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LA 2010: Nissan unveils fourth generation Quest; swagger-wagon wars heat up

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Nissan

2011 Nissan Quest

2011 Nissan Quest – Click above for high-res image gallery

Keeping up with the Joneses is a tough game to play, and Nissan’s third-generation Quest was getting jealous of the new Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey. Los Angeles can change you, and that’s why we are staring at the all-new fourth generation 2011 Nissan Quest.

Arriving in dealerships in the beginning of next year, the 2011 Nissan Quest will be offered in four trims: S, SV, SL and LE. All four are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 253 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT unit. Each trim is also fairly well-equipped, with even the base Quest S receiving push-button ignition and a six-disc CD audio system. The top-level Quest LE goes all out with such features as a DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones, a blind-spot warning system and HID headlights.

Besides the tech amenities, the Quest also offers a plethora of what-you-would-expect minivan features. The 2nd and 3rd rows of seating both fold flat to the floor, and a deep rear storage well adds even more cargo space if you are traveling with items other than passengers. See the whole shebang in our high-res image gallery below, and hit the jump for the complete press release.

Gallery: LA 2010: Nissan Quest

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Quest

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading LA 2010: Nissan unveils fourth generation Quest; swagger-wagon wars heat up

LA 2010: Nissan unveils fourth generation Quest; swagger-wagon wars heat up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Nissan GT-R adds 45 HP for 2012, hits 60 under 3 seconds *Update

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

2012 Nissan GT-R

2012 Nissan GT-R – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan is making quite a splash at the 2010 LA Auto Show. Despite the presence of the bat-guano-crazy Murano CrossCabriolet and rather attractive Ellure Concept, perhaps the most highly anticipated machine from the Japanese automaker is the 2012 GT-R. Here are the most important pieces of information to chew on: 530 horsepower and 488 pound-feet of torque.

That means Godzilla Part II (Tokyo Strikes Back!) offers up 45 more raging stallions than the first edition, which Nissan claims is enough to push its all-wheel-drive super coupe to 60 miles per hour in under three seconds(!). Those upgraded figures come courtesy of increased boost from the twin turbos packed into the six combustion chambers along with larger inlet and exhaust pipes.

Body modifications include an enlarged front fascia and grille openings along with double rectifier fins and LED running lights. These updates are said to allow for more air to enter the engine compartment and sweep across front brakes for cooling. Out back, Nissan says its redesigned rear fascia lowers the car’s center of gravity.

Aerodynamic improvements such as the aforementioned front fascia, rear diffuser and underbody trays equal a coefficient of drag that falls to just 0.26. All models get new and improved Rays wheels, and a new Black Edition sees darkened six-spoke affairs along with red-trimmed Recaro seats that should look pretty darn nice with the new across-the-range carbon interior highlights.

Colors include Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and a limited production four-stage metallic Super Silver, which join two new shades for the new year: Deep Blue Pearl (pictured) and Jet Black. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, but what you really want to see are the high-res images in our galleries below. Enjoy!

*Update: Nissan reports the starting MSRPs for the 2012 Nissan GT-R are $89,950 USD and $95,100 USD for the Premium and Black Edition respectively.

Gallery: LA 2010: 2012 Nissan GT-R

2012 Nissan GT-R

Gallery: 2012 Nissan GT-R

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading LA 2010: Nissan GT-R adds 45 HP for 2012, hits 60 under 3 seconds *Update

LA 2010: Nissan GT-R adds 45 HP for 2012, hits 60 under 3 seconds *Update originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2010: Nissan Ellure concept previews future sedan design

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Sedan, Nissan

Nissan Ellure concept

Nissan Ellure concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan calls its Ellure concept “the sedan re-imagined,” previewing what sort of design is possible for its forthcoming four-door range. This concept is at once elegant and aggressive, with styling elements that don’t stray too far from what the automaker is currently putting out. Those headlamps, for example, use the same fin-like design of the taillights on the 370Z and Juke, and are a more forward-thinking version of what we currently see on the Maxima.

Let’s be clear, though – there are plenty of elements on the Ellure that are purely concept car spec. The large, 21-inch wheels and rear-hinged rear doors, for example – stylish and sleek, yes, but hardly practical for future production sedans. The same thing can be said for the interior, which uses suede seats, “floating” headrests, red floors and red pedals (why don’t more cars have these?).

The Ellure is powered by a supercharged 2.5-liter inline-four and a 25-kilowatt electric motor, mated to the automaker’s Xtronic CVT and a front-wheel-drive layout. Nissan says the concept uses regenerative braking and an advanced drive-by-wire electric/hydraulic steering system to ensure that the Ellure is as involving as possible for drivers out on the road.

No, the Ellure won’t be destined for production, but we’re eager to see how this sexy new sedan influences Nissan’s future product portfolio. See it in full high-res glory in the gallery below, and follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: LA 2010: Nissan Ellure Concept

Nissan Ellure Concept

Gallery: Nissan Ellure Concept

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading LA 2010: Nissan Ellure concept previews future sedan design

LA 2010: Nissan Ellure concept previews future sedan design originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony and Nissan announce GT Academy for U.S. [w/video]

Filed under: Etc., Nissan, Toys/Games

Gran Turismo 5 If you’ve been a long~~-suffering~~-standing fan of Gran Turimso here in the U.S., you probably know all about the game franchise’s GT Academy. The clever marketing ploy pitted European Gran Turismo fans against one another for a chance to hop behind the wheel of a real-life Nissan 350Z race car. Now it looks like American gamers will get the same chance. Nissan has announced that Sony is firing up the GT Academy in our neck of the woods. Racers will campaign various Nissan hardware in time trials, unlocking free content as they race.

Finally, the top 32 racers will compete live for just 16 slots in the finals. Those 16 gamers will go lock horns in a variety of competitions, including ones that involve hot-shoeing genuine Nissan 370Z and GT-R race cars around a track. Finally, the winner will have a chance to train with professional drivers and race as part of a professional team. Hit the jump to watch a video and for the full press release.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Sony and Nissan announce GT Academy for U.S. [w/video]

Sony and Nissan announce GT Academy for U.S. [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Last Texan: Nissan Juke named CUV of the Lone Star State

Filed under: Crossover, Hatchback, Nissan

2011 Nissan Juke – Click above for high-res image gallery

We told you yesterday about a whole slew of awards doled out by the Texas Auto Writers Association, but we missed one. The 2011 Nissan Juke has earned the nod as as this year’s CUV of Texas. The gaggle of Lone Star writers that hopped behind the seat cited the vehicle’s interesting styling and engaging driving experience as the top-ranking reasons for the high-riding hatch’s win. Of course, we’re pretty big fans of the 32 miles per gallon (highway) that the 188-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-four turns out, and the super-trick HVAC controls are worth a win in our book, too. Still, we can’t help but be a bit surprised that historically conservative Texas would recognize such an otherworldly looking machine. We’re guessing that a healthy contingent of the jury comes from “Keep it Weird” Austin, and that’s just fine by us.

Nissan says that the TAWA will present the automaker a trophy at its award ceremony on November 12 at Space Center Houston. Seems only fitting for a CUV that looks like it could have spent its formative years roaming the surface of Mars. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Juke: First Drive

[Source: Nissan]

One Last Texan: Nissan Juke named CUV of the Lone Star State originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Score a 2011 Nissan Leaf for just $12,280? It’s possible

2011 Nissan Leaf – Click above for high-res image gallery

How sweet can incentives make the 2011 Nissan Leaf? If you’re really lucky and bunch together several rebates and credits, you can drive home this battery powered machine for a mere $12,280. Yep, you read that right. For less than $13,000 you could own one of the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicles – provided you meet some very select criteria. Interested in finding out how? Read on.

Disclaimer: there are a bunch of “ifs” and “buts” included in the quest to receive this bargain price, but the important thing is that it’s actually possible (as Green Car Reports discovered). Here’s how it could go down: Starting with the $32,780 list price of a Leaf base model, slash $7,500 off courtesy of the federal tax credit and get down to $25,280. Now, provided that you live in California, you can also lop another $5,000 off the top under the Clean Vehicle Rebate Project. Simply submit your paperwork to the Center for Sustainable Energy and the Leaf’s cost almost magically drops to $20,280. But how do we get from here to $12,280?

From here on out, the incentives get much more specific and will begin to seriously reduce the number of people who can get the EV deal of a lifetime. If you reside in one of the eight counties in the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and portions of Kern), then you are eligible to apply for a $3,000 rebate (PDF warning) for purchasing a zero-emissions ride. Okay, so that’s $17,280. Here comes the kicker. For this final incentive, you need to work for Sony Pictures Entertainment, which has apparently agreed to offer a $5,000 allowance for purchasing a battery-powered vehicle if you meet certain eligibility requirements.

And there it is – the $12,280 Nissan Leaf, as rare as hen’s teeth. Now… who wants to be the first to give it a try?

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf: First Drive

[Source: Green Car Reports]

Score a 2011 Nissan Leaf for just $12,280? It’s possible originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unofficial: Nissan Leaf does 0-60 mph in 7 seconds, tops out at 94 mph?

Filed under: Technology, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf

2011 Nissan Leaf – Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in May, CBS Evening News reported that the Nissan Leaf could sprint to 60 miles per hour in five seconds. We knew that their report missed the mark, but by how much? Estimates from nine to as much as 12 seconds began to surface, but those seemed a bit out-of-line as well.

Now, thanks to John O’Dell of Green Car Advisor who timed a 0-60 mph dash during a recent drive in the Leaf, we have at least one unofficial result: 0-60 mph in seven seconds flat. To put that number in perspective, 0-60 mph runs in the Chevrolet Volt have been clocked at 8.8 seconds, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV takes nearly 12 seconds and the Tesla Roadster accomplishes the feat in a mere 3.7 seconds. Okay, so the Leaf is reasonably quick, but how fast does it really go?

O’Dell, the senior editor of Green Car Advisor, writes:

On an 82-degree Tennessee afternoon, with another writer in the passenger seat, I hit 92 mph on the highway, going up a slight hill all the way. I still felt as though there was a little bit more to go, but lifted my foot at 92 because I thought I spied a state trooper’s patrol car way back down the road.

Mark Perry, Nissan’s director of product planning, confirmed that an undisclosed journalist who recently drove the Leaf in Michigan, hit an even more impressive 94 miles per hour, but as far as we know, these are just indicated speeds, not independently verified and repeated. Still, for the sake of comparison, the Smart ED apparently tops out at about 62.5 mph, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV calls it quits at 81 mph and the Volt hits the century mark. So, the Leaf is emissions free, accelerates with (relative) vigor and closes in on 100 before returning to more sane, everyday speeds. Sounds like it can offer livable everyday performance – provided the pure EV’s range isn’t an issue.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Leaf: First Drive

[Source: Green Car Advisor via Nissan-Leaf]

Unofficial: Nissan Leaf does 0-60 mph in 7 seconds, tops out at 94 mph? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Nissan Rogue

Filed under: Crossover, Nissan, Reviews

A Good Option Among Many Gets a Little Better

2011 Nissan Rogue – Click above for high-res image gallery

We don’t envy the hordes of product planners working in the auto world. America’s concept of quality transportation seems to shift with the seasons, leaving analysts scrambling to anticipate amorphous market demands while automakers fill barely justifiable voids in their product line. If you need proof, look no further than the scorching hot CUV segment. Buyers have developed a seemingly unquenchable thirst for small, car-based high riders, and nearly every automaker sports at least one tall hatch in their lineup.

Nissan hopped on the small crossover train belately in 2007 when it introduced the Rogue as a 2008 model. The pint-sized ‘ute borrowed plenty of styling cues from the likes of the larger Murano and came equipped with an efficient and capable drivetrain built to suit a variety of tastes. But that was three years ago. In order to keep the Rogue as fresh as possible until a full-on next-generation model arrives, the company has rolled out a mildly updated version for 2011. It may not be the front-runner in its class, but the refreshed 2011 Rogue promises to hit all of the same notes that American buyers are singing right now. We spent a week with one to find out.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Rogue: Review

2011 Nissan Rogue

Continue reading Review: 2011 Nissan Rogue

Review: 2011 Nissan Rogue originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan confirms blockbuster LA Show including Murano CrossCabriolet and Ellure concept

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Convertible, Crossover, Infiniti, Nissan

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Nissan has officially confirmed reports that it will, in fact, be storming the LA Auto Show with a host of new vehicles. A total of three new models will be on hand, including the much talked-about 2011 Nissan Murano convertible (or “CrossCabriolet” in marketing-speak) and the debut of the production version of the all-electric Leaf. The third model is something more of a mystery. So far, all Nissan is saying is that it’s a new sedan concept that sails under the Ellure banner. We’re guessing some sort of EV hijinks are involved with that one.

Infiniti will also show off a raft of new metal, including the 2012 M Hybrid. Additionally, visitors to the LA show can expect to get their first in-person glimpses of the 2011 G25 Sedan and the IPL G Coupe. The 2010 LA Auto Show gets rolling on November 19 and runs through the 28th.

[Source: Nissan | Image: Inside Line]

Nissan confirms blockbuster LA Show including Murano CrossCabriolet and Ellure concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2011 Nissan GT-R

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Nissan

2011 Nissan GT-R – Click above for high-res image mega-gallery

What makes a sportscar like the Porsche 911 the dynamic wonder it is today? Relentless development and fine-tuning. With the introduction of the 2011 model, Nissan is doing the same with the GT-R, boosting performance and adding amenities while tacking on two new variants to its ever-expanding line up.

For 2011 the entire GT-R range – previewed at the Paris Motor Show and due to hit North American dealers around February – the upgrades come from a range of enhancements outside, inside and underneath. Although the 2011 model may look almost identical to the outgoing version, Nissan has labored arduously to improve aerodynamics – increasing downforce by 10% while reducing drag by a hundredth of a G – with new bumpers front and rear, larger vents and an enlarged diffuser. LED running lights are most notably integrated into those strakes on the front corners, while inside the cabin gets a new instrument panel and carbon fiber trim.

But it’s the 2011 GT-R’s guts that set it apart: the boost has been increased, the valve timing adjusted and the ECU recalibrated to bump output up to 523 horsepower and 451 pound-feet of torque – an increase from the outgoing model’s 485 hp and 434 lb-ft. The engine also gets a glowing red cover to set it apart, along with a strut brace links the suspension towers. The suspension has also been retuned, and mounted to new 20-inch Rays wheels barely hiding the redesigned brake discs that promise to fade less and last longer.

All those improvements are fitted to the standard GT-R and to the SpecV, which otherwise carries on pretty much unchanged. New to the family are the Club Track edition and the Egoist version. The former has been developed specifically for driver training and specially-organized track events, though few details have been released as to what those competition-oriented modifications entail. The Egoist model, meanwhile, (previously thought to be called the SpecM) gets a unique quilted leather interior (pictured at right) crafted by Germany’s Seton Company from a choice of 20 colors, further set apart on the exterior by the carbon spoiler, wheels and titanium exhaust from the SpecV. There’s a whole load of fine details to assimilate, so follow the jump for the full press release, and don’t forget to have a stroll through the brand-spankin’-new gallery of 48 high-resolution images showing the new GT-R family from every angle.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan GT-R

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Officially Official: Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2011 Nissan GT-R

Officially Official: Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2011 Nissan GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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