Nissan Tiida (2012) [Reviews]

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., previewed a new sedan model year 2011 cars in Shanghai. This new model will be a new generation of Nissan Tiida in China.

The Nissan Tiida hatchback, introduced in China in 2005 by Dongfeng Nissan, is a pioneer in the compact sedan market in China, selling 85,000 units in 2010. Sold worldwide in 165 countries, the Nissan Tiida is the best-selling model in the current range of Nissan products.

The all-new Nissan Tiida is aimed at young families who appreciate the quality of life. Points of call such as "high-end style and agile," "first class comfort" and "Pure Drive's revolutionary powertrain, the new model continues to be a model of market-leading compact sedan in China. Nissan will also be the first Japanese automaker to introduce a turbo engine in the Chinese market with the introduction of the new series of turbo Tiida.

Based on "Fluid & Lively a keyword, provides a new Nissan Tiida, a new high-end look with a smooth, streamlined body side, balanced proportions and sophisticated exterior design parts such as grilles and lights with details refined. To further improve its spacious interior, which was well received in length of the wheelbase of the previous generation sedan Tiida has increased from 100 mm to provide knee space best-in-class rear. With the increased length and width of the mirrors in the shape of the windshield and optimally for ease of use, visibility contribute significantly to stress-free driving.

Inside was developed using a second key word - ". Calm & processed" This is a beautiful decoration to take the driver and passengers, an elegant tool and craftsmanship, a floating center stack to the cluster, and the wide, super-soft arms, the car offers a tax, which offers a comfortable ride feel.

Ride comfort is made from soft, comfortable seat with low vibration that takes less fatigue while driving.

It installs a reliable, easy to use, low fuel consumption HR16DE Nissan Motor that was used in a number of Nissan vehicles. In addition, a wide range of Pure Drive low emission technologies have also been added as the latest dual injectors combustion efficiency provides more finely by the splash of fuel and Xtronic CVT transmission with an attendant. Some models of the Nissan Tiida new stage of fully strict fuel efficiency third in China (draft issued in November 2009).

This new model, which will be produced at Dongfeng Nissan Huadu plant in Guangzhou, will be released in late May 2011. Followed by entry into China, which will be launched in approximately 130 countries around the world in 2014.

2011 Nissan 370Z Sport Review - CARS REVIEWS 2011

Pros:

Great improvement over the successful 350Z
Nice body lines, Rays wheels are icing on the cake
Powerful motor with great sound
GTR influence

Cons:

Manual transmission not as slick as the competition
No lumbar support or telescoping steering wheel
Either less weight or more power and this could be an exotic challenger for a fraction of the cost

41 years ago Nissan (Datsun in the US) launched the 240Z onto our shores and turned the sports car market on its head. Here was a light, nimble, reliable, value oriented sports coupe for two which had decent cargo capacity. I had the pleasure of owning and wrenching on various Z cars through the 300ZX and still found the 240Z to be the purist of them all. Only when Nissan introduced the 350Z in 2003 did it appear that they had something of real value that could match their original Z sports car.

2011 Nissan 370Z

Just like the Porsche 911, Nissan has raised the level of performance and comfort through the years while paying tribute to its Spartan roots. Sure Porsche got a big head start (approximately 6 years), but Nissan has paid close attention to the formula which Porsche, and Chevrolet with the Corvette, have successfully followed through the years. Now the latest incarnation of the Z has brought this car very close to the level of its big brother GTR, but falls short in a few areas we will discuss later. Address these issues and keep the sticker under $40k, and except for some small back seats, the Z could overtake the GTR. Sound like the Cayman-911 argument? déjà-vu.

Design

From the early days of the 240-Z through the 300ZX years, Z cars were influenced by everything from the likes of Jaguar, Chevrolet, Ferrari and even Lotus; a Japanese version of these cars if you will. With the 350Z, Nissan took its La Jolla California design studio concept and brought it to production, and it was an instant hit. This sixth generation 370Z has improved the concept further by building out the fender flares and sharing design cues from the GTR, which share the same E platform as the current Infiniti G Coupe, FX, and Renault Alpine. It’s wider than the 350Z (read grip), and shorter than the previous Z (read quicker turning.)

Nissan 370Z 19-inch 5-spoke RAYS® super-lightweight forged alloy wheels

The exterior fender flares results in a menacing look without being portrayed as a silly phallic symbol. When traffic approaches from the rear side, eyes will be pinned on the fenders and the beautiful Rays wheels our test car was equipped with. From all angles, the Z looks like it means business. The front bumper has GTR influences and also looks equally menacing on approach, so much so that mothers with small children quickly gathered the tykes as we rolled down neighborhood streets. It makes a statement like no other car with an under $30k base price. Our test car had an unusual Black Cherry paint finish, but the 370Z really looks best in bright silver.

Drive Impressions
This is the truest version of the 370Z; the base car with the Sport Package ($3000), adding limited slip, 19” Rays Wheels, front and rear spoilers, and larger front brakes. Along with this comes a $580 add on for the matching Nismo brake pads. The finely tuned 3.7L engine makes 332 hp and launches the Z down the road with one of the best sounds from a V6 engine, powerful and smooth.  Acceleration is pretty fierce and the amount of grip with the 275’s out back is serious. We turned off the traction control and the Z felt planted in the twisties, with plenty of torque to pull it up the most aggressive mountain roads with ease.
We mentioned that the 370Z has a shorter wheelbase than the 350Z, resulting is a faster turning car, but with that you get more jounce in the ride, especially over rough surfaces. Luckily, Nissan did a great job tuning the non-sport mode suspension to be fairly compliant, saving our brains on long freeway drives.

The Z’s manual transmission is probably the weak point of the whole car, not the ratios but the long throws of the shifter and clutch. This becomes most apparent when trying to go fast. We loved the sport mode, which stiffened the suspension, created more top end power from the motor, and activated the SynchroRev Match®, but this still didn’t address the throws of the transmission. We would suggest a dual clutch semi automatic transmission similar to the GTR, as that will shift faster than 99% of the humans out there. The wheels and tires were great, but Nissan could probably widen them another inch and still clear the fenders.
Nissan is at a point where the 370Z is getting eerily close to the flagship GTR in performance and looks. In fact, the 370Z tends to be more noticeable due to its aggressive fenders, beautiful wheels, and low stance. If they added 90 hp to the motor and AWD, it would be an R8 or Gallardo contender for less than $45k. Nissan has the platform, but a 370Z set up this way might obviate the need to produce the Skyline, or at least to carry it in this country. Sorry GTR fans, but 600 lbs is 600 lbs.

Comfort and Convenience
Just like the exterior, the interior is all business; no navigation, no XM radio, no power seats, not even leather; all of this kept our test car below a 3300 pound curb weight. Just a simple black interior with gray accents, along with tasteful brushed aluminum weaved into the scheme. The gauges are a combination of analog and digital, and strike a balance that makes immediate sense to the uninitiated, with the center dash being the traditional clock, oil temp and volt meter. Interior fit and finish is very good and up to the level of Nissan’s best. Materials and appearance are great; they didn’t try to get all fancy, so everything looks like it belongs.
Although the seating is low and comfortable, the Z could accommodate more drivers with a telescoping wheel, manually adjustable seat bolsters and a lumbar support. Most of our test drivers liked the eight way manually adjustable driver’s seat once they spent a little time making those adjustments. Owners of the 370Z learn to travel light. There is a tray (to place a small bag) and a compartment behind each seat, which expands storage beyond the rear area under the hatchback. There is only one cup holder, two bottle holders in the door panels, and no sunglass compartment at ceiling level; again all business.


This Z is more aggressive in exterior design than its predecessor and this becomes apparent when you have to go into reverse or change lanes, as rearward vision is somewhat limited; better than a Gallardo or R8, but still limited. It helped to open the window when backing into parking slots. The 2011 370Z claims to have more fender well and undercar insulation than the 2010 370Z, but the optional sport package tires still brought in a lot of road noise at freeway speeds. The car could also benefit from wind tunnel testing with the windows down, at speeds above 25 mph there is a distinct buffeting flutter when the windows are rolled down.
At Home on the Road or at the Track
The 370Z is probably one of the most purposeful 2 seat sports coupes made today. It can be driven calmly as a daily driver and can double as a canyon or track attack vehicle. It has aggressive lines that make an instant statement (almost exotic) when you pull up in front of your friends. Nissan makes no difference in output between their base and touring models (save Nismo with 20 more HP), so out of the box the engine propels the car to 60 in under 5 seconds. Overall mileage was about 19 MPG; keep in mind there was a lot of pedal to the metal during the weekend test.

Yes there are other practical 2+2 sports coupes available for less than $35k, like the American Pony Cars or Hyundai Genesis, but if you are looking for a purpose built two seat coupe you can live with every day, this is the one. The closest competitors are the Corvette and Cayman, but these move you $10k higher without the striking looks. This is an excellent value for a performance ride, just make sure you test both the manual and automatic transmissions before buying. Nissan is really pushing their 370Z slogan; Passionate Performance at an Excellent Value. It’s 1970 all over again, just in a Z that’s 2X faster and 5X more comfortable than the original Datsun.

	BUILD	INTERIOR	PERFORMANCE	HANDLING	STYLING	VALUE	OVERALL
RATING	4.25	4.25	4.75	4.5	4.75	4.5	4.5 / A-

 Source : Carreview.com

Automakers Forecasted to Lead the United States Market in 2011

 

General Motors wants to be the plug-in leader with the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in hybrid with 40 miles of electric range and 500 miles per gasoline fill-up range. Chevrolet will deliver over 10,000 in 2011. GM has a complete Voltec Propulsion System roadmap that envisions added offerings of pure battery-electric, E85, and diesel. The second plug-in offering from GM is likely to be a Chevrolet Crossover SUV. Look for a range versus cost battle with Toyota, as the Volt achieves more electric range by adding to vehicle cost with a 16kWh battery.
Nissan will be the first automaker to put over 10,000 pure battery-electric cars on U.S. highways. 20,000 have made deposits for Nissan Leaf and several cities are in major partnerships. The LEAF can be purchased starting at $32,780 or $349 per month. The Nissan LEAF is battery-electric with a 100-mile range per charge. LEAF Test drive. This 5-door, 5-seat, hatchback has the right size and range for many who drive under 100 miles daily, or for households with more than one car.

Ford will be selling at least two electric cars by the end of 2011 and five models by the end of 2012. The best seller will be the Ford Focus Electric, a battery-electric that we expect to aggressively compete with the Nissan Leaf. Ford will be taking orders for a 2012 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid, an exciting Crossover SUV that seats 5. In the future, the Ford Focus available any way the customer wants it: battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, or fuel-efficient sedan. Ford is already selling the Transit Connect Electric compact van.
 
Tesla is the first to sell 1,000 electric cars for the U.S. highways. Tesla owners are the first to put 10 million electric miles on the road. Like its Roadster, the company is going zero to sixty in less than four seconds. Tesla is also developing a roomy Model S hatchback that starts at $57,400, about half the price of the Roadster. The Roadster is battery-electric with a 240-mile range; the Model S will have remarkable electric range options of 130 to 300 miles per charge. Tesla is working with shareholder Toyota to bring back the Toyota RAV4 EV, an electric SUV. Tesla is working with shareholder Daimler to put Smart EDs on U.S. streets this year. In the future, the Tesla Model X will be a Crossover SUV for those that want more premium styling and interiors than alternatives from Chevrolet, Ford, and others.
 
Fisker Karma is a luxury sports plug-in hybrid with prices starting around $90,000. With 20kWh of lithium batteries, you could go 50 miles before the 2L turbo engine is engaged. The Karma invites you to accelerate, using two electric motors that deliver 403 horsepower, so your mileage may vary. In theory it’s a 4-seater; good luck fitting someone in the back seat. The Karma is about sex appeal, performance, and luxury. A more affordable family sedan is planned for 2012.

Toyota, world-leading seller of hybrids, will offer both plug-in hybrids and pure battery electric cars. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) looks like another Prius until you spot the J1772 plug for smart charging. Six hundred PHV are in fleet trails from cities to car sharing services. Next year, you can order the Prius PHV. Toyota will initially control costs by only using a 5kWh battery for a 14-mile electric range. In 2012, Toyota is likely to also offer the RAV4 EV SUV and a pure battery-electric FT-EV small city car.
Honda is preparing the Honda Fit EV and a plug-in hybrid for sale in the U.S. in 2012. The Fit EV is in demonstration program in fleets such as Google and Stanford University. We speculate that the new EV will use Blue Energy lithium-ion batteries and will price below $29,900.

Mitsubishi is currently the electric car market leader in Japan with the iMiEV.
In 2012, the U.S. version of the Mitsubishi I will price at less than $29,900. This fun-to-drive 5 door, 4 seat hatchback, will have a wheel base 5 inches wider for the U.S. market, but the micro-compact will still be able to get those precious city parking spaces that no other car can take except the Smart. The more powerful U.S. version will have an electric range of 50 to 80 miles with a 16kWh lithium battery.
 

 Daimler is bringing the Smart Fortwo ED to the United States. 250 Smart Fortwo ED will be put into U.S. test this year using Tesla battery packs, but smart is currently targeting the 2013 model year for the first commercial electric car. It will start taking consumer and fleet orders in 2012. Daimler also owns 5 percent of Tesla. Mercedes hybrids. BMW will accelerate electric plans in a couple of years. Mercedes is putting into fleet tests two 5-seat hatchback electric cars – the A-Class E-CELL battery-electric car with 120-mile range and the B-Class F-CELL, which adds a hydrogen fuel cell to double the range.
 
Think has been selling its smaller battery-electric City car in Europe for years. With new capital from EnerDel, Valmet, and Kleiner Perkins, Think hopes to have its financial struggles in the rear view mirror and be on U.S. roads within a year.

 

 

 

U.S. Electric Car Forecast

Accenture forecasts 1.5 million electric vehicles in the United States by 2015. Over 10 million electric vehicles are possible by 2020, especially if oil prices continue to rise as battery prices fall. Single electric utilities have scenarios for charging over one million electric vehicles in their own service area by 2020. With renewable energy investment required of utilities in 30 states, these utilities are most interested in night time charging of electric vehicles with wind, geothermal, and hydropower. Utilities are also implementing smart grids and incentives for off-peak charging.
By 2011 year-end, competition will be intense for electric car leadership. The above Top 10 describe our best guess about the market share leaders for delivered plug-in vehicles on the United States roads in 2011. Battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles with range extended by engines or fuel cells were all considered.
Over 100 competitors will be fighting for U.S. share by the end of 2012. Some may be struggle to get significant share due to the time and cost of safety and other regulatory approvals, delays in funding, unpleasant surprises from a battery, drive system, or component supplier. It’s a tough business. Even Tesla had to add 700 pounds and two years to get the first Roadsters in customers’ hands.

Asia Prepares for the U.S. Market

For three years, we have read about China’s plans to bring electric cars to the U.S. Although China’s U.S. ambitions have slipped badly, its automakers cannot be ignored. China has over 100 million light electric vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters in daily use. It’s new 5-year plan calls for 100 million electric charging stations in China by 2020. BYD, with gold-plated investors such as Warren Buffett, has only put a few hundred electric vehicles on the road in China and continues to delay introduction to the United States. CODA’s $45,000 sedan continues to seek DOE loans and more investors and has delayed sales until Fall 2011, or later. Volvo, now owned by China’s Geely has the new C30 Drive E Electric. I was impressed with my test drive, but the Volvo electric car will be selling only in Europe in the short-term. SAIC, Chery, and hundreds of players are also preparing EVs for Chin
India might bring us a Maharinda Reva or Nano EV that under prices everyone, but not this year which is the basis for this Top 10 Report.

European Innovation

By 2020, Europe with higher fuel prices and fewer oil subsidies, is forecasted to have more electric cars by 2020 than the U.S. Better Place may deliver 100,000 of the Renault Fluence with its switchable battery to Israel, Denmark, and other countries. Volkswagen may teach everyone how to extend range by making vehicles light. The concept Up Light weighs just over 1,500 pounds, but it’s only a concept. I loved test-driving the Volkswagen Golf Blue E-Motion, but don’t plan on buying it in the U.S. before 2014. You will likely be able to buy the Audi E-Tron sooner. BMW’s first U.S. electric car commercial offering, the Megacity Vehicle, may be a hit in 2013. For fun in the city in 2013, the Fiat 500 EV may be what you want. In other words, there is a lot of European innovation that did not make this Top 10 List, which focuses on the U.S. market for the next 12 months.
Please bookmark this Top 10 List and check back as we update. Exciting new electric cars are being driven on the U.S. streets and freeways. Nissan is an early mover with battery-electric cars and General Motors with plug-in hybrids. Competition will start to heat-up with offerings from Ford, Toyota, Honda, and dozens of Asian, European and American innovators. The winner will be the customer.
Source : cleanfleetreport.com

Nissan Quest (2011) [Reviews]

The all-new fourth-generation Nissan Quest, which is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers country in early 2011, is about to take the toughest jobs in the world: parenting. More than just a new Quest is a brand new take on the minivan - with a bold style, a complete list of the family of innovations and amenities a family can enjoy together. Electric sliding doors with one-touch, quick-release fold-flat, an advanced control system of the climate, front and rear, storage to name a few, give the Nissan Quest and innovation to enable the impossible on a daily basis. Just as parents do.

"The new Nissan Quest," not "parenting While minivans are one of the maligned symbols of adulthood, where some consider them to free the young and fun, Nissan sees a mini-bus for the celebration of family life not only -. for mothers on weekdays, but the fun times for the whole family on weekends, "said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc." We are rewarding Quest for parents to do just that - Parenting ".

Designed for the purpose in and out, 2011 Quest offers features unique styling and comfort for all passengers. "Even if you can not promise to make it easier to parents, children behave or better, the new Nissan Quest, a parent can make life a little 'less chaotic," said Castignetti.

Among the new Nissan Quest is available "Innovation for the family" design features are:

Elegant design, modern, foreign and domestic, which offers a new approach to mini-bus segment - including the "fluid sculpture" of the body with a glass surround care

One-touch power sliding side door that can be easily opened and open at the touch of a button, even if the hands and arms full of food

Moonroofs double opening glass (two), which offers a refreshing winds of the front and rear passengers in the open

2nd row power windows

Standard quick-release fold-flat second and third rows to a flat load floor and third row available power rear folder

Quick Comfort heated front seats with advanced design staged heating

Removable 2nd row console with cup holders and lid

Always available to large, covered back well from a permanent memory

Advanced Systems Climate Control (ACC), an intelligent system with a cluster of HVAC Plasma ™ air purifier, filter and grape polyphenols Auto Recycling

Blind Spot Warning (BSW) systems and Reversing Mirror Monitor

Conversation mirror, which helps increase the visibility and debate with children 2 and 3 °

Second and third standard number of theater seats with the rear large color display available 11-inch and automatic headlights

Maneuverability with a tight turning radius, and the triangle in front of more visibility for Windows

Tire Pressure Monitoring System Tire alert easy to fill, which alerts you when inflation reaches correct

"This new dimension of multi-purpose vehicle has been designed to provide intelligent priorities, which meets the traditional, often child-centric demands of everyday life, but also the emotional aspects of personal style, driving pleasure and an unforgettable holiday with your family "said Castignetti. "It 'was designed to mirror a multi-purpose comfort and warmth at home" great room "and you can take the road".

Innovative features

The all-new 2011 Nissan Quest "innovative actions" will be shown to be the basis of Nissan's advanced "D-platform", which is also used in the current Nissan Maxima and Altima sedans and the popular Murano crossover SUV. With a long 118.1-inch step and 200.8-inch overall length, the Nissan Quest, and offers a roomy interior dimensions and a very agile.

Nissan Quest exterior design combines the sculptural elements in the liquid up to provide details of the new approach mini-bus design. In front, a horizontal grille and bold headlights and bumpers blend the dramatic side of the light at the edges and stuffed a distinctive wheel wheels standard 16 inches or 18 inches. Parts of Port brave and surfaces flow seamlessly into the back of the 'boomerang' tail lights and tailgate finisher, will help to create a look as if Nissan Quest, was carved from a single piece of stone sculpture.

The most striking design new Quest, however, is the full rear privacy glass, molding black frame and chrome accents that combine with the range, the low position and the front to give the muscular Nissan Quest and the most dynamic and distinctive look of the class. Nissan Quest exterior design is also one of the most effective in the wind, with a Cd of 0.32 for the model S Quest.

In addition to standard chrome door handles, chrome rear roof spoiler and the final enrollment, available features include external high-intensity discharge (HID) xenon automatic on / off headlights, fog lights, dual power and heated exterior mirrors heating. Nissan Quest also offers small triangular windows in the front doors to help improve visibility. Available Nissan Quest SL and LE are double opening glass sunroof that contribute to the feeling of space open and airy interior search for all passengers.

The new Nissan Quest is offered by the power function block sliding side door, and selective and one-touch open / open capabilities and be able to open the windows. The system works with the standard Nissan Intelligent Key ™. In addition, because of the way in which the Nissan Quest and the door to the rail system was designed with sliding door with a step-height is less than competing minivans. This is particularly useful for young children or elderly people getting in 2 or 3 floors. In addition, one touch unlock / open Power Division of the back of the product is standard on LE models Quest SL.

"The door to a key service is ideal for many times during the day when you are approaching the car with both hands full. As part of the I-key, there is no fumbling with the key fob to lock the door, not having to put your packages down or let go the hand of a child to open - just press the button on the handle and the Nissan Quest takes care of the rest, "said Castignetti.

Easy to use easy to carry over into interior design with quick-release folding two three rows of seats. 60/40-split third-row seats can be moved vertically folding a simple pull of a strap (Quest S and SV), or by pressing a key (Quest SL and LE). 3 LE model also includes the line power is restored. In the spring bend to help AIDS manual and return to activity. 2. row seats also easy-fold/return activities, and is a standard 2-floor walk-in device 3 floors more easily.

Nissan Quest rear storage permanent and offers a large flexible space behind the third row of seats, offering additional cargo space hidden for bulky items. The storage area is independent of the fold flat third row seat - so it is always there when you need it - and is covered with a light but durable multi-position removable 60-40.

"In real-world use, it is necessary to explain the element of spontaneity - a moment, let children practice sports, the next you suddenly go from store to store to pick up cases of drinks and snacks The new Nissan Quest and the transition to a passenger in the vehicle and load not by removing bulky back easily and 3 .. 2nd row seats, there is no need to move items from storage to fit the place, and does not need to plan activities around the composition of the interior of your car, in particular day, "said Castignetti.

Interior features comfort and convenience are also designed for flexibility and functionality. Driver's seat is a 6-lane design manual adjustment for models S and SV, and 8-way power adjustment for levels of SL and LE trim. The passenger seat is adjustable in 4 of the S, SW, and SL and 4-way power on LE. Rich fabric upholstery is standard on the S and SV, while the leather seats standard on SL and LE. THE Nissan Quest also has a 2-driver memory, automatic entry / exit system.

Unique features include Nissan Quest chair a special "trilaminar" structure that uses three types of pillows to distribute body pressure more evenly than traditional pads, and the first application of Nissan's new rapid heating of the front seat comfort (SL and LE). When activated, this sophisticated system immediately starts heating the body parts that are most sensitive to heat, such as thighs and hips. Thus, to maintain a warm and comfortable, the heating increases heat on the pressure points of the body.

Nissan Quest interior theater style with the elevation of the occupants of the second row and the third provides excellent visibility and a good view of the available 11-inch WVGA monitor the family entertainment system display. The captain of the second row seats are comfortable, Chair armrests double tilt style forward / aft adjustment, while the third row 60/40 split bench includes tilt and 3-way adjustable headrest. A total of six cup holders and bottle six to two for each of the three rows - are standard, with four arches and two doses of 12 volts DC. Twice the central console provides flexible storage before, like the removable second row console. A front overhead console is standard on SL and LE.

Nissan Quest instrument panel includes a large 4.3-inch audio display SV and SL models with 8-inch touch screen LE, standard on the Nissan navigation system. Hard drive navigation system includes a user-friendly graphical user interface, menu structure and intelligent search capabilities, 9.3 GB Music Box ® hard drive, XM NavTraffic ® real-time traffic information, XM NavWeather ™ (XM ® subscription required, sold separately), and Zagat Survey ® restaurant guide.

One of the innovative and certainly appreciate the new technology is the Nissan Quest, the standard advanced climate control systems (ACC) with the plasma cluster air purifier ™, Grape polyphenols filter and control the automatic cycle. The system works in three ways to help reduce allergens and unpleasant odors inside the cab of Quest. The assumption of automatic control to use the sensors to continuously monitor the smells outside and closes automatically to prevent access to the port in the flow of exhaust gases or other unpleasant odors inside. After that, returns the flow of fresh air automatically when the odor is gone.

The ACCS also uses a filter of grape polyphenols to help reduce the number of allergens harmful indoor air. Finally, an advanced Plasmacluster ™ ion purifier generates a "clean" the air inside smells - from outside or inside the vehicle.

Nissan Quest, SV, SL and LE models, tri-zone automatic temperature control, while the Quest S models, the manual temperature control. Range of audio systems are also available at the Nissan Quest and the S model system AM/FM/6CD four speakers. Bose ® Premium Audio system, AM / FM / CD / DVD / Flash memory, 13 speakers (including two subwoofers), and XM ® Satellite Radio (XM ® must be ordered separately, sold separately) is standard on Quest, LE Quest is available in SL. USB port for iPod ® connectivity is standard on the SV models and above.

Another element Nissan Quest helps parents create a connection with the passengers in the mirror of conversation back seat. Available SW, SL and LE models, the great mirror compact and flips down the area around the mirror (which replaces the holder of sunglasses) that gives the driver's extra practice and communication with children in the second and third rows, without turning his head or constantly adjust the rearview mirror.

A monitor back, which provides a view of objects behind the Nissan Quest when the gear selector is in reverse, is standard on SV, SL and LE.

"Little things, that the mirror is more, a smaller bus service or just the smell of fresh air can affect the daily operation of the vehicle - how you feel when you drive and how you feel when you arrive," he Castignetti said. "Our engineers have created almost everything that a parent may need a mini bus, but also fun."

2011 Nissan Leaf Review – Driving into the future with Nissan’s EV

By Jessika Lora
Positrons:

• Roomy and flexible interior space
• 100 mile range on a single charge
• Solar panel converts sunlight into power to charge essentials without draining the battery
• Turning heads and changing the minds of even the old-timers

Electrons:

• Limited number of places to plug-in and recharge
• Only a 100 mile range on a single charge
• Using 110V household current, you can fly to Hong Kong in as much time it takes to charge a drained battery
• Blind spot caused by rear hatch pillar

Driving up the 101 my dad saw the Nissan LEAF billboard next to the 4th street Bay Bridge on-ramp, “That car doesn’t use ANY gas?” At $4.25 a gallon and with no indication of a price ceiling he encouraged me to look into this car, “You know, you’re driving up and down the bay 120 miles each day, this could pay for itself in gas savings.”

A few weeks later I found myself up in Portland for my sister’s graduation. My dad again asked if I had looked into the specs and price for a LEAF , “Heck Jessy, I might even get one for myself. I’ve been thinking it’s just the right size for driving to and from work and going to the gym afterward.” I pictured my father in Nissan’s new EV: my dad whose hobby is rebuilding classic Mustangs and who drives his 1970 Mach 1 to the gym and back 3 times each week for the last 10 years. Way to go Nissan, you’ve engaged a muscle car enthusiast and by doing so have piqued my interest as well! As luck would have it, I would soon have the opportunity to test drive this car and report back to my dad.
Having only seen the car in a billboard, I was eager to walk up and see it in person. Your first impression of this car will really depend on how you approach it, and I mean that literally: from the side this is reminiscent of a Subaru Outback which makes you think, “Hmmm, off road and sporty”. However, if you walk up to this car head-on your first thought might instead be “how cute!” From the back, the car looks a bit like a SMART car with regard to the body height and body to window ratio.

Eager to start exploring the car I opened the trunk. How much junk could fit in this trunk? A lot, as it turns out. Nissan let’s you customize your LEAF and one of customizations is a trunk organizer. I like this add on as it allows you to open a flat clean trunk and become surprised when you realize there are compartments where you might otherwise find a spare tire. The car is also designed so that using this bucket compartment you can fold down the back seats to have a flush surface, which is great for hauling things around. I’ve actually managed to fit a door and three rolls of house insulation into a Prius and I can therefore see many advantages to having a flat trunk/back seat surface – another of which is camping in your car! The LEAF is a little bit longer and taller than the Prius, though both cars have roughly the same wheelbase.



Another thing I was eager to check out is the spoiler solar panel: this is an upgrade on the SL. The solar panel is little, about the size of a keyboard, but enough to power the car accessories (everything in the car short of the engine, external lights, and AC). As my final comment on the exterior, I do want to add that Nissan took a bold shaping approach with the lighting (LED low voltage) and bumpers of the Leaf, making it stand out as a very noticeable car.
Two things were particularly surprising: the amount of space and simplicity inside. The LEAF has an astounding amount of head room. My boyfriend who is 6’ also noticed the difference as compared to our Civic, this is much more spacious.

My test vehicle had a light gray interior with soft cloth seats. Everything felt tranquil and open, including the dashboard which is not over cluttered and follows a minimalist aesthetic. This is the result of thoughtful design: the car is void of excess buttons and controls even though it comes loaded with Bluetooth®, cruise control, USB, Back up Camera (in the SL), full sound system with satellite radio, and a very efficient HVAC package. The only potential down side is that the dashboard is relatively high in front of the driver and I can imagine my sister, at 5’2” needing to use a cushion in order to see over the dashboard since the Leaf doesn’t come with a manual seat height adjuster. For me at 5’5”, however, the height was perfect so I’m merely being a devil’s advocate here.
The LEAF is easy to drive, and it’s fun to use the palm shifter. I took the spunky EV through Noe Valley, a hilly residential neighborhood in San Francisco. This area has high foot traffic; folks jogging with babies or walking their dogs. Therefore, this is a great place to put any car’s brakes, acceleration, and steering to the test. The steering feels very light and at slow neighborhood speeds you feel as though you are gliding through the turns. I didn’t know what to expect with regard to stopping and going but this car responds well to both and is quite zippy.

I do have to comment on the LEAF’s range,  which is quite impressive! The mileage range on this car is 80-100 miles per full charge (which I’ll shorten to mpc) depending on driver behavior. For example, for city or country-road driving where you aren’t accelerating an awful lot and you aren’t running too many accessories you can easily get 100 mpc with the car shifted into Eco mode. On the flip side, if you drive above 60 mph and spend your time lane-switching and revving up to pass other cars while running the AC you will see your mileage dwindle down closer to 80 mpc. Still, 80 mpc is amazing!
This brings me to my two main concerns with regard to driving the LEAF: the first is that the pillar between the rear door and the hatch is fairly wide and can cause a large blind spot. The second is with regard to the charging time, which can be as high as 14 hours.

For the uninitiated, the LEAF has three charging options: 110V, 220V, and 440V. At 110V, which is what you find in standard house outlets, the charge time for a fully drained battery is about 14 hours – which is fine if you have a garage and can charge your car overnight. Nissan advises drivers to consider installing a 220V outlet in your garage (same as your washer/drier outlet). For those who don’t have this outlet in their garage it’s a $2500 installation. The potential set back I see here is for folks that live in high rises and might not have access to a plug point in their parking garage. However, third party electric fuel providers are stepping in to fill this market, creating fill stations with 440V plug-ins where your car can fill up in half an hour for a small single digit fee. Imagine that…filling your tank in the single digits.
In addition, Nissan thought of ways to help you stretch your dollars even further through Eco mode: through a second click of the palm shifter you can control the throttle, a feature that is not seen in any other EV or hybrid. Eco mode also takes into account the load on the car and optimizes for the best mileage while taking advantage of the regenerative braking. In a rough test, our driving team saw a 20-30% improvement in charge conservation…amazing!

This car is full of little perks and thoughtful engineering. One such perk that is standard for all LEAFs is the CarWings application available for your smart phone; it allows remote monitoring of the security system and charging status and can remotely power on the AC or heat through the solar panel charge. Goodbye car sauna and teeth chattering mornings!
In short, I told my dad that the LEAF was fun to drive, stable, quiet, and zippy. No new cars for me this year as I’m paying off my mortgage…but I did enjoy picturing myself floating about the city, happily running my errands, and filling the trunk with groceries to be unloaded in my garage where the Leaf would charge for the night, waiting for more adventures the next day.

Source : CarReview.com

2012 Nissan GT-R - Affordable, Advanced and Performing, cool

Great automobiles are made up of great technology mixed with high performance, and where this blend gets right we gets vehicles like the 2012 Nissan GT-R. The new Nissan GT-R is a fine example of high performance automobile loaded with immensely advanced technology. The Nissan GT-R enters the market as an emblem of Nissan’s newest technology, and hence some loaded with some serious hardware set such as a strong twin-turbo V6, a superior all-wheel-drive system, a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and a sport-focused suspension having adaptive dampers. The performance numbers of GT-R comfortably places the car into Supercar segment, but despite that the car maintains a respectable lower price point.
Nissan has advanced the performance envelope for the 2012 Nissan GT-R, and the new GT-R is way more advanced that the previous versions. The maximum power under the hood now is 530 horsepower, which is 45 hp more than previous year and maximum torque this year is 488 lbs-ft, which are 434 more from last year. The increased power and torque could be attributed to the blend of revised turbo boost and the smooth exhaust and intake systems. The brakes for the car which already were immensely impressive have also been enlarged a tad bit by means of added performance potential.

What’s New for 2012 Nissan GT-R?
The 2012 Nissan GT-R comes with extra power and in addition to this there also are some aerodynamic and styling changes in the exteriors of the car. The interiors have also seen some minor revision. Also, a brand new GT-R Black Edition debuts this year.

Body Styling and Features

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is a two seater high-performance sport coupe, which is available only in single Premium trim level.
Like any premium trim, the standard feature set here also includes some of the highly advanced and modern features such as 20-inch alloy wheels having high-performance tires, LED running lights, automatic xenon headlights, an electronically modifiable suspension, Brembo brakes, heated power-adjustable front seats, faux/leather-suede upholstery, keyless entry/ignition, an 11 speaker Bose CD/MP3 audio system having two subwoofers, dual-zone automatic climate control, iPod connectivity, satellite radio and streaming audio and Bluetooth phone. Some other standard features for the car includes a hard-drive-based navigation system having 9.4 gigabytes accessible for audio storage, real-time weather and traffic updates and multifunction driver-configurable information monitor.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R also comes with a brand new GT-R Black Edition, which comes loaded with some more advanced features such as lightweight black wheels, a unique red and black interior and leather Recaro seats.
Some other optional equipment here are a no-cost Cold Weather package, which will get you Dunlop all-season run-flat tires, darker wheels and a unique coolant-to-water ratio facilitating faster engine warm-up, an extra-cost “Super Silver” paint job which has three layers of clear coasting and has been polished by hand and a rearview camera.



Interior Design:
The cabin of 2012 Nissan GT-R is not flashy and luxurious, but it clearly reflects the implementation of performance oriented and advance technological features. The front seats of the cars have high-flying bolsters and the faux-suede upholstery used in the interiors of the car keeps the occupants stable during high-G maneuvers, and at the same time it gives immense comfort during long-distance run. The interiors of the car itself is respectably constructed, and has plethora of soft-touch materials, and most of the controls of the car has a strong, positive feel. Go for the Black Edition and you could get even better appearing interiors.

Under The Hood:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R has a 3.8 ltr twin-turbocharged V6 engine pumping under its hood and generating maximum power of 530 hp and maximum torque of 488 lb-ft of maximum torque. The engine here is mated with a 6 speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission which takes the power to the ground through its advanced AWD system.

Performance:
The previous Nissan GT-R already was one of the finest performers that we’ve seen, but now this new 2012 Nissan GT-R is just stunning. The new GT-R sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in merely 3.1 secs, which was around more than half a second faster than previous model.

Safety Equipments:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R ensures the safety with its stability and traction control and antilock Brembo brakes. In addition to this, the car also has full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags.

Verdict:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R brings world class performance and technology at a reachable price and certifies that it doesn’t have to be stratospheric expensive, if it’s advanced or performance oriented.

Pros:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R delivers astonishing acceleration; is simple to drive; has immensely high handling limits and superb-quality interior; is fast and has an affordable bargain price.

taken from:http://www.automotivecraze.com

2012 Nissan Versa Sedan

Compact sedans are all the rage, with a host of new entries from both domestic and import manufacturers reaching showrooms recently. Nissan will cash in on that popularity with the 2012 Versa sedan, debuting today at the New York auto show with refreshed styling and tweaks to improve fuel economy.
The 2012 Versa rides on an evolution of the last car's platform called V, for Versatile. The sedan's wheelbase and width are unchanged from the current model, but it loses about an inch of length and height. Despite this, Nissan says that packaging improvements for the engine and transaxle mean there is more trunk space. The new car also should be marginally lighter than before.



Styling-wise, the new Versa takes cues from the larger Altima and Maxima sedans, starting with a new grille design and oval-shaped headlights, and continued with a smoother rear and reshaped taillights that sweep from the rear bumper to the Versa's rear haunches. The hood and sides are broken up by an assortment of creased character lines akin to those seen on the Hyundai Elantra. Whereas the old Versa had a more conventional flat roof and steep rear window, the new car's roofline gently slopes toward the trunk, following the coupe-like trend. The exterior changes reportedly help achieve a low 0.31 drag coefficient.

Nissan claims the Versa's rear seats offer more legroom than a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and says much effort was spent making the seats comfier and the interior more spacious and appealing. The new dashboard has rounded, contoured controls in place of the drab flat-plastic layout in the old car, a simpler dual-gauge instrument cluster, and a redesigned steering wheel. That said, the interior continues to showcase expanses of plain plastics and fabrics (in either Sandstone or Charcoal color schemes) that don't look particularly upscale.



The lone engine choice is a revised 1.6-liter four-cylinder that is lighter and now features dual variable-valve-timing, resulting in two extra horsepower (for 109 total) but a loss of four pound-feet of torque (down to 107.) The old Versa's optional 1.8-liter engine vanishes from the order sheet. Base models come with a five-speed manual, but all other trims have a continuously variable transmission. Fuel economy is predicted to climb to 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The car is the first to wear Nissan's new Puredrive labeling -- like BMW's EfficientDynamics tag, it will be applied to vehicles with the brand's most fuel-efficient technologies.

The Versa is stratified into three trim levels, each with one available option package. The S model, expected to ring in at just $10,990, won't have much more equipment than ABS, stability control, side and curtain airbags, 15-inch steel wheels, and a CD player, with an option pack to add cruise control. Next up the ladder is the SV, which adds cruise control, chrome grille trim, power mirrors, power windows, and better seats. The Convenience Package supplements it with a better audio system, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, steering-wheel audio controls, and map lights. Finally, the top-spec SL gets alloy wheels, fog lights, a split-folding rear seat, chrome door pulls, and the electronics from the SV Convenience Package. It can be upgraded with the Tech Package, which bundles a touchscreen navigation system and satellite radio.

The new Versa will arrive at Nissan dealerships this summer. If stickers for the 2011 model are anything to go by, the new sedan is unlikely to break the $18,000 mark -- and the stripped-out S is said to start just under $11,000. For now only a sedan has been announced, but a hatchback may follow later -- after all, most of the Versa's competitors offer a choice of both bodystyles.