Category Archives: Nissan

Nissan Murano mixes convertible with crossover

Some of the more popular models that luxury automakers offer include convertibles and crossovers. Yet Nissan is perhaps the first company to ask "why not both?"

The upcoming Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, set to debut next month, continues the Japanese automaker's recent trend of thinking outside the box. Whether it's the fully-electric Leaf, boxy Cube or unorthodox Juke, it's safe to say Nissan's recent efforts haven't been lacking in the "bold" department.

Yet the new Murano takes the cake. Upon first glance it might appear to be another luxury crossover, designed to compete with the Lexus RX and BMW 3 Series – and it is. But it's also a convertible, featuring a drop top normally reserved for sporty two-seaters.

"We continue to challenge what people think about what they drive and why they drive what they do," Mike Drongowski, Nissan senior manager of product planning, told Automotive News. "It might not be a typical choice for a product, but it's consistent with who we are as a brand and our history of innovation."

It remains to be seen if the strategy will pay off for Nissan, but the company is pricing the model at $47,300 – so it clearly feels drivers will be willing to shell out for this one.

Drivers interested in a new or used Nissan may want to check out New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of models from the manufacturer and other brands.

Nissan to debut Esflow at Geneva Motor Show

Nissan has unveiled some teaser images and initial information about its new Esflow concept electric sports car, which is set to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd.

The new Esflow is just a concept at this point, although Nissan reportedly has plans to design some version of the vehicle. Using the same technology as the brand's heavily-hyped Leaf, the Esflow takes the philosophy behind the subcompact and applies it to a high-end sports car. The new model would reportedly be able to go from zero to 60 in under 5 seconds while traveling approximately 150 miles on a single charge.

As with any sports car, however, performance is only half the battle. They need to look good, too. Nissan has apparently nailed that concept, as the Esflow looks somewhat like a cross between its 370z coupe and the new Juke SUV. The shape and size borrow from the popular 370z, while the Juke supplies the sharp edges and lines on the front of the vehicle. It's all topped off with two electric-blue lights that make the car appear as if it just warped in from a futuristic sci-fi movie.

Drivers interested in a used Nissan or any other vehicle may want to head down to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a variety of models at prices well below their Kelley Blue Book values.
 

Infiniti M35h to get warning system

The new Infiniti M35h hybrid will receive a new warning system that will alert pedestrians to its approach, as some safety officials have expressed concern over their virtually silent electric motors.

Although not mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Nissan has elected to put a noisemaking system on the new M35h in order to keep pedestrians safe in city settings. The automaker originally developed the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system for use in the all-electric Nissan Leaf.

The VSP system will work between 0 and 20 miles per hour and automatically detect when a pedestrian enters the car's path, emitting a distinctive noise. The sound cuts out once the driver brakes to under 15 miles per hour.

The Detroit Free Press notes that the new feature is as much a marketing opportunity for Infiniti and Nissan as it is a safeguard against pedestrian accidents. The new model was recently unveiled at the LA Auto Show, and the automaker is already advertising the quiet engine on both the M35h and Leaf as a selling point for the vehicles.

Drivers who are interested in purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle might want to wait until they hit the used car market, where they'll likely be relatively more affordable than when bought new.
 

Nissan Leaf: 99 MPG, 73 miles per charge

The EPA ratings for the highly-anticipated Nissan Leaf have been released, with the government rating the car at 99 miles per gallon overall and 73 miles per charge.

The high ratings in both city (106 mpg) and highway (92 mpg) are big wins for Nissan, who will obviously tout the car's fuel economy when marketing it. The EPA has actually come up with a formula to convert electricity to gas ratings in determining the Leaf's efficiency, as the purely-electric vehicle has no gas tank. What the rating essentially means is that the car uses fuel at the same rate that a gas-powered vehicle rated that highly would.

Yet it's not all celebration for Nissan, as the 73 miles per charge average may be a bit disappointing, considering Nissan originally claimed that the Leaf would be able to travel 100 miles on a charge.

Nissan's North American product planning director Mark Perry defended the claim in an interview with ABC News, saying that the company has been straightforward about the numerous variables that go into mileage.

"As we've said all along, your range varies on driving conditions, temperature, terrain and we've talked about, very openly, this idea of a range of ranges," he said.

Drivers interested in an electric vehicle may wish to wait until they begin to hit the used car market, where they might be found for a discount.

Ford, Nissan among top three in taxi design contest

New York City's fleet of used Ford Crown Victorias functioning as taxicabs is set to be phased out once Ford ceases production of the iconic car, so the city is holding a contest to standardize the taxi used across the city.

City hall recently unveiled the finalists in the contest and all three are van-like in design. Ford, Nissan and Turkish automotive company Karsan each submitted proposals that are roomier than the traditional sedans currently used by drivers, instead looking more like London's taxis.

Ford submitted a version of its Transit Connect van, which is also available as a commercial vehicle. Nissan's entry is a modified NV200, a van that is sold in Japan and Europe. Karsan, largely unknown in the U.S., designed a van that is similar to the other automakers but features more expansive windows.

"Each is promising, but none is perfect," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the designs. "We are not obliged to go with anything if it does not meet our needs."

The winner will be announced in early 2011, with city officials saying it will be four years before the entire city makes the switch. The Bloomberg administration is currently soliciting input from citizens as well as attempting to negotiate its own list of features with the automakers. 

Non-traditional designs selling well

The conventional wisdom for many years has been that cars with non-traditional designs do not sell. By eschewing traditional shapes for a model, an automaker runs the risk of the automotive press labeling it as "ugly," and sinking their sales. In fact, ugly designs have even hurt the resale values of used cars over the years, such as the Pontiac Aztek.

But lately, automakers have been taking bigger risks with their vehicles' designs, and according to MSN, it's paying off. Vehicles that differentiate themselves from the pack, like Toyota's Scion xB or Nissan's Cube, may not win over every buyer, but the ones that they do appeal to are usually fervent in their dedication. The news source recently profiled some untraditional designs that have become top sellers for their brands.

With wagons falling out of style, BMW needed a car that would appeal to both fans of hatchbacks and those who wanted a sedan. Rather than make two separate bodies, the company debuted a dual-trunk system on its 5 Series Gran Turismo that can function as a traditional trunk or be lifted like a hatchback.

"The versatility is a selling point, which was what I always thought a wagon's selling point was," car designer Thom Taylor told the news source. "But obviously, people don't like the wagon's shape and this is more appealing to more people."

One of the most recent examples that has been turning heads in the Nissan Juke. This compact crossover features a number of swooping lines that would look more at home on a Ferrari than a small car from the Japanese automaker. That's because the automaker wanted to appeal to younger drivers in the 18 to 34 age bracket with something eye-catching.

"To them, cars have just been appliances," Taylor explained. "Something to car enthusiasts that may seem kind of quirky or off-beat or bizarre, like the Juke – to them it's cool."

Other vehicles simply challenge what traditionalists expect out of a car. The Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte are two examples of four-door sedans that have been top sellers for traditionally two-door companies.

Drivers who don't care what their vehicle looks like might be able to find a great deal on some "ugly" used cars, as a lack of interest may lead to an overall lower price. 

Nissan goes green with Infiniti M hybrid

Nissan has relied on the hybrid technology of its rival Toyota in order to power its "green" efforts thus far, such as the Altima hybrid sedan. With the launch of the new Infiniti M hybrid, Nissan will debut its own hybrid technology.

The company claims that its hybrid system allows the hybrid version of the M, a popular luxury sedan, to double the gas mileage of the its traditionally-powered counterpart. The new luxury model will be the first Nissan vehicle to use the technology, but the company has plans to launch more hybrid models using a similar powertain.

All Japanese automakers are currently struggling with the strong yen, which makes their products more expensive in the U.S. If the Japanese price of the new M sedan is translated to U.S. dollars, the model will cost approximately $72,000 when it launches early next year. The traditional M37 retails for nearly $50,000, while the V8 powered M56 starts at $57,900.

Travelers who want a cheaper hybrid option may want to look at a vehicle like a used Toyota Prius, which has been on the market for several years.

Nissan planning several electric vehicles

Nissan is going all-in on electric vehicles.

The Japanese automaker has already gained a lot of attention for its Leaf, which will be the one of the first mass-produced fully-electric cars for sale. The company recently announced that it has plans for three more electric vehicles after the Leaf, including a smaller Infiniti model, commercial van and a micro urban car.

"We don't want EVs to be a niche product," said Corporate Vice President Hideaki Watanabe.

The company also unveiled a concept that it stressed was certainly not yet ready for production, but raised a few eyebrows. The "Nissan New Mobility CONCEPT" is a go-kart inspired vehicle that can hit 47 miles per hour and travel 62 miles on a single charge. The company is currently studying uses for the car, like amusement parks and certain cities.

Drivers interested in electric vehicles may want to wait until a few hit the used car market, as the novelty of the technology will likely make them quite expensive for a few years.

Nissan to recall 2.14 million vehicles

Japanese automaker Nissan is recalling more than 2.14 million vehicles worldwide due to an issue that could lead to engine failure and stalling.

The notice affects used Nissans, mainly SUVs, from 2003 through 2006. The 762,000 vehicles recalled in North America include Pathfinders and Xterras from '03-'06, Armadas, Titans and Infiniti Q56s from '04-'06 and Frontiers from '05-'06.

The issue centers around the electric relay, which supplies power to the engine control module when the car is started. Over time, this relay can build up a silicon vapor. If that vapor becomes oxidized, the engine can stall and fail.

Drivers who bring their vehicle in as part of the recall, the third-largest ever for Nissan, will have a new electric relay installed. The process takes about half-an-hour.

Nissan says that no accidents, injuries or fatalities have been reported due to the problem. The flaw also applies to 835,000 cars in Japan and 354,000 in Europe.

If a driver is considering buying a used Nissan or any other used car, they should ensure that the dealer has made the necessary repairs to the vehicle. 

Nissan plans massive shakeup

Over the next few months, Japanese automaker Nissan plans to introduce several big changes to its lineup of vehicles. As older models are replaced by new ones, drivers can expect previous vehicles to hit the used car lot at a discount.

Nissan's new ad campaign promises "innovation for all," and the company is putting its money where its mouth is by unveiling several brand-new or redesigned models before the end of the year.

The most visible of these will obviously be the highly-anticipated Leaf, which will be one of the first all-electric vehicles to go into mass production. The Leaf will be available in several markets in December before slowly rolling out nationwide in 2011. Demand is already high for the vehicle with the company already surpassing its sales totals. It's due to go head to head with the Chevy Volt, but the Leaf holds a key advantage (or possibly a disadvantage) over the Volt in that it only contains an electric motor compared to the Volt's electric-gas hybrid engine.

Another model sure to turn heads is the new Murano CrossCabriolet, which the company is touting as the first convertible crossover. Early impressions have been polarizing, with some loving the bold choice to offer a convertible on an SUV-like vehicle and others liking the idea less. Nissan itself has admitted that it doesn't expect the car to sell well compared to the regular Murano, but hopes that the design will call attention to its new marketing strategy as an innovator.

The brand-new Juke crossover is another new car that may benefit from Nissan's aggressive styling. Unlike other cars in the compact crossover class, the Juke achieves a coupe-like design by using sharp angles to immediately catch the eye. The vehicle is powered by a newly-designed 1.6-liter direct-injection turbo engine that produces 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque.

The last new model is the redesigned Quest minivan, and while this design won't turn heads like the new Murano or Juke, it got the attention of some insiders simply for being a minivan. As other automakers move away from this segment and parents move toward crossovers and SUVs, Nissan is banking on the dwindling minivan market to fall in love with the redesigned Quest. Previous versions of the van weren't as popular as competitors' models, so Nissan is hoping the new model will lure buyers back.

With so many new models set to debut before the end of the year and even more slated for 2011, buyers who are in the market for a car may want to hold off and wait for a used Nissan, as many of the older models will likely be able to be found at a discount compared to their current price.