2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

Nissan will unveil a racing variant of the Leaf electric car at the 2011 New York Auto Show, but the Nissan Leaf NISMO RC has little in common with its more pedestrian "sibling." NISMO started with a lithium ion battery pack and badging from a stock Leaf, then built a completely new vehicle around it.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

Despite featuring the same electric underpinnings as the production LEAF which went on sale in the US, Europe and Japan in December, the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept – for ‘Racing Competition’ – is a genuine performance hatch. According to Nissan engineers, the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept has achieved 0-100km/h sprint times of 6.85 seconds in preliminary testing, making it faster than a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Its top speed is a less spritely but still impressive 150km/h.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept, the name that is written on its back panel just under the huge rear-wing. Its powertrain is 100% zero-emission Lithium-ion battery design, just like the one on the world’s first affordable mass market electric vehicle. Despite the lack of rear doors, rear seat, audio system, navigation, and other amenities, there is obvious family resemblance. But that’s where the similarities of the production Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC end.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

There are no rear doors; the carpeting, navigation and stereo system are gone; and the battery pack has been relocated to the middle of the vehicle for better weight distribution. Speaking of weight, the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept is about 40 percent lighter than the production Leaf, as a carbon fibre monocoque platform and more compact dimensions cut total weight to just 2,068 pounds. The race-ready Leaf is also a foot shorter and 6.7 inches wider, and with a scant 2.4 inches of ground clearance.

The 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept was created at the Nissan Global Design Centre in Japan and features removable front and rear sections, driver-adjustable rear wing, fixed windows, LED headlights, four-coat Pearl White paint, 18-inch six-spoke alloy wheels and Bridgestone racing tyres.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept designed as a true racing machine car, starting with its full carbon fiber. The three body parts includes removable front and rear, fixed windows, LED headlights and taillights and rear wing adjustable. Special paint pearl white coat with 4-blue Nismo / Zero Emission graphics complete the exterior. 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept, which the “RC” stands for Racing Competition – makes its world debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, built to deliver a new meaning to the term “Racing Green.”

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

Nissan says the NISMO RC will be used for demonstration purposes, so don't expect this Leaf to compete any time soon. The automaker does say, however, that it's considering a zero-emission spec series for the future. With an estimated run time of 20 minutes under racing conditions, the 30 minute quick-charge time (to achieve 80 percent capacity) would make for some leisurely pit stops. When the 2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept is in motion, its 80kW AC motor generates 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque; good enough for a 0-60 time of 6.85 seconds and a 150-kph top speed of 93 miles per hour. It is projected to have a running time of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.

2012 Nissan Sport Cars Nissan Leaf Nismo RC Concept

“Combining the talents of Nismo, Nissan’s world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company’s Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas in a statement. “Nissan LEAF owners are fully embracing this new world of zero emission technology. We believe the same potential exists in the motorsports world as well, with Nissan proud to be first on the starting grid.”

2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept

2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept

The ESFLOW concept cars will be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show (3-13 March) where it will share the Nissan stand with a number of other innovative and exciting newcomers - but with one major difference: these are production ready.

The 2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept isn’t scheduled to be unveiled until the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in just a couple of weeks. Nissan plans to reveal its new electric concept, called Esflow, at the Chicago Auto Show this year. The car will make its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show from March.

2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept

Nissan has a reputation for creating some of the most exhilarating sports cars on the market. Nissan has also developed the world's first practical Zero Emission family car, the Nissan LEAF. Now Nissan has put that expertise together. It has captured the excitement of a sports car and the environmental benefits of an electric vehicle and blended them into one dramatic two-seater concept: ESFLOW.

It may be a concept, but the Nissan ESFLOW electric sports cars proves it's possible to remain environmentally sympathetic without having to give up the joy of driving. It looks like a sports car, handles like a sports car and performs like one too. But Nissan ESFLOW Concept cars is different to every other sports car yet built: it's electric. Using technology pioneered in the award-winning Nissan LEAF, the EV concept shows that driving can still be as much fun tomorrow as it is today.

2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept

Ecological minimalism need not come at the expense of luxury. The cabin of the 2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept is clean and open and weight saving has been a priority throughout its design, but it is still a comfortable and pleasant place to sit. By far the heaviest components in modern cars' interiors are the steel framed, thickly upholstered and increasingly motorized seats. In 2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept the seats are sculpted into the rear bulkhead of the car, negating the need for a heavy frame. This of course means that they are immobile, but this is of no consequence as the fly-by-wire steering and pedals adjust electrically to the best spot to suit each individual driver's size and preferred driving position.

Nissan ESFLOW Concept is rear-wheel drive and it runs on two motors. The car's graceful proportions allow the twin electric motors to be placed above the axis of the rear wheels, in a mid-ship position,. These motors independently control the left and right wheels, and so the torque is optimized to ensure outstanding vehicle stability and control as well as efficient power regeneration. The motors produce enough torque in an instant for it to reach a 100kph in under 5 seconds.

2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept

Power for the motors comes from the same laminated lithium-ion battery packs used in the Nissan LEAF, but in ESFLOW the packs are located along the axis of the front and rear wheels. This centralizes the mass of the car, and thus its rotation point, close to the driver's hips. These cleverly positioned batteries enable the car to travel over 240km on one charge.

2011 Nissan Electric Sports Cars ESFLOW Concept

The colors of this Esflow are inspired from glaciers, with highly reflective blue-tinted solidified liquid shapes. Even if this concept will not hit the production line too soon, it could be a great source of inspiration for Nissan’s future sports cars.

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira

They have been teasing this car 2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira for a long time, but now just in time for 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon it is ready to be unveiled. This is one of the finest body kits we’ve seen for the mighty GT-R so far. We know that Japanese tuner’s Tommy Kaira finished the early stage of their Nissan GT-R plan for the launch at the 2010 Tokyo AutoSalon. This Kyoto based tuner, who is known to have  started out by modifying Mercedes car is now all focused on GT-R as it brings out the Silver Wolf Nissan GT-R from its stable.

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira

Called the Silver Wolf, this 2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira comes with a full body kit, plus new rolling stock, brakes, exhaust and suspension components. The carbon fiber widebody package gives the GT-R a serious attitude adjustment. Two kit choices are available, the first being a very comprehensive one while the second just works on the front end.

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira

With no change to GT-R’s twin-turbo V6 engine, 2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira has just got some fabulous interior work and upgraded breaks, exhaust and suspension systems. Carbon and red leather interior will give it’s driver a very luxuries feel while the carbon fiber widebody of the silver wolf still keep it  decent and stylish. Tommy Kaira has well managed to keep its name in the auto industry and it is expected that the Japanese icon will not compromise on the performance of their new GT-R project. So until there is some final testing on the Fuji Speedway, check out the greatest performance car more closely in the pictures below.

The 2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira full kit consists of, among others, a wet carbon front bumper, a front grille cover, lip spoiler, under diffuser, side ducts and side skirts. The rear also features wet carbon in the form of a racing diffuser, a rear wing and rear fender extensions. The AVS Model F15 Platinum black wheels are shod with Pirelli P-Zero 255/40R20 and 285/35R20 front and rear tyres respectively.

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R by Tommy Kaira

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1

Nissan Motorsports International announced that NISMO just signed the official partnership agreements for the FIA GT1 World Championship with Sumo Power GT (UK) and Swiss Racing Team (CH). Both teams will run two NISSAN GT-Rs respectively in the inaugural World Championship. Two teams for the FIA GT1 World Championship series in which the R35 GT-R will compete in 2010.

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1

The R35 Nissan GT-R will be raced by the Sumo Power GT team from the UK as well as the Swiss Racing Team. Further details, such as the driver lineup, will be released later on. NISMO will provide technical support to its new racing partners.

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1

The prospect of a new world championship, run under fresh regulations was appealing enough for Nissan Sports Cars to develop the highly acclaimed GT-R Sports Cars into a GT racer. It was going to be the first time since 1996 that the (Skyline) GT-R would compete in international GT events. While the FIA GT1 World Championship will not kick off until the spring of 2010, the cars built to the new regulations could already compete from 2009 onwards. Nissan Motorsport (Nismo) opted to use the extra year and worked had to get the new car ready for the official pre-season test at Paul Ricard.

The 2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1 is a rear-wheel drive GT1 racer and comes with a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter VK56DE V8 engine tuned to 600 hp and 650 Nm of torque. It is fitted with a 6-speed transmission from Ricardo by way of a carbon triple-plate clutch and grips the ground with 18-inch x 13-inch forged wheels by Rays.

Nissan’s participation in FIA GT1 racing has been in the works for some time. Last year it tested the 2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1 in several GT1 races. Now, they seem ready for the real competition.

To be eligible for the 2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1 World Championship a manufacturer has to field at least four cars. Gigawave was expected to continue with the GT-R but unexpectedly the team closed its shop late in 2009. At that point Nissan had already signed a deal with Swiss Racing Team for the other two cars. In January Nissan announced that Sumo Power GT would fill the void left by Gigawave.

2010 Nissan Sports Cars GT-R FIA GT1

At the same time Nissan released the first details of the 2010 version of the car. The specifications were left unaltered but numerous aero tweaks were made for improved performance. Drivers and other details will be announced at a later time.

2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid

2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid

2011 Nissan 370Z is a hybrid sports car, with a 3.7 liter engine performance and fuel economy to about 50%. 2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid is equipped with  interior features a very nice and will soon release in late 2010. For 2011, Nissan is taking a giant leap with the 370Z with the release version of a hybrid for both coupe and convertible stylings.

2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid

Z is still like a roadster. Puritans can not ignore, but the opening of Z is supported by an equally strong manual 3.7-liter V6 and six-speed gearbox or seven-speed automatic, like a coupe. suspension settings and the same increase in weight only 200 pounds to help roadster retains most of the quick reflexes and acceleration.

But 370Z coupe is not without flaws. V6, while strong, does not feel the sophistication and high-speed machines. This may be the reason, but significantly reduces the implementation races living on the open road, coupe is quite noisy, especially when equipped with larger wheels and tires are optional. In addition, performance cars such as the Z machine records verdien’n refreshing, and some protection against the motorway route will not run heavy throughout the roar.

The 2011 370Z from Nissan has the same 3.7-liter , V6 engine with 332 hp at 7,000 rpm, just like that of the previous model year. Optional manual transmission features six speeds, while the automatic transmission is a 7-speed with a manual shift assist.

2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid

Falling far short of the fuel efficiency figures for Nissan’s drawing board hybrid model, the 2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid reports 18 mpg in traffic and 25 mpg on the highway, manual or automatic alike. These high-performance vehicles use high-test fuel as well. The NISMO 370Z delivers an upgrade in power, with 350 hp and 270 pound feet of torque in a 3.7 liter V6.

The 2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid will not be sacrificing any of the previous power and performance to a new hybrid engine in accordance with the Nissan, but it remains to be seen how they will achieve it by using the same gasoline motor vehicle weight while improving significantly with lithium-ion battery and a second motor.

2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid

Nissan is offering three models of the 370Z convertible roadster: the standard entry level model, the Touring car, and the 370Z Touring with Sport Package option. The price range extends from $37, 520 to $43,890. The 370Z Coupe series features three model options plus the NISMO 370Z. The price span extends from $30,610 for the base model to $39,990 for the NISMO.

2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid

The interior of the 2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid is always wide enough for vehicles in its class, and the addition of a new battery for the car will hopefully not impact important features. Standard features for the Nissan 370Z interior will remain almost identical to those available in models 2010 and includes keyless ignition and entry, climate control, tilt steering wheel, and auto-dimming rearview mirror.

2011 Nissan Sports Cars 370Z Hybrid

America's Top 10 Selling Vehicles in 2010

The U.S. auto sales numbers for 2010 are out and once again, Ford's F-Series pickup truck has been crowned the best-selling vehicle of the year, a title which it has held for 34 years in a row. According to Autodata Corp., the Dearborn-based brand moved 528,349 units of its F-150 light-duty and F-250, F-350 and F-450 heavy-duty trucks in 2010, recording an impressive increase of 27,7 per cent over 2009.

The Chevrolet Silverado took second place with 370,135 units, or some 158,000 less than the F-Series. Sales of GM's pickup truck were up 16,9 per cent from the previous year.

Despite Toyota's recall debacle, the Camry finished third overall earning the title of the best-selling passenger car in the States with 327,804 units, posting an 8.1 per cent drop from 2009. The Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla followed in fourth and fifth positions respectively.

Overall, U.S. automakers had four vehicles on the Top 10 list, while Japanese carmakers took six spots. For more details check out the complete list below that includes percentage changes from 2009.

1. Ford F-Series------------- 528,349 (+27.7%)
2. Chevrolet Silverado ------370,135 (+16.9 %
3. Toyota Camry ------------327,804 (-8.1 %)
4. Honda Accord-------------282,530 (-1.7 %)
5. Toyota Corolla------------ 266,082 (-10.4 %)
6. Honda Civic---------------260,218 (+0.2 %)
7. Nissan Altima-------------229,263 (+12.6 %)
8. Ford Fusion---------------219,219 (+21.3 %)
9. Honda CR-V-------------- 203,714 (+6.5 %)
10. Dodge Ram-------------- 199,652 (+12.6 %)

Rising Gas Prices Might Affect Large SUV Sales and Trade-In Values

As crude oil reached $91 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange last week, U.S. gasoline prices started going up reaching an average value of $3.05 per gallon. That’s about half a dollar more than what Americans had to pay a year ago and the highest level since October 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Diesel prices have also increased to an average of $3.29 a gallon.

If the trend continues, we might see owners of large SUVs going for more fuel-efficient crossover models and trade-in values could plummet as well.

Alec Gutierrez, lead analyst for vehicle evaluation at Kelley Blue Book, said that large SUV sales could take a hit if the gallon reaches the $3.50 to $4 mark. However, since the last price spike registered in spring 2008, sales have only fallen about 1%, so this time around the “damage” shouldn’t be as big as two and a half years ago.

“If you see a 20-to-30 cent price increase per gallon over the course of a couple weeks then of course people are going to panic”, he said, “but if it increases steadily over time that gives the market a chance to react rationally”.

Nevertheless, many people could change their buying habits and opt for smaller SUVs and crossovers, such as the Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

“The American consumer still generally wants to have a vehicle that offers a lot of utility but at the same time they are conscious of the fuel economy that the vehicle offers and what they are going to pay at the end of the month”, Gutierrez commented.

Another side effect of the rising fuel prices could be the plummeting trade-in values. It happened in 2008 and it could happen once again, so many dealers are scaling back the number of large SUVs available for sale.

“SUVs are still important in this area, but people are downsizing to more fuel efficient SUVs instead”, said Dennis Egglefield, owner of Egglefield Ford in Elizabethtown, N.Y. But as gasoline prices rise, “we are still stocking with the idea that it may go either way. Hoping for the best, but prepared for anything”, he added.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Autonews

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Report: 20 Million Vehicles Recalled in 2010, Toyota Led the Way with 7.1 Million Recalls

Some 20 million vehicles were recalled in 2010, according to a study of preliminary federal data conducted by the Associated Press. It was the highest recall level in the U.S. since 2004, when a record number of 30.8 million vehicles were recalled.

Toyota led the way with around 7.1 million recalls to fix faulty gas pedals and floor mats that could trap the accelerator, as well as numerous other problems spanning from defective brakes to stalling engines. General Motors recalled about 4 million vehicles in 2010, while domestic rival Ford is said to have recalled 500,000 cars and trucks, and Chrysler approximately 1.5 million. Japan's Honda and Nissan are said to have both recalled over 2 million vehicles in 2010.

However, not all is bad, as Transportation Department spokeswoman Olivia Alair pointed out. "More and more recalls are being voluntarily initiated by automakers and we think that's a good sign," Alair said Wednesday. "Safety is NHTSA's first priority and improved cooperation from automakers will help resolve safety issues more quickly and comprehensively."

Wade Newton, a spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents companies such as General Motors, Toyota and Ford, said carmakers "are doing a better job of identifying and pinpointing safety-related issues and taking faster action," adding that safety advances in the latest generation of cars and trucks helped decline traffic deaths to the lowest level since 1950.

Source: Associated Press , Via: NPR