We recently had the chance to experience the Nissan 370Z Roadster, and, as usual with our recent convertible tests, California weather was playing bad for most of the time. I have no clue what it is these days with the weather here in SoCal, but it does not seem to want to play along very much.
The Nissan however did its very best to make me forget about that part. It is a very nimble little car, with a smooth gearbox sliding effortlessly through the gears, even at speed. The car never gives you the impression to be out of control. Though clearly more sportely catered than the recent Infiniti and Lexus convertibles we tested, it never become uncomfortable in it’s ride harshness.
Nissan likes to point out that their Pathfinder has independent front suspension, and since Nissan is so adamant in wanting to point that out, who are we to withhold this information from you?
After gawking at this video for a few times.., or more…, I am sure you are dying to know how we experienced this independent suspension ourselves, and if it is as good as Nissan is suggesting in its ad. Well.., our answer to this is very simple: We have no clue. We have searched the vehicle inside out, but have not come across the type of suspension featured in the ad anywhere on, on or under the car. We did find some pretty straightforward looking suspension arms, uprights, springs and the like, but the ad suggested we would find some sort of air or hydraulic like suspension units, on both sides, and we just could not detect these.. sadly..
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (March 11, 2010) – Nissan today announced changes in leadership at Nissan Design America and Nissan Design Europe. Alfonso Albaisa, currently vice president, Design, Nissan Design Europe, will return to NDA as vice president.
Albaisa succeeds Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design, NDA, and Victor Nacif, vice president, Design Business Aspect, NDA.
Campbell, a 30-year veteran with Nissan, will retire from NDA and become an advisor to Nissan’s Global Design Division. Nacif will become vice president, Nissan Design Europe, succeeding Albaisa.
By Cor Steenstra, with photographs by Christopher Jones and model Ada Yan.
With 6′4″ it is quite rare that I feel dwarfed in a car. It happens, mostly when I drive the big SUV s and Pick-Up Truck. To my big surprise, the Nissan Cube also managed to dwarf me!
A design that is clearly targeted at the home Japanese market with its severe tax laws and parking space limits, this Nissan, like th Scion xB, makes ultimate use of its small exterior dimensions with a very rectangular chape, thjus creating as much interior space as possible. A relatively tall height allows for upright roomy seating positions, and when I adjust the drivers seat to my comfort, I have about 10″ of headroom still available. Amazing.
The latest guise of Nissan’s Z-car, the 370Z, showed up looking smaller, more compact than what we were used to from the previous versions. The clear intention was to make a closer link to the original 240Z from the early 70s, but when looking at those originals in the flesh, they appear to be a lot sleeker and more stretched than this current car.
I have to admit that this latest version of the Nissan Maxima had not made much of an impression on me when I saw its introduction. The previous 2 guises were very sporty and characteristic vehicles indeed, and the pictures of this latest version were not showing anything exciting, improving at all. The front end seemed uninspired, just using the obvious new themes but on a very average, rectangular underlying shape. Continue Reading…
The Nissan NV2500 Concept is, as its dimensions suggest, a multi-tasker of large order. One of the largest concept vehicles Nissan has ever produced, the NV2500 Concept, offers fresh design and fresh thinking – including a 3-Zone interior and flexible utility and storage solutions.
Not only does the NV2500 Concept provide an original take on Commercial Vehicle (CV) design, it also provides a preview of Nissan’s entry into the CV market in North America. With Nissan CVs already sold in 73 percent of the world’s markets, including Japan, China, Mexico, Europe, South America, Australia and the Middle East among others, Nissan will enter the CV business in North America in 2010.
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 19, 2008) – Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced a new electric-vehicle partnership with the state of Oregon, in line with Nissan’s commitment to begin offering pure electric cars in 2010 in the United States and Japan. The announcement came in a keynote address at the opening of the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
“We see in Oregon the vision that is evident in all the places that are eager for sustainable mobility,” said Mr. Ghosn. “Demonstrating their care for the environment, the state and its partners are creating the conditions that will promote zero-emission vehicles as an attractive choice for consumers.”
Nissan will launch its first electric vehicle in Oregon in late 2010. Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski is proposing replacing the current $1,500 tax credit on hybrid vehicles with a $5,000 credit on all-electric cars.
Mr. Ghosn’s presentation was followed by the North American debuts of two all-new 2009 Nissan vehicles – the Nissan 370Z sports car and the Nissan cube. The Los Angeles Auto Show is open to the public from Nov. 21-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The iconic 2009 Nissan 370Z, the first full redesign of the Nissan ZÒ since its reintroduction as a 2003 model, is scheduled to go on sale in North America in January 2009.
Nearly every piece and component of the current Nissan 350Z has been rethought or redesigned resulting in a more refined, more powerful, better handling 370Z – a shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, larger 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL), a new 7-speed automatic transmission, a world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the 6-speed manual transmission, a new high quality interior design and new available technology features.
The 2009 370Z has a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $29,990, providing passionate performance at an excellent value. At this price the new 370Z is about $280 less than a comparably priced 2008 350Z Enthusiast model – yet it offers more standard equipment, such as Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ, side and curtain supplemental air bags and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). The new Zâ is available in two models: 370Z and 370Z Touring.
The boxy yet stylish Nissan cube, known in the Japanese market for its unique combination of fashion and functionality, will be available for the first time in the United States beginning in spring 2009.
The 2009 Nissan cube provides the utility and dependability consumers expect in a small car wrapped in a package that is anything but square. It’s unique, non-traditional design features an asymmetrical body, a stout “bulldog-like” stance, wide doors, a large greenhouse with wraparound rear window, and a refrigerator-style rear door.
Inside, the new cube’s interior is a roomy social space, designed to be a destination rather than a way to get to get one. Capable of seating up to five passengers, the new cube offers a plethora of innovative storage solutions ideal for storing cell phones, MP3 players and other personal items. To accommodate its occupants, the new cube provides comfortable front seating with a three-position sliding, reclining theater-style rear seat.
The front-wheel-drive cube is available with a standard 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine and a choice of Nissan’s advanced, smooth-shifting Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmission. Fuel efficiency is expected to be over 30 mpg highway with the CVT transmission (actual EPA estimates not available at this time). Cube is offered in three well-equipped models: cube 1.8, cube 1.8 S and cube 1.8 SL. A long list of safety features are standard on the cube, including six air bags. Accessories will also be offered, allowing cube owners to personalize their vehicles to reflect their own tastes and needs.
Also on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show is the new 2009 Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 model, which focuses squarely on value and fuel economy. With a starting price of $9,990, the new Versa 1.6 has the lowest new car MSRP* in the United States.
The Versa Sedan 1.6 features a standard 107-horsepower DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers responsive performance, along with a 34 mpg highway fuel economy rating (with the 5-speed manual transmission). The Versa Sedan 1.6 went on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide Nov. 18, 2008.
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