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Nissan recalls 46,000 2009-10 Cube models over fuel system integrity

Filed under: Budget, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Nissan

2009 Nissan Cube – Click above for high-res image gallery

Last month, the Lexus HS250h was the subject of a serious recall involving fuel leakage resulting from rear-end collisions. Now, Nissan faces a similar predicament involving 2009 and 2010 model year Cube hatchbacks, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a full recall, covering 46,000 Cubes built between January 30, 2009 and July 30, 2010.

Much like the HS hybrid, NHSTA cites that the amount of fuel leakage following a rear-moving barrier crash “exceeds the allowable limits,” and that this could result in a fire. While a fuel leak is bad news, it’s important to note that this NHTSA test isn’t simply a case of a simple crash test and resultant fuel leak – the government agency’s methodology includes striking the vehicle from the rear with a deformable barrier at 50 mph with a 70 percent overlap. Post-impact, the vehicle is then spun on its longitudinal axis degree-by-degree for a total of 90 degrees, somewhere along which a fuel leak was detected. While any fuel spillage is a bad thing, we suspect you can put any images of the massively overblown Ford Pinto debacle out of your head right now.

In any case, the full recall is expected to start on or before August 30. To fix the problem, dealers will install a special protector to the gasoline recirculation tube where it meets with the filler neck connector. Naturally, the service will be performed free of charge at any authorized Nissan dealer. The full details are available in NHTSA’s press release after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan Cube (U.S.-spec)

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Nissan recalls 46,000 2009-10 Cube models over fuel system integrity

Nissan recalls 46,000 2009-10 Cube models over fuel system integrity originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Nissan considering Leaf-based EV sportscar

Filed under: Performance, Infiniti, Nissan, Rumormill, Electric

Nissan is reportedly considering building a sports car based on the electric drive hardware from its new Leaf EV. From a business perspective, it would likely make sense for Nissan to follow the same path set forth by Toyota/Lexus with premium hybrid models, and indeed, the Leaf is already pegged to get a pricier sibling at Infiniti. A premium battery electric vehicle could be sold a significantly higher price point, helping to subsidize the cost of more mainstream models like the Leaf.

The big question is what platform to use. Mercedes-Benz and Audi are both developing electric versions of their respective supercars. Nissan could do a battery powered version of the 370Z, which has both its positives and negatives. The Z is relatively lightweight for a modern car, although its small size could make packaging the battery problematic. A more likely scenario might be a version of the 2009 Infiniti Essence concept which was originally shown as a hybrid. The larger car would allow for more battery and range.

A third possibility that might actually be the best option is a new car based on the Leaf platform but with the motor moved to the rear axle. The compact size of the electric motor could make packaging easier than with an internal combustion vehicle, and much of the rest of the hardware could stay the same.

[Source: Inside Line]

Rumormill: Nissan considering Leaf-based EV sportscar originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Redesigned Nissan March goes on sale in Japan

Filed under: Japan, Hatchback, Nissan

Nissan March

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

The all-new Nissan March, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in, you guessed it, March) went on sale in Japan this week. The March (or Micra, as it’s known in Europe) is powered by a new family of inline three-cylinder engines. The base normally-aspirated 1.2-liter is rated at 79 horsepower, and Nissan has also announced a supercharged and direct injected version that should produce over 100 horsepower.

The normally-aspirated engine is available with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission along with an automatic start-stop function to switch off the engine when the car comes to a halt. The CVT variant with idle-stop is rated at 61 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the Japanese urban test cycle, which should be equivalent to somewhere in the low to mid 40 mpg range on the EPA cycle.

Nissan has yet to confirm whether it will offer the redesigned Micra/March in the U.S. market.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Micra / March

[Source: Nissan]

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Redesigned Nissan March goes on sale in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Murano gets first-ever diesel, snarlier new fascia… just not in the States

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Nissan, UK, Diesel

2011 Nissan Murano diesel – Click above for high-res image gallery

The last time we found ourselves strapped behind the steering wheel of a Nissan Murano, we wrote the following:

What the Murano engineers did right was the powertrain. The matchmaker who hooked up the VQ with the Xtronic CVT deserves a promotion. In fact, after spending countless hours with the pair, we observed that it just may be the perfect mechanical marriage for this vehicle.

A perfect powertrain… for the United States, perhaps. As we all know, diesel is the name of the game across the pond in Europe, and Nissan has never offered its attractive midsize crossover with an oil burner. Until now, that is. For the 2011 model year, Nissan has fitted the Murano with an optional 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel powerplant that musters up 190 horsepower and over 330 pound-feet of torque (450 newton meters).

This new torque-rich engine finds itself mated up to a six-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control in lieu of the gasoline-powered model’s continuously variable unit. This combination delivers estimated fuel economy of 29 miles per gallon U.S. (35.3 mpg U.K.) on the Combined Cycle while emitting 210 grams of carbon emissions per kilometer. These figures are no doubt aided by the Murano’s first electric power regeneration system.

That’s not the only update our European friends get that we’ve yet to see in the States. Taking a close look at our high-res image gallery will reveal a more aggressive front fascia that Nissan claims was engineered to provide additional cooling airflow to the new diesel engine. It remains to be seen if the new toothy grin will show up in other markets, like, uh… ours. In any case, the diesel-equipped 2011 Murano will start at £37,795 in the UK – that’s a startling $58,000 USD, although that figure includes the UK’s massive Value Added Tax, among other market-specific considerations. See the complete press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Murano diesel

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan Murano gets first-ever diesel, snarlier new fascia… just not in the States

Nissan Murano gets first-ever diesel, snarlier new fascia… just not in the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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