Nissan
LA 2010 – Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet revealed!
Nissan has finally unwrapped the Murano CrossCabriolet at the Los Angeles Motor Show, happening right now as we speak. This odd-looking vehicle is basically a convertible SUV and Nissan claims that it’s the world’s first all-wheel-drive crossover (as they call it in the US) convertible.
The front is carried over from the 4-door Murano while the rear end, specifically the taillights, is inspired by Nissan’s 370Z sports car. As you can see, this topless Murano has only two doors and uses a fabric roof. In my honest opinion, the entire package looks a little off-putting. There is just something not right about it, but hey, that’s just me.
Moving on to more details. The Murano CrossCabriolet was launched with a 3.5 liter V6 which is good for 265hp and 336Nm of torque and the powerplant is linked to a continuously variable transmission or better known as CVT. It comes with features such as a 7.6 cubic inch trunk capacity (when top is down, 12.3 cubic inch when top is up) which is apparently enough to fit two golf club sets, HID bi-xenon headlights with auto on/off, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and more.
In terms of safety, it comes with ABS with BA (Brake Assist) and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors as well as an occupant classification sensor and door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor. There are also dual pop-up roll bars, tire pressure monitoring system, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with traction control and so on.
The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is set to go on sale in the US by early next year. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Nissan Murano CrossCarbriolet – first image!
Nissan has released the first official image of the Murano CrossCabriolet which will be making its official debut at the LA Motor Show later this week. From the single image above, we can see a sleeker front windscreen, a two door configuration as well as a different rear end with 370Z-like taillights.
This top-less version of the SUV is expected to be motivated by the same engine options being offered in its four door sibling, which includes a 260hp/325Nm 3.5 liter V6 linked to a CVT unit. There should be an optional all-wheel-drive system as well.
Continue reading to view a high-res version of the image. Read the rest of this entry.
The Nissan GT-R with a hint of luxury – the Egoist
May I present to you the Nissan GT-R Egoist, a more luxurious ‘Godzilla’ that caters to a more ‘sophisticated’ enthusiast. The Egoist GT-R was unveiled together with the 2011 model and it benefits from the same list of updates. The Egoist pretty much allows its buyer to trim his or her GT-R according to personal taste.
There are up to 20 interior colour options and parts of the interior will be sent to German-based Seton for leather-wrapping, done by hand. The seats are also finished differently, giving it a more Ferrari-like look. There is also a Bose sound system that can be adjusted to the buyer’s preference.
The interior is further enhanced with GT-R emblem on the steering wheel that is finished in Wajima lacquer, created by Sakae Kubota who is an accredited traditional Japanese lacquer craftsman. The Egoist also has parts that are familiar with the SpecV model including dry carbon rear spoiler, Rays forged alloy wheels (finished in Blue Sword Chrome) and a titanium exhaust system.
More images can be seen after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
2011 Nissan GT-R – complete details and specs!
We all know that Nissan has unveiled the 2011 GT-R at this year’s Paris Motor Show but the Godzilla was at the city of love without any official details and specifications accompanying it. Worry no more GT-R lovers! Nissan has just released official information of the Porsche smoker, including the all important horsepower details.
Before we go into the GT-R’s new power figures, lets take a quick look on the aesthetic upgrades over the model it replaces. There is a new front bumper which incorporates LED daytime running lights, a must-have these days. The rear bumper now features a high intensity LED fog lamp along with an updated rear diffuser. Relevant exterior updates have allowed the GT-R to offer an aerodynamic efficiency of 0.26 (coefficient of drag), which is lower by 0.01.
Downforce has also been improved, by a substantial 10% for the front and rear. The refreshed model is also offered with two new colours including GT Blue and Jet Black. The GT-R also sits on new Hyper Blue Black Chrome Rays wheels that are lighter and more rigid. Knurling on the inside of the wheels also help avoid deviation of tire rotation caused by the increase in horsepower. Overall weight has been reduced by 10 kilograms.
Lets move on to the interior. The 2011 GT-R’s interior sports new seats that offer better side support especially during cornering. There is also an updated instrument panel pad and a different navigation system display. Other updates are made up by a new carbon fiber centre cluster, matte black finishing on all the switches, new velour-like coating on the steering wheel’s GT-R logo as well as new coating for the paddle shifters that expose the magnesium material. Dark chrome-plated rings on the console and on the air-conditioning outlets make up the rest of the updates.
The monstrous GT-R is now available with a 2WD mode, but that can only work below 10km/h, during startup to help improve turning radius when getting out of tight parking spots. The body has been strengthened as well to help improve handling. It has an additional support member, placed near the passenger side of the instrument panel.
A lightweight carbon composite strut has been added to the partition wall of the engine compartment as well (pictured below). Nissan also claims that the body panels are fitted with better accuracy thanks to the use of a higher-precision G sensor during the vibration test.
There is also better vertical load response for the tires with the help of retuned absorbers, stabilizer bar and lever ratio of the springs on the front suspension. Also in the update list is a higher front caster angle, now 6°00 compared to 5°35. The rear suspension gains a lowered roll center height. Stopping power has been improved as well with a 390mm rotor which is thinner. This helps improve braking performance including reducing fade.
The new front bumper also helps with brake cooling. There are also stickier Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT 600 DSST CTT tires. Now lets get into the juicy details under the hood. The 2011 Nissan GT-R’s twin-turbo V6 engine now cranks out 523hp at 6,400 revs and 612Nm of torque between 3,200 and 6,000 revs. The turbos have more boost and engineers have worked on fine tuning the engine’s valve timing and air mixture ratio.
The inlet pipe diameter has also been increased and there is a new exhaust tail pipe too. Despite the increase in power, the 2011 GT-R has better fuel economy, improved by 0.5 liters per 100 kilometers. The transmission has been updated as well and it includes a new SAVE mode which improves fuel economy by adjusting the shift pattern.
There are six variants available including Pure, Black, Premium, SpecV and a more circuit-friendly Club Track model. As mentioned earlier, there is also an exclusive and luxurios Egoist variant which can be customized. The 2011 GT-R is expected to go on sale in global markets starting from February 2011 while sales in the Land of the Rising Sun commencing on November 17th.
Continue reading to salivate over an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Next-generation Nissan Versa/Tiida/Latio sketched
Nissan has released an initial sketch that points to the next-generation Versa sedan, a car that also carries the name Tiida and even Latio in certain markets. The Versa is also available as a hatch. The B-segment contender is expected to be unveiled at the 8th China International Automobile Exhibition in December. It does look pretty good, but it’s only a sketch and it could translate into something less interesting. More details coming up, stay tuned! Read the rest of this entry.
Paris 2010 – 2012 Nissan GT-R revealed
Nissan has unveiled the 2012 GT-R at the Paris Motor Show. The ‘Godzilla’ is updated with an LED rear fog light that is mounted at the vehicle’s lower bumper. This is apparently to comply with EU rules. There is also a glossy center section around the license plate and headlight washers, LED daytime running lights and a reworked front bumper.
More features include a new rear diffuser, better brakes as well as uprated chassis and suspension. The company has yet to release further details including juicy engine info but expect its turbocharged V6 to crank out over 500hp.
Check out more live image after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Nissan to reveal luxury-spec GT-R Egoist
According to Japan-based motoring journalist Peter Lyon, Nissan will unveil a luxury-spec GT-R when it rolls out the 2012 model. Initial reports suggested that this new variant would end up being called the Spec-M but Lyon revealed that it will carry the ‘Egoist’ designation.
Apparently the name is inspired by the both the Chanel perfume and a Tokyo-based apparel maker with the same name. According to the source the Egoist model will receive a new grille and bumpers as well as LED daytime running lights. There will also be a revised intake duct and LED lights for the rear bumper.
This area will also get new vents to dissipate heat from the transmission and exhaust system. However these changes and updates are likely to be seen in the 2012 GT-R as well and we don’t know what will actually set the Egoist apart. The 2012 GT-R is also rumored to get a 30 kilograms weight saving and up to 506hp and 607Nm of torque. The revised model is said to offer larger turbos as well as a modified oil cooler and exhaust system. The suspension and gear ratios are likely to be modified as well.
Back to the Egoist, it was revealed that the more luxurious model is based on the current Black and Premium editions and it will receive larger brakes and lighter wheels. This GT-R Egoist is expected to hit showrooms in October with an estimated price tag of 14 million yen.
Pictured above is a leaked image depicting the 2012 Nissan GT-R.
