Tag: Nissan

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Mobile Syrup

Nissan investing $17.6 billion in EV development

Nissan is moving forward with its plan to shift to manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) with a new five-year strategy and a $17.6 billion USD (roughly $22 billion  CAD) investment in the space.

The legacy car marker says it aims to release 15 new EVs by 2030, resulting in half of the automaker’s lineup being electric. On top of that, Nissan has a plan to develop another eight EVs to continue to electrify its fleet into the future. TechCrunch reports that Nissan previously claimed it wanted every new vehicle it manufacturers by 2030 to be electric.

Nissan also outlined plans to build a solid-state battery pilot plant in Yokohama, Japan as early as 2024. Further, the company hopes to release a new generation of batteries that can charge EVs much faster by 2028.

Of course, Nissan is also looking to push its pro-pilot assist tech to more vehicles by 2026, and it also mentions that it’s working on the next-generation of its driver assistance tech that uses LIDAR for a 2030 release.

Image credit: Nissan 

Source: TechCrunch

Categories
Potins

Zach Braff gave car away when he landed Scrubs role

Zach Braff gave his car to a waiter after landing a role in ‘Scrubs’.

The generous actor revealed that he gifted his beloved Nissan 240 SX motor to a Mexican busboy once he started working on the hit television series as the lovable doctor John ‘J.D.’ Dorian.

He explained: ”I was working as a waiter. I made about a thousand bucks. My parents gave me $5,000 and I put it all into buying a Nissan 240 SX. I loved that car.”

The star started working in the eatery in 2001 to help fund his ambition to become an actor.

After receiving the news that he would soon be the new star in the NBC medical comedy-drama, the then 28-year-old actor gave his vehicle to his co-worker who was his best friend at the time even though the pair could barely understand one another.

He added to the Daily Telegraph newspaper: ”He was Mexican and had about 10 words of English and I had about 10 words of Spanish but he was probably my best friend at the time.”

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Mode et accessoires

Gucci designs car for Fiat

Italian fashion house Gucci has teamed up with Italian car manufacturer Fiat to create a special edition vehicle in honor of their country’s 150th anniversary, reports FashionMag.

Yesterday (February 23), the Fiat 500 by Gucci, custom designed by creative director Frida Gianinni, was unveiled as part of Milan Fashion Week. The designer vehicle will be on display next at the Geneva Motor Show March 3 to 13 in  Switzerland, before making an appearance in other major cities, such as Paris, London and Tokyo.

Available in black or white, the design features a signature Gucci green-red-green racing stripe. Other signature touches from the fashion house appear in the leather interior, the hubcaps, brake calipers and on the hatchback.

With a list price starting around $23,000, orders can be placed online from April 1 until June 30.

"When the Fiat 500 first hit the road in the ’50s it created a style revolution," said Gianinni in a statement. "Gucci’s history has always been about traveling in style so when this collaboration came up, it struck me as the perfect opportunity to create a new modern travel statement."

Also this April, the fashion house will introduce an exclusive 500 by Gucci accessory set, which includes travel and driving accessories, leather goods, track suits, and sunglasses– all designed to match the vehicle.

 

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Uncategorized

L.A. Auto Show’s Design Challenge 2009

What emotional connection will the young generation of 2030 have with the automobile? Having grown up with ultra modern technology and virtual communities, they will probably have a different understanding of transportation. This is the subject grazed this year for the design challenge.

The big automakers have come up with different responses.
Audi presented two concepts, the eOra and the eSpira. They are controlled by the driver’s thoughts and body movement.

At General Motors, driving was mixed with a video game for "Car Hero." As the car heads to a destination, the driver is challenged by making some skilful moves at the right time, as in the game Guitar Hero. As the driver improves, the system allows him or her to gain more control over the car and the car progressively decreases its wheels from 4 to 1.

With the Helix, Honda takes some hints from biotechnology. Using materials that can change shapes combined with the driver’s DNA, the vehicle will adapt itself based on changes in the driver. The Helix is also capable of being modified into 3 different positions to adapt to traffic conditions. 

Madza takes its Souga concept and gives the owner the freedom to create and customize his or her vehicle, starting with a standard base price. The order is then quickly sent to production.

At Nissan the future will depend on an electric roadway system called the "GRID." The teens of 2030 will ride the V2G (Vehicle To Grid) system and the old highways will become obsolete.

Finally, Toyota chose to embellish communication with the "Link," which is self-serving and runs on spheres instead of wheels. The system allows the driver to locate friends and lets the driver travel with them and exchange music, etc.

 

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Uncategorized

Nissan Unveils an Electric NV200

Based on the same platform as the Nissan Cube and Micra, the NV200 is back on the table since its first mention at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009.  The carmaker unveiled the first sketch of the electric utility van in Tokyo.

Few details are known at this point, but the announcement coincides with an agreement between the government and Renault-Nissan France to produce batteries in the French plant at Flin.  It’s assumed that production will take place in France.

Nissan is already taking the lead in the electric vehicle market with the Leaf, which will be the first of its kind to be heavily marketed around 2012.  The Nissan NV200 will also take some style elements from other cars in the range, such as the steep windshield, flowing headlamps and front-located plug receptacle.

The commercial and utility world will soon be getting much less noisy.

 

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Uncategorized

New Details on the GT-R SpecV

However, don’t expect too much more, because the minor changes are mostly aesthetic.

In fact, Nissan didn’t touch the bi-turbo V6, that still produces 485 horsepower in the SpecV.  However, there is an "over-boost" function that increases torque for 80 seconds.

The SpecV shed 60 pounds from the standard GT-R, mainly from the removal of the rear seats.  The use of carbon rims also contributes to the smaller number on the scale.

Braking is enhanced through the use of large 390 mm carbon-ceramic discs in the front wheels and 380 mm discs in the rear. Furthermore, the stiffened suspension system provides for better handling and responsiveness. 

Between 20 and 30 GT-R SpecVs will be produced each month, and will be manufactured upon order. The first delivery will occur around May 2010, with a price tag of approximately $210 000 US.

 

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Uncategorized

Infiniti Introduces Forest Air

Beginning in 2011, the Infiniti M will be equipped with the Forest Air climate system, which will control odour and humidity in the cabin.

The Forest Air system uses a Plasmacluster electronic air purifier to filter and eliminate odours.  Not only can the system get rid of smells stuck on interior seats, but it can even remove the smell of the wet dog that was in your car for the past week.

According to Infiniti, the system also fights bacteria, moulds, yeasts and allergens.  In conclusion, the Japanese automaker is now offering their clients the opportunity to take in the fresh air of the forest, even when they’re stuck in a city traffic jam!

 

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Uncategorized

Infiniti Goes Green

After taking the first step with the M Hybrid, Infiniti is continuing to develop a range of environmentally-friendly vehicles.

The brand’s parent company, Nissan, has already introduced the Leaf, which is an electric version of the NV200.

For Infiniti, Ghosn teased the crowd by confirming that a stylish and luxurious electric car with seats for 4 is in the works.  Perhaps it will be a production of the gasoline concept, Essence, which was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009.

 

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Uncategorized

The Land Glider To Hit the Streets

It’s a possibility that the Japanese automaker is seriously contemplating. They believe that the Land Glider provides an alternative to customers who want to have the motorcycle-riding experience while not having to fear for their safety.

It would also act as an efficient means of transportation, and a more practical and ecological solution for big, congested cities.

The Land Glider would take on the Infiniti logo, and would be marketed worldwide, including in the United States.

 

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Uncategorized

The Nissan Z Turns 40

To celebrate the milestone, the brand is introducing a special 6th generation of the 370Z coupe.

The anniversary version features a gray metallic body, 19-inch wheels and special brake calipers.  The red leather interior also boasts bold stitching and commemorative badges.

The car is already catching eyes in Japan.  The 370Z special edition will be available in the United States next spring, and will be sold for only one year.