Nissan's contribution to the 2012 Chicago Auto Show was the slightly refreshed 2013 Nissan 370Z. If you've got good eyes and are familiar with the 370Z, you'll notice that this new car -- on sale in June -- has a new front fascia with LED DRLs, new 19s on models with the Sport Pack (new 18s on the rest), red-finished brake calipers, Euro-tuned shocks and a red reflector on the rear fascia where there was previously a black cover. The Z is also now available in Midnight Blue. Apart from the minor appearance differences, this new Z gets two additional speakers with two subwoofers for the Bose Premium pack.
There are no changes to the Z's 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 or the 6MT/7AT.
The Nismo Z doesn't get Midnight blue, the new front/rear fascias or the new shocks.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Coupes,Nissan,Sports Cars
Can you see what's different about the 2013 Nissan 370Z? Probably not, so here's some help.
The front fascia got a few tweaks that include removal of the odd-looking "teeth" along with the addition of the all-important vertical LED marker lights. In back, there's...well, not much. What used to be a black patch of nothingness at the center of the rear fascia now has a red reflector.
On the actually noticeable front, there are new wheel designs for the 18-inchers that come on the 370Z coupe as well as the 19s that are included in the optional Sport package. That package also included red brake calipers and "Euro-tuned" shock absorbers. And lastly, the fuel gauge now features darker trim. Seriously.
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Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Convertibles,Coupes,Nissan,Sports Cars
Showing their "commitment to the compact car segment," Nissan will be showing an all-new B-segment car concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show: the Nissan Invitation.
This Fit lookalike would slide in with the Micra and the Juke in Europe. Nissan says "Invitation is an energetic design, bringing fresh style, innovation and excitement to the mainstream market."
We say "It's a Nissan Fit...which is a good thing."
Look for more of this car as we get closer to Geneva.
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Categories: Hatchbacks,Nissan
It must be a bummer, being underappreciated. You shine and excel, and still you remain hidden in the shadows.
Just ask any of the six models listed after the jump. It's a story they know all too well.
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Categories: Audi,Ford,Hyundai,Nissan,Suzuki,Volkswagen
If you're a classic car nut, you've probably heard of Hagerty; the company is a leader in classic-car insurance and hosts the world's largest database of classic cars. Each year, the company publishes its Hagerty Hot List, a list that spotlights 10 new vehicles that its valuations experts see as having the best future collectability.
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Categories: Audi,Buick,Chevrolet,Dodge,Fiat,Ford,Jeep,Nissan,Porsche,Volkswagen
Last week we posted the second video from Icon in the Car vs Motorcycle series: Drift 2. While there was certainly some exceptional driving/riding going on, what captured most people's attention was the 240SX that drifted off the road and rolled at the end of the video.
There was no explanation and no follow-up. Just a crash where you saw the guy's head tilt out the window and then roll back in just before it would have been crushed.
Icon got the message that we want more of this so they've put together a video showing what happened before and after the crash. It was, as these things always are, on the "one last ride" lap. Line of the day: "We done flipped it. You okay, guy?"
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Categories: Motorsports,Nissan,Videos
Ever want to know what Lamborghini drivers do before they're rich enough to buy Lamborghinis? This. This is what they do.
Note: New tires + rain + supercharger + itchy right foot = this.
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Categories: Miscellaneous,Nissan,Videos
It's been a few months now and we're finally getting to see the Nissan Juke-R being driven with some aggression. During this test session Nissan managed a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 159.6 mph giving it the title of World's Fastest Crossover.
Nissan claims that this is the final video in the build series of the Juke-R. We can only hope that the next video they send out on this car has less talking, more driving.
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Categories: Nissan,Tuners and Modifications
Rockford Fosgate, a marquee name in high performance car audio, is turning Vegas' Palms Casino Resort into the boom boom room over the next few days. In addition to showing off its latest aftermarket offerings, the company is demonstrating its next-generation ecoPunch factory-upgrade audio system in a Nissan Juke.
The concept audio system is designed as a plug-and-play upgrade that will include a wiring harness, Rockford Fosgate amplifier, and choice of subwoofers. The add-on components are designed to work around a vehicle's existing factory speakers.
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Categories: Car Tech,Nissan
A kinder, gentler 2013 Nissan Pathfinder debuted in Detroit this morning. Will its soccer mom appeal help or hinder sales, now that it's no longer a legitimate utilitarian off-roader?
Check out the video to see what Alistair is "quoting" after the jump. Hint: it's not "lasers."
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Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Nissan,Videos
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder is out on the floor of COBO Hall in Detroit this morning and it looks far different from the SUV we know as the Pathfinder.
First impression? It's gone the crossover route, at least in terms of styling. No more boxy, pseudo-SUV shape, this is pure people mover. Looks closer to an overgrown Rogue, which is no bad thing. Nissan is calling it a concept for now, but don't expect much to change when it goes on sale later this year.
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Categories: Crossovers,Detroit Auto Show,Nissan
Nissan is skipping the traditional press conference reveal for the new Pathfinder, deciding instead to reveal the next-gen SUV online via Facebook.
The press release for this announcement says that the reveal will happen at 8:30am EST, but the Facebook countdown puts it at 8:30 Pacific time. If you're excited about this seven-seat, four-wheel drive crossover-suv, head over to Facebook for 8:30 EST. Carlos Ghosn will speak and you'll get to see the new Pathfinder before we have time to sprint back to the press room to upload the photos.
Pathfinder Reveal on Facebook
Categories: Crossovers,Nissan
We've already seen the new Pathfinder a couple of times. First we saw spy shots of a camo-clad, front/all-wheel-drive crossover we caught testing. Then there was a dark silhouette teaser of the Nissan Pathfinder Concept that will be shown for real at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show that was graciously provided by Nissan.
This time we've got two quick teaser vids showing the Pathfinder's new face and a quick shot of the backside. It's not enough to make a real decision, but from what we can see this new Pathfinder is going to be a handsome crossover.
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Categories: Crossovers,Detroit Auto Show,Nissan
Yes, everybody knows that the Jeep Wrangler is a wonderful choice if you're hoping to travel where the off-road path takes you. But the Wrangler -- for all its rustic, bare-bones charm -- may not be the most amenable companion during the five days of the week that you spend enduring tedious workday commutes and gridlocked city traffic.
That's where these four picks come in.
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Categories: Jeep,Land Rover,Nissan,Toyota
We've seen spy photos of the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder but this teaser is the first official image we have of the new Pathfinder concept bound for the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
The assumption on this next-gen Pathfinder is that it would switch to a unibody design instead of carrying on with the body-on-frame chassis it employs currently. The press release that came with this photo did nothing to refute that belief...
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Categories: Concept Vehicles,Crossovers,Detroit Auto Show,Nissan
In a press release today from Europe, Nissan announced a new electric test vehicle. Unlike previous EVs from Nissan, this one is a small electric van based on the NV200. Like other EVs from Nissan, this uses the same powertrain as the Nissan Leaf.
The van is intended for the streets of London where it will be tested by FedEx Express. Beth Galetti, vice president of Planning and Engineer for FedEx Express said, "FedEx is proud to collaborate with Nissan on this initiative. Our cross-sector approach to reduce dependence on petroleum, reduce carbon impact and eliminate tailpipe emissions remains unwavering. At FedEx, we seek to connect the world in responsible and resourceful ways and we will continue to work closely with Nissan to change what is possible."
FedEx's Vice President of Global Vehicles Dennis Beal continues, "Collaboration is part of our global vehicle strategy....We value the opportunity Nisan has given us to provide experienced feedback and contribute to development of the best Nissan NV200 possible."
FedEx already operated 43 electric vehicles and judging by this release, we have to assume they'll be adding at least one more at the Detroit Auto Show.
Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Electric Vehicles,Nissan
Earlier this week we brought you a track test of the 2013 Nissan GT-R. As expected, 15-horsepower didn't make the GT-R any slower, nor did it make it drastically faster in our instrumented testing.
Our video team has now put together a video of the track testing. Few other cars, let alone ones that nearly touch 4,000 pounds, look this flat and composed through our tests.
Few also sound like the fastest vacuum in the world.
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Categories: IL Track Tested,Nissan,Sports Cars
Nissan today announced two of the vehicles they will be bringing to this year's Detroit Auto Show.
The first, and most important, is the Pathfinder Preview Concept. We got spy photos of the new Pathfinder late last week and from everything we're seeing, this will be a traditional crossover and not the body-on-frame truck it will be replacing. Expect it to look like the vehicle you see above, but with paint instead of plastic bags, 21-inch wheels replacing these and some sort of crazy brakes and tiny wing mirrors replacing useful ones.
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Categories: Crossovers,Detroit Auto Show,Nissan
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year. Cars, trucks, SUVs, we run them all, and the numbers always tell a story. With that in mind we present "IL Track Tested," a quick rundown of all the data we collect at the track, along with comments direct from the test-drivers. Enjoy.
There's just no such thing as a bad day at the test track with Godzilla. Jaded much? Not after you see a Nissan GT-R lay down numbers that just shouldn't belong to a 3,900-pound car.
For 2013, the GT-R gains another 15 horsepower and another 15 pound-feet of torque, plus yet more transmission refinements and a retuned suspension. As you'll see, these modest updates didn't translate to better straight-line performance compared to the 2012 GT-R Black Edition we tested last year (although, our 2013 GT-R Premium test car proved more finicky, shutting down its launch control when it decided its drivetrain bits had gotten too hot). But this car is still as quick as the last 911 Turbo we tested, even if the Porsche logs a faster trap speed.
Similarly, the suspension retune didn't net any measurable improvement in the slalom. But how many other cars can beat its slalom speed? Let's see: Dodge Viper (74.2 mph), Godzilla Black Edition (74.7) and 997 Porsche 911 GT3 (75.3).
In short, this car is still incredible.
First Drive: 2013 Nissan GT-R
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Categories: Coupes,IL Track Tested,Nissan,Sports Cars
The last time we saw the 2013 Nissan Altima it was covered in baggy camo and thick tape. Today our spy photographers have nabbed a vehicle without the heavy camo that gives us a much clearer look at the next-gen Altima.
Without the headlight tape you can see that the Altima is getting a version of the Maxima's multi-angle headlights and a slick foglight/driving light combination. The Altima's also adopting a grille more in line with that of the other Nissan cars.
Again, we don't expect big changes in the drivetrain department with 2.5 and 3.5-liter engines and, yep, the CVT.
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Categories: Nissan,Sedans,Spy Photos
