carscoop: Nissan

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Soaring Yen May Bring Nissan Murano Crossover Production to U.S. Plant in Tennessee

With the yen rising to new heights, Japanese car manufacturers are, naturally, willing to move production of some of their models to their plants in other countries in order to make them more cost-effective.

According to a report from Japan’s Nikkan Kogyo daily newspaper, Nissan is currently considering shifting production of its Murano mid-size crossover to its Smyrna, Tennesee US plant which currently assembles the Altima and Maxima sedans.

Toyota Says Prius Plug-in Hybrid U.S. Sales Top 6,000 Units, Beats Volt and Leaf...or Did it?

A Toyota press release bragging about the achievements of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid variant since it went arrived in U.S. showrooms at the end of February states that the EPA-rated 95 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) Japanese hatchback has delivered 6,061 units in its first six months (March through August) on sale.

However, that's not what caught our attention; this is what did and we quote Toyota's press statement:

"This sales figure represents sales momentum that has propelled the Prius Plug-in to a stronger first full six-months sales pace (6,061 units) than Chevrolet Volt Plug-in (2,745 units) and the all-electric Nissan Leaf (3,875 units)."

Nissan TeRRA Concept is an All-Electric 'Urban' SUV [w/Video]

We have already shown you the first pictures of the Paris Motor Show-bound Nissan TeRRA, but now we have more detailed information and an official video of the SUV prototype.

But first things first. Despite the styling references and a name that hints at a vehicle related to the Xterra, Nissan makes no mention of this in its press release, while it also points out that the TeRRA is a "purely a concept car" and is not intended for production.

Nissan GT-R Gives L-Driver of a Perodua a Tough Crash Lesson in Malaysia

There are accidents and then there are "accidents". For example, a Nissan GT-R and a L-Plate Perodua Kancil (a rebadged version of the Daihatsu Mira Mk3) training car involved in a crash is something bound to draw our attention…

This incident took place earlier today in the Malaysian state of Johor and resulted in a heavily damaged GT-R and an overturned Kancil.

Our tipster Calvin Goh explains:

"The collision is with a locally manufactured car, the Perodua Kancil. This car is widely used as a learning car (manual transmission) for first time drivers in Malaysia"

New Nissan TeRRA Concept Study Breaks Cover Ahead of Paris Motor Show

The pre-Paris Motor Show unveilings continue with the roll out of the first photos of a new concept study from Nissan named the "TeRRA" for a zero-emission, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).

Like its emission ratings, there's zero information about the crossover prototype and whether it previews the design language and the shape of a future production model.

Nissan’s China Sales Slow Down Due to Row with Japan Over Territorial Dispute

Over the past few months, a series of anti-Japan protests begun in China and Hong Kong after Japanese activists landed on an East China Sea island called Diaoyu by the Chinese and Senkaku by the Japanese, and which is a subject of territorial dispute between the two countries.

Nissan was the first to acknowledge that its sales in the world’s biggest market might have been hurt by the Chinese reaction to the incident.

Renault Launches Somewhat Prettier and More Luxurious Nissan Versa as the New Scala in India

Looks aren’t one of the Nissan Versa's (or as it's called in other markets around the world, Sunny) strong points. The fact that is heavily based on the Micra sub-compact featuring odd proportions and small wheels doesn't help either.

Nevertheless, Renault's designers were able to make their version of the Versa / Sunny, the new Indian market Scala, look a tad more presentable by applying a few styling tricks.

Nissan GT-R Transformed Into a Robot for New Japanese Gaming and Film Franchise

Autobots and Decepticons move over because there's a new Japanese franchise about cars transforming into robots and it's named Chō Soku Henkei Gyrozetter.

Well, actually, to be frank, it’s far too early to tell if the new franchise will have the success of the Transformers series but the fact that it has licensed several cool cars like the Nissan GT-R, Mazda RX-8, Toyota 86 (Scion FR-S in North America) and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO has certainly captured our attention.

After searching into the unknown depths of the Japanese gaming world (not knowing the language doesn't really help…) we found some basic information about Chō Soku Henkei Gyrozetter.

The new franchise is the work of Japanese video game developer, publisher and distribution company Square Enix, which is mostly known for its Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest series.

New Nissan Pulsar Sedan and 2013 Patrol to Debut at Australian Motor Show

The compact sedan we first came to know as the new Sylphy for Asia before Nissan told us that it will be named Sentra in North America, will be marketed as the new Pulsar in Australia, where it will debut at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney from October 19 to 28. Read more »

Nissan Qashqai's Steering Wheel Comes Off in Driver’s Hands in Finland [w/Video]

Kari Alentola is a camera operator working for the Yle TV station in Helsinki, Finland. Last Thursday, he was driving a Qashqai+2, the LWB, seven-seat version of Nissan’s compact SUV on the way to an assignment when the steering wheel simply…dropped off in his hands!

The car was barely run-in, with only 500 km (310 miles) on the odometer when this potentially dangerous incident occurred. Luckily, the car was stationary when it happened.

"While stopped at the traffic light in front of the Parliament building, I was adjusting my position in my seat lightly and took hold of the steering wheel for support. Suddenly, it fell into my lap and was just hanging by some wires", Alentola told Yle TV.

New 2013 Nissan Sentra is Larger Yet Lighter and More Efficient, Returns up to 40MPG

Nissan continues the new model assault on the North American market after the recent introductions of the mid-size Altima sedan and Pathfinder crossover with the next generation of the Sentra compact saloon.

If the 2013 version of the Sentra looks familiar, it's either because it's exterior design is modeled after the new Altima or you remember the third generation of the Asian market Nissan Sylphy sedan, displayed at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show in April.

We should point out here that the Russian market Nissan Almera, which debuted at this week's Moscow Auto Salon is based on the previous, second generation of the Sylphy.

In comparison to the previous generation Sentra, the 2013 model sports a 0.6-inch longer wheelbase at 106.3 inches and a 2.3-inch longer overall length at 182.1 inches. On the other hand, it's slightly lower in height (-0.6 inches) and narrower in width (-1.2 inches).

Grey Market 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 with Only 53 Miles on the Odo for Sale in California

Needless to say, there are a lot of things to like about a virtually brand new 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 that has covered only 53 miles (85 kilometers) since it rolled off the brand's assembly line in Japan and which has been listed for sale by the Specialtysales dealership in Pleasanton, California.

What we do need to explain are all the things that you may not like about the car – and we’re not talking about the $49,990 (€39,900) that you may be missing to buy it nor the depressingly plain, grey interior.

New Nissan Almera Sedan Makes its Video Debut

We shared the news on the unveiling of Nissan's new budget sedan at the Moscow International Auto Show earlier today, and now, we have the first set of videos that show the Almera inside and out as well in motion on the road.

Measuring close to 4.7 meters, the new Almera promises to offer the cabin space of a D-segment model like the Ford Mondeo at a price of a B-segment vehicle.

Nissan Unveils New Almera Sedan at Moscow Auto Show, Gallery with 36 Photos

Highlighting Nissan's extended presence at this week's Moscow International Auto Salon, is the world premiere of its new Almera sedan that will be offered exclusively in Russia.

The reveal comes almost six months after the Japanese brand teased the car through a single image in late February.

As we pointed out at the time, the new Almera is based on the second generation of the Japanese market Bluebird Sylphy that uses Nissan's B-platform and which was introduced in 2005.

Next Generation Nissan GT-R Reportedly Slated for 2018 Model Year, Hybrid Version a Possibility

In late 2007, Nissan revealed their supercar-thrashing GT-R sports coupe to the automotive world. Since then, it has received several minor facelifts and upgrades. Despite its success, there were questions about the status of a second generation model.

Now, thanks in part to the return of chief engineer and product specialist of the GT-R, Kazutoshi Mizuno, a report from Insideline indicates that the green light has been given for the production of a second generation GT-R for 2018; a long way off considering it comes nearly 11 years after its introduction.

New Nissan Micra "ELLE Magazine" Special Edition Limited to 500 Units for the UK

If you take a close look at these pictures, you will probably conclude that the only things that separate this Nissan Micra from the regular model are the "ELLE" magazine badges and the beautiful models (not included in the package) posing around the car – and for the most part, you will be right. Read more »

Switzer Performance GT-R Runs the Quarter Mile in 8.97 Seconds [w/Video]

It was only back in June when we saw the 1,000 wheel-horsepower R1KX Nissan GT-R by Switzer make its initial debut as an “everyday” driver.

More recently, an all-new R1KX draped in a candy apple paint job completed an impressive 8.97 second, 163 mph (262km/h) quarter mile run at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.

Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti May Build Compact Cars Together in Europe

The collaboration between the Daimler and the Renault-Nissan groups that began in spring of 2010 seems to be working better than expected, as the two automotive companies are now reportedly getting ready to add new projects to their partnership.

According to a news report from German business daily Financial Times Deutschland (FTD), Daimler is mulling building compact Mercedes-Benz passenger cars with partner Renault-Nissan from 2016 in Eastern Europe to further reduce development costs and increase production volumes.

Chris Harris Compares Toyota GT86 Against Nissan 370Z and Used Porsche Cayman S

Like the rest of the motoring press, experienced road test editor Chris Harris has already driven the Toyota GT86 (Scion FR-S in the US) during its official launch in Spain. To say he came out all-enthusiastic would probably be an understatement; Harris was raving.

Cars, however, are not only judged on their own but against their rivals as well. Harris decided to test the GT86 on English roads to see if it feels as good as it did at the Spanish track six months ago. He also brought some stiff competition for good measure.

C&D Pits Nissan Juke-R Against Porsche 911 GT2 RS

When it comes to extreme production cars, the limited run Nissan Juke-R takes the cake, and rightfully so since the Japanese automaker essentially dropped the body of its small crossover over the (shortened) chassis and powertrain of the supercar-slaying GT-R sports car.

In prototype form, the Juke-R uses the MY10 GT-R's 485hp V6, but the actual production model, which will carry a base price of $590,000 (about €473,000), will get the even more powerful 545hp turbocharged engine from the improved MY12 (2013MY in North America) GT-R.