Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan
The current Infiniti G has soldiered on since the 2009 model year with few updates, so it is about time for a design change. But how much longer do we have to wait? Inside Line reports that the new G will arrive next spring with a new design, fresh engines and a possible hybrid variant.
Nissan VP Andy Palmer reportedly let loose the G’s tight time line, while providing room for us to speculate what engineering changes could come with the redesign. The high-ranking executive told IL that the partnership between Nissan and Mercedes-Benz is progressing as planned, and we know that a four-cylinder engine is among the early collaborative endeavors. In fact, just last week Autocar reported that the next G will feature diesel and four-cylinder engines with Mercedes DNA.
Such a powerplant could replace the 2.5-liter V6 under the hood of the G25, and turbocharging could be on order as well. Palmer added that a turbocharged six could also be in the cards, noting that there is a business case for blown sixes that deliver V8 power with V6 fuel economy. Given that the entry Infiniti sedan doesn’t currently feature a V8 option, we’re all for more G-power for 2014.
The last interesting tidbit is the possibility of a G hybrid model. The addition of a battery-assisted G makes sense given that the automaker already features a hybrid option in its M sedan, and using the powertrain in more applications helps lower development costs.
Next Infiniti G to arrive in a year’s time originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Etc., Safety, Nissan
Cyber crime is big business these days, and everyone from organized crime rings to governments are participating. The latest publicized attack was announced by Nissan, after the automaker detected malicious malware on its computer network.
Nissan Vice President Andy Palmer issued a statement that the attack has been detected, adding that neither customer nor employee data was accessed. Palmer says that the incident “initially involved the malicious placement of malware within our IS network, which then allowed transfer from a data store, housing employee user account credentials.”
Palmer did say that employee user IDs and hashed passwords were transmitted. That certainly sounds bad, but Palmer claims that Nissan has no indication that personal information was compromised.
Palmer also added that the attack occurred on April 13, but the automaker apparently chose not to disclose the issue until the extent of the damage was known. Nissan has also reportedly taken the time to ensure that their system data was properly secured. Scroll down to view the video statement issued by Nissan.
Continue reading Nissan suffers major cyber attack [w/video]
Nissan suffers major cyber attack [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: BMW, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen
Forbes has measured the largest 100 companies in the world, and 10 automakers have made the list. This list is unique in that it measures the size of a company using a combination of sales, assets, profits and market value.
Volkswagen was rated as the top automaker in the top 100 (number 17 overall), with sales of $221 billion and $21.5 billion in profit. Toyota finished a close second, ranked number 25 overall with sales of $228.5 billion. Daimler finished at 37 due in part to $188.7 billion in assets and a $66.3 billion market cap. Ford came in at 44 with a market value of $47.5 billion. Honda, which also sells motorcycles and generators, among other things, rounds out the top five with $137.7 billion in assets.
Finishing outside of the top five were BMW (61), General Motors (63), Nissan (85), Mitsubishi (95) and Hyundai (96). Mitsubishi made the top 100 in part because it sells hoards of electronics around the world.
No automakers were able to crack the top 10, even with massive sales volume and solid profits. The top 10 was, however, dominated by the oil companies that feed those cars and trucks. Exxon finished number one, with five other oil companies in the top 12.
Automakers make up 10% of Forbes list of 100 largest companies originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Infiniti, Nissan, Electric
The all-electric Leaf hasn’t exactly set the sales charts ablaze since it hit the market, but it has succeeded in delivering a zero-emissions halo to the Nissan brand, and the model’s fortunes are poised to improve now that it’s a 50-state offering. What’s more, TheDetroitBureau.com reports that the electric love will soon migrate over to Nissan’s luxury marque, but with a lot of Leaf under some sexier sheetmetal.
We’ve heard rumors of an Infiniti-branded EV concept for some time now, but details on the electric concept car have been scarce to this point. Now, the automaker tells TDB that it will feature G-Series-inspired styling with a sprinkling of inspiration from the Emerg-E concept (pictured above). Infiniti wants to frame the unnamed concept as a luxury car first and EV second, with more performance and a larger battery pack than the Leaf’s 24 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion setup.
The concept will reportedly also utilize a 6kWh charger that will charge a spent battery in about half the time needed for the Leaf. The beefier charger is likely to make it to production, since the Leaf will reportedly get the 6kWh unit by December.
Nissan Leaf-based Infiniti concept car headed to New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Videos, Nissan
With the New York Auto Show one month away, ’tis the season to tease the next big thing. For Nissan, that “big thing” is the 2013 Altima. The Altima is by far Nissan’s best selling vehicle here in the U.S., and the long-running sedan is in dire need for a fresh new face.
To tease the Altima, the creative types at Nissan decided to eschew the darkened or obscured photograph in favor of, well, a darkened and obscured video. Oh, and the video last all of eight seconds, and four of those ticks are reserved for the Nissan logo. The brief glimpse reveals a sky shot of the Altima that shows off some elegant curves and pronounced headlight fixtures.
The YouTube description adds that the new sedan boasts “a low, wide stance and sculpted profile that makes for quite a dynamic appearance.” That’s not a lot to go on, but Nissan hopes you’ll hit the jump and watch the video anyway.
Continue reading Nissan teases Altima ahead of New York debut
Nissan teases Altima ahead of New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Videos, BMW, Nissan
Okay, this is an easy one. If we told you to pick a performance winner between the Nissan GT-R and the BMW M5, we’re guessing the vast majority of you would pick Godzilla to come out on top. Both vehicles feature over 500 horsepower, but the BMW weighs over 400 pounds more, and the GT-R counters with one of the world’s most impressive all-wheel-drive systems.
That didn’t stop the Autocar team from pitting the M5 against the GT-R in a test of acceleration, cornering, braking, G-force and general feel. Given the GT-R’s 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds and its reputation for otherworldly handling, you know how this one is going to play out. But will the Nissan super coupe take all five tests? To be honest, a few of the tests were a bit closer than we would have thought. Hit the jump to check it out.
Continue reading This is the difference between a sports sedan and the GT-R
This is the difference between a sports sedan and the GT-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Nissan
Nissan is partnering with the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) to create an all new Spec Z Series that promises low costs and performance parity. The single classification series will feature 350Z models from 2003 to 2008, and prizes that part-time track warriors can really get behind.
At the regional level, podium finishers can earn up to $850 in prize money. Further, Nissan will pony up $6,500 in cash support for top Spec Z finishers at the 2012 NASA Championships. Further support will come from BFGoodrich, which will be the control tire for the series and will back a contingency price program for Spec Z.
Hit the jump to read over the Nissan press release, which includes a link that will provide still more information on the Spec Z series.
Continue reading Nissan and NASA announce 350Z-based spec series
Nissan and NASA announce 350Z-based spec series originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Coupe, Safety, Videos, Nissan
Back on Thanksgiving Day of 2011, we saw what happens when a C5 Chevrolet Corvette goes head-to-head on public roads against a C6 Vette – the older Vette spears into the passenger-side door of the newer Vette. The video was our most popular post of 2011, so we know that well over a million viewers saw the ill-advised drag race. We think that video illustrated that racing on public roads was a bad idea, but sometimes, accidents happen even without a race.
Hit the jump to see what happens when a pair of tuned-out Nissan 350Z models do their best impression of the Thanksgiving Day Melee. The YouTube page claims that the two cars were actually traveling at the speed limit (read: not racing) as part of a caravan of Z models, when the black, supercharged Z coupe tapped its throttle and lost control, veering into the passing lane and right into the path of a Z roadster.
Still, the collision looks like déjà vu all over again, except the quick video is better this time and we actually hear the impact and see the parts flying all over the freeway. The accident reportedly didn’t result in any serious injuries.
Continue reading First it was Vette on Vette violence, now it’s Z on Z carnage
First it was Vette on Vette violence, now it’s Z on Z carnage originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Nissan
Enthusiasts looking to purchase a Nissan GT-R will need to dig deeper. Nissan has announced pricing for the 2013 model, which starts at $96,820, nearly $7,000 more than the 2012 car.
You may remember that the 2008 GT-R started under $70,000, so the sticker shock of a 38.6 percent price increase in six model years is not insignificant. That said, Nissan can counter that no supercar within $100,000 can touch the GT-R when it comes to performance bang for the buck.
Like we told you back in November, the 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V6 cranks out 545 horsepower and 463 pound-feet of torque for 2013, an increase of 15 hp and 15 lb-ft. The zero to 60 sprint takes a jaw-dropping 2.7 seconds, according to the automaker.
The GT-R Black Edition also returns with a starting MSRP of $106,320. It’s mainly unchanged for 2013 save for a new dry carbon fiber rear spoiler. Hit the jump to read over the Nissan press release.
Continue reading Nissan raises GT-R base price to $96,820 for 2013
Nissan raises GT-R base price to $96,820 for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, New York Auto Show, Crossover, Nissan
There is a lot to like about the Pathfinder Concept Nissan unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. The thinly disguised showcar foregoes the body-on-frame construction of the current Pathfinder for a weight savings of about 500 pounds. Nissan also promises fuel economy improvement of about 25 percent with the production model, which would be no small feat.
Motor Trend reports that Nissan has confirmed that the 2013 Pathfinder will feature a 3.5-liter V6. That makes sense considering the Pathfinder’s all-new sibling, the Infiniti JX35, will also feature the same V6. Nissan has yet to divulge any details about the Pathfinder mill, but we do know that the JX35 will boast 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.
Nissan has also apparently told MT that it has big plans for April’s New York Auto Show. Nissan will reportedly unveil a completely vehicle at the show that has never been seen by outsiders. Us? We’re not sure, but our best guess is it’ll be the 2013 Altima.
2013 Nissan Pathfinder engine confirmed, big deal debuting in Big Apple originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
