Nissan Rogue Hybrid May Migrate to the U.S.

A Nissan Rogue hybrid? Sounds like a automobile that would win the blessing of Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, who is known to be very bullish on battery electric vehicles taking over the sector. Lending far more distinct credence to the rumor, a Japanese engineer just told Automotive News that Nissan might give us a Rogue hybrid. Are your electrons obtaining excited, crossover purchasers?

The suggestion comes from Nobusuke Toukura, chief engineer for the new X-Trail Hybrid, the overseas Rogue built on the identical platform, which was just introduced in Japan last week. When we asked Nissan USA about the prospect, the organization wouldn’t confirm Toukura’s claim outright, but did say that it would like to add a lot more hybrids beyond the Pathfinder Hybrid to its lineup. Since the Rogue is Nissan’s second very best-selling model and Toyota has just unwrapped the RAV4 Hybrid, a Rogue hybrid appears like a no-brainer. From a production standpoint, a Rogue hybrid would be easy to add to the Smyrna, Tennessee line that already rolls out Rogues and Pathfinders.

Like the Pathfinder Hybrid, the X-Trail Hybrid eschews the common 2-motor setup—a generator to charge its lithium-ion battery and a traction motor to put down the power—and alternatively employs 2 electronic clutches that carry out each duties, with 1 separating the engine and the motor. On the X-Trail Hybrid, Nissan pairs a 40-hp electric motor with a 2.-liter 145-hp 4-cylinder, optional all-wheel drive, and claims 47 mpg on Japan’s very unrealistic JC08 cycle. It’s tough to say how that combo would do in EPA testing but at the quite least we could expect a drastically higher rating than the Pathfinder Hybrid’s 25/27 mpg city/highway.

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Even with gas rates in a welcome lull, Nissan requirements volume to grow to be noticed in this space, and the future hybridized GT-R is not going to do it. The last-gen Altima Hybrid, which used a Toyota-licensed powertrain, was quick-lived, reasonably inefficient, and only offered in 10 states. And while the Nissan Leaf leads the plug-in marketplace, the automaker sells the fewest hybrids of all its competitors. Combined with its 3 Infiniti models (Q50, QX60, and Q70), Nissan sold fewer than 8000 hybrids in 2014. Ford shipped more than 9.5 instances that number. Even Subaru, which offers only the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, managed to outsell Nissan and Infiniti in its really 1st year. Get to it, Ghosn.

Nissan Rogue Hybrid May Migrate to the U.S.

2016 Nissan Maxima Configurator Is Maximally Online for Maximum Maxima

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Play Next New Vehicles for 2014: Nissan

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2016 Nissan Maxima Configurator Is Maximally Online for Maximum Maxima

2016 Nissan Maxima Configurator Is Maximally On the web for Maximum Maxima

Nissan did a swell job maintaining its 2016 Maxima below wraps until the vehicle was officially unveiled at this week’s New York auto show, but now that it is out including pricing ($ 33,235 to $ 40,685), Nissan cannot wait for clients to start ordering them. And so the automaker has introduced its ingeniously named “Build Yours Now” 2016 Maxima reservation system.

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The very good/negative news is that you won’t devote all day ruminating on options and other forms of customization, as Nissan has clumped all accessible goodies into its 5 trim levels (S, SL, SV, SR, and Platinum), which offer 9 paint colors and 5 upholstery treatment options among them. So generating a selection may possibly take you all of 3 minutes—unlike the days or weeks 1 can get lost building your dream Porsche Cayman. Regrettably, none of the Maxima’s trim levels include the word “NISMO” but our cash says that such a point at some point will exist. On the vibrant side, order ahead of June 2 and you’ll get 3 years of upkeep incorporated gratis. Head here to verify it out.

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2016 Nissan Maxima Configurator Is Maximally On the web for Maximum Maxima

Honda U.S. Executive: “I Don’t Give a Damn About Nissan”

April 3, 2015 at 9:24 am by Clifford Atiyeh | Photography by Steve Sands/Getty Photos

It is uncommon in the auto organization to get a juicy interview like the one the Detroit News bagged from a leading Honda executive at the New York auto show. It’s even better when that executive is trash-speaking a rival organization. Add some allegations and an expletive—and wham! Instant news.

“I don’t truly give a damn about Nissan. I actually don’t,” John Mendel, executive vice president for automotive operations at Honda, told reporters. Mendel was fuming more than Nissan sales, which he claims are inflated with fleet deliveries versus the retail-only numbers Honda releases each month. He even charged Nissan with artificially goosing its functionality: “They have a whole systematic group of folks who go into the dealers on the 20th of the month primarily based on what Nissan demands to beat Honda and forces the dealer to place an extra 10 or 15 rental vehicles in service.”

Although Honda does sell to fleets, it doesn’t operate a formal fleet sales division and allocates only about 2 percent of all U.S. sales to fleets, compared to around 10 % at Toyota and 28 % at Common Motors (the numbers can fluctuate by several points month to month). Nissan denied the allegations, with a spokesman claiming its fleet sales have been “less than 17 percent.” In August, Mendel created a equivalent rebuke against Toyota when he cited the Accord’s retail sales beating the Camry, despite Toyota claiming the quantity-a single spot in all round sales.

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Just how negative did Mendel’s New York interview go? Let’s put it this way: He ended the conversation with: “This is probably the last interview that PR is going to let me do.” It’s worth a study.

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Honda U.S. Executive: “I Don’t Give a Damn About Nissan”

Nissan Recalls 625,000 Altimas for Wonky Hood Latches

Nissan is expanding a recall to include a lot more late-model Altima sedans with faulty hood latches, according to a filing with the National Highway Visitors Security Administration.

In September, Nissan recalled 220,423 Altimas from 2013 for secondary hood latches—the ones you really touch right after the major latch pops the hood—that can bind due to an assembly difficulty or from exposure to rust and debris. If the hood is unlatched and adequate air catches it at speed, effectively, you know the rest. Now, Nissan is recalling all 2014 and some 2015 models after getting latch complaints from owners of newer cars. About 625,000 Altimas are impacted in the U.S., despite the fact that Nissan says it isn’t carried out tallying the final quantity and does not yet know the root result in. So far, Altimas produced soon after December 31, 2014 are not incorporated.

The earlier repair involved bending the latch “hood actuation” lever so it wouldn’t speak to the hood and the greasing of the latch itself. Nissan has notified dealers and will send owners an interim notice if they cannot figure out a repair within the next 2 months.

In January, Nissan recalled 170,665 late-model Pathfinder and Infiniti JX35/QX60 SUVs for difficulties with secondary hood latches, which had been installed incorrectly so that the hood-release cable would not engage the locking claw.

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The present Altima has been recalled 5 other instances given that debuting in 2012, like the initial hood-latch recall, twice for faulty passenger-airbag sensors, after for incorrect spare-tire inflation, and one more for loose suspension and steering bolts on early production models.

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Nissan Recalls 625,000 Altimas for Wonky Hood Latches

Nissan GT-R LM NISMO: Hybridized, FWD Le Mans Weapon

Nissan GT-R LM NISMO: Hybridized, FWD Le Mans Weapon

Nissan GT-R LM NISMO: Hybridized, FWD Le Mans Weapon

Official Photos and Information

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Unconventional racing wisdom for Le Mans—seriously unconventional.

Soon after a 16-year absence, Nissan will return to the top class in the Le Mans 24-hour race this year, joining Porsche and Toyota among others in the chase for all round victory. Like the Porsche and Toyota, Nissan’s challenger will feature a hybridized powertrain. But the similarity ends appropriate there.

For instance, drivers of the Nissan GT-R LM will be sitting behind the power sources, rather than in front of them, peering out over a vast expanse of hood. And all of that power will be vectored to the front wheels, at least as the auto is at the moment configured. Nissan is keeping its choices open regarding the possibility of altering the mechanicals to send some of the thrust to the rear wheels. As opposed to several race vehicles, the wheels are wider at the front (13 inches) than the rear (9 inches), the greater to put power on the pavement.

Power appears to be an open situation. The internal-combustion element is a twin-turbo 3.-liter direct-injection V-6, burning gasoline rather than the diesel favored by the other LMP1 heavyweights. Nissan is not discussing specifics yet, but output for the engine alone is anticipated to be in the neighborhood of 500 horsepower. Nonetheless, the engine development team prioritized efficiency as considerably as sheer thrust, because the arcane guidelines laid down for LMP1 hybrids by the sanctioning body—France’s Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO)—limit fuel capacity to 68 liters (17.96 gallons). As a consequence, reaching maximum laps per tank is critical, specifically on a lengthy track like the 747-mile-long Circuit de la Sarthe.

According to GT-R LM designer Ben Bowlby, the DeltaWing designer for whom thinking outside the box is an everyday activity, the twin-turbo V-6 will burn about 30 percent much less fuel than a equivalent Nissan gasoline engine that ran at Le Mans in 2013. But 500 horsepower is only a fraction of what it will take to turn competitive laps at Le Mans. The balance of the energy, expressed in joules, will come from the custom Kinetic Energy Recovery Program (KERS) fabricated by Torotrak, which will harvest energy from the front-wheel brakes.

Minding Joules

A joule is a unit of operate, equivalent to a newton-meter. And the important to making the Nissan competitive is how numerous joules it can add to the power equation, or, a lot more accurately, how many megajoules. Megajoules (MJ) are the Catch 22 in the ACO guidelines for LMP1 hybrids. The ACO formula enables for deployment of a specific quantity of megajoules per lap, and there are incremental thresholds: 2MJ, 4MJ, 6MJ, and 8MJ. Every single threshold reduces the quantity of fuel the car will burn to sustain lap instances, and increases the thrust obtainable for powering out of corners.

The downside is mass. The larger the storage capacity of the KERS technique, which will reside beneath the driver’s legs, the more it weighs. Minimum weight for the GT-R LM’s class is 880 kilograms—1940 pounds—and, as Bowlby has pointed out, “We’re going to be very challenged to make our weight target when half of the weight of the automobile is the powertrain.”

This leaves out the mass related with 4-wheel drive. Not to mention the challenge of getting all the hardware lined up. As Bowlby notes, MJ systems are not the sort of point you can acquire off the shelf at Pep Boys.

Bowlby and others at Nissan are vague about how significantly total system output the GT-R LM will bring to the FIA WEC Endurance Championship when it opens on April 12 at Silverstone, in the UK. Estimates location it someplace in the vicinity of 1250 to 1500 horsepower, down considerably from earlier objectives that reached as higher as 2000.

Aeromass

Bowlby explains that the front-mid-engine style was conceived to support the front-wheel-drive idea, providing the vehicle a forward weight bias to assist the huge front tires provide optimum bite when huge megajoule outputs flash into the driveline. The identical consideration affected aerodynamic improvement. Starting with the simple car concept, Bowlby says that “the aero center of pressure, the mass center of gravity, and the tire capacity are all in harmony.”

Aside from an adjustable rear wing, aero specifics—coefficient of drag, frontal region, downforce, and lift—have not been revealed, and most likely will in no way be. But a good several other specifications have been. For instance, the auto is 182.9 inches lengthy, 74.8 inches wide, and 40.6 inches tall. The bodywork is carbon composite, the windshield fabricated from polycarbonate with a tough coating.

The suspension is composed of Penske dampers with 4-way adjustability, and also characteristics a hydraulic rear antiroll bar. Six-piston calipers squeeze the front brakes, with 4-piston calipers at the rear. The brake-by-wire NISMO method is integrated with the KERS function, and involves driver-adjustable front-rear bias.

Cosworth supplies the ECU and the controller for the 5-speed sequential gearbox, which feeds energy to the wheels by way of a hydraulic restricted-slip diff. Tilton supplies the 4-plate carbon clutch. Like the brakes, the throttle is drive-by-wire, and the drivetrain consists of driver-adjustable traction control. The steering wheel is by NISMO, and the LCD information graphics come from Cosworth.

PlayStation at Speed

Nissan has yet to flesh out its WEC driver lineup, but its initial appointee is as innovative as the auto itself. That would be young Jann Mardenborough, a 24-year-old hotshoe from Darlington, England. Mardenborough has created his racing bones with the Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver improvement program in GP3, and also drove the Nissan LMP2 vehicle at the 2014 Le Mans race.

But his route to a top sports-auto ride is special. It started with Nissan’s GT Academy, which sifted driving talent through efficiency in video games. Mardenborough’s ability in PS3 was tops in season 3 of the system, which propelled him into race cars. No karts. No schools.

All in all, Nissan’s Le Mans quest is practically nothing if not special. Bowlby calls it his “boldest undertaking” to date. Hmm. How do you say understatement in Japanese?

For a lot more on the GT-R LM Nismo, including an inside appear at the creating of its Super Bowl industrial, check out the following links from our buddies at Road & Track:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a24902/establishing-the-nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo/

http://www.roadandtrack.com/auto-culture/entertainment/a24901/the-inside-story-of-the-2015-nissan-gt-r-super-bowl-industrial/

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/g6076/2015-nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-photo-gallery/

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Nissan GT-R LM NISMO: Hybridized, FWD Le Mans Weapon

Leaf Glower: Nissan Coats Its Oddball EV with New Glow-in-the-Dark Paint [w/ Video]

From the “Inventions We Never ever Asked For” file comes a new glow-in-the-dark vehicle paint, co-created by Nissan Europe and inventor Hamish Scott. According to Nissan, the spray coating absorbs UV energy during the day and then glows for amongst 8 and 10 hours soon after the sun goes down. Want to see it in action? Nissan even has produced a semi-creepy video (embedded at the bottom of this post) of a glowing Leaf electric auto meandering around in the dark. Yeah, prison escapees and chronic speeders must not apply.

Glowing paint is nothing new (and, fortunately, not popular), but what makes this a single special is that the paint includes a  “rare organic earth product” referred to as Strontium Aluminate, which allegedly is solid, odorless, and chemically and biologically inert. We ain’t chemists over right here, so we’ll have to take Nissan’s word for it. But that means it is organic!

The paint’s organic chemistry and solar tie-in explains why Nissan decided to put the eerie paint on the homely Leaf and not one thing prettier, like, say, an old 240Z. You see, talking about sun energy acquiring captured by paint offers a handy segue to a discussion of fitting solar panels to your home, which Nissan says is a way to drive the Leaf for free of charge. Of course, “free” implies diverse things to different individuals, and the way we see it, the price you will pay by driving a Leaf—especially one that glows in the damn dark—isn’t worth it.

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Leaf Glower: Nissan Coats Its Oddball EV with New Glow-in-the-Dark Paint [w/ Video]

Nissan celebrates as NP200 keeps Rosslyn plant humming

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• NP200 is crowned as South Africa’;s favourite half-ton bakkie


• 17 412 NP200 bakkies sold in 2014


• Market leadership follows glowing 2014 Kinsey Report and Ipsos Quality Award

Rosslyn, South Africa, 2 FEBRUARY 2015 – Nissan South Africa is celebrating the overwhelming success of its NP200 pickup after final national sales figures for 2014 reported that it had reached a full-year market share of 52.2% for the half ton pickup market.

The NP200′s market share dominance reached as high as 65.4% in November last year and is a fitting end to a successful year for the locally produced pickup. Last year, comprehensive 12 month market research by Ipsos noted that the NP200 had the best vehicle quality in its segment, based on feedback from both business and leisure NP200 customers.

Ipsos South Africa’;s quality accolade was followed late last year by a firm endorsement in the annual Kinsey Report, in which journalist and researcher Malcolm Kinsey calculated the cost of maintenance and repairs of different vehicles and vehicle segments.

In the 2014 Kinsey Report, the NP200 is singled out as the most affordable single cab pickup to own and maintain, beating its nearest rival, the Nissan NP300 Hardbody, in the bakkie-segment. The NP200 also beat all the entry-level vehicles in the passenger vehicle segment to be crowned the most affordable vehicle to maintain overall.

The NP200 replaced the well-loved Nissan 1400 after this locally adapted workhorse reached the end of its production life cycle in 2008. By that time, the 1400 had earned a place in South African culture and a parking bay in the global Nissan museum in Japan. Since taking over the reins, the modern NP200 has doubled its sales volume every year for the first 4 years before reaching a peak in 2014 with monthly sales of more than twice that achieved by the 1400.

“The NP200 has proven itself worthy of the Nissan pickup badge. It offers a wide range of engines, while the range of derivatives means that it comfortably straddles the workhorse and leisure markets. The class-leading payload of 800 kg adds to its workhorse capabilities. We look forward to strong sales in 2015 as the demand for our reliable and affordable sub-1 ton pickups grows,” says Konstantin von Vieregge, General Manager: Marketing and Planning.

Nissan celebrates as NP200 keeps Rosslyn plant humming

Nissan ready for round two with more in-your-face Juke

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• Significant cosmetic and mechanical changes, including new 1.2 DIG-T engine

• Entire range now turbo charged

• NissanConnect smart phone integration on certain models

Rosslyn, South Africa,  30 JANUARY 2015 -  Nissan’;s design team has given the world’;s first B-segment crossover a concentrated dose of Juke-ness for its 2015 upgrade.

The new 2015 Nissan Juke is set to reach dealers at the end of January and promises to repeat its sales success with redesigned front and rear styling and a significant upgrade in luxury specification.

“The Juke is a surprising vehicle in many respects,” says Konstantin von Vieregge, General Manager of Marketing and Planning at Nissan South Africa. “Apart from its unique styling, the slightly irreverent Nissan Juke has surprised market-watchers with its performance and its appeal to styling enthusiasts of all ages, both male and female.

“This is why more than 500 000 people across the globe have gone for a Juke since its global introduction in 2010. In South Africa, we have maintained a near-300 unit average a month since its introduction in 2011, selling close on 12 000 units in the period to date.”

Styling and design changes – Exterior

• Refreshed bumpers, lights and side mirrors


• Newly designed and larger wheels


• Favourite Juke styling cues remain untouched

The refreshed Juke retains many of its favourite elements, such as the sporty sloping roofline, SUV stance and hidden rear door handles, while updating many other elements to align with the current popular Nissan crossover design language.

Viewed from the front, all 3 levels of lighting have been given more prominence, starting with the fog lights that nestle in a newly designed black air intake and redesigned colour-coded bumper. The rounded fog lights with new clear lenses take centre stage and flank a new grille with grated design and a bolder SUV-style Nissan badge. This badge cue is repeated in the centre console instrumentation and at the back of the car in the diffuser design.

The most dramatic and visually enticing change is found in the uppermost-lights that have been completely redesigned and which joins the family of modern Nissan crossovers with its boomerang shape and integrated daytime running lights – a standard feature across the entire Juke range.

On the flanks the new side mirrors with turn signals are squared off and bolder, and in the Tekna specification integrate, wide-angle cameras that link to the rear and nose camera to offer 360 degree visibility when manoeuvring the Juke.

New alloy wheels complete the packaged and have been inched up from 16″ to 17″ on all but the 1.2 DIG-T Acenta model and from 17″ to 18″ on the Tekna models.

The rear of the Juke has been given a similarly dramatic upgrade with a new luggage door with wider number plate area, and the new diffuser and rear air dam have been redesigned to create a wider and more purposeful stance for the Juke.

Other changes to the rear of the car include the new roof-mounted aerial, completely redesigned rear lights that mirror the front lights and pay homage to Nissan street-stars such as the 370Z, redesigned rear reflectors and an exhaust pipe that takes pride of place with new chrome detailing on the Tekna models.

Styling and design changes – Interior

• Premium treatment for centre console


• High level of standard specification across entire model range


• Luggage storage area now 40% bigger

Step inside and the Juke has retained all of the playful elements that have made it a top seller. The centrepiece remains the painted transmission tunnel, which is inspired by the radical lines of an Italian superbike and hints of the Juke’;s nimble road manners.

Designers have also retained the speed-sensitive sport steering wheel with satellite controls the contoured front seats and the large, easy-to-read circular gauges that require a mere glance from the driver to see all the necessary vehicle information.

The centre cluster has, however, received a rethink and has been upgraded to offer a more premium feel. Drivers familiar with the original Juke will still find the I-CON system at hand, which controls vehicle set-up and performance settings, but will notice the premium treatment of every element that falls to hand, just as Nissan has recently done with the new Qashqai and X-Trail crossovers.

The driver will also notice that the entire range has received a specification upgrade. Even the entry-level Acenta model has Bluetooth phone integration, cruise control with speed-limiting capabilities, Stop/Start technology and full climate control. All models in the range also have vehicle dynamic control (VDC) and 6 airbags, key elements to the Juke’;s 5 star Euro NCAP rating.

However, the upgrade is not only focused on design elements and specifications. In response to customer feedback, Nissan engineers have redesigned the luggage storage area and lowered the space saver spare wheel to increase the luggage space by no less than 40% from 251 litres to 354 litres. This applies to all models, except the 4WD model, which has to house a rear differential and multi-link rear suspension system.

Engines, performance and technology

• 1.2 DIG-T replaces normally aspirated 1.6


• Entire engine range now turbo charged


• I-CON vehicle control system available across range


• 4WD and XTronic transmission available on selected models

In keeping with its position as trendsetter, the Juke will now offer forced induction and direct injection across its entire engine range. The range of engines delivers on the stated promise of offering a car with great drivability and engine responsiveness.

The new 1.2 DIG-T (Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbo) engine, which debuted on the new Qashqai replaces the normally aspirated 1.6 litre petrol engine that powered the entry-level Juke models.

The 1.2 DIG-T engine features a turbo and intercooler and offers 85 kW at 4 500 rpm and 190 Nm of torque in a completely flat band from 2 000 rpm to 4 000 rpm, which means that compared with the engine it replaces, the new 1.2 DIG-T gives the driver near 30% of the engine range back to play with under full power delivery.

The new engine offers the added benefit of improved fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100 km, a figure made possible by the standard fitment of Stop/Start technology

The second petrol engine is the highly popular 1.6 DIG-T. Equipped with  the same technology as the 1.2 DIG-T, such as an intercooler, Start/Stop technology and direct petrol injection, this engine has no less than 140 kW at 5 600 rpm and 240 Nm in a wide band between 1 600 and 5 200 rpm on tap. This engine propels you to  100 km/h in 8 seconds and uses 6.9 litres of fuel in a combined driving cycle.

The last of the turbo-charged engines is the equally popular 1.5 dCi turbo diesel engine. It is also fitted with an intercooler and has common rail direct injection to offer 260 Nm between 1 750 and 2 500 rpm and 81 kW at 4 000 rpm. The 1.5 dCi Juke reaches 100 km/h in 11.2 seconds and only sips an impressive 4.2 litres of diesel in a combined driving cycle.

The engines are mated to a choice of direct-shifting 6-speed gearbox or Nissan’;s XTronic constantly variable transmission, depending on the model and engine choice. The XTronic gearbox has been upgraded to offer 17% greater ratio speed and 40% less internal friction, which promises to make this transmission even more popular among traffic-weary city dwellers.

The Juke has also retained the option of a 4WD system with Nissan’;s proven torque vectoring system. This system constantly calculates power delivery to all 4 wheels to neutralise understeer and track the Juke on a more neutral path through fast corners. This system is further bolstered by the fitment of a multi-link rear suspension.

The Juke retains the unique driving control system in the Nissan I-CON system, which allows the driver to select and customise driving modes, with pre-set options for Normal, Sport and Eco driving. The 2WD Tekna model is also fitted with the new NissanConnect system, with 5.8″ touch screen and full smart phone integration.

Safety and security

• Juke introduces Nissan Safety Shield


• 6 airbags, VDC standard across the range


• Nissan DataDot, immobiliser and alarm standard

The Juke has carried a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating since its introduction, and Nissan has not compromised on its high level of safety specifications with the upgraded model, which includes front, side and curtain airbags and vehicle dynamic control (VDC) across the whole range. The entire Juke range is also fitted with electronic brake-force distribution, brake-assist and anti-lock braking (ABS).

The Juke is secured with a Nissan immobiliser, an alarm system and the Nissan DataDot identification system, which Nissan pioneered and which has now become a regulated fitment to all new vehicles sold in South Africa.

Adding to the long range of safety features is the Nissan Safety Shield. This system is fitted as part of the NissanConnect system on the 1.6 DIG-T 2WD Tekna model and offers Around View Monitor – a full bird’;s eye view on all sides of the vehicle thanks to 4 integrated cameras fitted in the nose, side mirrors and rear spoiler. Interestingly, the rear camera offers a 180 degree viewing angle and given its position on the luggage door can detect when the lens is dirty and clean itself.

The Safety Shield system is capable of detecting and warning the driver of moving objects around the vehicle whilst manoeuvring the vehicle at parking speeds. Once at cruising speed, the system shifts to provide lane departure and blind spot warning systems.

Standard features – New Juke line-up

“One could say that the Juke has not jumped to a higher vehicle segment, but rather has drawn from a higher segment to offer luxuries not common in the B-segment,” says von Vieregge about the increased specifications on all Juke models.

The Juke range now offers 6 models instead of 7, with the increase in specifications reflecting customer choice. This follows a report from Nissan Global that more than 30% of Juke sales were for highly specified range topping models, an uncommon phenomenon among B-segment vehicles and proof of the unique appeal of the Juke among trendsetters and performance enthusiasts.

The Juke range is available in Acenta, Acenta+, Tekna and Tekna with sunroof and NissanConnect options.

Acenta

The Juke 1.2 DIG-T Acenta offers the following specifications as standard:

• Rear privacy glass


• Front and rear fog lights


• 16″ steel wheels with wheel covers


• Leather clad steering wheel with speed sensitive power assistance


• Front and rear electric windows


• Cruise control


• Nissan Integrated Control System (I-CON) with vehicle control settings


• Bluetooth connectivity


• LED daytime running lights


• Six airbags


• VDC, ABS, EBD


• Isofix baby seat anchoring system


• Remote keyless access and central locking

Acenta+

The Acenta+ grade is available on the 1,2 DIG-T and 1.5 dCi Juke models. It adds the following key features:

• Rain-sensing wipers


• Keyless access with Start/Stop button


• Electronic folding mirrors


• 17″ alloy wheels


• 2-tone suede-like seat trim

Tekna

The 140 kW 1.6 DIG-T Juke is available in Tekna trim, with the following added features:

• Auto headlights


• Chrome tailpipe finisher


• 18″ alloy wheels


• Leather seats with front seat heaters


• 6 speakers

Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect

Nissan has added the following specifications on the Tekna grade for the 1.6 DIG-T 2WD model and 1.6 DIG-T XTronic 4WD models:

• Sunroof


• NissanConnect 5.8″ touch screen system with smart phone integration, Google Search, Google Voice Commands and Facebook integration


• Satellite navigation


• Nissan Safety Shield with 4 camera Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection


• Lane Change Assist


• Blind Spot Warning

Pricing, service plan and warranty information

All Juke models are sold with a 3-year / 90 000 kilometre service plan and a 3-year / 100 000 kilometre mechanical warranty.  Prices include VAT.

1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta                                                           R254 900

1.2 DIG-T Juke Acenta+                                                         R277 900

1.5 dCi Juke Acenta+                                                            R299 900

1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna                                                           R325 900

1.6 DIG-T Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect                       R354 900

1.6 DIG-T 4WD XTronic Juke Tekna with Sunroof and NissanConnect    R364 900

For more info on buying a vehicle also view:

Vehicle Finance, Car Insurance and Road Safety

Buying and Selling a Vehicle – Informed decisions and the Vehicle Retailer

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Nissan ready for round two with more in-your-face Juke

Vehicle evaluation: Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke is like Marmite: you either really like it or you loathe it, writes automobile reviewer Tim Barnes-Clay.

The Nissan Juke is definitely is a peculiar automobile.

At 1st glance, it doesn’t appear sturdy, but it is, and it doesn’t give the impression of being a comfortable auto, except it is.

As I create this I still cannot make a decision whether I like the Juke on not.

Lack of space

It’s entertaining to drive – primarily because it pulls away from a standing commence very easily, albeit in an edgy manner.

In contrast, I do not like the lack of load space because, as a parent of 3 tiny youngsters, I want a boot which is bigger than the Juke’s.

The auto is a hotchpotch all round truly.

It has a lumpy, but oddly sensible look and the 2-wheel-drive Tekna 1.2 DIG-T version I tested looked like a wasp with its yellow and black paintjob.

Madcap motor

It is a car I can think about a creative sort liking.

Indeed it could work for somebody with their own enterprise who desires a madcap motor to stand out from the crowd.

The Juke is also a handy vehicle to have about in your totally free time.

For instance, if you are into towing, the 1.2 petrol turbo powered motor I drove will manage to pull up to 1250kg.

4-wheel drive version

And there’s also a 4-wheel drive version offered which will, in wintery or muddy rural surroundings, give a lot of additional traction.

But, what ever the purpose for driving it, you will locate the Juke turns heads.

So what is the nutty Nissan all about?

Well, the idea is that it brings all the advantages of the well-known Qashqai into a much more compact package.

SUV appeal plus sports vehicle charm

It’s what’s recognized as a “Crossover” since the Japanese motor manufacturer has fused the rugged appeal of an SUV with the charm of a sports car.

And there’s no denying the Juke injects some dynamism into the tiny vehicle segment, offering an option to the traditional, humdrum hatchback.

Standard equipment on all models contains LED daytime operating lamps, CD radio with an AUX-In socket, gearshift indicator to promote a much more efficient driving style and tyre pressure monitor.

Behind the wheel, you are greeted with the Nissan Dynamic Manage Method.

-62mph in 8.8 seconds

This is a central command and display module that enables you to alter the drive settings as nicely as control functions such as climate manage.

Moreover, the tech adopts diverse displays, colours and functions depending on the mode selected.

It all adds to the fun of being behind the wheel of this maverick motor.

With 108 horses below the bonnet, the Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual model will do -62mph in 10.8 seconds and has a best speed of 111mph.

It feels a lot more rapidly than the black and white figures recommend, and you can tell Nissan meant this automobile to have a sporting character.

50.4mpg

At occasions it does feel slightly skittish but that just adds to the entertainment.

On leading of that, the petrol turbo unit officially returns up to 50.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The Juke is manufactured alongside the Qashqai and Note at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Sunderland.

The Nissan Juke Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual will set you back £17,670 on the road.

Pros & cons

• Quirky √


• Nippy √


• Kit √


• Divisive looks X


• Load space X

Fast information

• Max speed: 111 mph


• -62 mph: 10.8 secs


• Combined mpg: 50.4


• Engine: 1197cc 4 cylinder 16v petrol turbo


• Max. energy (bhp): 113 at 4500 rpm


• Max. torque (lb/ft): 140 at 2000 rpm


• Max. towing weight (braked) 1250 kg


• CO2: 129 g/km


• Cost: £17,670 on the road

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Vehicle evaluation: Nissan Juke

Overkill Central: Nissan GTR with Metal Engraved Paint

At the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon this previous week, KUHL Racing unveiled very possibly the most overkill tuning job on a Nissan GTR we’ve ever seen. Behold the metallic finish by Artis, named the “3D Ultimate Engraving Metal Paint.” All totally hand grave, we really feel bad for whoever had to do all this custom function to ruin an remarkable sports automobile. At times folks have also a lot cash, and not only is the metal engraved car hideous, they had to add on an Aero Monster wide physique kit by Enjoy Lark in the procedure. At least we can say it received a decent functionality boost with tuning by Blitz and a good set of Operate rims to round out the project.

Nissan GTR with Metal Engraved Paint

Overkill Central: Nissan GTR with Metal Engraved Paint

Vehicle review: Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke is like Marmite: you either adore it or you loathe it, writes automobile reviewer Tim Barnes-Clay.

The Nissan Juke is certainly is a peculiar car.

At first glance, it doesn’t appear sturdy, but it is, and it doesn’t give the impression of getting a comfortable car, except it is.

As I create this I still cannot determine whether or not I like the Juke on not.

Lack of space

It’s entertaining to drive – mostly since it pulls away from a standing commence effortlessly, albeit in an edgy manner.

In contrast, I do not like the lack of load space because, as a parent of 3 small youngsters, I require a boot which is bigger than the Juke’s.

The car is a hotchpotch all round actually.

It has a lumpy, but oddly wise look and the 2-wheel-drive Tekna 1.2 DIG-T version I tested looked like a wasp with its yellow and black paintjob.

Madcap motor

It is a vehicle I can imagine a creative sort liking.

Indeed it could work for someone with their own organization who wants a madcap motor to stand out from the crowd.

The Juke is also a handy car to have around in your totally free time.

For instance, if you are into towing, the 1.2 petrol turbo powered motor I drove will manage to pull up to 1250kg.

4-wheel drive version

And there’s also a 4-wheel drive version obtainable which will, in wintery or muddy rural surroundings, give plenty of added traction.

But, whatever the reason for driving it, you will discover the Juke turns heads.

So what is the nutty Nissan all about?

Well, the idea is that it brings all the benefits of the well-liked Qashqai into a much more compact package.

SUV appeal plus sports vehicle charm

It is what’s recognized as a “Crossover” due to the fact the Japanese motor manufacturer has fused the rugged appeal of an SUV with the charm of a sports car.

And there’s no denying the Juke injects some dynamism into the modest car segment, offering an option to the standard, humdrum hatchback.

Common equipment on all models contains LED daytime operating lamps, CD radio with an AUX-In socket, gearshift indicator to market a more efficient driving style and tyre stress monitor.

Behind the wheel, you are greeted with the Nissan Dynamic Manage System.

-62mph in 10.8 seconds

This is a central command and display module that enables you to alter the drive settings as well as control functions such as climate control.

Furthermore, the tech adopts distinct displays, colours and functions based on the mode chosen.

It all adds to the enjoyable of getting behind the wheel of this maverick motor.

With 108 horses beneath the bonnet, the Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual model will do -62mph in 10.8 seconds and has a best speed of 111mph.

It feels much more quickly than the black and white figures recommend, and you can inform Nissan meant this automobile to have a sporting character.

50.4mpg

At times it does feel slightly skittish but that just adds to the entertainment.

On best of that, the petrol turbo unit officially returns up to 50.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

The Juke is manufactured alongside the Qashqai and Note at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Sunderland.

The Nissan Juke Tekna 1.2 DIG-T manual will set you back £17,670 on the road.

Pros & cons

• Quirky √


• Nippy √


• Kit √


• Divisive looks X


• Load space X

Quick details

• Max speed: 111 mph


• -62 mph: 8.8 secs


• Combined mpg: 50.4


• Engine: 1197cc 4 cylinder 16v petrol turbo


• Max. power (bhp): 113 at 4500 rpm


• Max. torque (lb/ft): 140 at 2000 rpm


• Max. towing weight (braked) 1250 kg


• CO2: 129 g/km


• Value: £17,670 on the road

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Vehicle review: Nissan Juke

2015 Nissan Murano Initial Drive: Bold Style with Substance

Very first Drive Assessment

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Nissan’;s new crossover resonates with us.

When Nissan showed its bold Resonance concept at the 2013 Detroit auto show, there was no query that the car forecast the third-generation Murano. That automobile is now right here, appearing in production metal and plastic with most of the show car’s intent intact. Nissan execs are proud of their new “flagship crossover,” as they contact the 2015 Murano, throwing about additional clichés like “concept vehicle for the street” and speaking about how a lot the interior resembles a “lounge on wheels.” Which is by an appropriate measure significantly less temerarious than the concept’s press release, which proclaimed that designers had drawn inspiration from “the futuristic allure of hypersonic travel.”

Alas, travel in the new Murano is slower—and decidedly familiar. Nissan’s 2-decades-old VQ engine drives the wheels through a continuously variable transmission, just like each and every Murano to come ahead of. Displacement remains at 3.5 liters, as does the Murano’s 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Whilst we retain a fondness for the naturally aspirated VQ, in this era of ubiquitous turbocharging and rampant power escalation, 260 horses no longer seems like a lot. It is enough, nevertheless, to adequately motivate the Murano, at least for these drivers looking to basically get from A to B. The transmission remains the weak link for enthusiasts, despite the fact that the Xtronic CVT now has a manual shift mode that imitates a standard automatic. We may possibly locate this more rewarding if the Murano offered shift paddles instead of requiring the driver to tug at the console-mounted shifter.

With its sheetmetal curving differently for 2015, the Murano’s dimensions and priorities have shifted a bit. While the wheelbase remains unchanged at 111.2 inches, length increases by 2.9 inches to 192.8. Cargo capacity benefits, growing to 39.6 cubic feet. The Murano is also wider and lower, losing some ground clearance and seeing its angle of strategy reduce by more than half. Nissan has ultimately come to the clear conclusion that off-road capacity has dropped beneath even AM radio on crossover buyers’ lists of should-have characteristics. Predictably then, the Murano no longer involves a locking mode for its front-wheel-biased all-wheel-drive program, or even a torque-split show like the one integrated in the Pathfinder.

It is on the Edge . . . of Styling

For the very first time because its original launch 12 years ago, nevertheless, the Murano is on the cutting edge of styling. Oddly adequate, it most resembles the fundamental design of the BMW i3, even though larger and a lot more totally realized. So the Murano is not precisely attractive, but it is various. Sculpted sides and taillights that resemble boomerangs give it an athleticism that is somewhat at odds with a bulbous front finish. The “floating roof” from the concept is executed by signifies of several black plastic exterior trim pieces that appear like a triumph of kind more than function. But Nissan has managed to drop the Murano’s claimed coefficient of drag from .37 to .31, in part by designing the hood such that it kicks up at its trailing edge, thereby routing air smoothly up more than the roof.

We noticed this simply because the lip sits so far forward of the windshield that the cowl is massive, which looks rather strange from the driver’s seat. So function clearly had its spot at the table the Murano’s EPA combined fuel-economy rating sees a dramatic improvement from 20 mpg to 24 regardless of the quantity of driven wheels. This reflects a clear corporate commitment to boosting mileage. Nissan had the biggest improvement in typical fuel economy of any carmaker from 2012 to 2013, according to a current EPA report.

Like other Nissans, the new Murano has also slimmed down, to an typical stated weight of less than 3900 pounds. The 4 trim levels (the familiar S, SV, SL, and a new Platinum designation that replaces the old leading-of-the-line LE) are each and every offered with either front- or all-wheel drive listed weights range from as little as 33 pounds lighter for the base model to as significantly as 146 pounds lighter for the 4-wheel-drive SL.

Significantly less for The Jetsons than It Seems

From behind the wheel, the Murano appears less of a futuristic notion than just a genuinely nice Nissan. The switchgear is common Nissan stuff, and the “NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats” from its Altima platform-mate are now standard on the Murano, both in the front and second row. Even though they may possibly not rank with Tang and Velcro, they are indeed comfy.

The interior is trimmed with unapologetically plastic accents in a single of 2 patterns that are tied to the interior colour option. One particular resembles nothing at all so much as modern bathroom tile, while the other appears similar to the silver wood that graces particular Mercedes-Benz S-classes. Novel, yes, but both finishes are far a lot more convincing and aesthetically pleasing than the fake carbon fiber or metal-appear plastic that many automakers use to connote upmarket aspirations.

Acoustic laminated glass and plenty of sound deadening contribute to a quiet cabin, 1 that is mostly free of road noise. To the average purchaser, this is exactly where the new Murano tends to make its ideal justification as a premium item. An upgraded infotainment method with smartphone integration and new safety technologies like emergency braking and a sonar-primarily based frontal-crash warning technique tick all-essential boxes on the attributes sheet.

The Murano is priced appropriate on leading of its bigger, 3-row Pathfinder sibling, beginning at $ 30,445, with a leading-of-the-heap Platinum grazing the $ 40,000 mark. All-wheel-drive models command $ 1600 much more. Nissan would have us think that all that design and style is worth the money we might posit that the Murano’s superior driving dynamics are far more deserving of your tough-earned dollars. We are impressed with the nicely weighted steering, the well-damped suspension, and the firm brake pedal. Just as its predecessor, the new Murano does a good job of toeing that fine line in between isolating and involving. Now that is a notion that truly resonates.

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2015 Nissan Murano Initial Drive: Bold Style with Substance

LeMons Houston Car Inspections: Outstanding Quantities of Nissan Zs, Mustangs, plus Cookie Monster Warlord

The 24 Hours of LeMons Traveling Circus has been coming to MSR Houston since way back in 2008, when the 10th-ever LeMons race took place here. The LeMons Supreme Court inspected about 80 vehicles today, which meant— because this is Texas— something like a dozen apiece Fox Fords and Nissan Z Cars in addition to the usual assortment of weird machinery. Let’s see what we’ve got fixin’ to race on Saturday!

In honor of a beloved local creature, here’s the LeMons Supreme Court’s traditional BRIBED stencil for this race.

Speaking of generous bribes for the LeMons Supreme Court, what’s going on here?

As is always the case when we come to Texas, we have tremendous quantities of Mustangs and Nissan Zs. We’ve got early Foxes, late Foxes, a Mustang II, 240s, 280s, 300s, the works.

This bunch of Ford Focus fanatics could have convinced us that they sold enough parts off their insurance-totaled SVT to make it a legitimate $ 500 car, but they neglected to bring any sort of paperwork documenting the cost of stuff bought and sold. Uh-oh!

Also not convincing the LeMons Supreme Court of his team’s budgetary bona fides was automotive writer (and member of the winning team at the third-ever LeMons race) Jack Baruth and his team’s very clean Porsche 944 Turbo.

Speaking of car journalists with Porsche 944s, Stef Schrader is back with her Porsche 944.

The electric-powered Datsun Fairlady of Hoonatic Racing made its LeMons debut 2 years ago, and it appears that a battery upgrade may push the one and only LeMons EV up to a never-before-achieved top speed of 60 mph.

Another car that made its LeMons debut in 2012 was the Ratsun Racing Datsun 210ZX. 3 races later, this car has a KA24 engine swap, but has a total of 13 laps finished in its LeMons racing career. Class C, again!

Inspired by the famous Jihadist Cookie Monster Toyota painting, TARP Racing created the Cookie Monster Warlord BMW E36.

What makes a Porsche 914 slightly less reliable?

A Subaru 2.5 engine swap, of course! With automatic transmission, the LeMons Supreme Court felt compelled to put this car in Class C.

All the way from Vermont, the Bert One Racing Volvo 262C Bertone has come to Texas to pursue the elusive goal of an overall LeMons win.

This chop-top Volkswagen Transporter had some innovative features, but wasn’t quite ready to pass the tech inspection on its first try.

Once a few safety upgrades are completed, the center-drive VW Bus should hit the track on Saturday.

While all that was going on, the guys from Street Outlaws showed up with their “Pee On Neon” race car, complete with roof-mounted urinating mannequin. Will they do better in LeMons than Freiberger and Finnegan did with their ’73 Plymouth Fury? We’ll find out tomorrow!

LeMons Houston Car Inspections: Outstanding Quantities of Nissan Zs, Mustangs, plus Cookie Monster Warlord