Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Sedan, Etc., Nissan, Design/Style
Nissan is busily putting the 2013 Altima prototype through its paces ahead of the vehicle’s debut later this year and spy photographers spotted the vehicle on public streets wearing a new vinyl wrap designed to obfuscate the model’s lines. Even so, we can clearly see a few more details about the upcoming sedan.
From the looks of things, the vehicle received more than a little inspiration from the Nissan Ellure Concept. With a contoured body line and headlights borrowed from the 370Z, the vehicle looks to have quite a bit more personality than in years past. Additionally, the same boomerang line found in the headlight housings also look to be transposed on to the vehicle’s C pillars and tail lamps, though the look isn’t as exaggerated as we saw on the Ellure.
The photogs also garnered a glimpse into the vehicle’s cabin, giving us the first look at the dash in the 2013 Altima. The sedan will likely come with the same intelligent key system found elsewhere in the Nissan line, and the center stack and steering wheel have seen some love as well. Word has it the Altima will debut with a new hybrid drivetrain that makes use of a an electric motor paired with a supercharged four-cylinder engine and a lithium-ion battery pack.
Nissan Altima prototype gives up more of the goods, including interior originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Motorsports, Podcasts, Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Honda, Jeep, Nissan, Fiat
Superbowl commercials, Fiat 500L preview, Honda loses Civic Hybrid lawsuit, driverless LeMons cars
Episode #268 of the Autoblog Podcast is here with Chris, Dan, and Zach. Topics include our favorite automotive Superbowl commercials, the pre-Geneva preview of the Fiat 500L, Honda losing a small-claims lawsuit over Civic Hybrid fuel economy numbers, and self-driving LeMons cars. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #268:
- Superbowl Ads
- Fiat 500L previewed
- Honda loses Civic Hybrid lawsuit
- Driverless cars in 24 hrs of LeMons
In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Jeep Compass Latitude
2012 Nissan Maxima
Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #268
Autoblog Podcast #268 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Nissan
Nissan will officially debut its 2013 370Z tomorrow at the Chicago Auto Show, and the changes fulfill the dictionary definition of “subtle.” The new 19-inch wheels and Euro-tuned shocks on models with the Sport Package are the big news, but details like vertical LEDs, 18-inch wheels on the non-Sport Z, two new colors and a red reflector out back add just enough signals to make a difference to model-year-conscious buyers.
The refreshed 2013 370Z will come in coupe, convertible and NISMO trims, with the latter iteration getting more speakers for its Bose audio system. Oddly, though, that same trim does not get some of the changes for the new model year, including the Euro-tuned shocks that will debut on the Sport Package.
The 3.7-liter V6 with 332 horsepower carries over, as does the same 3.7-liter with 350 horsepower in the NISMO, and the new Z goes on sale in June. Check out the press release after the jump, and stay tuned to get more images and info from our team at the Chicago Auto Show.
Continue reading 2013 Nissan 370Z goes evolution, not revolution
2013 Nissan 370Z goes evolution, not revolution originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Filed under: Motorsports, Nissan
Nissan doesn’t compete in Formula One. It doesn’t field a top-tier LMP1 team at Le Mans. It doesn’t race in NASCAR, IndyCar or the World Rally Championship. Yet the Japanese automaker doesn’t have to stretch all that far to make the association between its brand and racing. It does, after all, offer competition versions of its GT-R and 370Z for use in a number of sportscar racing series around the world. But where it really shines is in the LMP2 category.
Slotting just below LMP1s like the Audi R18, new Toyota TS030 and the lamentably departed Peugeot 908, LMP2 racers are purpose-built for endurance racing at Le Mans and related events, but tend to be fielded by privateer teams. And the vast majority of them opt for Nissan engines.
In fact, 11 out of the 18 LMP2 cars that will be on the grid at this year’s running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will powered by the 3.4-liter VK-series V8 engine which Nismo (the company’s motorsport division) developed specifically for this application. And in the broader FIA World Endurance Championship (running for the first time this year), six out of nine will be powered by Nissan – the rest using Honda, Judd or Lotus-prepared BMW engines.
With those kinds of odds, our money’s on Nissan taking the prize once again. Follow the jump for the press release.
Continue reading Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing
Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:01:00 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.
