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Showing posts with label nissan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nissan. Show all posts
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Nissan is looking to revitalise the 200SX sports coupé that will take on the Mazda RX-7 and VW Scirocco, insiders say.
The 200SX coupé replacement would slot beneath the 370Z sports car to give Nissan a more affordable, fuel-efficient fastback as oppose to the VW Scirocco and the Renault Mégane 3dr.
The coupé would be rear-wheel drive, but the problem of finding a suitable platform on which to build it is tricky. A shortened 370Z chassis has been considered at one point but it was too heavy. The convertible rear-drive sports car that Nissan was exploring at one time, which could also have provided the hardware has been abandoned.
Nissan is making use of the next generation of its Tiida compact family car — sold in Slovenia, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Poland, Russia, Greece, Switzland and Ukraine — to strengthen its family car line-up alongside the Qashqai. The Qashqai crossover has been a colossal success, but the car maker still wants a regular small family car to replace the Almera, so it can take on the VW Golf, Vauxhall/Opel Astra, Kia Cee’d/Hyundai i30 and Ford Focus across Europe.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Like the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) X-Trail, the European model receives a remodeled grille, headlights and bumper assembly. The X-Trail is available with both bi-xenon and halogen headlamps and the background of the headlamp cluster is painted black on all grades and fog lamps are mounted below the headlights, recessed in the bumper.
At the rear, the X-Trail’s distinctive vertical lights have been updated to incorporate LED light technology for the running lights and braking, improving visibility and, therefore, safety. The indicator is incorporated into the lower portion of the light assembly, with the running/brake lights to the outside of it.
Internally, improved materials and better colour coordination at to an upscale feel. The materials used for the switch surrounds on the steering wheel, around the gear selector and on the door-mounted armrest have all been improved for better touch feeling, while thicker, soft-touch materials have been chosen for the cloth seats.
The heated and cooled glovebox and cupholders have been reworked to offer quicker heating and cooling. Heated rear seats are now fitted as standard on Tekna models.
Nissan-Renault’s 2.0 dCi 173bhp diesel engine has significant updates to comply with Euro5 emission regulations. A key innovation is the addition of an extra injector port, taking the total number to seven, while the piston bowl has been adapted for the new injector configuration.
Speaking about the updates to Nissan’s X-TRAIL, Vincent Wijnen Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe, said: “All of these changes will reinforce the X-TRAIL as one of the few genuine compact SUVs which can just as comfortably tackle the demands of everyday family life, as it can a muddy, slippery track when it transports a family for a weekend of adventure. X-TRAIL customers love it for its ease and convenience of daily use, no matter what situation they find themselves in. With these revisions to Nissan’s X-TRAIL, there is even more to love about X-TRAIL.”
Japanese models receive similar updates, in addition to new colour options and more standard features. While the petrol engine hasn’t been touched, the X-Trail 20GT 2.0 litre diesel now gets a 6 speed automatic transmission. The 173bhp engine produces 360Nm (265lb-ft) of torque. Nissan has also updated its "Advanced Hill Descent Control" which is now fitted with a speed-setting function.
Japanese prices start at ¥2,239,650 (£16,300), rising to ¥3,139,500 (£22,800).
2011 Nissan X-Trail facelift (Japan):
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Nissan has released a second teaser image of their upcoming small crossover concept called the Qazana. Scheduled to debut at the Geneva motorshow early next month, the concept hints at a future production model which will go on sale in 2010.
Little is known about the concept but from the image released, we can tell it will feature a sporty appearance that is highlighted by massive round headlights and an unusual set of high-mounted fog lights. The first teaser sketch that was released earlier this month seems to hint that the concept will feature a coupe like appearance accented by a slopping roofline and massive wheel arches. It has also been reported that the concept will feature rearward opening suicide rear doors and a lot of design influence from the new 370Z, which will also make its European debut at the show.
Hints at the design direction of Nissan’s new small Crossover
Manufacturing planned for 2010 at Nissan’s Sunderland factory
European debut of new 370Z
European debut of new Cube
Nissan will have a host of new cars for Europe on display at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show.
The Qazana is scheduled to go on sale in Europe early next year and will sit below other Nissan crossovers such as the Qashqai and Murano. Production of the new crossover will begin at the company's Sunderland plant in the UK once the current generation Micra is phased out, which will safeguard 1,100 jobs.
Press Release:
World debut of Qazana concept car
Hints at the design direction of Nissan’s new small Crossover
Manufacturing planned for 2010 at Nissan’s Sunderland factory
European debut of new 370Z
European debut of new Cube
Nissan will have a host of new cars for Europe on display at the 79th Geneva International Motor Show.
Qazana Show Car:
The star of the Nissan stand will be Qazana, a show car providing a good indication of the, as yet unnamed, compact car that will be produced at the Nissan Sunderland plant from 2010, safeguarding around 1,100 jobs.
Best described as a small Crossover, Qazana has been conceived to challenge conventional wisdom about what buyers of small five-door cars should expect.
The striking design is dominated by large, wide wheel arches and a lower shape which gives a feeling of strength, while the upper body is dynamic, assertive and sporty. Qazana is a five-door, with the rear doors opening forwards once the front doors have been opened, in the style of ‘suicide doors’.
Qazana will reinforce Nissan’s position as a pioneer of Crossovers, building on the success of Qashqai and the recently introduced Qashqai+2.
Trial builds of the production car will begin in early 2010 before its introduction on the Micra/Note line. There it will take up manufacturing capacity created when production of the current version of Micra ends later that same year.
The new model has been designed and developed in the UK and represents around £57m of investment. Its arrival takes the total investment by Nissan in the Sunderland plant to around £2.5b since 1984.
Trevor Mann, Nissan Senior Vice President for Manufacturing in Europe, commented: “The difficulties currently facing the car industry have been widely documented, and Nissan has not been immune.As a result we have had to make some difficult decisions, but the reason we have done so is to secure a long and positive future for the plant. Qazana points the way to that future and gives an indication of the unique and exciting car we will be producing in Sunderland next year.”
Other models being on display at the show:
370Z:
Being shown for the first time in Europe, Nissan’s all new Z-car picks up where the popular 350Z left off. Using an enlarged version of the VQ V6 engine, now producing 331PS, and driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, which is available with the world’s first synchronised down/up shift rev control system, or an all-new paddle-operated seven-speed automatic.
Cube:
Already an icon in its home market of Japan, the all new Cube will be introduced for the first time in Europe in November, where its unique, friendly design will appeal to European car-buyers who are looking for something genuinely new and different.
Its large, open and airy interior will win the hearts of city-dwellers who are not traditional car ‘fans’, but who will find Cube appealing as it is an extension of their personality – creative, fun and distinctive. In Europe, the Cube will come with both a 106PS DPF-equipped 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol, producing 111PS.
The Nissan press conference will be hosted by Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd at 17:00 on Tuesday 3rd March.
Nissan announced that the all-new 2009 370Z coupe goes on sale in the U.S with an MSRP starting at $29,930 for the entry-level model which features a 6-speed manual transmission, $31,230 for the new 7-speed automatic transmission. The new Z is also offered in a Touring model, which is priced at $34,460 with the 6-speed manual and $35,760 with the 7-speed automatic transmission.
In addition to the basic 370Z's list of standard equipment, the 370Z Touring adds heated leather seats with power function, HomeLink Universal Transceiver, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, 8-speaker Bose audio system, XM Satellite Radio (without subscription) cargo cover and aluminum pedals.
Nissan also offers 370Z buyers the option of two new packages. The Sport Package which is priced at $3,000, includes an array of upgrades such as the 19-inch RAYS forged wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tyres, aerodynamic front and rear spoiler, larger Nissan Sport Brakes, SynchroRev Match (6-speed manual transmission only) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential.
The Navigation Package will set buyers back at $1,850 and adds a Hard Drive-based Nissan Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and Interface System for iPod.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
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