Live photos: 2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV

Nissan earlier this month revealed details for its new limited-production GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale in Japan early in February and is expected to arrive in the U.S. later this year. The SpecV is targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a street-legal vehicle. Today we have live photos of the car taken at a dealership in Nagoya, Japan. Based on the new ‘Series II’ GT-R, the SpecV model includes unique body, interior and performance equipment and modifications, raising the already potent supercar’s performance to even higher levels.
2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV

Nissan GT-R beats the Germans in residual value as well

It’s been well documented that the Nissan GT-R has what it takes to beat its German rivals when it comes to speed, be it in a straight line or at the track. Cars like the BMW M3, Audi RS4 and Porsche 911 Turbo all fall by the wayside time and time again whenever Nissan’s new supercar is thrown into a comparison. However, there is another important factor that sits in the mind of most car buyers that the GT-R is also a star at – residual value. Any prospective buyers of the GT-R now have another reason to brag over, with Britain’s CAP Monitor car valuation data provider predicting that the Nissan will be worth 84% of its new list price after 12 months or 10,000 miles.
Nissan GT-R in depth

Infiniti confirms new M, QX, and hybrid model

Early last year Nissan product boss Carlos Tavares revealed that he would like to see Infiniti’s lineup expand to “10 or so” nameplates in the next couple of years, and soon after this speculation about a new Q flagship sedan and super-sports car based on the Nissan GT-R platform quickly emerged. The word on the street however is that Infiniti’s future lineup will include new versions of the M sedan, QX SUV, and a petrol-electric hybrid model. Speaking with Automotive News, John Capps, the chairman of Infiniti’s National Dealer Advisory Board, revealed that he was looking forward to the new G37 Convertible in coming months, as well as a replacement for the M sedan and a new QX further down the track.
Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes

Nissan 370Z Roadster expected to make New York Auto Show debut

With the first trickle of 370Z Coupes starting to hit showrooms across the United States, Nissan has confirmed that the Roadster version of the car will make its world debut at April's New York Auto Show. Nissan chose to avoid this month’s Detroit Auto Show in an attempt to cut costs but the company has a tradition of making major reveals at the New York event and with the Roadster due to go on sale in the second half of the year the decision was an obvious one. The confirmation was first reported by Edmunds, which also claims that the car will stick with a conventional folding soft-top roof to keep weight down and set it apart from the more premium Infiniti G37 Convertible and its folding metal hard-top.
2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe

Alliance with Fiat won’t kill Chrysler’s plans with Nissan

Before Chrysler was ever involved in alliance talks with Fiat, the Auburn Hills carmaker was already tied with Nissan over several platform swapping and production sharing deals. Nissan has now confirmed that the proposed alliance between Chrysler and Fiat will not affect its ongoing relationship with the American carmaker, which includes future talks about other joint projects. Speaking with Automotive News, Nissan spokesman Simon Sproule said his company plans to continue the three projects it agreed to with Chrysler last year and stay in touch about possible future deals.
Dodge Trazo Concept

More details on U.S.-spec Nissan Cube

The second-generation Nissan Cube made its world debut last November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but specifications and information on the U.S. model were scant. New information has emerged shedding some light on what American buyers of the quirky hatch can expect, however, including power and pricing estimates. A punchy 122hp (91kW) 1.8L inline four-cylinder engine will power the Cube in the U.S., and can be paired with a choice of either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a six-speed manual.

Nissan explains 2010 model-year GT-R software update

In a bulletin sent out to dealers today, Nissan has explained a number of changes to be made to the GT-R gearbox management software that will go into immediate effect for all future models sold in North America. The changes have already been implemented for Japanese and European spec cars, and will be available to existing GT-R customers as a retrofit. The software update affects the way the vehicle launches from a standstill in two main ways. It increases the allowable rpm level beyond the current 2,000rpm limit when the VDC traction control system is switched on, but sadly it also decreases the maximum allowable rpm limit when the VDC is switched off.

Nissan developing system to prevent wrong-way driving

The incidence of drivers going the wrong way up expressway ramps in Japan is apparently high enough to merit a specific effort to combat its occurrence. Nissan is working on a system that combines GPS location, a map database and an advanced telematic computer system to warn drivers if they attempt to go the wrong way. Senior citizens are frequently at the wheel in such wrong-way accidents, and with Japan's ever-growing elder population, it's a forward-looking decision to begin the wrong-way prevention system, though it's burdened with the ungainly title of 'IT-Assisted Road Information System'. Other features of the new system being co-developed with West Nippon Expressway (West NEXCO), include systems to warn drivers of unintended speed changes on ramps and downhill stretches to help further reduce accidents and congestion.
Nissan IT-assisted Road Information System

Video: Third trailer for Fast and Furious 4 airs on Super Bowl Sunday

Paul Walker and Vin Diesel return for the fourth instalment of the Fast & Furious series and once again play characters caught up in the world of truck hijacking and stolen cars. The third official trailer for the upcoming movie has just been aired as a Super Bowl commercial. In it, we get a look at some of the new stars of the film, including a Subaru WRX STI, a Chevrolet Nova SS, a couple of Nissan Skylines and even a Buick Grand National. Of course, Paul Walker and Vin Diesel both return for the film as well as a couple of other characters from the first instalment.

2009 World and Performance Car of the Year finalists announced

Not to be outdone by the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards from last month’s Detroit Auto Show, the organizers of the New York Auto Show are heavily promoting their own World and Performance titles and today revealed the top ten finalists for each of the award categories. This is only the fourth time the awards have been run and just like last year and the ones that preceded it some of the choices for the finalists are a little dubious. To be eligible, a car has to be in production and sold in at least five countries and on two continents.
Corvette unleashes the mighty ZR1

Nissan to unveil Qazana crossover concept at Geneva Motor Show

Nissan last year announced that it would launch a new compact crossover model in 2010 to be manufactured at its Sunderland plant in the UK alongside the current Qashqai crossover. Along with the announcement, the carmaker also released a teaser sketch showing a rough outline of the upcoming crossover’s body. Now, just a month out from the Geneva Motor Show, Nissan has confirmed that it will unveil a new compact crossover concept. The show car will be called the Qazana and it is tipped to resemble a smaller version of the Qashqai.

Nissan to showcase production NV200 at Geneva Motor Show

Designed at Nissan’s European design studio in London, the NV200 was a striking van concept that made its debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Nissan now plans to show off the production version of the NV200 at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The new Nissan van is described as a light commercial vehicle that remains innovative and stylish. It is designed to offer practical commercial and family transportation, and features three-row seating and sliding doors for access to the rear. The interior can be configured differently to accommodate up to seven occupants and comes with plenty of innovative storage solutions.
Nissan NV200

Shadow Sports Design unveils aerodynamic-enhanced Nissan GT-R

With the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon now good and over, we now have all the details about the latest modifications prepared for Nissan’s popular GT-R like this latest kit from Shadow Sports Design. Decked out in red, the custom GT-R features a number of aerodynamic modifications designed to improve downforce and handling. At the front, the car features a new carbon-fiber front spoiler with integrated ducts to help cool the brakes. There is also a large carbon-fiber rear wing for added downforce on the rear axle, although the Nissan GT-R's already impressive aerodynamic ability will be hard to better. Additionally, Shadow Sports Design has developed a set of custom forged magnesium GT-R wheels in collaboration with renowned aftermarket wheels company Enkei.
Zele carbon kit for the Nissan GT-R

Nissan GT-R SpecV spotted in left-hand drive trim

Released just a few weeks ago, the Nissan GT-R SpecV promises to be an even more hardcore track-focused weapon than the original. Fans that had feared the SpecV might end up a JDM-only variant need fear no longer, as a left-hand drive model has been spotted in the wild, indicating foreign-market sales are at least being seriously considered. Captured from the frames of a Best Motoring DVD, the images reveal that LHD models will be headed to certain markets, though the U.S. isn't yet confirmed to be one of them.
2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV

Nissan confirms Infiniti QX56 and Nissan Quest, Armada to be phased out of U.S. production

Large SUVs and minivans have fallen on the hardest of times in the industry's late downturn, and casualties of the recession mount daily. Today's trio in triage are the Infiniti QX56, Nissan Quest and Nissan Armada. Nissan today confirmed in an email to Motor Trend that it would be bringing U.S. production of the three large vehicles to an end by 2010. The vehicles are currently built in the U.S. at the Canton, Mississippi plant. Future models of the QX56 and Quest will be built in Japan, but the Armada's future remains in doubt.
Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes