Datsun prepared for first appearance at Moscow International Autosalon

Datsun, the newest automobile brand on the dynamic Russian market, celebrates its first appearance at the prestigious Moscow International Autosalon (MIAS) today by showing 2 new models.

The Datsun on-DO sedan, launched earlier this year with the first customer deliveries due in September, will be joined by the brand new Datsun mi-DO hatchback which will be given its worldwide launch at MIAS. Sales of this dynamic new model are due to start in early 2015.

Datsun on-DO was revealed in April this year, with the order bank opened in July. Such was the interest in the car that Datsun received more than 2000 enquiries in the opening weeks.

The first deliveries will be made after the end of MIAS, but IT specialist Mikhail (29) from Omsk city – one of the first customers to place a pre-order for the car – has been invited to the show where he was given a symbolic key to mark this historic event.

MIAS has become a stage for global unveil of the second car in the Datsun model line-up for Russia.

The brand new Datsun mi-DO is a practical yet sporty 5-door hatchback with a strong masculine appearance: bold, distinctive and cool. Among its stand out features are its ‘face’;, dominated by Datsun’;s confident ‘D-Cut’; grille and which, in turn, is flanked by dramatically elongated projector headlamps that stretch virtually from grille to fender to create a look that differentiates sedan and hatchback at a glance.

Although sharing the same wheelbase and front-wheel drive chassis layout as Datsun on-DO, Datsun mi-DO is shorter overall to emphasise its driving dynamics. Both cars sit on a 2,476mm wheelbase, are 1,500mm tall and 1,700mm wide, but the new Datsun mi-DO is 3,950mm long compared to the Datsun on-DO at 4,337mm.

Datsun mi-DO is well equipped. Comfort and safety have been priorities: every version will have a driver and passenger airbag as well as ABS. Standard equipment will include a winter pack with heated seats and door mirrors while special attention has been paid to ensure road, engine and wind noise is kept to a minimum.

Power comes from a 87hp version of Datsun’;s 1.6-liter 8V engine, while a 4-speed automatic transmission is optionally available in place of the standard 5 speed manual transmission.

All Datsun customers will benefit from market leading support. So far there are 25 dedicated Datsun dealers in key regions of the country with 75 more due over the next 2 years. Every car will be backed by a comprehensive 3 year/100 000 kms warranty. To ease purchasing options, Datsun is offering a unique credit programme – Datsun Finance.

 “The Datsun concept of offering a new car from a foreign maker at a highly affordable price has struck a chord with Russian car buyers. Datsun might be a new name on the Russian market but its impact will be felt for years to come. Rest assured we are totally committed to the Russian market: our debut at MIAS marks just the beginning of the story,” says Vincent Cobee, Global Head of Datsun.

The names Datsun on-DO and Datsun mi-DO reflect the cars’; international heritage, encompassing Japanese, English and Russian themes. DO is a Japanese word that means ‘moving’; and also refers to a ‘way’; of doing things. ‘on’; is the Russian word for ‘he’; while ‘mi’; sounds like the English word ‘me’; and personalises the car. Put together in Russian, they underline the individuality and personality of both cars.

Datsun prepared for first appearance at Moscow International Autosalon

Ford Adds Appearance Package to 2015 Explorer XLT, Other Explorers Get Minor Updates

Small cars may be all the rage these days, but despite being pretty huge and relatively inefficient, the 4-year-old Ford Explorer’s sales are on a tear right now, approaching levels last seen a decade ago. To help keep the 3-row crossover’s momentum going, Ford is introducing some minor updates to the Explorer for the 2015 model year.

Ford’s tweaks include slapping new 18-inch wheels on base models, making a Class III trailer tow package standard on Explorer Sports; and adding 3 new metallic colors: Bronze Fire, Caribou, and Magnetic.

Ford also has added a sport appearance package to the mid-level XLT trim level that transforms it into an Explorer Sport lookalike. The likeness is achieved using dark Magnetic paint on the grille and mirror caps, 20-inch machined-face wheels with black painted pockets, body-color door handles, black roof rails, and “EXPLORER” lettering splashed across the front of the hood, Land Rover–style. Alas, the package does not include the Sport’s 365-hp twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6.

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Ford describes the new XLT appearance package as being “a surprising value,” and for image-conscious folks, that seems about right. It costs $ 1195—and requires the $ 2500 202A package, which adds heated front seats trimmed in leather with suede inserts, contrast stitching, floor mats with special badging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and the MyFord Touch infotainment system. That puts a front-drive XLT so equipped at $ 37,490, far more below the $ 43,565, all-wheel-drive-only Explorer Sport.

In terms of pricing, only the base and Sport models see an increase. The base Explorer’s price jumps $ 585 to $ 31,495, while the Sport’s inflates by $ 995. The XLT and Limited trim levels remain $ 33,795 and $ 38,995, and all-wheel-drive requires an additional $ 2K on every Explorer save for the Sport. Intrigued? The 2015 Explorer goes on sale later this month.

Ford Adds Appearance Package to 2015 Explorer XLT, Other Explorers Get Minor Updates

Ford Adds Appearance Package to 2015 Explorer XLT, Other Explorers Get Minor Updates

Little vehicles could be all the rage these days, but regardless of becoming pretty large and reasonably inefficient, the 4-year-old Ford Explorer’s sales are on a tear correct now, approaching levels last noticed a decade ago. To aid preserve the 3-row crossover’s momentum going, Ford is introducing some minor updates to the Explorer for the 2015 model year.

Ford’s tweaks consist of slapping new 18-inch wheels on base models, creating a Class III trailer tow package normal on Explorer Sports and adding 3 new metallic colors: Bronze Fire, Caribou, and Magnetic.

Ford also has added a sport appearance package to the mid-level XLT trim level that transforms it into an Explorer Sport lookalike. The likeness is accomplished using dark Magnetic paint on the grille and mirror caps, 20-inch machined-face wheels with black painted pockets, body-color door handles, black roof rails, and “EXPLORER” lettering splashed across the front of the hood, Land Rover–style. Alas, the package does not contain the Sport’s 365-hp twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6.

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Ford describes the new XLT look package as becoming “a surprising worth,” and for image-conscious folks, that appears about appropriate. It costs $ 1195—and needs the $ 2500 202A package, which adds heated front seats trimmed in leather with suede inserts, contrast stitching, floor mats with specific badging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and the MyFord Touch infotainment system. That puts a front-drive XLT so equipped at $ 37,490, far far more beneath the $ 43,565, all-wheel-drive-only Explorer Sport.

In terms of pricing, only the base and Sport models see an boost. The base Explorer’s price tag jumps $ 585 to $ 31,495, even though the Sport’s inflates by $ 995. The XLT and Restricted trim levels remain $ 33,795 and $ 38,995, and all-wheel-drive needs an extra $ 2K on every Explorer save for the Sport. Intrigued? The 2015 Explorer goes on sale later this month.

Ford Adds Appearance Package to 2015 Explorer XLT, Other Explorers Get Minor Updates