Birchwood Nissan Blog

From: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/reviews/nissan-sports-coupe-steps-out-in-style/article1616711/

Of all the car manufacturers in the world, Nissan must surely have the most uneven record when it comes to styling.

Over the years, it has produced some of most bizarrely fashioned cars ever to put rubber to pavement. Who could forget the hideous Pulsar manufactured in the 1970s-’80s, or the grotesque F-10? Even today, some of the cars coming from Nissan’s design studios are really hard on the eyes – the waiting-in-the-wings Juke, for example, and the Cube Krom are over the top when it comes to visuals. Not to mention the latest version of the Murano, which is as ugly as a mud fence.

On the other hand, this company is also capable of delivering some exquisitely attractive models. The Infiniti G37 Coupe gets my vote as one of the most beautiful cars on the road these days. The 370Z ain’t no slouch either, when it comes to eye candy.

And nor is the Altima Coupe, first unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show in 2006, and put on the market in 2008. From just about every angle, this is a pretty car, and although it may resemble the G37 two-door, it has virtually nothing in common with it. For one thing, it has a front-drive layout, while the G37 is rear-drive.

The Altima Coupe is available with two engine choices: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder or a 3.5-litre V-6. These powerplants are also found in the four-door sedan version of this car, and my tester had the latter, mated to a CVT. Aside from a six-speed manual, this is the only other transmission.

I’m less than enthusiastic about the CVT; I find it vague, unsatisfying during any kind of spirited driving, and not really suited to a performance automobile. But it doesn’t matter; Nissan is committed to this gearless transmission, and people are getting it, whether they like it or not. It adds $1,300 to the car’s price tag, and for the majority of buyers, it’ll probably do the job just fine.

Given the sporty nature of this car, I’d pick the manual; in tandem with the V-6 engine, which delivers some 270 horsepower, this is the most responsive drivetrain, by far.

Elsewhere, the Altima Coupe is not really a high-octane performance car, although it is being marketed as such. To me, it’s a nicely appointed, moderately upscale two-door that has a good standard equipment level, and offers up a reasonably lively – but not earth-shattering – driving experience. Much like, oh, the Honda Accord Coupe or Toyota Solara. It has more power on tap than either of these two, and would probably best them when it comes to performance, handling and braking.

Nissan likes to market its cars with packages, and my test 3.5 SR had the Technology Package, which includes a voice-recognition navi system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rear-view camera, among other things. I say, deep-six everything but the back-up camera, which you really do need because rearward visibility in this car is almost non-existent. Look over your shoulder, into the rear-view mirrors, and crane your neck as much as you like; but because of this vehicle’s design, you just can’t see what’s directly behind you, and I used the camera regularly. Too bad it’s not a stand-alone option.

Other standard equipment on my test car included leather interior, heated front seats, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, dual zone climate control, and a dynamic vehicle control system. All of which are nice to have. There is also a power sunroof, and a push-button start, neither of which I’m a fan of but you get ’em, nonetheless. And both versions of the Altima Coupe come with four-wheel disc brakes and ABS, as well as a full roster of safety equipment.

And a word about back-seat elbow room. In a nutshell, there isn’t any. I made a point of clambering into the back seat, and couldn’t get back out again fast enough. If you’re unhappy with someone, offer to take them for a ride in your new Altima Coupe and put them in the back seat. Watch them contort as they try to get in there. Kids and dogs may like it, but it’s snug behind the front seats. This car is really a two-seater, despite the fact that, technically, Nissan claims it will accommodate up to five people (I’d pay money to see that!). On the plus side, the back seat does have a 60/40 folding feature, which is handy, since the trunk has a scant 210 litres of cargo capacity.

But if you’re in the market for this kind of car, practicality is not likely to be at the top of your list. The Altima Coupe is aimed at drivers who want a car that looks good, while delivering slightly above-average – with the emphasis on “slightly” – performance.

Just keep looking forward.

2010 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SR

Type: Five-passenger, two-door coupe

Base Price: $34,698; as tested: $40,683

Engine: 3.5-litre V-6

Transmission: CVT

Drive: Front-wheel

Horsepower/Torque: 270 hp/258 lb-ft

Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 10.2 city/7.3 highway; regular gas

Alternatives: Honda Accord Coupe, Toyota Solara, Ford Mustang, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda RX8.

From: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/07/nissan-releases-more-2011-quest-minivan-teasers/

Nissan dropped the first teaser image of the 2011 Quest minivan just before this year’s New York Auto Show, and now we’re seeing more shadowy angles of the new minivan, including the interior. Toyota’s new “Swagger Wagon” is already off to a good start, and Honda’s angular new Odyssey will be hitting the road later this year, so the minivan segment is starting to get pretty competitive once again. From these teasers, we see a shapely new nose and a very upright rear greenhouse that gives the illusion of wrapping all the way around the D-pillar (sort of like what Nissan has done on the Cube). Nothing too outrageous has been done to the interior, but we expect overall refinement to be substantially better than what we’ve seen in previous Quests, and the usual host of cubbies and cup holders will surely be on hand. The 2011 Quest will make its official public debut at this December’s Los Angeles Auto Show, and those of you who are salivating at the thought of a new Nissan van can stay up to date on the newly launched Quest microsite. In the meantime, check out the gallery below to see the latest teasers, and follow the jump to read Nissan’s (very short) press release.

Good looks, power, fuel economy add up to attractive package

Enlarge Image 

Nissan’s 370Z Roadster is a stunner by any measure.

It was an odd day to be sure, with the morning spent changing the oil, topping off the gas tank and firing my snow blower to life for the first time. It’s now ready to rock when the inevitable happens. The afternoon was a very different affair. After holding a button for 20 seconds, it was off to enjoy the last vestiges of summer. Time to do the topless thing Nissan style.

The 370Z Roadster is a stunner by any measure. The good news is that, as it should be with all good sports cars, the Z has the motivational wherewithal to back up its stylistic flair — Nissan’s tried-and-true 3.7-litre V-6.

Using VVEL (the variable valve event and lift system blends cam phasing with variable valve lift), it puts forth an effortless 332 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque. The fact the stallions begin to run early and stay at full gallop right to redline makes the Z one quick puppy, despite its 1,582-kilogram curb weight. It takes all of 5.5 seconds to eclipse 100 kilometres an hour, and it blasts past a loafer (80 to 120 km/h) in less than five seconds.

The seven-speed manumatic transmission is, likewise, a dandy. Drive the Z sedately and the box works its way up through the gears in short order, which maximizes fuel economy — the test average of 9.8 litres per 100 km was a pleasant surprise. On the flip side, a full stab at the gas sees the transmission drop a couple of cogs as the engine stretches for redline.

It also has column-mounted paddle shifters — I won’t carp about them needing to be on the steering wheel. Anyway, pulling back on the down paddle sees the engine rev-match as the box drops a gear — or two — and delivers the engine braking the driver seeks.

The part of the powertrain I did not care for was the sport side of the transmission. Unfortunately, whenever I switched the shifter into the manual mode, the box abruptly dropped down into fifth gear. In many cases, this was the wrong gear. Get the computerized aspect out of this one function — the driver knows better than any algorithm what he or she intends to do with the gears.

As for the handling, the 370Z is as sharp as a good knife. It starts with the right sort of balance. Not only is the mass split almost evenly front to rear (54 per cent over the front wheels, the rest over the rear), the suspension walks a fine line. It banishes body roll, yet it does not beat the riders up when the pavement takes a turn for the worse. More impressive is the fact that the body stiffness all but eliminates cowl shake. I only encountered the slightest hint when running over railway tracks at a fair clip. The steering is just as poised, nice and light at low speeds and firm to the feel at speed. Throw in a good electronic nanny and strong anti-lock-controlled brakes and the Z is dynamically delightful. That’s why I liked the ride.

My wife enjoyed the 370Z just as much, although for very different reasons. The first thumbs up went to the blend of materials — the leather, suede and metallic inserts are much better than many of Nissan’s earlier offerings.

The front seats are comfortable and they are heated and cooled. The advantage is that the warmth (or cooling) runs up to the shoulder area. The audio equipment then fills the cabin with sweet sounds, which keeps the soul warm. The combination was enough to take the edge off a cool afternoon cruise. Of course, the fact my wife had the heater blasting to the point I was beginning to sweat is beside the point.

With the top up, the 370’s rearward sightlines mirror those of many other convertibles. The heated rear window is narrow, which means the view through the rear-view mirror is letterbox-like. The swaths of canvas through the B-pillar introduce blind spots that make a lane change something to be done carefully and the fact there is no backup camera, even as an option on the navigation-equipped models, is an oversight that needs to be addressed. This stated, it really matters not a whit — this car is all about the pleasures of top-down motoring. What does matter is the unsightly radio antenna. On a car with such seductive lines, the bony finger-like black plastic whip, and the single- digit salute it flips to the rest of the world, spoil the rear end. It is, according to my wife, akin to finding a wart on the end of Heidi Klum’s nose — it’s just not right.

There are a lot of compelling reasons to add the 370Z to one’s list of must-have cars. It has equal measures of power and panache. However, it was the pricing that floored me — $53,498 for the fully optioned model is a deal-and-a-half. There are lesser rides that command significantly more money.

– Canwest News Service

THE SPECS

Type of vehicle: Rear-wheel-drive roadster

Engine: 3.7L DOHC V-6

Power: 332 hp 7,000 rpm; 270 ft-lbs of torque 5,200 rpm

Transmission: Seven-speed manumatic

Brakes: Four-wheel disc with ABS

Tires: P245/40R19 front, P275/35R19 rear

Price: base/as tested: $46,998/$53,498

Destination charge: $1,500

Transport Canada fuel economy L/100 km: 11.6 city, 8.0 highway

Standard features: Automatic climate control with filtration, power locks, windows and heated mirrors, cruise control, eight-way-adjustable driver’s seat, heated/cooled front seats, tilt steering wheel, Smart key with push-button start, Bose audio system with AM/FM/in-dash six-CD changer

Joe Duarte

Published: 05 05 2010

If anyone ever doubted the way a company gets out of a death spiral is through interesting product, he or she need only look at Nissan.

Around the turn of the millennium, the company found itself in dire straits with a net loss of over $6 billion and only three profitable models of its 48-model stable (worldwide). Through a connection with Renault and one Carlos Ghosn, the company turned a profit of nearly $3 billion after one year and ended up with one of the more interesting vehicle line-ups in the business.

One of those interesting products was the 2003 Murano, which not only turned Nissan away from the slab-sided sport-utility design of the times, but probably single handedly created what has become known as the crossover utility market.

For its second generation, Murano nips and tucks some of the harsher creases of its predecessor and improves on interior usefulness for passengers and their stuff, with an interior that is creative and functional (once you’ve become intimate with the owner’s manual).

The most useful cargo device is a box, so Murano’s tapered upper body and tucked-in tail probably puts it at a disadvantage against the likes of smaller but boxier competitors such as the Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty. However, the sleek Murano looks smaller than it really is – actually competing against the likes of the Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander – so it really has a disadvantage in terms of cargo carrying ability.

Where it hasn’t succumbed to the marketing, though, is in the availability of a third row seat. Instead, Nissan chose to go with a generous cargo area and Murano will easily carry your foursome’s golf bags. And to make sure groceries don’t have free range of the area, an under floor pop-up cargo separator keeps smaller items penned in.

Could a third seat be fit in? Undoubtedly. Would its residents be comfortable either in leg room or shoulder room? Likely not. Still, there’s no denying shoppers in this market are looking for the versatility to carry passengers AND cargo, so Murano falls short of most of its rivals.

It also falls short in the drivetrain department, with all Muranos using Nissan’s award winning 3.5 litre V6. It’s a great engine – smooth, refined and powerful – and it falls just shy of the V6 offerings of many of its competitors (and some of them have V8 options for those needing to haul stuff). The biggest hindrance, however, is probably the continuously variable transmission.

Nissan does make probably the best CVTs in the biz, but they’re still CVTs and not the geared (and usually better user controlled) automatics that are often required during the different operating modes of SUVs.

Murano’s transmission does, however, help return better fuel economy than all its rivals (save for the Hyundai Santa Fe’s 276 hp 3.5 V6), so it comes down to what you need – more power for towing or better fuel economy for running around town.

The curvy shape does have its benefits when it comes to road travel, with the wind flowing swiftly and silently around the cabin. Murano delivers as quiet a ride as you’ll find in any vehicle (wagon or sedan), never mind competitors such as the Toyota Highlander (which prides itself on its quiet cabin). It’s comfortable, too, with the independent front strut and rear multi-link setup keeping things flat and smooth over the most upheaved pavement.

The wide stance and squat cabin also keep the centre of gravity low to the ground, translating into above average handling for a ute. If you were to take a 370Z and turn it into a utility vehicle, chances are you’d end up with Murano both in looks and performance.

Summary:

Year/Make/Model

2010 Nissan Murano

Price as tested                                     $44,783

Trim level                                              SL

Price range                                           $38,298-$47,948

Freight                                                   $1,560

Options                                                  Luxury pkg ($2,800) includes dual panel sunroof with power sliding shades, Bluetooth, HID headlights, power liftgate; leather seating ($1,850) includes power front passenger seat, power driver’s lumbar; premium paint ($135).

EnerGuide fuel economy ratings     11.8 L/100km city; 8.7 L/100km hwy

Observed fuel economy                     10.1 L/100km over 694 km

Warranty (basic)                                  3 years/60,000 km

Warranty (powertrain)                         5 years/100,000 km

Competitors                                         Chevrolet Equinox; Honda Pilot; Hyundai Santa Fe; Kia Borrego; Toyota Highlander; Volkswagen Touareg

Strong Points                                                 Weak Points

- looks                                                                                                    – passenger/cargo versatility            

- comfort                                                                                                – CVT

- ride and handling

- fuel-economy

Editors Rating:

Fuel consumption                                                                                                               * * * *

more car like than even some cars

Value for price                                                                                                      * * *

Kinda pricey but average in the segment

Styling                                                                                                                    * * * *

one of the best looking vehicles on the market (CUV or otherwise)

Comfort                                                                                                                 * * * *

plush seating and acceptable room for four, even five

Performance                                                                                                        * * *

CVT masks the refinement and relative power of the VQ engine

Overall                                                                                                                   * * * *

for fashionable running around all year round, can’t be beat

See a preview of the ad now before its debut

Following a record viewing audience for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, a huge viewing audience is also expected for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and especially the opening ceremonies. And Nissan will be right there with the debut of a brand new 60-second commercial called “We Make Them Better.”

This new spot confidently communicates Nissan’s leadership in quality, design, style, durability and performance. It beautifully portrays the breadth of our entire lineup… and how our products help make our customers’ lives better. The spot culminates in Nissan’s ultimate expression of our brand pillar “Innovative Ideas” … the Nissan LEAF.

Ads like this support our region’s long-term vision of becoming “the most trusted, growing car company in the Americas” through quality vehicles, and zero-emission leadership. Take a look at the new ad now, and hear details about Nissan’s presence throughout NBC’s network and cable broadcast coverage of the Vancouver Games from Erich Marx, director, Nissan Marketing.

Published Feb 10, 2010

by Frank Filipponio

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/10/chicago-2010-nissan-370z-40th-anniversary-edition-unveiled-with/

Nissan just unwrapped a 40th Anniversary gift to itself at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. More specifically, it’s celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of its most iconic vehicles, the Z car, with a special edition version of the latest in a long line of formidable sportscars to wear that badge. The limited edition 2010 Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary model is actually a bit late to the party since the original 240Z technically debuted in North America on October 22, 1969… but who’s counting.

Whereas the 1970 240Z was a revolution in the affordable sportscar scene with a sticker at just $3,626, the 40th Anniversary Edition will start at $38,860. That represents a premium of about $1,200 over Touring Coupe with Sport Package on which it’s based. So what do you get by checking off that 40th Anniversary box? Nothing under the hood, in case you were wondering.

That’s okay, we guess, as the Touring is already a hot car and the Sport package adds SynchroRev Match for the six-speed stick, a front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and the limited-slip diff. Basically it’s a sticker package with a unique “40th Graphite” paint job, red leather interior, a “high-luster smoke wheel finish,” red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and the front shock tower brace. The gray color and smoked wheels do look great in person, though.

There are also additional changes inside, like red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary logos in the seatbacks and on the floormats, red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and kneepads, red-stitched leather on the steering wheel and a 40th commemorative plaque. It even comes with a commemorative “premium satin car cover.”

Beginning later this month, the 1,000 units will start making their way to dealer showrooms. You can read even more details in the press release after the jump, and see some live shots and the official high-res pics in the gallery below.

All figures are in US dollars.

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Feb 4th 2010 at 3:29PM

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/nissan-frontier-tops-latest-round-of-iihs-crash-tests-chevrolet/

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested five compact pickup trucks for both rollover and side impact crashes, and overall, it would seem that the trucks’ performances were pretty dismal. Only the Nissan Frontier was given a ‘Good’ rating from the IIHS for rollover protection, with the Ford Ranger falling to second place with an ‘Acceptable’ rating and the Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma earning lowly ‘Marginal’ scores.

Side impact scores also failed to live up to expectations for some trucks, with the Frontier, Ranger and Tacoma getting ‘Good’ ratings and the Colorado getting the lowest ‘Poor’ rating. Equally as disturbing, though, was the performance of the Dakota, which was tested with optional side air bags (all the other trucks come standard with the bags) that failed to deploy in IIHS testing. Chrysler has reportedly identified the software glitch that caused the air bags not to deploy and is working on a fix. The Dakota will be retested with properly functional air bags at a later date.

See the results of the testing in our image gallery below and click past the break for the official press release from the IIHS.