2013 Nissan 370Z

 

                      2013 Nissan 370Z 

 

The faceliftNissan 370Z will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show later in the year. Along with the 370Z Nissan will also be unveiling the TeRRA crossover concept, the new Juke NISMO, the Micra Elle special edition and the Qashqai 360. The Nissan 370Z is the 6th generation of the Z-line of sportscars from Nissan and succeeds the 350Z. In India the 370Z was launched in 2009 and while the facelifted 370Z would be launched in Europe in November this year, we hope the manufacturer will launch it in India in 2013.

Design and Interiors

The facelift version includes changes to the front end which gets a new restyled bumper that includes vertical daytime running LED’s on either side with a distinct rounded air intake. The 370Z gets new colour options and new design for alloy (option between 18 and 19inch) wheels. The brake callipers are finished in red and customers can also opt for two new colours: Magma Red and Midnight Blue.
The rest of the 370Z remains the same with the boomerang headlights, a long bonnet mad low roofline. There are typical sportscar design elements like muscular fenders which add character to the 370Z.
No changes have been made to the dashboard which looks stylish with a fluid looking 3 pod instrument cluster and gear knob. Like the car, the cabin is driver focused and the steering wheels has the ‘Z’ sign in the middle. The seating position is spot on and space for front passengers is good.

Engine and Performance

No changes have been made to the engine and neither have any tweaks been made to it. The 370Z uses the same 3.7-litre, V6 engine with 24-valve that produces 332PS@7000 rpm and max torque of 363Nm@5200rpm. Acceleration to 100kmph takes 5.3 seconds and the 370Z comes with both manual and automatic transmissions (SynchroRev auto gearbox automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the exact speed of the next gear position). Nissan however is working on a more powerful 4 cylinder turbo engine that will come in the next 370Z.

Ride

The Nissan 370Z has a front engine layout but despite that it handles brilliantly. There is a lot of grip and no matter how harsh you are with it around corners, she inspires confidence. For a sportscar the ride quality isn’t bad either too.

 

Read More

2013 Nissan Invitation

 

                   2013 Nissan Invitation

 

Nissan has unveiled the Nissan Invitation concept that will be on display at the Geneva Motor show. Speaking at the unveiling, François Bancon, deputy division general manager of product strategy and product planning division said, ’The name we have given to this concept is self-explanatory… the key benefit of this compact car is to be inviting.’ ’It is inviting thanks to its sensuous exterior design and generous and comfortable interior space, cleverly packaged within compact overall dimensions. It is Nissan’s invitation to buyers in the compact hatchback segment.’ The Invitation concept is expected to be launched in Europe in 2013 and in the Asian markets the following year. When launched, the Invitation will take on the Ford Fiesta hatch, the Hyundai i20 and Volkswagen Polo.

Design

Depending on how close the production model will be to the concept that will be on display at Geneva, the Invitation’s styling has fluid and nicely sculptured lines and the swept-back headlamps with LED look stunning. Compared to the Micra, the Invitation concept in on the other end of the design spectrum. The large hexagonal mesh grille adds character and so does the panoramic windscreen. On the bumper is a rectangular air dam and the front looks sporty and aggressive at the same time with the LED’s on the bumper. From the side the hatch looks equally attractive with sharp lines running across it and Nissan calls one of the side profile lines as the “Squash Line”.

Interiors

Nissan with the Invitation is aiming to combine a cute looking compact and agile hatchback with the cabin space of a mini SUV. According to the manufacturer the Invitation has “a refreshingly open cabin” and has an equipment list which will set a new benchmark in the segment like the Around View Monitor system which uses four cameras to provide a ‘helicopter view’ for reversing and parallel parking. Then there is also the Safety Shield system from Nissan which interacts with the driver to keep him aware of what is happening around the car.
The dashboard has a sporty layout with futuristic styling elements. It however remains to be seen how many of these would be actually carried over to the actual production vehicle. There is a riot of colours inside the cabin and there is also an infotainment screen.

Engine

On the Invitation Nissan is promising an ultra-frugal motor which could be the supercharged 1-litre engine used on the Micra in some markets. Nissan however hasn’t disclosed any details on the powerplants so we would have to wait for the Geneva Motor show to get more clarity.

 

Read More

2012 Nissan Extrem

 

                     2012 Nissan Extrem

 

Nissan’s most important revelation at the recently concluded Sao Paulo Motor Show was the Extrem SUV concept. This mini SUV is aimed at the youth with stress on design and affordability and though the manufacturer hasn’t yet given a date on when the production version of the Extrem will be launched, this vehicle has been a result of the work between North and South American offices of Nissan. The Extreme, like many other cars on display at Sao Paulo has been engineered specifically keeping in mind the Brazilian market and if at all it does make it into production, launch in India isn’t ruled out. The concept is targeted at other mini SUV’s like the Ford Ecosport, the Hyundai ix20 and the Volkswagen Taigun which was also on display at Sao Paulo. Commenting on the Extrem, Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Nissan automobile said, “EXTREM, with a dynamic, high-character design, is far from conservative. It was created to appeal to the country’s growing band of city-based young professionals who are passionate about design and want to make a personal statement. The lightweight two-door 2+2, has a dynamic stance, fresh surfacing, and a clear rugged ability to tackle the urban jungle every day.”

Design and Interiors

The Extrem crossover was designed in San Diego in the US and the 2 door concept version seats four. The front and rear has a wraparound glass and the floating roof gives is a dynamic look. The headlights are stylish and have daytime running lights and in the ‘Solar Cortex’ colour the Extreme is a serious head turner. The roof has a matte finish and the 19-inch alloy wheels are unique too. The overall look is sporty with roof rails and an aluminium skid plate. The designers claim the car to have a look of an “urban rally car” and the styling fits a car which can be used both in the city and for the outdoors as well. The ground clearance is high and the designers claim that the SUV depicts the ‘vibrancy’ of Brazil. There is a bit of the GT-R and the 370Z in its styling
The cabin has an airy feel to it and the mini SUV is 3850mm long with a wheelbase of 2450mm.

Engine and Performance

The production variant of the Extrem is expected to share its drivetrain with the Juke. The 1.6-litre petrol develops 115PS while the 1.5-litre diesel produces 110PS.

Ride

The Extrem will use Nissan’s V-platform like and will come in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive variants. This is the same platform which is used also on the Juke and on theMicra hatch.

 

Read More

2012 Nissan Leaf

 

                           2012 Nissan Leaf 

 

The wind blew toward the electric vehicles at the Auto Expo. Nissan leaf, Nissan’s “Zero Emissions” hatch was launched in 2009 and with the all-electric Leaf, Nissan is promising "the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car." Alongside the Leaf the Nissan GT-R was also on display and Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice-President, Nissan Motor said, “We want to show India the depth of Nissan’s global offering. Although neither the Leaf nor the GT-R is currently available in the country, we feel the chance to see two of the most remarkable cars on sale anywhere in the world is something visitors will not want to miss.” Whether the Leaf will ever make it into India is all together another matter. “As to whether Leaf and/or GT-R will ever be sold in India all I can say is that we are constantly evaluating and re-evaluating marketing plans. What I can confirm is that we are committed to launching a growing range of innovative and exciting models in India over the coming months and years – there is a lot more to come from Nissan,” added Normand.

Design

The all-electric four-door hatchback has a strong stance with the16 inch alloy wheels and LED headlamps. The styling isn’t particularly great but the Leaf is aerodynamic to look at and the headlamps blend into the raked front. At the front you notice the sharp, upright V-shaped design and the split headlamps redirect airflow away from the door mirrors reducing wind noise and drag.

Interiors

The cabin is aesthetically designed and is airy and pleasant. The Leaf’s space utilisation is good with the battery pack located under the floor beneath the seats. This results in particularly roomy rear seats which provide space for two adults. Headroom for both the front and rear passengers is good and while the cargo area is on the smaller side for a hatchback, even after folding the rear seats, the cargo floor is not flat.
Dominating the cabin is the split instrument cluster and the centre control panel features a touchscreen which has the navigation system and also displays cruising range and energy efficiency readouts. Interior quality and overall fit and finish is reasonably good but there are some plastic bits that look cheap. The steering wheel is adjustable only for height and the Leaf comes with a start- stop button.
Other features include heated exterior mirrors, a battery heater, keyless ignition, cruise control, automatic climate control, height-adjustable driver seat, a heated steering wheel and heated front and rear seats. The cloth upholstery is made from recycled materials and the hatch also has an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, a 6 speaker CD player with an iPod/USB audio interface, rearview camera.
The Nissan Leaf also uses an exclusive advanced IT system which is connected to a global data centre and can provide support, information, and entertainment for driver around the clock. Another impressive feature is the ability to use your mobile phones to turn on air-conditioning even when Nissan LEAF is powered down.

Engine and performance

The Leaf hatch has a unique platform that uses a 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack as well as an electric motor with 107PS and 523Nm of torque. Nissan claims that its hatch is capable of going up to 160kms between charges and it takes an 80-percent charge in about 25 minutes. The Leaf has a claimed 100kmph acceleration timing of 12seconds with a top speed limited to nearly 150kmph. The Nissan Leaf is a silent cruiser with only a vague whine detectable under heavy throttle. There is abundant torque available and the acceleration is brisk.

Ride

The Leaf drives like a conventional hatch and while it isn’t as sharp handling as the Maruti Suzuki Swift or even the Volkswagen Polo, it is agile, rides well, and has reasonably direct steering. The steering however is a bit too light but around corners the body control is impressive but when really pushed over a bumpy corner, the Leaf does get unsettled. The Nissan Leaf comes standard with ABS, traction control and front side airbags and side curtain airbags.

Verdict

That Nissan is serious about India, is question about. “Our progress in India has been exceptional. An impressive rise in sales, award-winning quality from locally-built products, and an expanding range of innovative cars from a growing dealer network underlines the strategic importance of India to Nissan’s future growth plans,” said Gilles Normand, Corporate Vice-President, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. The Japanese manufacturer is rapidly building its dealer presence in the country and at the end of 2011 there were 50 outlets. That figure will be doubled by the end of 2012 and Nissan’s target is for 150 outlets by 2015. The Leaf is the first full-electric vehicle to be marketed to American buyers and though there is no confirmation weather it will at all make it into India, the Leaf does tick most boxes. The hatch has a spacious and airy cabin which comfortably seats four adults. The acceleration is peppy and the engine noise is low. Questionable plastic quality of the interiors and lack of boot space are its drawbacks but the Leaf rides and handles like a regular hatch.

 

Read More

2009 Nissan 370 Z

 

                       2009 Nissan 370 Z

 

The ‘Lost city of Z’ is a book about a British explorer in the Brazilian Amazon in search for the city of Z which he believes existed before the continent was colonized. So rich was this city in the heart of the jungle that it was wealthier than any city in Europe. Ultimately the explorer paid with his life for his obsession and the legend of the city still remains shrouded in myth. Passion knows no end and it drove the explorer to the brink of madness much in the same way sportscar enthusiasts are driven to madness by the name of ‘Z’. Referring to course to the Nissan 370Z. The latest variant of this sports car was launched in 2009 and it competes with the Audi TT, BMW Z4 and Porsche Cayman. In India the Nissan 370Z is available in both manual and automatic transmissions but is this Japanese coupe ready to take the fight to the Germans?

Design

The 370Z is similar to look like its predecessor. The most evident exterior change are the head lights which look like boomerangs. The 370 Z also comes with a High Intensity Discharge (HID) and bi-functional xenon headlights. The Z’s wheelbase is nearly four inches shorter than the model it replaces which is achieved by moving the rear wheels forward in the 2nd generation FM platform. Nissan has also increased the overall width by 1.3 inches and overall height is reduced by 0.3 inches giving the 370Z a much more aggressive stance.
The 370Z keeps all of the signature elements of this sportscar like the long nose, canopy cockpit and the muscular fenders. The broad-shouldered rear shape is highlighted by the boomerang taillights and wide flared rear fenders. The 370Z is a sleek silhouette like its rivals but looks the most aggressive in its class. The Japanese coupe looks very aggressive and sporty but Porsche Cayman looks more exclusive.

Interior

The dashboard layout of the 370Z is more futuristic than its competitors and design elements like air vents, instrument cluster and the gear knob are all designed with a fluid shape to match with the overall design. Unlike its competitor the gauges are attached to the steering wheel which allows the driver to choose between the perfect steering position and visibility. The instrument panel retains the traditional 3-pod cluster layout with the oil temperature, voltmeter and clock. The leather wrapped steering wheel of the 370 Z it new and we like the Z sign from the middle. Its rivals come with their manufacturer logo at the centre.
What we like about the Z are its driver focused details and it features an improved frame for the seats that helps them to grip the driver better during cornering. The door armrests offer extra support while cornering but it’s only the front seats that are available on the 370Z and there is relatively little cargo space compared to its competitors. The 370Z however is more spacious than cars in its segment.
The seats offer higher level of comfort than most sports cars and the Porsche Cayman and Audi TT don’t have electrically adjustable seats and cruise control as standard. Interior packaging is enhanced from the previous generation including the removal of the rear strut brace (replaced with less intrusive structural reinforcements) and by adding a new "shelf" area behind the seats. There is also a new locking glove compartment.
The 370Z Touring model has 4-way power adjustable heated synthetic suede and leather sport seats with adjustable lumbar support, 6CD Bose audio system and Bluetooth Phone System. You also get safety features like “Safety Shield”, ABS with EBD, Bi-Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, LED high-mounted stop lamp and Dual front, side and curtain SRS airbags. Optional features include Navigation Package includes like the touch-screen Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System and a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and Interface System for iPod.

Engine

The Nissan 370 Z is powered by a 24-valve 3.7-litre petrol engine which has a maximum output of 332PS @ 7000 rpm and max torque of 363Nm comes in at 5200rpm. The power output is lesser than Audi TT RS but more than the Cayman and the Cayman being lighter achieves a better top speed. The Z reaches 100kmph in just 5.3 seconds which is slower than the Audi TT RS. The engine note unfortunately isn’t as strong as its competitors. The Nissan is available in both manual and automatic transmissions and its "SynchroRev Match" function in the transmission automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the exact speed of the next gear position. This improves vehicle balance and smoothness by reducing the typical "shock" when the clutch is engaged. The system can be deactivated with a button next and the SynchroRev Match system is offered as part of the optional Sport Package.

Drive

The Nissan 370Z provides good grip and it is easy to drive. The ride quality is agile and the car handles effortlessly. With its heavy front end because of the front engine layout the Z will not be able to match the mid-engine low weight dynamics of the Porsche Cayman. The coefficient of drag is 0.30 (0.29 with the Sport Package) is the same as the previous generation 350Z Coupe and the new Z maintains the previous generation’s zero front lift and zero rear lift with the rear spoiler and thanks to extensive aerodynamics efforts. The "inverse area" design on the front bumper smoothens the flow of air to the sides of the vehicle and the rear design maximizes the control of air flow from the roof to the rear hatch.
The front body torsion rigidity is improved and a new front suspension cradle is added to reduce front body lateral bending. Rear body rigidity is improved as well which increases overall solidity and handling capability.

Competition

Nissan 370 Z handles well, its design is muscular and its price is less compared to the Porsche Cayman or Audi TT RS. Porsche Cayman offers a better control thanks to its mid-engine design. The build quality of the Nissan can’t be compared with Audi, BMW or Porsche but the interior of the 370 Z looks more futuristic than its competitors. The boot space is also less than Cayman or TT RS and the TT offers the practicality of a 4 seater.

Verdict

The new Nissan 370 Z is much better than its predecessor and the Japanese manufacturer has made significant improvements in handling and drivability. The design keeps the aggressive style of its predecessor and the old engine is refined to be more powerful and smooth. A big advantage of the car is the long list of standard features and the relatively low price tag. The manual transmission variant is priced at Rs55,83,246 while the automatic version is priced at Rs56,85,199.

Quotes

Top Gear: “Which you are in the 370Z. That’s its real skill, flattering the driver, making you look better than you are. It’s still the hooligan it always has been - it’s just learned a few manners. Cheap at twice the price isn’t quite right, but it’s not far off. The Audi TT will still crush it in sales, but the 370Z is the better driver’s car.”
Edmunds: “On the road, the 2011 Nissan 370Z provides unrelenting grip and razor-sharp control, but it’s easy to drive and makes you feel like a better driver than you are. The ride quality impresses with its ability to be supple without compromising handling. The Sport package’s 19-inch wheel-and-tire combo can get awfully noisy, especially on concrete highway slabs. The Z’s big V6 provides formidable thrust when you jump on the throttle, but it’s equally mannered around town. Either transmission is a respectable choice.”

 

Read More