The U.S. Department of Energy announced today the first installment of loans to promote clean energy. A total of $8B will be handed out to Ford, Nissan and Tesla in hopes of jump starting efforts to produce electric vehicles as well as cleaner internal combustion drivetrains.
Ford will receive $5.9B to to "help finance numerous engineering advances to traditional internal combustion engines and electrified vehicles." The money will also be used to convert two trucks plants into car plants.
Nissan is getting $1.6B to help defray the costs of producing an electric car and battery packs at its Smyrna, Tenn. manufacturing plant.
And finally, Tesla will receive $465M to help develop and build its Model S sedan as well as the production of battery packs in a separate facility.
For the record, GM and Chrysler were not eligible for the program because of their bankruptcy filings. The loan program specifies that any company receiving money must first prove its viability as a stand alone company separate from the loans. How Tesla, which is currently not profitable, got around this provision isn't clear.
So what do you think? Is this a good way to spend federal stimulus money?
Nissan has laid out its plans to produce EVs and batteries (with help from NEC corp.) in the U.S. to tap into low-interest loans. The Japanese automaker applied for $1.1 billion in low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund its building of 50,000 to 100,000 electric vehicles a year by 2012. The site will be Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee plant.
"We are committed to the vision of energy independence, environmental sustainability, and the new energy economy, and we are hopeful that the U.S. Department of Energy approves this loan request," Nissan said in a statement.
Nissan previously said that it wanted to get its EVs on U.S. roads by 2010, and has been testing a battery-powered prototype of the Cube called the EV-02 across the country.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
As factory track models go, the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z is not the most hard-core beast ever built on a production line. Then again, it's no sticker-and-stripe-job either. Underneath the aggressive new bodywork is a substantially revised suspension and a slightly more powerful version of Nissan's latest 3.7-liter V6.
So how does it all work, you say? Well we wanted to find out too, so we took the new Nismo out to our test facility to run some numbers. Then we compared the results to our long-term 2009 370Z Touring.
It was a moderate day in terms of temperature for both tests, but both of the 370s had auxiliary engine oil coolers so all the track work wasn't much of a problem. Once the results started to come in, however, the Nismo continually failed to deliver any better numbers than our standard car. Whether it was braking (worse), acceleration (same) or handling (same, but scarier), the Nismo never came out ahead. Actually, it did beat the standard 370Z in one category -- full-throttle decibel level. See the full results and explanations after the jump.
Three weeks ago, Inside Line attended the introduction of the Nissan Nismo 370Z at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, CA. The event was to be a half-day of track driving in the new Z. We started the day with some sunrise powerslides in the car - the only example in the country -- for our photographers.
By mid-day, after four journalists had rotated through the car, its differential expired in an anticlimactic failure which quickly landed it on jack stands for a rear-end swap with a Sport Package Z, which uses the same viscous limited-slip differential.
Normally, this wouldn't be such a big deal - parts break, cars fail -- but this time it feels like news.
Writing about the best used performance cars for $5,000 was a challenge. At that price point, you're either going to get lucky and find a gem, or get unlucky and end up shelling out another $5,000 to keep a basket case running.
So with that in mind, we decided to bump the price floor to $10K to start and see what we could find. The talent pool is much deeper for sure, although the possibility of a clunker is still there if you're not careful.
So take a look at our list and see what you think. Anything we missed?
Compared to last year, May's sales numbers were miserable. Let's face it, when a 19% drop somehow looks good, there's still a problem.
We've come to expect such misery these days, but as AutoObserver points out, there are a few glimmers of hope in May's sales numbers.
- The Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) is at its highest point of the year at 9.9 million.
- Most sales numbers beat analyst's expectations.
- The stock market is up and car sales typically rise with the markets. Consumer confidence is also up.
Hard to tell if this trend will continue at this point. It could be a result of bargain hunting or a little pent up demand. Either way, it's the kind of news we need at this point given how deep taxpayers are now entrenched in the business.
Inside Line interviewed Kazunori Yamauchi, father of the decade-old Gran Turismo franchise, in Los Angeles after the debut of the PSP Go handheld and Gran Turismo Mobile at E3, and the release of a Gran Turismo 5 trailer.He spoke to us through his interpreter, Takayuki Nushida, also of Polyphony Digital.
Yamauchi was conspicuously mum on Gran Turismo 5 details, but spoke in some detail about Gran Turismo Mobile, which goes on sale October 1. We briefly played a Japanese version of GT Mobile, and among its 35 tracks (60 variations), you'll find the Nurburgring Nordschleife and Laguna Seca -- and, we're told, all the other tracks from GT4.
IL: Any details on when Gran Turismo 5 will be released in the U.S.?
Yamauchi: It's not decided yet.
IL: But I couldn't help but notice the NASCAR and WRC licenses in the GT5 trailer you released today at E3. Why, in particular, did you decide to add NASCAR?
Yamauchi: NASCAR is a very North American motorsport. In Japan, we're very European-oriented in terms of racing, and NASCAR has always been sort of a far existence for us -- we don't know very much about it. I actually had a chance to watch NASCAR in person a while back, and the experience was very eye-opening. We just thought that having this amazing series, including it in the Gran Turismo world, we would have WRC on one side and that would be the European angle and you would have NASCAR for the North American perspective -- that would really widen the field of the game.
IL: I also noticed the damage to the STI in the trailer, so should I take that as a hint that this will be the first Gran Turismo game that shows visible damage when people crash into a wall?
Yamauchi: Yes.
IL: How difficult is it to incorporate that into a racing simulation?
Yamauchi: It's just the order of priority. You have to get the shape of the car and the physics completely perfect to call it a simulator to begin with. Deformation was just something that's lower on the list of priorities to do for a game.
IL: Are you concerned about Forza 3 beating GT5 to market?
Yamauchi: I don't really know that much about the other games that are out.
IL: Did you have any hesitation in doing a portable version of Gran Turismo given the limitations of portable gaming systems, particularly for driving games?
Yamauchi: There were a lot of limitations involved in creating a portable version. Gran Turismo is such a huge game. Gran Turismo has 10 years of history now, and of course there are people who have played it over the years from the first series to our newest, but I thought it would be good to have a new entry point for new users into the series, and that's where this PSP version is kind of placed.
Microsoft has released this video in conjunction with this morning's E3 press conference. Not a huge amount to see here in terms of gameplay, other than the aforementioned Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10. Ample face time for the Ford GT, too. And there's drifting -- courtesy of an E92 M3 and a 370Z.
When Mark McNabb announced he was leaving GM last week, most assumed he was merely jumping off a sinking ship. No big surprise there really as he had only been at GM for a year or so. Before that he was at Nissan, a job he returned to after a short stint at Mercedes-Benz, so yeah, the guy gets around.
Now he's the new President and CEO of Maserati North America, Inc. With only a handful of models, McNabb's job should be fairly easy after coming from two full-line manufacturers. Then again, selling high-dollar exotics during one of the worst economic recessions in U.S. history could present a few challenges.
Last week we told you about a possible end around Nissan's more restrictive launch control setup. It sounded like it was worth a try, so we did. I'll leave it to test driver Josh Jacquot to tell you how it went:
This method might work, but it's clearly the exact thing Nissan is trying to avoid with its recalibration of the GT-R's launch control. Wheelspin and drivetrain shock stand to break parts on this car. It's that simple.
What's more, while we got it to launch on three occasions using this technique, the clutch overheat warning was triggered on two of those three occasions which immediately sent the engine into a temporary limp mode and made the whole endeavor pointless.
Plus, it's not consistent or easy to do or any quicker than simply following the standard launch control procedure.
You'll remember that we re-tested our long-term 2009 Nissan GT-R after it had its launch control reprogrammed and you'll remember that we picked up a couple tenths in the both the 0-60 (3.6 seconds new vs. 3.8 old) and quarter-mile tests (11.6 new vs. 11.8 old). That was with a 3,000-rpm launch.
But now a GT-R owner from Abu Dhabi claims on NAGTROC (North American GT-R Owners Club) that a 4,000-rpm launch is possible.
He writes, "i did the TCM update last week and found out that u can launch GTR at 4000, just when the RPM goes to 2500 or 2800 RPM release and the before the RPM go back to 1000 kick it again and it will reach 4000 RPM."
Another member participating on the forum reports, "I tried it [with the transmission temperature] at 80C and it reached to 3K. Try 85C+ it should work. Just to be clear, it took me well over 5 tries to achieve 3900."
As evidence, he submits two videos of his GT-R doing a 4,000-rpm launch. Hmm, wonder if we should give this a shot with our Godzilla.
Last August Inside Line scooped the world with a report that Nissan is working on a convertible version of its Murano crossover. Yeah, it sounded nuts to us too, but it was true then and it is true now.
Sources inside Nissan tell us the droptop SUV is still a go and will arrive at dealers before the summer of 2010.
Much of the information we published last August is still right on. The 2011 Murano convertible will be produced in limited numbers, and will be targeted at empty-nesters who need room to carry the grandkids, but still want something fun. And like the new 370Z convertible, it will stick with a more traditional soft top to keep weight and cost down.
The Murano's current 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and continuously variable transmission (CVT) will remain, and front- or all-wheel drive will be available.
However, we did get one thing wrong. Unlike the image above, the 2011 Nissan Murano Convertible will be a two-door. That's right, sort of like a higher riding PT Cruiser convertible.
It's not as simple as you might think. Base price is one thing, but depreciation, insurance, gas costs factor in there too. Edmunds own John Giamalvo spoke with CNBC recently and profiled several cars that represent the best value in their segment.
Reports of the theft of a Nissan Skyline GT-R used during filming of the mega-hit Fast & Furious may be - slightly - exaggerated.
Yes, a Nissan Skyline used during the filming of Fast & Furious was stolen from a warehouse in Sun Valley, California. But, according to Fast & Furious Picture Car Coordinator Dennis McCarthy, it wasn't a GT-R. Instead it was a less exotic Skyline GT-S model that had been redecorated as a GT-R. In fact it was wrecked during the production, sold by Universal Studios and then restored by new owner, drifting competitor Chris "Milano" Kregorian.
According to Milano, he was away in Georgia for the Formula D event at Road Atlanta this past weekend and returned to find the door of his shop in tatters and the Skyline missing. In getting the Skyline out of the shop, the thief (or thieves) hit several other vehicles including a Porsche Boxster, a classic Studebaker and a '69 Camaro. "There's blue paint from the Skyline on all of them," Milano told Inside Line over the phone. Since there was never any intent to drive the car (it would only be displayed), Milano had decided to forego insuring it.
While the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the theft, Milano has developed several promising leads of his own. And he has hired private investigators to follow those leads and is hopeful that he'll soon recover the car intact.
See that open garage door? That would be the front of the warehouse where a GT-R from Fast and Furious was being stored. This security shot shows a couple thieves driving it away after breaking in to the Sun Valley storage facility. The owner said the car was worth at least $75,000, but was not insured. Agent O'Connor would not approve.
We knew Nissan was looking to get into the hybrid game with its own technology, but we didn't know how far it would go. A report out of Japan unearthed by 370Z.com predicts a hybrid version of the Nissan 370Z by the 2012 model year.
Just a few weeks ago, Japan's Nikkei daily reported that Nissan would offer its first in-house hybrid system in its Fuga luxury sedan, which is known as the Infini M35/45 in the States. The new hybrid system will reportedly use a new lithium ion battery pack that delivers more power and shorter recharged times.
Nissan will unveil a pure electric car late next year that uses lithium-ion batteries to achieve a 100-mile range. Mark Perry, Nissan's Director of Product Strategy, told Green Car Advisor, "It is a dedicated all-new car, not the conversion of something we already offer. You need something that is different enough to let people know you are driving a special car."
Nissan is currently putting on a roadshow to showcase the electric drivetrain that will power the new EV. A Nissan Cube has been retrofitted with the drive system, but Nissan doesn't have any plans to offer such a setup.
#NYIAS Even this chocolatey brown 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster looked good under the Javits Center lights at the New York Auto Show. It looked so good, a Super Silver Nissan GT-R got kicked off the stage and onto the carpet. --Erin Riches, Senior Editor
#NYIAS Though the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z first saw the light of day (well, the first official light of day) at the Morrell Wine Bar, we couldn't resist the favorable lighting conditions in the Nissan booth today at New York's Javits Center. We've got video, too. --Erin Riches, Senior Editor
#NYIAS For more than a year, there have been unending rumors of an Infiniti-badged, Nissan GT-R-powered sedan. The car was said to be an all-wheel-drive flagship for the luxury brand, powered by the same twin-turbo V6 used in Nissan's supercar.
Then Infiniti showed the GT-R-powered Essence concept at the Geneva show, and the rumors fired up again. Word was that the sedan plan was dead and the new flagship was to be an Essense-like coupe with GT-R power.
Well, today Inside Line has learned that both plans have hit the trash can. Infiniti has decided that a high-powered flagship is just not what it needs right now. Not at a time when S-Class and 7 Series sales are way down.
"It's fair to say that there's nothing in the product plan for an Infiniti flagship right now," Brian Carolin, Nissan's Senior VP of Sales and Marketing, told IL. "It's just not a priority in today's climate."
"Our dealers would rather have something with more volume," he continued. Twelve months ago they would have said yes; now it's way down on their wish list." -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
We all know that Nissan's next full-size pickup will use a Dodge Ram chassis and Hemi V8, but the name of the truck has been a well-kept secret. Rumors of a name change have run rampant, but today Inside Line has learned that the Titan name will live on.
According to Nissan's Senior VP of Sales and Marketing Brian Carolin, the company's future Dodge-based pickup will be called Titan when it hits dealers in 2011. "It will be called Titan, and our dealers are looking forward to the truck," Carolin told us on the floor of the New York auto show. "Their only concern about the vehicle is the future of Chrysler."-- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
#NYIAS You wouldn't want to be drinking a glass of really nice Cabernet and also trying to understand the mass dampers on the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z. But tonight at Manhattan's Morrell Wine Bar in Rockefeller Plaza, the new Nismo Z and the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster were just there to hang out. Well, they weren't in the bar, but out on the sidewalk -- the better to be noticed by passers-by.
This is really their official 2009 New York Auto Show introduction. They'll be at the company's booth tomorrow, but there won't be a press conference.
We've written detailed stories on both the 2009 Nismo 370Z and 2010 370Z Roadster, so you know they're going on sale in June and July, respectively. In between sips of wine too rich for our blood, we took a few more photos.
Notably, Nissan's head of design, Shiro Nakamura, was on hand to toast the debut of the roadster and the Nismo Z. Although both trace their basic lines to NNA designer Randy Rodriguez, final design work on these two was completed in Japan. -- Erin Riches, Senior Editor
Sure, any old GT-R can hit 193mph with enough room, but hitting that speed from a dead stop in only a mile is a little bit more difficult.
In this case, the Hennessey-tuned Nissan GT-R had help from upgraded turbos and intercoolers, revised plumbing, a new blowoff valve, waste gate and an electronic boost controller. The result is roughly 700-horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. No word on whether they used launch control to get out of the hole quickly. Video after the jump.
There's an interesting story behind the 19-inch sport package wheels on the 2009 Nissan 370Z. Randy Rodriguez, the Nissan designer who penned the original sketches for the 370Z (and who showed up to our Z-car party in his 240Z), owns an MV Agusta F4-750, you see. He stores it behind his desk at Nissan Design America in San Diego.
"A digital modeler showed me the eBay auction for a stripped MV's frame, engine and suspension," says Rodriguez. "This was in the morning that I first saw the ad, and then I blasted to Sacramento in a truck and by late evening it was parked beside my desk at work.
"Within 3 months I had it mostly complete and running. I got parts for it from all over the world.
"In doing that, I got really familiar with the various parts of the bike, and the 19-inch wheels for the 370Z were inspired by the triple clamp on the MV (and the one on the Ducati 999). I morphed it into the spoke, which became part of the wheel."
The MV isn't just an office sculpture, either. "I totally ride it hard -- when it's safe to do so of course," Rodriguez says.
Already on sale in Japan, the Nissan GT-R SpecV is the first of what promises to be a long line of upgraded GT-Rs. This particular version doesn't add any power, but it does shed some weight and upgrade some hardware.
So how fast is the GT-R now? Find out in our exclusive full test of the SpecV direct from Japan.
A Nissan spokesman told AutoObserver there is "no official word yet," regarding Nissan's maintaining the U.S. launch timeline for diesel-engine 2010 Maxima, but would not deny the model is likely to be delayed, if not cancelled outright.
In addition to a reprogrammed transmission, the 2010 Nissan GT-R will get a handful of additional upgrades and a slightly higher price. Base GT-R's will now go for $81,790 including destination while the Premium model will run you $84,040.
Upgrades for the 2010 model include:
- 485 horsepower (up 5 horsepower from MY 2009). - Standard side seat and head curtain airbags on all models. - Redesigned shocks with revised damper rates. - New wheel finishes and Nissan branded brake calipers.
The Fast and the Furious series is admittedly light on plot lines and believable acting, so it's up to the cars to carry it along. From turbocharged imports to blown American muscle cars, it's an ever-changing mix that makes up for all the cheesy one liners and Vin Diesel close ups.
The latest installment is called simply Fast & Furious and contributor John Pearley Huffman went behind the scenes to chronicle nearly every noteworthy car and truck features in the movie. Could this be the best F & F lineup ever? Maybe. Will it make for a good movie? Uh, maybe.
Remember the red ("Redline") 2007 Nissan Nismo 350Z that debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show? It was serial number 0000 out of the 1,500 Nismo 350Zs planned for North American import. We later tested this very same car.
Well, we've learned that Nismo 350Z number 0000 met its fate in the crusher. We met Joe Nagy, an engineer at Nissan's Arizona technical center. He helped build this particular Nismo Z for the New York show and he watched it being crushed.
Here's the first of what are sure to be many heads-up battles between the 2010 Ford Mustang GT and the 2009 Nissan 370Z. Sure, the Nissan might not have rear seats and the Mustang is more muscle car than sports car, but if you're looking to spend $30-35K what else are you going to buy?
Ok, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is another strong contender in that price range, but it's not on sale just yet. Rest assured we'll have one of those in the mix too at some point. For now, the 370Z tops the Mustang, at least in our book.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every one gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're introducing a new feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
No one seemed to care much for the Malibu Hybrid we featured in the last installment of IL Track Tested, so here you go: a big, burly V8-powered, uh...pickup truck. Still not much of a track car, but hey. As trucks, go the Titan is quite fast.
In this case, we tested the Titan Pro-4X model, a special off-road edition that features heavy-duty shocks, a shorter rear-end gear and monster 18-inch off-road tires. Judging by the results, whatever help the lower gearing offered was offset by the big, heavy tires. Acceleration times were a little slower than other Titans we've tested, and the braking distances were considerably longer. Strangely enough, Jacquot was able to coax an identical slalom time out of the 2.5-ton beast.
The 2009 Geneva Auto Show occupied most of our time this week, so when the February sales numbers came out on Tuesday we overlooked the bad news.
And bad it was, with almost all major automakers reporting double-digit drops in year-over-year sales. And it wasn't just the domestics either, as Honda, Nissan and Toyota all crashed by more than 37%.
Clearly, it's going to take more than just bailout money to get the auto industry going. Without foot traffic, no car company will be able to sustain its current operations. Any suggestions?
The first line of Nissan's press release on this, the 412 small, funky sport-utish concept the company has produced in the last several years, reads: Cars have been dull for too long.
OK. We guess that's true, sort of. But from appearances, you might think Nissan thought cars have been too large for too long. The ridiculously spelled Qazana looks like it started as a larger vehicle that's been shrink-wrapped around its 20-inch wheels. Somehow the foglights managed not to avoid the shrink treatment, too, and so they look enormous on this little dumpling. In between those huge peepers is a Nissan Murano front grille (of all the things to grab from the Murano...) that is covered with a big piece of acrylic so that it serves no functional purpose. Cooling air would theoretically enter through the lower fascia opening. Not that it much matters since the thing apparently has no powertrain of any sort.
It is a styling study, as they say. The interior is said to be inspired by motorcycles and, indeed, the center console is shaped like the tank and seat of a bike. Why, we're not exactly sure.
It looks a little like a Citrroen C-Cactus concept from the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show with a lift kit. -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
We've got some serious number crunchers around here at the Edmunds corporate megaplex. So serious, in fact, that they don't even have to wait until the end of the month to call the sales numbers.
And their predictions for February? Not surprising, yet still slightly shocking.
How about Chrysler down 53.1% year over year? And Ford? Down 47.5%, GM off 46.2%.
A Big Three problem? Not really.
Try Toyota down 38.9% while Nissan is expected to drop 32.9%. Even Honda could be off 32.1%.
Then again, these are only predictions. It could be worse.
Official pricing details were released for the 2009 Nissan Cube today. The base model will run you $14,685 including destination while the top-of-the-line Krom version will go for $20,055.
For comparison, Scion's xB has a base price of $16,420 with destination charges.
The options list for the Cube includes $290 20-color interior accent lighting, a $180 rear cargo organizer and an $1,180 aero kit. A set of 16-inch gunmetal or silver alloy wheels will add another $790 to the bottom line.
#CAS09 Normally, carmakers wait until after they've introduced a car to unveil a special edition of that car.
But the always-ahead-of-the-curve Nissan gave a sneak peek of a special edition of its button-cute bulldog Cube this evening in preparation for its unveiling tomorrow at the Chicago auto show. And because the kids love them some crazy spelling, the company has named this model the Krom. This is supposed to be pronounced "chrome," which, come to think of it, is a crazy way to spell chrome, too. Anyway, we've taken to calling it the "kchrahm," with a guttural consonant sound produced between the back of the tongue and the palate.
It comes with front grilles that are finished in Krom and Krom-look shiny 16-inch wheels. It also comes with side skirts, a deeper rear fascia and a rear roof spoiler. Inside, the Krom comes with an iPod interface, Bluetooth, 20-color interior accent lighting and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Nissan notes that it will offer the Krom in, among other colors, "Supper Black," which sounds delicious. It doesn't look as good as the regular Cube, though.
The Krom is the work of Nissan's Specialty Vehicles Group, which promises to bring another Nissan special edition to April's New York auto show.
Incidentally, the standard Cube with a six-speed manual will start at $13,990, without destination. That's a couple thousand cheaper than the Cube's bigger, more powerful spiritual brother, the Scion xB.
When we broke the story that Nissan would reprogram the GT-R, we weren't able to include the full text of Nissan's letter to dealers. We now have access to the complete document and you can read every word of it by clicking on the thumbnails below.
Among the new information is a note that owner notification for the "Customer Satisfaction Inititiative" will begin February 16, 2009. In the bulletin, Nissan also advises dealers that --
If you have not modified a vehicle by the time of sale, you must advise the customer that completion of the modification is a condition of sale and that the required modification will be performed during the initial 1,000-mile performance appointment or as soon thereafter as possible. Please note, the customer must sign the revised modified disclosure form.
In short, Nissan decided to reprogram the transmission to deliver softer launches with the VDC off and more aggressive launches with the VDC on. It called the changes "drivability improvements". Its memo to dealers stated, "Standing acceleration capability with VDC ON (VDC-R mode) will improve compared to the original model year 2009 performance while such acceleration with VDC OFF will be moderated."
Sounds reasonable enough.
Well, now there's an owner who had his GT-R reprogrammed and and he's claiming an even faster time at the track, specifically a run of 11.34 @ 120.85mph.
Key word here: "claiming". With no other evidence than the owner's word, it hard to verify the run.
We're a little suspicious of the numbers to say the least. The quickest GT-R we ever tested ran an 11.6 @ 120.9mph. Shaving nearly three tenths off that time with a less aggressive launch system seems optimistic at best.
We've heard some reasonable arguments from knowledgeable people that say the numbers are plausible, but until we see some more substantive proof, we'll take these numbers with a grain of salt. You should too.
No big surprises here. In preparation for a new line of commercial vehicles, Nissan will move production of its Infiniti QX56 SUV and Nissan Quest minivan to Japan. They're currently built in Nissan's plant in Canton Mississippi.
Production of the Nissan Titan pickup will move from Canton to a production facility in Mexico under an agreement with Chrysler. Nissan wouldn't comment on the fate of the full-size Armada SUV which is based on the same platform as the Titan truck. In other words, it's probably on the way out completely. Inside Line News
Nissan put a dual-clutch transmission in the R35 GT-R to make it shift faster than a traditional manual gearbox. It works, most of the time, but it will never do what this R32 GT-R with a five-speed manual did during a hard launch down the dragstrip at California Speedway.
Hey, hotshoe. Think you're good at matching revs when you're downshifting? The 2009 Nissan 370Z's SynchroRev Match can do it better.
And if you're one of those drivers that has wondered why all this "heel-toe" business requires your two feet to do three things simultaneously, then you, too, can benefit from SynchroRev Match.
SynchroRev Match is a feature that automatically "blips" the throttle when the driver initiates a downshift in manual transmission-equipped 370s. If you depress the clutch, lift off the throttle and move the gearchange lever to a lower gear, SynchroRev Match zips the engine up to precisely the right speed for that gear.
The result? Perfectly smooth rev-matched downshifts every single time, and drivers that look like heroes.
Rev-matching is common among automatic- and automated-manual transmissions, but the 2009 Z-car marks the debut of such a feature in conjunction with a real-life, stick-in-the-palm manual gearbox.
Now, come with us to the other side of the jump to learn how it works.
After months of seeing one claim after another about the Nissan GT-R's transmission issues, Inside Line finally got some real numbers. According to Nissan officials, less than 1 percent of the 1,750-to-1,800 GT-Rs in the garages of U.S. enthusiasts experienced transmission failures.
Yep, that means we're talking about no more than 16-to-19 cars total. You might have thought the number was a little higher, way higher. But that's not the whole story. We dug a little deeper to find out even more about this ongoing situation and have compiled a full report.
Read Inside Line's full story on the saga of the lunched GT-R transmissions.
In a bulletin sent out to dealers today, Nissan outlined its plan for transmission changes in all unsold 2009 GT-Rs as well as the upcoming 2010 GT-R. The changes are the first official response to reports of transaxle failure as a result of using the much-hyped launch control system.
We sifted through all the official wording and it boils down to this:
- There are no hardware changes.
- Dealers will reprogram the car's ECU to alter the transmission characteristics during hard launches.
- Launch Control remains, but the maximum allowable engine speed with the VDC system switched off will be reduced from the current 4,500 rpm to between 3,000 and 3,500 rpm. The clutch engagement program will also change to reduce driveline stress, e.g., less abrupt engagement on launch.
- When launching with the VDC on, the new programming will allow for higher engine speeds and a more aggressive clutch engagement than the current setup.
- Nissan reiterated that launching the GT-R with the VDC off is not covered by the warranty.
- A revised customer disclosure form will be issued and required for GT-R sales going forward.
- All GT-Rs worldwide will receive the revised programming.
Last week, South Side Performance, a fabrication shop in the import-tuning Mecca of Sioux Falls SD, released an upgrade kit for the Nissan GT-R. It claimed a hearty 820-horsepower at the crank, a 340-hp bump over the stock motor.
We took it with a grain of salt as tuners rarely make a name for themselves through humility. Well, now SSP has a little more than a press release claim to brag about.
Now that the 2009 Nissan 370Z is on dealer lots, the company has confirmed the reveal of the 2010 Nissan 370Z Convertible at the 2009 New York Auto Show. Nissan has traditionally used New York for major reveals and with the demise of this year's Tokyo Auto Show there weren't too many choices left.
Don't expect anything ground breaking like a retractable hardtop as that option has been reserved for the Infiniti G37 Convertible. Good thing too, as all that hardware simply adds weight and the 370Z isn't exactly a Lotus to begin with. Expect to see the same 3.7-liter V6 as the coupe along with two trim levels and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
Sources in Japan have told Inside Line that although Nissan has throttled back some of its product programs in the face of worsening economic conditions, two notable programs are still on track. The rumored Infiniti sedan based on the GT-R is still a go and could come as early as 2011. Nissan is also developing an SUV based on the GT-R chassis, and it too could arrive in 2011.
In more depressing news, the same sources revealed that plans for a rear-wheel drive 200SX/Silvia replacement have been axed.
According to Automotive News the Tokyo Motor Show, currently scheduled for October 23rd through November 8th, might be cancelled due to lack of manufacturer interest.
This might say all sorts of things about the current state of the car world, the current state of the world economy or the current state of other big, important things. What it says to us however, is that we might be deprived of the one of our favorite auto shows.
What will the world be without Tokyo-show concept cars that glow-in-the-dark, are powered by mutant squirrels and can be folded up to fit in a suit case? We do not want to consider such a fate. And who will step in to provide replacements the world's greatest car names such as D-Bone, Fuya-jo and Begin Funkybox? Nobody, that's who.
A decision on whether to go ahead with the show is expected within a month. In the meantime we've gathered some examples of what will be lost should this come to pass.
The Nissan GT-R SpecV hit the web last night, but at the time all we had to work with was a few photos and a bare bones press release. Well, now we have a full report from Peter Nunn in Japan, complete with additional specs and photos.
Key to this GT-R's improved performance was reduced weight. According to Nissan, the addition of various carbon fiber pieces, lighter wheels and the removal of the rear seats shed 132 pounds.
The lightweight Rays wheels measure 20-inch in diameter and are wrapped in Bridgestone RE070A run flat tires developed exclusively for the GT-R SpecV. The carbon ceramic brakes, co-developed with Brembo, reduce the unsprung weight at each wheel by 11 pounds. Oh, and they cost roughly $50,000 to overhaul.
And speaking of price, we erred in our initial report when we said it would only come in black. Turns out the Ultimate Opal Black paint is merely a GT-R SpecV exclusive color, one that comes with a hefty $6,180 price tag. White, red and gray will also be available.
Yes, the Nissan GT-R SpecV is now official and it appears hell bent on taking over the "blackest production car" mantle from the Buick GNX. Prospective buyers better like the color scheme because there are no other options. It's Ultimate Black Opal or nothing.
We expected some extra power from this limited-edition GT-R, but Nissan delivered a lighter car instead. Look closely and you'll notice that some of that shiny black paint is interrupted by the signature gray sheen of carbon fiber as it makes up the grille, brake ducts and rear spoiler. There are some carbon pieces in the interior too, but the biggest chunk of weight savings inside came from the removal of the rear seats.
Lightweight alloy wheels, a titanium exhaust system and carbon ceramic brakes are also part of this GT-R's diet. There's only one significant engine tweak: a new boost control device allows for momentary increases in boost pressure to bump mid-range power.
So far, Nissan has only confirmed sales in Japan at a price of 15,750,000 yen. Our sources at Nissan say not to get our hopes up for U.S. versions. No specific reason was given, but it's clearly not due to any lack of demand as Nissan managed to sell 1,730 GT-Rs in the U.S. in just six months.
You may have already seen the sales totals for December, and 2008 as a whole. If not, here's a summary: not good. For a more detailed look, check out the industry wide 2008 sales analysis over at AutoObserver.
We assembled something a little different though. Instead of assessing the big picture, we looked at the sales numbers for individual models. Which new models flopped, which old models recovered, that sort of thing. Some of the results we expected, others were a little more eye opening. See for yourself after the jump.
You've probably seen it a hundred times in the last year. Some talking head on TV saying that if automakers only made more fuel efficient cars, the public would buy them. Really? The 2008 sales numbers are in, and the draw of fuel efficiency doesn't seem to be holding up in the face of lower gas prices.
Our own Green Car Advisor, John O'Dell, looked through the final sales numbers for hybrids in 2008 and it was clear that their green sheen had definitely worn thin.
Despite the fact that Dodge may not be around (as we currently know it) this time next year, Chrysler LLC has affirmed that there will be a Dodge that the Ram 1500 diesel and hybrid. That's good news. The question is will Dodge still be part of Chrysler LLC? Many auto pundants are saying that, even with a bridge rescue loan, Chrysler won't survive. It just doesn't have the global presence that both GM and Ford have, and the feeling that worldwide support will be necessary to survive these tough times. So, while it's expected that the Dodge truck division will survive, who will own it? Nissan? The next-gen Titan is known to be essentionally a rebadged Ram; so if I were a betting man, that would be my guess.
As to the Ram 1500 diesel, it will be an all-new V-type engine, designed more for fuel economy than for heavy-duty towing. It's ecpected to be about 5.0L in size.
The hybrid version's powertrain will likely come from the recently discontinued Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids, and is expected to arrive before the new diesel.
Could happen. The body-on-frame Nissan Patrol has always been Nissan's answer to the Toyota Land Cruiser; and with this latest revamp--and a HUGE one at that--there is some speculation that this vehicle could replace the soon-to-be-departed Armada and/or Infiniti QX56.
The new Patrol is expected to be powered, at least overseas, by a 4.8L V8, 4.0L V6 and a 3.0L V6 diesel. Gotta wonder if it shares some underpinnings with the upcoming Nissan NV2500 commercial trucks?
WorldCarFans.com is reporting that Fiat & PSA/Peugeot-Citroen are about to merge. The story, which apparently originated in Italy, states the reason for the merger is to try and survive the global financial crisis. It's that simple: merge or die.
So here we have one more example of just how far-reaching this economic debacle is. If this merger does come about, it would create the fourth largest automaker in the world, rivaling VW and Renault-Nissan in scale.
A report surfaced over at Motor Authority.com that Nissan's Mississippi plant will be converted over to building their upcoming light-commercial truck line. Currently vehicles being built there are the Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX56 and the Nissan Quest minivan. Sales of these vehicles have been way down this year. Those in the know believe Nissan will just get out of this market altogether. So far Nissan has not offered any comment.
Any self-respecting automotive enthusiast might regard an audio or navigation system as practically irrelevant in a car like the new GT-R. But after the initial thrill of driving the 480-horsepower beast wears off a little (however slowly), drivers may want to listen to some decent music, get directions or make a call without breaking some hands-free law.
This car is equipped with a Bose audio system, like the one you find on the Infiniti G-series of vehicles. Of course, the specific cabin acoustics of the GT-R were analyzed and taken into account for the EQ'ing. The system plays CDs and files off your iPod or an SD card (there's also a hard drive for storing your music). There's no DVD (or other format) playback, but this is an above-average two-channel system that achieves its objective of good sound.
To overcome the GT-R's significant road and tire noise, its sound system needed more than a couple of 6x9s. And it does. Godzilla's frontstage consists of a three-way speaker setup in the doors (a 3.25-inch Twiddler and 6.5-inch full-range speaker with a 1.5-inch tweeter in the sail panels), plus a Twiddler at the top of the center of the dash. There are a couple more Twiddlers on the rear deck for fill. The two 9-inch woofers deftly integrated in between the two rear seats are the highlight of the speaker system (pictured). They provide decent bottom end and look pretty cool to boot. An eight-channel digital amp powers the speakers.
In general, the soundstage was a little narrow and music imaged lower than I would've liked. But this will vary with your head height. The tonal qualities, however, were quite decent. I played Jay-Z's "99 Problems," which on some factory systems can sound muddled. Here the guitars were fairly distinct and had the right crunch. Sigur Ros' "Svefn-G-Englar" didn't reveal any resonance issues as it sometimes does. The dynamics on this track were well reproduced. "Boxenkiller," which I use to audition every system, would've been better if the bass had more definition, but the system provided a live feel with authentic-sounding toms. Rage Against the Machine's "Take the Power Back" had too much high-end that I had to dial back the treble on, but the song had plenty of impact.
Next I played some tracks off my iPod. I connected it through the USB cable and selected from the complete menu of options, accessing songs by playlist, songs, albums, etc. The graphic quality of the monitor leaves something to be desired, but the functionality is perfectly fine. Even with some of the lower bitrate files I have of some Corinne Bailey Rae and Alicia Keys tracks the audio system provided a good listening experience.
Controlling the audio and other features is easy. The center stack is simple. You're not overwhelmed with a thousand buttons like on some cars, and the touchscreen has just the right sensitivity. Plus, the steering wheel controls follow suit. That is, everything is easily identifiable and located properly for access with your thumbs. The only weakness in terms of ergonomics is the location for the disc slot. It's too low and in front of the shifter.
The monitor is well-positioned for viewing the navigation info, but the pixelated quality of the graphics takes away from the total system. Frankly, in a car with this lofty price tag, it's disappointing. However, there's not too much to complain about with the overall performance.
That includes the hands-free Bluetooth. My iPhone worked without a hitch. There was some echo of the other party's voice, but mine was delivered clearly. It may take a driver some time to begin to appreciate the other aspects of this GT-R, but the car definitely delivers on more than one level. -- Ben Oh, Inside Line Contributor
IL Tech Ratings (10 is Best): 2009 Nissan GT-R Audio: 8 iPod: 8 Navigation: 8 Ergonomics: 9 Bluetooth: 8
Nissan finally unveiled their NV2500 van concept. As you might expect, it has a bunch of new ideas that are sure to appeal to the commercial truck customer. It's based off the Nissan Titan pickup, and has a 147.6-inch wheelbase. With the front passenger seat folded, it can carry objects 10.5 feet long. How many of these great ideas (note all the power outlets!) will be green-lighted for production is anyone's guess.
When was the last time that you saw Ford having a better month than either Toyota or Honda, at least in terms of sales loss percentages?
"I've been in the industry nearly 28 years and never have seen anything even remotely close to this," states Mark LaNeve, GM's North American vice president of sales. "It's breathtaking."
It just gets uglier every month, and one has to wonder how much worse will it get? Oh wait... Domestic Motors and Congress have yet to do their second Doe-See-Doe. It could get much worse folks...
In what is turning out to be one of the strangest Detroit auto shows in history, word has it that local Nissan and Infiniti dealers will be putting up their own display. This is coming after news that the US corporate divisions of Nissan and Infiniti have backed out of the show.
"The ultimate, core purpose of auto shows is to create excitement among consumers and generate sales. That's what we're doing," said Doug Fox, co-chairman of the NAIAS and an Ann Arbor Nissan dealer.
Chicago: Yes or No?
Also, Nissan has changed their plans for Chicago. Originally the Chicago was also going to be axed by Nissan and Infiniti. Now those plans have been changed, and the corporate headquarters will once again have a display there.
"After a careful review of this decision with our North Central Region management and our Chicago dealers, we have found a way to maintain a presence at the Chicago show through our dealers," Nissan said in a statement. "The decision outlined for Chicago does not affect our decision to withdraw from the 2009 North American International Auto Show."
With Porsche, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, Land Rover and Rolls-Royce, Nissan and Infiniti being no-shows at the NAIAS, that gives the Chinese automakers a better chance to display their products. Formally these vehicles have been delegated to pretty much second-class floor space in the basement of Cobo Hall, better known as Michigan Hall.
Not anymore, as there is now some prime real estate now available up on the main floor. Two Chinese brands moving up to the "show" are BYD Auto and Brilliance.
Here it is: the first full test of the new 2009 Nissan 370Z. Fully redesigned from top to bottom, Nissan's other sportscar is now lighter, smaller and...well, different looking. See for yourself in our comprehensive road test of the redesigned Z.
Joining the growing throng of automaker auto show no-shows, Nissan, and presumably Infiniti as well, have decided not to have a presence at either the Detroit or Chicago auto shows. Citing that they have no new models to display (hey! what about the Cube and 370Z?) and the worsening financial market, they felt their money was better spent elsewhere.
Faced with an ever-growing list of complaints of GT-Rs with Launch Control failures, Nissan has decided to drop that feature on the 2010 models. Apparently too many owners were playing with the Launch Control, with the result being broken GT-Rs; not a good thing for Nissan warranty folks to deal with, not to mention Nissan's reputation.
So, it looks like 2009 GT-Rs just became a bit more valuable (or not).
I put in a good 20 minutes ogling the 2009 Nissan Cube this afternoon. I wasn't alone. The Super Silver GT-R on the other side of the stage wasn't getting nearly as much attention.
Finally, some employees of Scion walked up and when I saw their badges, I couldn't resist asking them what they thought.
"I don't like it," said one. "We build cars that are more uniform-looking, more, um..."
"Symmetrical?" I offered. (We were looking at the Cube's rump.)
"Yeah."
So what do you think? Can we allow the 2009 Nissan Cube to defy symmetry?
With the Internet bursting with ugly tales of GT-R launch control abuse, broken transaxles and void warranties, a nasty rumor began; that the 2010 Nissan GT-R won't have launch control.
Could it be? Really?
So we asked and asked and asked. We asked three Nissan employees: one from the public relations department, one from engineering and one high-ranking executive. The first two confirmed its removal was being considered seriously, but the decision had not yet been made. Then the high-ranking executive confirmed the bad news.
"It's gone," he said when asked if launch control would return in 2010. "We just don't want to deal with the warranty nightmare anymore. It'll make the 2009 GT-R really special. It'll be the only R35 with launch control." -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor
It wasn't that long ago that a vehicle like the 2009 Nissan Cube would have been a mere afterthought at a major U.S. press conference. Tucked away in a dark corner as a novelty, it would have received only a token line somewhere between yearly sales numbers and a reminder that smoothies would be served immediately following the press conference.
Not today, though. No, today the Nissan Cube shared the spotlight with the 370Z up on the main stage. Even with falling gas prices, the prospect of an ultra-efficient and strangely stylish econobox hasn't lost its luster. And after the press conference, the crowds around the Cube were just as deep as those hovering over the 370Z sports car. Its success is far from guaranteed, but judging by the interest shown today, the Cube has a good chance of stealing whatever interest is left in Scion's xB. Pricing will be announced at the Chicago auto show in February.
Nissan kept it short and sweet this morning when it came time to introduce the 2009 370Z. Sure, there was a little smoke and a minute or two of loud music, but after that it was all business. In fact, Al Castignetti, Nissan's vice president of sales, got right to it and announced the base price of the 370Z -- just $29,930 when it goes on sale early next year. Not bad for 332 horsepower.
Once again, with this electric Nuvu concept, Nissan has shown that their designers take a back seat to nobody. Strange? No doubt. Radical? For sure. Will people hate it? Some--but not me as I LOVE it!
Even more radical than the looks is Nissan's approach to marketing their electric cars, which will begin in 2010. What they're proposing is that you buy the car, but lease the battery pack.
Obviously the question is why? So far there's no clear answer here from Nissan, but I would assume it would be cheaper to do so.
Think a collapse of one or more of the Detroit automakers would be a good thing for Toyota, Nissan or Honda? If you do, you would be wrong. Very wrong. All the automakers are tied into suppliers which service all these brands. It would be a lose-lose situation for all involved.
"We're deeply concerned," said Mike Goss, a spokesman for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. in Erlanger, Ky. "Seventy-five percent of the vehicles we build in North America are sourced in North America, and many of those suppliers are shared with the Big Three."
The supply industry, which is made up of roughly 6,000 firms in North America, two-thirds of them in the United States, "is an integrated system," said Sean McAlinden, vice president of research at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. "It's a house of cards. You knock down enough of the cards in the bottom rows and it all goes down for months," he said. "It's going to cost Toyota and Honda a great deal if this happens," McAlinden said. "They're incredibly worried."
We're learning more details about the new Nissan 370Z. Power has been boosted to 332 horsepower, which is up a bit from that found in the Infiniti G37. The car also sports a reduced wheelbase and more use of lightweight materials, all good news when it comes to performance.
The car will be offered with a 7-speed automatic; and a 6-speed manual with a down-shift throttle "blip" feature, for those not skilled at the art of heal-and toeing.
One can on only assume, based on the model name of NV2500, that it stands for Nissan Van, and that it's a 3/4-ton vehicle. Anyone following this blog knows that Nissan will be entering the light commercial truck market, and one vehicle is expected to be a van.
Frankly I'm a bit puzzled by what I see here. To me this looks too much like the old-school Detroit-styled vans (low roof and big snout), rather than like the far more modern Euro-school vans, such as the Mercedes/Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter.
Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com (here) dug a little deeper, and discovered that Nissan has trademarked a few other names, further supporting the thinking that "NV" likely indicates "Nissan Van." There's a "NV1500" and "NV3500" suggesting that there will also be 1/2-ton and 1-ton versions. In addition Nissan has trademarked "NP" models, indicating "Nissan Pickup." In fact they trademarked names running from NP1500 to NP5500.
What: Edmunds' Inside Line and Nissan celebrate the all-new 370Z with a private preview party five days before its official world premiere at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. Bring a new or old Z if you have one, and come see and touch the new version with fellow enthusiasts.
When: Saturday, November 15, 2008
4:00-8:00 P.M. PST
Where: TBWA/Chiat Day
5353 Grosvenor Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Cost: Admission is free and Edmunds' Inside Line will provide food and giveaways.
Details: Edmunds' Inside Line and Nissan are proud to announce a special roll-out of the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z. This will be the first unveiling of the 370Z on U.S. soil. There will be three fully functioning 370Zs at the event, including two production vehicles and one test mule. And yes, you'll be able to sit in the car and poke around under the hood. Bring your new or old Nissan to display at the event if you have one or just bring yourself. Check out Inside Line's unveiling of the Nissan GT-R to see what this event is all about.
If you have any questions, please contact Inside Line Editor-in-Chief Scott Oldham at soldham@edmunds.com.
Further evidence of the GM-Chrysler deal going through, is that Chrysler and Nissan have stopped their discussions. The reason being is that Chrysler would rather do their deal with GM. Neither Cerberus nor Nissan would comment on the situation.
So I guess the big question is can financing for this mega deal be be obtained, as that seems to be the biggest stumbling block at the moment.
On November 18 Nissan will introduce a Versa 1.6 sedan that will list for $9,990, making it the least expensive car to be sold here. It will come with a 5-speed manual standard, and a 4-speed automatic will be optional. The 1.6L engine will put out 107 horsepower, and will deliver 34/26 highway/city mpg with the 5-speed tranny. The more powerful 1.8L model remains in the lineup.
Yep. She's a real looker, for sure. Nissan has taken the wraps off the new 370Z coupe, which will officially debut at the LA auto show. Besides the larger 3.7L engine, expect a choice of a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed automatic to be offered.
The only thing I question is the rear quarter window. Yeah, it helps the profile's styling, but why even bother as it's absolutely useless in terms of being able to see out of.
...Oh, final comment: Why couldn't the GT-R have looked half this good? Or better yet: Why couldn't Nissan just have developed a GT-R version of this new 370Z?
The spreading Wall Street financial crisis is beginning to affect what we will see offered here and around the world--and sooner rather than later. No market is going to get by untouched. Even those OPEC and other oil-rich countries will see some sort of negative effect as it pertains to vehicle choices. AutoObserver has an excellent article on how automakers are addressing this situation:
Ah... the perfect blog entry for the weekend: that being one about the all-new Nissan 370Z convertible!
Inside Line has images and some info on this much anticipated car. Fans of the current model will feel right at home with this new one, as the apple has not fallen far from the tree so to speak, ether visually or mechanically. It's just more of the same--only much more and much better.
As you would expect by the name change, the VQ engine has been upped to 3.7 liters. Quite likely it shares the same state of tune of that found in the Infiniti G37. It's also available with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic. Unlike its Infiniti cousin, which comes in either RWD or AWD, this car (as in the past) will be RWD only.
The car will make its official debut next spring at the NY auto show.
Michelle Krebs, the Grand Godess of AutoObserver. has really outdone herself here, with a really excellent report on what might happen if this GM-Chrysler deal comes to pass.
Also rather revealing, is the listing of the various Chrysler products and the vehicles that are cross-shopped against them. Good stuff!
Some in the industry are saying that this could happen, and if so, could be a good thing. We're talking about the Dodge Ram 1500, Durango and Dakota here. Interesting, however, the Dodge Ram HD models may not be part of this deal should it occur. That leaves you with the obvious question: what happens to these trucks?
We already know the Next Nissan Titan will be Ram 1500-based. The Detroit News report here suggests that the next Armada might be Durango-based, but there's no mention of what might happen with the Dakota. Will the next Nissan Frontier be Dakota-based? Don't know. Also being reported, if this comes to pass, is that the next Infiniti QX56 might be based off the (not imported) Nissan Patrol.
As to the fate of HD Rams, this is another question mark. A future HD Nissan Titan will likely come from the new commercial-duty Nissan platform, which Nissan already has plans for.
This is interesting if for no other reason that Chrysler's CEO, Bob Nardelli, has confirmed that there have been discussions with other parties "interested in exploring future possibilities." He added that no final decision has been made one way or the other. It's unusual that such a comment would be made on a topic like this. I guess, with all the news on this possible merger over the last few days, Nardelli felt something needed to be said.
Here we go again folks. Another rumor of a possible industry merger between GM and Chrysler. The question is: does this one have legs? With all that's going on in the financial market, does this now make more sense than it did before?
It's well known, or at least suspected, that Cerberus would love to get out of this Chrysler mess. Even so, I cannot for the life of me see what's in it for the General. Redundant models, already a huge problem at GM, would only get worse by including Chrysler models. I suppose the Jeep brand is worth saving, especially since GM is dropping the Trailblazer and its cousins. Beyond that I just don't get it. Maybe their are manufacturing synergies to be gained, or the possible link to both Nissan and Renault have possibilities since Chrysler has a toe in the door there?
UPDATE: It looks like Cerberus is interested in acquiring all of GMAC. Back in 2006 they bought 51 percent of GM's finance arm, and now it looks like they want the whole kit and kubutle. No further word on possible merger mentioned above.
UPDATE 2: Many analysts are skeptical of such a move--but if it does come to pass, expect major job losses, as there would be a huge amount of job duplication which would need to be eliminated.
Set to debut at the LA auto show, images of a lightly camouflaged Nissan 370Z have been posted up on the Net. While similar in look to the current 350Z, closer examination indicates a more substantial change from that model. The fenders seem to be much more pronounced and the roof appears to have a more severe rake to it.
For the big six automakers, September 2008 was a month that couldn't have ended soon enough. It was bad, folks. Really bad. First it was the fuel crisis, and then a sucker punch better known as the financial and credit debacle was all it took for it to get Quasimodo-like ugly. In fact this was the first time in more than 15 years that fewer than 1 million units were sold.
CNW Research said in an e-mail report that "during the final 10 days of September, floor traffic (in auto dealerships) fell more than 50 percent versus a year ago -- the worst showing since CNW began keeping track in 1986." CNW Research's Art Spinella said, "Manufacturer incentives aren't pulling in the crowds."
And I suspect it may get worse. Speaking as someone who may very well be forced into the car market because of my recent accident -- I haven't a clue as to what I'm going to do if that comes to pass. The credit situation is so screwed up, I don't know if I will be able to qualify for a car loan; and if I do, what sort of strings are going to be attached to the loan agreement? Will I be able to get the loan amount that I want/need? Will I be forced into buying something I really don't want?
Now just imagine a nation of car buyers who are in similar shoes that I'm wearing. Nope, the future looks pretty grim for carmakers for some time to come.
Porsche doesn't believe the 7:29:03 Nürburgring lap time that Nissan claims to have produced for their new GT-R.
They took a US-spec GT-R and tried to replicate that record time and could only come within 25 seconds of it. So the obvious question is how could they be so far off. A few seconds? Perhaps; but 25 seconds off? It does give one something to think about.
While there has been much coverage on these various 'Ring lap times, I haven't been following the details that closely. Isn't there some governing body that verifies all this?
As you well know (or should know by now), Nissan will be entering the commercial truck market shortly. And as such, will be using an all-new ZF Powerline automatic transmission. It's a 6-speed unit, and will compete with the HD Allison transmissions used on many Class 3 to Class 7 trucks. Expect to see it sometime in 2010.
Okay, it's got a big honkin' grille, one that would make a Ford Super Duty owner smile with envy; but is that enough reason to buy a Nissan, er... make that Suzuki Equator pickup?
Other than styling, is there any other reason to consider this truck over a Nissan Frontier? It certainly isn't because Suzuki has a whole bunch more dealers than Nissan--because it doesn't. On the flip side, it does give buyers more total dealers to choose from--if either a Frontier or Equator will do.
So it basically comes down to styling and a larger combined dealer body, right? Anything else?
Well, there is one very real and very rational reason to favor the Suzuki over the Nissan: The warranty. The Suzuki offers 7 years / 100,000 coverage on their powertrain, whereas Nissan only offers 5 years / 60,000 mile coverage on its powertrain. So, if that concerns you, opt for the Suzuki.
No word yet on pricing, but my guess that better warranty won't be free. So I'd expect a slightly higher MSRP on Equator, over its Nissan cousin, to pay for that extra coverage. Trucks should be arriving at dealers shortly.
Ummm... Not sure about this illustration. It's soooo far from what we've come to expect from Nissan. It has none of the current Nissan truck styling cues, especially from the front. Plus for a HD truck, it's not very macho looking. Then again, that's not a primary concern as commercial customers are more interested in what the vehicle can do, and for how little in terms of $$$.
At any rate, Nissan is reportedly going to show a heavy-duty pickup, a full-size van, and a smaller van at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show.
So much for being a bargain-basement super car, as Nissan just moved this hot (in more ways than one) sports car up a floor or two in the pricing department. The base model goes from $69,850 to $76,480. The Premium model now starts at $79,090. That's a 10 percent increase in just a couple of months of being on sale. This goes into effect after September 5, so anyone who put their order in prior to that date is safe.
Nissan claims most of the increase is due to higher material costs. What's not said is that Nissan likely priced the car too low, and wants some of the ADM profits that the dealers are getting.
As in July, only Nissan of the Big Six automakers, showed a profit. As compared to August of last year, sales for the auto industry are down roughly 15 percent.
One of the surprises here is that, unlike the rest of the industry, several of Nissan's trucks and SUVs had a really good month. Their formerly slow-selling Frontier midsize pickup broke out with 56-percent leap in August, totaling 9,140 sales. The Xterra SUV showed an incredible 77-percent increase with 8,208 units sold. One thing I'm happy to see is that Subaru continues to surprise with a 14 percent gain over last August. The new Forester had a 73 percent increase over last August!Here's AutoObserver's take: Auto Sales Still Dismal in August - But At Least It Wasn't July
Depending on which side of the fence you're on, this is either good news or lousy news. Me? I'm on the "lousy" side of the fence.
Okay, I guess I was wearing my "naive" cap on this one, as I was really hoping that--some how--some way--that Nissan and Dodge would find a way to keep the excellent 5.6L Nissan V8; but it ain't gonna happen. Way too expensive, so I've been told, to retro-fit the Nissan engine into the Dodge half-ton.
So the next Titan (are they even going to keep that name?) will follow the long-established pattern of being a 100-percent badge-engineered product. I don't know about anyone else, but I see this as having FAILURE being written all over it.
Why you may ask? Because I have yet to find a badge-engineered vehicle that I would want to own. Nope, not a one--and I don't expect this next Nissan truck to be any different. Nor have I seen any badge-engineered vehicles be really kick-ass successful. Granted, GMC has done pretty well, but it's always played second fiddle to the Chevy counterpart--and its future is very much up in the air. Nissan will get some sales. I don't, however, see this truck as ever being anything more than a bit player.
And if by chance I do find myself liking it--I'd buy the Dodge version instead, assuming I was in the market for a truck. I'd simply rather reward the guys who did all the real work here, and not reward the truck maker that bailed and took the easy way out. I suspect I'm not alone in feeling this way.
No doubt we can add Ford, Toyota and Nissan to this list too; but for now we have news on what GM and Dodge are up to.
GM
First off, beside offering hybrid pickups, GM will offering a high-mileage versions of the 2WD 1/2-tons. Known as "XFE" models (as in eXtra Fuel Economy), these are vehicles using well proven technology, as they employ lots of gears (6) and a tall 3.08 rear axle ratio. The 5.3L V8 as also been tweaked somewhat.
On the hybrid front, word has it that these models have been pushed back to the first half of next year for release.
For Dodge it's a good-news-bad-news situation. The good news is that they have priced the '09 Ram lower than the '08 model, and have given it more standard features than a comparable '08 model.
The bad news is that they have priced the '09 Ram lower than the '08
model, and have given it more standard features than a comparable '08
model. That mean any remaining '08s on dealer lots are going to be hard to move once the '09 models start arriving.
Whoa... Where did this come from? A Murano drop-top?
Inside Line is reporting that Nissan is indeed working on such a vehicle, and it's expected to arrive in 2011. 4-door convertibles are nothing new. Lincoln offered a Continental back in the 1960s with one; and back in the earlier part of the 20th century 4-door convertibles were pretty common. So my question is: Will they offer a dual-cowl version of this? Now that would be really cool!
Nissan is feeling the wrath of upset Arabs, as their TV commercial that is running in Israel pokes some fun at Arab sheiks that are upset at the Nissan Tilda for being too fuel-efficient, and thus costing them oil profits. Interesting to note that the video appears to be in Russian.
So now it looks like Nissan may have caused the latest Mid-East incident as the Persian Gulf states have threatened to boycott Nissan products unless the commercial is pulled, and Nissan apologizes. Here we go again...
The Infiniti G37 lineup consists of perhaps some of the best looking and most desirable cars ever to come from the Land of the Rising Sun. This is even more true of the G37 Coupe, a vehicle that's so good looking that it makes the Nissan GT-R look like the morning after of a night of too much sake.
So news that there will be an AWD version of the G37 Coupe has me a just bit giddy. Better still, Inifiniti is planning on doing a folding hardtop version as well, but likely in RWD. The hardtop-convertible will debut at the LA auto show in November, and will arrive in the first quarter of next year.
Also coming for all 2009 G models is a new 7-speed automatic that will replace the current 6-speed unit, plus an uprated brake package and new 18" rims.
Nissan has been relatively quiet when it comes to some eco-tech stuff, at least in comparison to Toyota and Honda, which are Nissan's primary competitors. That's about to change, as they just showed an all-electric car prototype, which is reportedly going on sale here in 2010. The car is FWD and uses lithium-ion batteries and a newly developed 80kW motor and inverter.Here's Inside Line's take: Nissan Previews Its Chevrolet Volt Fighter
Nissan has developed an 'Eco Pedal' that's designed to resist the driver's impulse to floor it. As the driver presses down on the gas pedal, the pedal pushes back, resisting the the driver's effort to accellerate. The idea here is to save gas, of course.
"When the driver exerts excess pressure on the accelerator, the system counteracts with the pedal push-back control mechanism," Nissan states.
While the thought is well intentioned, it will surely irritate those with lead feet. The good news for them is there is a defeat switch which can turn this eco-nanny off. Think we might see this on the gizmo-laden GT-R some day? Yeah, right...
AutoObserver is reporting that Chrysler LLC is talking to both Tata and Fiat. Early indications suggest that "parnerships" are being discussed. Items being rumored are that Tata may help build and sell Jeeps; and that Fiat (and Alfa Romeo) are looking for a way to get back in the American market, and Chrysler may be of assistance here.
That does not, however, mean that other subjects are not also on the table, as in Cerberus looking for a way to get out of this Chrysler mess. As you might expect, nobody is talking, which of course helps feed the wild speculation.
Good news on the carbon fiber front: There's a news report saying that Toray Industries Inc., Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. will be working as a team to develop a new carbon fiber material for use in auto bodies; the goal being to develop mass-market carbon fiber cars.The hope is to create mass production technology for the new material by the mid-2010s. If successful, they could save up to 40% lighter than their steel counterparts--and that's huge folks!Carbon fiber is one-quarter the weight of iron, but is 10 times as strong. High prices have been a major obstacle to the widespread use of carbon fiber in cars, but that's changing as the price of steel continues to rise.Full story here.
Okay folks, this 'Ring Thing is just getting plain silly, as Nissan has now taken a X-Trail Fuel-Cell to the curcuit. So I guess they can now claim to have both one of the fastest cars to lap the "Ring (GT-R: 7:29) and one of the slowest (X-Trail Fuel-Cell: 11:58).
Actually, the more I think about it, I think we should allow more really slow vehicles to have 'Ring lap braggin' rights. I say we (or someone) take the following vehicles to this famous circuit to cut some hot laps: The ever so-smart Smart; the hero of East Bloc countries, the Trabant; the in-production-for-over-a-half-century 2-wheeled Honda Cub; and a Tata Nano is certainly a no-brainer (nano-brainer?).
...And why stop with motor vehicles? How about the Kentucky Derby winner? Certainly a marathon runner should be allowed to do track time. Better still--Edmund's.com, lead by Editor in Chief Karl Brauer, could put together a 'Ring tag-team of joggers, dog walkers, bicyclists, skateboarders, wheelchair-bound and sub-10-year olds. Yeah! That's the ticket!
More evidence of the world-wide popularity of the Korean auto giant Hyundai-Kia, as they passed Honda in global sales in 2007. Hyundai-Kia is now ranked fifth in terms, which is previously the rank Honda held.
The Korean automaker was ranked 11th place in 1999, but moved up to 5th place in 2007 by out-selling rivals such as Honda, Nissan, PSA / Peugeot, Chrysler and Fiat.
Now Hyundai-Kia's global sales for 2007 were 3,961,629, whereas Honda sold 3,831,000 vehicles. Hyundai-Kia has shot up six places in just eight years, according to Automotive News' 2008 Global Data Book.
With all this interest and fuss about lap times at the Nürburgring, Jalopnik has posted some info and several videos of other vehicles lapping this famous track. So while the Corvette ZR1 Nissan GT-R lap times are amazing, they're nowhere near the time posted by the Porsche 956, which has lapped the 'Ring at 6:11.13.
The upcoming hybrid Honda CR-Z 2+2 sport coupe won't have that market to itself for long as Nissan is working on a direct competitor. Not much is known at the moment other than it will be small, FWD and it will be a hybrid. Rumors include a 6-speed DSG, possible Brembo brakes, and the engine will be around 1500cc.
While these images are pure speculation, it's interesting to to note that the grille strongly hints "Infiniti," and not "Nissan." Hmmm...
A couple of days ago Straightline posted an entry in which Honda CEO Takeo Fukui had issued an edict stating that the new NSX "must" beat the Nissan GT-R's "Ring lap record (Honda NSX "must" be faster than GT-R at the 'Ring). Now we learn that Honda, with their first trip to the Nürburging with this new car, just posted a 7:37 lap, which is within eight seconds of the Nissan GT-R's 7:29 lap record for a production car.
So if you had any doubts before, this is a sure indicator that the 'Ring lap time race is off and running...
Man, this Nürburgring lap record thing has really taken off. Might the word "obsession" be even a better descriptor?
Ever since the Nissan GT-R recently posted a record-breaking time, we've Cadillac, Honda and others going after the 'Ring's brass ring, so to speak... So here's Porsche too trying to cash in here—which makes sense, as they have perhaps the most to gain (or lose) by posting record lap time times there...
The upcoming Honda NSX "must" be faster than Nissan GT-R around Nurburgring is the ultimatum set forth by Honda CEO Takeo Fukui.
The NSX project engineers have their work cut out for them, for sure. Early info on the car suggest it will have a front-mounted 550 hp 5.5L V10 with cylinder deactivation capability, and will use a 8-speed paddle-shifting automatic. All that power will be sent to all four wheels via a beefed up version of the Acura SH-AWD...
Nissan has released info on the 2009 Frontier and Xterra models. As you can see, it's mostly a minor cosmetic upgrade, with a revised front end and new wheels. Inside there's a revised dash and some package upgrades; including an Xterra optional Technology package, including a Rockford Fosgate sound system, XM satellite radio, Bluetoth, redundant steering wheel controls and an iPod jack, standard equipment for 2009. The Xterra also gets optional off-road roof lights...
Renault and Nissan figure if Tata can build an ultra-cheap car like the Nano, so can they. So with that in mind they, in conjunction with their Indian partner Bajaj Auto Ltd., are going ahead with plans to build a car to compete in the $2500 range. Well actually it will be $3000, or so they hope, which is $500 more than the Nano.
XM's NavTraffic feature is gaining popularity by leaps abounds. For 2009 it will be offered on more than 40 vehicles. Those automakers include GM, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti, and Toyota. The upcoming Hyundai Genesis will offer it, and GM is including the feature in 22 new vehicles this year...
Carscoop lived up to their name by scooping an image of the upcoming Nissan 370Z. The image was taken by someone with a camera phone at a recent Nissan event.
As you might expect the new Z will be powered by a 3.7L V6 with horsepower well north of 300. It is expected to debut at the next LA auto show next fall...
Nissan is reportedly going to show their light commercial vehicle (or vehicles), otherwise known as LCV(s), at the next Detroit auto show in January. As has been reported, Nissan plans on introducing three LCVs in the United States within the next few years. One is expected to be a van, quite possibly based on their Primastar van (pictured), which is sold in many other markets worldwide. If so, it's most direct competitor here would the the Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter vans, which have proven so popular with delivery services and tradesmen...
Recently Straightline confirmed that the next Titan and Dodge Ram are going to be kiss'n cousins. Now we have some more info on that model, as well as some new info on the yet-to-be-seen HD Nissan pickup.
As to the Titan, the doors and roof panels will be shared by the Titan. Other exterior body panels will be unique...
Here are a couple of newsworthy items pertaining to the new Nissan GT-R:
GT-R is the fastest production car ever to lap the Nurburgring circuit In mid April a production Nissan GT-R achieved a lap time of 7 minutes, 29 seconds, making it the fastest production car ever to lap the Nurburgring circuit. Earlier, a GT-R posted a 7 minute, 38 second lap time, establishing it as one of the world's fastest production cars.
Previously, the Porsche GT-2 and the Porsche Carrera achieved 7 minute 32 second lap times at the Nurburgring. Nissan's GT-R is now officially some 3-seconds quicker around the Nurburgring than Porsche...
Ah, nothing like a couple of teaser images to get your blood boiling and heart racing, and that's just what Nissan has done here with the new up-coming Z-car.
Yep, it's another Nissan GT-R blog entry, but this time with a twist. This time we have Jay Leno commenting on the vehicle—and yes, you can learn a few new things about the car as well.
We managed to snag a little face time with Nissan super boss Carlos Ghosn here in Beijing. As we expected, he talked mostly about business stuff given that he runs two of the world's biggest automakers, Nissan and Renault. He did, however, spend a few minutes talking about Nissan's electric vehicle program, and it's clear he sees it as a must-have technology for the future survival of the company.
Nissan's head honcho Carlos Ghosn was on hand here in Beijing to preside over the company's short but sweet press conference. Although Mr. Ghosn rode onto the stage in the Pivo 2 concept car, he only spent a minute or two talking about Nissan's electric vehicle plans.
Most of the press conference was dedicated to the introduction of the latest Nissan Teana...
Looks like the rumors have proved true. The next Nissan Titan will be built by Dodge in their Saltillo, Mexico plant.
No word yet on the specifics, but it's safe to assume it will be merely a Dodge Ram with Nissan styling cues. Think Nissan Frontier/ Suzuki Equador, and you pretty much have the picture...
Nissan is going to offer three trucks aimed at the commercial customer starting in 2010. As to what these trucks will be, that's not clear yet. However, judging by the article here, I suspect at least one of these trucks could well be a van, that would compete with the full-size Ford and GM vans.
Other possible vehicles could be a small bus or even a small dump truck...
Here are the totals: We drove for three days, covered 2000 miles, killed 4,236,465 bugs, touched 170 mph, met hundreds of Inside Line readers, burned through 115 gallons of 91 octane gasoline, used 8 bottles of octane booster, talked our way out of two 91 mph speeding tickets, did donuts on one dry lake, raced at one drag strip and lapped one state-of-the-art road course. We broke speed limits in three states (California, Nevada and Utah), let four Inside Line readers drive the GT-R, ate $100 worth of fast food, stopped at one very flooded, very beautiful, very large salt lake bed named for Captain B.L.E. Bonneville, used the GT-R's launch-control 14 times, answered the question "Is that the new Skyline?" 2,677 times, used our Verizon wireless card a total of 23 hours, killed no one, crashed never and hit one car wash in downtown Reno, the trip's finish line.
After taking our hot laps at Miller Motorsports Park, we took a tour of the rest of the facility. It's a gearheads dream, and in this case, the gearhead's name is Larry Miller, a prominent local car dealer. He built the place with his own money and spared no expense in the process.
The main attraction is the road course which features four different loops, the longest being a 4.5-mile layout with 23 turns. There's also a nearly mile long go kart track with dirt sections on either end for running super motos. A row of world class pit garages sits on the 3,500 foot long main straight and well-situated grandstands are sprinkled throughout the edge of the course. The press box is as advanced as anything at Daytona and heck, even the bathrooms are impressively spotless.
What can we say? The GT-R is popular with the law enforcement crowd. First it was the CHP, then one of Sandy City’s finest. Yesterday, it was Officer J...
AutoObserver is reporting that Chrysler LLC is talking to both Tata and Fiat. Early indications suggest that "parnerships" are being discussed. Items being rumored are that Tata may help build and sell Jeeps; and that Fiat (and Alfa Romeo) are looking for a way to get back in the American market, and Chrysler may be of assistance here.
