Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

nissan

Companies in Europe plan electric car infrastructure

Automakers in Europe plan new business models for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids before 2011.

The business models will eliminate the need for gasoline stations. Energy will be supplied by utility companies. The automakers also will need to take into account the life span of batteries, which will depreciate and wear out quicker than the cars themselves.

Toyota Motor Corp., Daimler, Renault-Nissan, Volvo, and General Motors are among the carmakers that plan to bring plug-in hybrids and full-electric cars to market in 2011.

When that happens, carmakers, utility companies, and battery suppliers will need to be ready to take over the role of energy suppliers from oil companies. This will require a restructuring of energy supply arrangements and infrastructure.

But the industry also needs to examine such areas as calculations of operating costs, vehicle depreciation and billing systems.

"We have to prepare for a new era in our industry like never before," Thomas Weber, Daimler board member for R&D, told Automotive News Europe. "Managing financial conditions is crucial for a successful electrification of cars."

… Read more

2009 Nissan 370Z (review)

Nissan just launched the latest version of the Z, the 2009 model designated as the 370Z, taking over where the 350Z left off. This new car takes styling cues from the GT-R, Nissan's new supercar, and shows improved power and performance over its predecessor. We take the car on a California road trip, one of its less suitable activities, and try it out on some winding roads, where its wide tires and downshift rev-matching features make all the difference. Cabin tech in our tester was nothing to write home about, but Nissan makes a full tech suite available, including … Read more

America's cheap car wars heat up

The cheap car price wars are heating up with Hyundai's announcement that it is dropping the price of its Accent GS three door to $9,970, knocking the $9,990 Nissan Versa 1.6 from its short-lived position as the least-expensive car in America. With a single $20 separating the two vehicles, let's take a look at the specs and see how cheapskate champions compare.

Starting under the hood, both vehicles are equipped with 1.6-liter four-bangers. Nissan's 107-horsepower engine is just edged out by the Hyundai's 110-horsepower mill. Both qualify as Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicles (ULEV) … Read more

Photos: 2009 Nissan Cube

Nissan unveiled the Cube for the US market at the 2008 LA Auto Show. Though it's been available in Japan for some time now, we'll know soon enough whether American buyers are ready for the Cube when it hits showrooms as a 2009 model.

Not to be overshadowed by the 370Z, the Cube is the most unconventional designs to come out of Nissan in some time. The Cube features a squared-circle theme punctuated by a radical wrap-around asymmetrical rear window. Inside, the Cube is surprisingly spacious with a relaxing aesthetic with a concentric circle theme that's repeated … Read more

Photos: 2009 Nissan 370Z reveal

On Tuesday, Nissan revealed the 2009 370Z Coupe at the 2008 LA Auto Show and we've got the pictures to prove it.

Viewed in the round, we can see the new Z's shapely rear end and muscular shoulders. Hints of Nissan GT-R can be seen in the catfish's mouth front air dam and concave roof. Factor in dimensions and proportions that are more in line with the classic Z car formula and you've got what at least looks like a winner.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of the Z's new look. Pop over … Read more

What about the Z Roadster?

Astute readers will notice that whenever we refer to Nissan's new Z, we specify 370Z Coupe. What about the convertible variant of Nissan's Z car? How do Nissan's recent announcements and unveilings affect the Z Roadster?

Well, for now at least, they don't. The Z Roadster will continue as a 350Z model, with the legacy styling and the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine under the hood producing the same 306 horsepower. In fact, the only update for 2009 is a new Moonlight White exterior color, which replaces Pikes Peak White. In other words, there's no (… Read more

Nissan 370Z features rev matching manual transmission

After many leaks and private unveilings, Nissan officially unveiled its all-new 370Z Coupe.

Amid a maelstrom of flashing lights and the loudest, most bass-heavy music we've ever heard, Nissan rolled the Z onto the stage. We have to say that it looks even better in person than in any of the photos we've seen up to this point. Although the silhouette is similar to the 350Z Coupe and the essence of the Z-car is still there, the 370Z Coupe is a full redesign, with a shortened wheel base, revised proportions featuring a more rakish roofline, and a new … Read more

Nissan CEO touts electric car plans at Los Angeles Auto Show

In its efforts to put electric cars on the road by 2010, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced a partnership with the state of Oregon during his keynote at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Oregon Department of Transportation and Portland General Electric will develop an infrastructure of charging stations, and Nissan will supply a fleet of electric cars to the state. Ghosn also said that Oregon will offer a tax credit to buyers of electric vehicles. The charging infrastructure will not only make it possible for people to recharge their electric vehicles at various locations throughout the state, but … Read more

Video: Nissan reveals 370Z coupe early

We can't wait for the unveil of the Nissan 370Z at the 2008 LA Auto Show. Apparently, Nissan couldn't wait either, because they unveiled not one, but three examples of the next Z Coupe at an invite only enthusiast's event.

Check out the video below, which also features some tastefully (and some not-so-tastefully) modded examples of the 350Z near the beginning for comparison's sake.

Nissan 370Z Reveal before LA Auto Show

See all coverage of the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.