buyers’ 2013 Pathfinders
With the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder not slated to hit dealerships until this fall, the automaker has teamed up with Microsoft for an innovative new way for prospective buyers to check out the all-new crossover before it even hits lots. Using the Kinect for Windows technology, customers can customize a 2013 Pathfinder and interact with a digital version of it at the dealership this summer.
Nissan showed off its “Pathfinder Kinect Experience” earlier this year at the Chicago and New York auto shows to debut its revamped three-row SUV. Now, it’s rolling the feature out in 16 dealers spread across 13 states. The technology combines the Kinect motion sensor, a Windows-enabled computer, and a television screen to let the user interact with the 2013 Pathfinder by reaching, leaning, bending over, and stepping from side to side. The PKE will also include “hotspots” that can be selected to show more detail on a certain feature.
The automaker hopes the new interactive tech will help to “build awareness, excitement, and buzz while extending the sales cycle for new vehicle launches.” By having a digital version of a car that has yet to come to market, Nissan is hoping that it can keep more sales on the table despite not having the physical models available when potential buyers come into the dealership.
Nifty, but Nissan’s hardly the only company looking to capitalize on interactive dealership technology: Audi, for instance, is working on creating virtual dealerships in 20 cities across the globe that allow customers to customize their car and get a 360-degree view of the virtual finished product. Ford, too, is looking to new tech – the automaker has crafted a new iPad application to help augment the in-dealership car-buying experience.
The Pathfinder Kinect Experience will run from now until the end of November at certain dealerships in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Source: Nissan
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Take a look at the beautiful 2013 Nissan Rogue!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Nissan Prices 2013 Rogue at $23,135, Less Than All Major Competitors
That $23,135 (including $825 in destination fees) will get you a Rogue S with front-wheel drive. Buyers can upgrade to the SV trim level–which adds things like power seats, a better stereo, and larger wheels–at a base price of $25,575, or go to the top-spec SV with SL Package (previously the Rogue SL, and includes heated leather seats, 18-inch wheels, GPS navigation, around-view monitor, and automatic climate control and headlights) for $29,475. All-wheel drive is available on all trim levels for $1300.
Buyers who go for the Rogue S can also opt for the Special Edition Package, a $1200 suite of options that includes Bluetooth connectivity, a 4.3-inch color touch screen audio system with rear-view camera, 16-inch alloys, and fog lights. SV trim buyers who don’t want to spend the $3900 on the top-spec SL package can also add the Premium Edition, which adds GPS navigation, a Bose audio system, automatic headlights, and a power moonroof, but skips the SL’s big wheels and leather seats.
At $23,135, the basic Rogue S does score a win against most of its competitors on price. The next least expensive competitor in the CUV segment is Ford’s Escape, which costs $23,295. Honda’s CR-V is $23,325, Toyota’s RAV4 is $23,460, Chevrolet’s Equinox is $24,355, and GMC’s Terrain is $26,385. But the pricing crown still goes to the Hyundai Tucson, which costs $21,070 (with an automatic transmission, manual models are less expensive), and the Kia Sportage, which rings in at $21,600.
Source: Nissan
Monday, August 20, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
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Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Triple Black Accents: 2013 Nissan Juke Debuts with New Midnight Edition
For the new 2013 Nissan Juke Midnight Edition, the automaker is focusing on one of the compact crossover’s biggest strengths: its polarizing styling. The new Midnight Edition will carry a $1200 price, and can be added to any 2013 Juke S, SV, and SL model when it arrives in September.
Even if you aren’t a fan of the 2013 Nissan Juke’s Midnight Edition, the automaker has reshuffled a couple packages. The Juke SV’s navigation package now includes the RearView Monitor and a revised, upgraded sound system, which is also standard on the Juke SL. Atomic Gold, Brilliant Silver, and Pearl White join the list of available colors.
While the 2013 Nissan Juke Midnight Edition won’t change what’s under the crossover’s hood, a Juke Nismo edition is just around the corner. As we reported a couple months ago, a Juke Nismo will use a retuned version of the crossover’s 1.6-liter engine with new suspension settings and modifications to improve steering feel. We don’t have a timeline for the Juke Nismo model yet, but can tell you the Midnight Edition will be available in September.
What do you think of the 2013 Nissan Juke Midnight Edition’s styling tweaks?
The 2013 Nissan Juke Midnight Edition is shown in white and red alongside the Nissan Juke Nismo edition.
Source: Nissan
Monday, August 13, 2012
6 common tire myths debunked
1. The tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in my new car makes sure my tires are adequately inflated. 
- Our Cars
The truth: TPMS isn't required to issue a warning until pressure is 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. That's "well below the pressure required for safe driving," according to AAA and "barely adequate to carry the vehicle's maximum load," says the Rubber Manufacturers' Association. TPMS is intended as a last-minute warning before imminent tire failure, not as a monitor to make sure your tires are properly inflated.
Buy a quality tire gauge and set your tire pressure to at least the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, which is found on the driver's door jamb. I'd rather you set your tires 3 or even 5 psi high rather than 1 low. Tire-pressure gauges can be inaccurate, and tires leak as much as 1 psi per month. Higher pressure improves hydroplaning resistance and, if you're like many folks, you may not bother to check your tires again for six months.
2. When replacing only two tires, the new ones go on the front.
The truth: Rear tires provide stability, and without stability, steering or braking on a wet or even damp surface might cause a spin. If you have new tires up front, they will easily disperse water while the half-worn rears will go surfing: The water will literally lift the worn rear tires off the road. If you're in a slight corner or on a crowned road, the car will spin out so fast you won't be able to say, "Oh, fudge!"
There is no "even if" to this one. Whether you own a front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive car, truck, or SUV, the tires with the most tread go on the rear. Don't believe it? Watch this.
3. A tire is in danger of bursting if pressure exceeds the "max press" number on the sidewall.
The truth: The "max press" number has nothing to do with a tire's burst pressure. The "max press" and "max load" numbers indicate the pressure at which the tire will carry the maximum amount of weight. A new, quality tire will not pop at an even multiple of the "max press." I'm sworn to secrecy about the exact burst pressure, but I wouldn't hesitate to double the "max press" of any new passenger-vehicle tire on a new wheel. But hitting a big pothole at super-high pressures may cause a failure.
4. The "max press" is where the tire offers its maximum cornering grip.
The truth: If you didn't read the previous point, do so now. Many law enforcement officers cling rigidly to the misconception that the "max press" is secret code for maximum at-the-limit traction. It's a coincidence that many low-bidder tires offer increased grip at 40 or more psi. But that's all it is: a coincidence. If I were going to race a stock ex-cop Ford Crown Victoria on street tires on a road-racing circuit, 45 psi front, 35 psi rear wouldn't be a bad place to start. (The tail would be, in Nascar lingo, too loose for safe street driving.)
5. Low-profile tires fitted on large-diameter wheels improve handling.
The truth: The short sidewalls of low-profile tires enhance the tires' response when the driver first turns the steering wheel. That gives the driver the (often false) feeling the tire has tons of grip. But after that initial movement, it's the tread compound—the stickiness of the rubber—that determines how well the tire grips the road. Also, the combination of a large-diameter wheel and low-profile tire is usually heavier than the original equipment. This means the suspension may not be able to keep the tire in touch with the pavement.
6. All tires with the same designation are exactly the same size.
The truth: Think all 225/35R19s (or whatever tire size) are exactly 225 millimeters wide and their sidewalls are exactly 35 percent as tall as the tire is wide? Not exactly. And unlike what's commonly believe, these designations are not about production tolerances.
All the tires of a specific part number or stock keeping unit (SKU) can be can be slightly wider or narrower than the nominal width and their profile can be slightly taller or shorter than the stated percentage. Why? A wider, taller tire puts more rubber on the ground, which is good for a performance tire. A shorter, narrower tire uses less material, thus reducing costs in a business where profit margins almost never break into double digits. So tiremakers might scrimp a bit here and there. It's a bit like how a 2 x 4 is not, in fact, 2 by 4.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Painted Black, Nissan NV200 Taxi Is Poised for London Duty
In its new livery, the NV200 seems instantly more dignified and solid than its yellow cousin. Call it a rolling testament to the power of black paint.
Nissan says the van, with sliding doors and seating for five, meets all requirements, however esoteric, laid down by London’s transport office. Among these is a 25-foot turning radius that, like so many things British, is grounded in legend and custom, ostensibly deriving from the dimensions of the tight rotary at the entrance to the Savoy Hotel.
Though some advocates for disabled passengers in New York criticized the Nissan for lacking a full-scale wheelchair ramp and complete access, advocacy groups in London have endorsed the new London design, according to a press release from Nissan.
As in New York, Nissan plans to conduct a field test next year of purely electric versions of the taxi.
A significant distinction between the London cab and its American counterpart is the use of a diesel power plant. The New York version uses a 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, while the London unit, displacing 1.5 liters, is said by Nissan to hold a 50 percent advantage in fuel efficiency over the city’s traditional black cabs.
In America, opposition to diesel emissions remains strong. The World Health Organization recently classified diesel fumes as a carcinogen. Nissan has long built diesel engines for the London taxi, and members of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association have expressed their enthusiasm for the 2.7-liter diesel unit supplied by Nissan for an earlier version of their traditional black cab, the TX4. Nissan expects the predicted reductions in carbon emissions and improvements in fuel economy to win over the skeptics.
“The NV200 London Taxi’s Euro V engine only emits up to 138g/km of CO2, compared with 209g/km from the ‘greenest’ TX4 model,” Nissan said in its release.
The new engine would enable the mayor, Boris Johnson, whose administration has already updated the Routemaster double-decker bus, to present the new taxi as part of his air quality improvement program.
“Improving air quality in London is one of the most important challenges I face as mayor,” Mr. Johnson said in the statement issued by Nissan. “Having taken the significant step of introducing the first age limit for taxis in London, I am absolutely delighted that manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and are responding to the challenge I set in my air quality strategy to reduce taxi emissions and improve efficiency.”
Monday, August 6, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
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