'09 Detroit Auto Show, now with 100% less Nissan

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Nissan

Visitors to the Detroit Auto Show will be able to eyeball a bunch of Chinese cars that have virtually no hope of ever being sold in the U.S., but they won't be able to scope out the Maxima... or 370Z... or Cube. You'll remember that Nissan formally announced that neither it nor its luxobrand Infiniti would participate in this year's exhibition, joining a parade of other no-shows. You'll also remember that local dealers had elected to supply their own vehicles to give the brand a floor presence in lieu of the spiked corporate display. That plan is now as dead as the Detroit Auto Show is shaping up to be, since the Tennessee mothership has pulled rank and told the dealers to back off asked dealers to "please respect their decision to not have a presence at the North American International Auto Show," according to auto show co-chair (and Nissan dealer) Doug Fox. Needless to say, the dealers have complied, and some primo floor space is once again available to interlopers from the basement level. Now, who's hungry for more Chinese?

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

'09 Detroit Auto Show, now with 100% less Nissan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Higher Performance Hybrid From Infiniti Coming

Possible Infiniti G35 Hybrid

After two years of using Toyota techology in a hybrid version of the Altima, Nissan is developing prototypes entirely on its own that signal their impending entrance into hybrid competition with the big boys.  Finding previously untapped Hybrid consumers is a bit of a challenge for automakers, but Nissan is hoping to attract customers by offering a luxury rear-wheel-drive hybrid.

The first is a new hybrid system that will be introduced on a rear-wheel-drive Infiniti from their G class of cars.  It employs a parallel hybrid system with one electric motor and two clutches that allows the gas engine and electric motor to power the vehicle at the same time.  When accelerating, Nissan’s new hybrid uses both the gas engine and the electric motor, so both clutches are engaged. That’s the first of the system’s four operating modes.  At low speeds, the electric motor does all the work.  At higher city and highway cruising speeds, the gas engine engages and both clutches are engaged with the rear clutch directing power from the electric motor back into the battery pack to help replenish its juice.  The fourth mode is when the car is braking.  At that point the gas engine and front clutch shut down, and the heat from braking the rear wheels generates electricity that is redirected through the rear clutch and into the battery pack.

Nissan’s new hybrid will be one of the first to use lithium-ion rather than nickel-metal hydride batteries. (Assuming Hyundai doesn’t beat them to the punch with the new Hybrid Sonata)  These batteries are smaller and more efficient than previous generations of hybrid batteries.  The hybrid will otherwise use existing gas-electric technology, only with a more powerful V-6 engine.   Remember the Accord Hybrid?  This would appear to be another attempt to add hybrid technology for the sake of performance and not mpg. 

Specific details are limited, but Nissan says that the system is more powerful than a standard 306-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, but not as powerful as Nissan’s 390-hp 5.0-liter V8.  An estimate for 0-60 times should be in the 5 and 1/2 second range.  As far as fuel economy, speculations are that 24 mpg in the city and almost 34 mpg on the highway are attainable with this system in a G35 sedan-size vehicle.

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2010 Nissan Altima

While Nissan won’t release full information on all of the updates for the 2010 Nissan Altima, they have provided us with this teaser image, to give us just enough of a peek to keep us wanting more. What we do know so far is that it will have a revised hood, grille and front bumper, as well as revised rear license plate area trim.

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2010 Nissan Rogue

On the verge of releasing to the masses, the 2010 Nissan Rogue has had some of it’s prices announced already, so that those that are interested can start planning their budgets. The starting price of the Rogue will be $20,340, with a Value Package costing an extra $1,040, which will end up saving you over a grand as opposed to buying all of the extras yourself.

2010 Nissan Rogue

2010 Nissan Rogue

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Hip to be Cube

I’ve been noticing quite a few Nissan Cubes driving on the highways here in California recently. Every time I see one the road, I think about how cool it would look with some proper wheels and good stance. This Z12 Cube dropped low on what look to be SSR Professor MS1R’s shows just how nice these things can look when done right. Found on Minkara of course.

I’m interested to see if there’s going to be any of these on display at SEMA this year…

By Mike Garrett

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2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V coming Janaury 8th, full specifications leaked

Filed under: Coupes, Sports/GTs, Japan, Supercars, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V

Over the weekend, Nissan and Datsun devotees descended on the Fuji Speedway to enjoy the festivities at the 12th NISMO Festival in Japan. In the lead-up to the event, speculation swirled that the 2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V would be revealed to the world, but instead, the Spec-V's modification list was leaked to GTR-World. The supposed specs leave us cold. Hit the jump to find out why.

Gallery: Nissan GT-R Spec-V - spy shots

Continue reading 2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V coming Janaury 8th, full specifications leaked

2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V coming Janaury 8th, full specifications leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Recalls 80,000 Muranos, Maximas

Nissan has recalled 70,000 Murano SUVs and 10,000 Maxima sedans built between 2004 and 2006 due to a defective ignition key. Only models with — don’t laugh — Nissan’s “intelligent” keys are affected. These vehicles sometimes won’t start properly, or will start just by moving the steering wheel before the ignition is turned on. That probably surprised a Murano owner or two on their way to work. No injuries have been reported and there’s no word on how Nissan will fix the problem. Owners should check with their local dealer to schedule service.   

[Nissan Begins Recalling SUVs Because of Ignition Key Defect, The Detroit News]

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Four Will Enter, One Will Leave: Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Nissan Versa and Suzuki SX4

At last week’s media rally, staffers Bill Jackson and Kelsey Mays tried four entry-level cars — the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Suzuki SX4 and Hyundai Accent. Since most people don't rush out and buy four cars, each from a different manufacturer, we thought we'd narrow the field down to an overall winner.

In true beauty-pageant fashion, we'll start with the third runner-up.

Fourth place: 2007 Hyundai Accent SE

WJ: This was the only manual transmission of the bunch. I found the car prone to understeer. The interior didn't have many of the comfort or convenience features of the other models. The minimalist — some would say Spartan — layout didn't bother me much, but it does suffer when compared to the competition.

KM: To me, the Accent’s simple exterior seemed classier than the overstyled Fit and Versa. Thanks to some performance doodads, the engine in this sport-tuned Accent SE starts loud and turns deafening as you shuffle through the gears. Body roll is minimal, but there was some wheel hop over lateral bumps — accompanied, as one might expect, by lots of noise.

Third place: 2007 Suzuki SX4 base

WJ: The tall seating position and high ride of the SX4 said "I'm a sport utility vehicle" quite clearly. It certainly didn't beg to be tossed into corners. The all-wheel-drive system was unobtrusive, and the suspension soaked up bumps very well. I didn't get the use of a metal finish in a couple places on the interior, but controls fell easily into reach.

KM: With excellent visibility and good power starting out, the brand-new SX4 almost took second. What sinks the Suzuki is the driver’s seat, which is narrow and comes with only four adjustments, as well as its poor gas mileage. Credit all-wheel drive, which typically docks a few mpg. With an automatic transmission, the SX4 gets 30 mpg on the highway — significantly less than the Versa’s 36 mpg or the Fit Sport’s 37 mpg.

Which car won the competition? Stay tuned for our next installment.

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