Nissan states Micra will offer larger interior space and a comfort level not seen in other economy class vehicles. European-market models will have two engines to chose from: a “naturally-aspirated” 1.2 liter three-cylinder petrol engine developing 60kW and 108Nm of torque, and a turbo-charged version of the same engine, producing 75kW and 142Nm of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but expect other European and possible American models to have a small automatic transmission. Nissan will also include their new Continuously Variable Transmission with the Micra.

Other 2011 Nissan Micra features will include a multi-function touch-screen with navigation, and a glass roof. Safety features will include ABS, dual front airbags, curtain and side airbags.

via The Motor Report

According to designers who chatted with Financial Times, “The Nissan Leaf will be equipped with a 24kWh Lithium Ion battery manufactured by NEC and, over time, the performance of the battery will decline. This is the nature of batteries. When the battery’s capacity reaches 80% of it’s original, it’ll need to be replaced…The plan will also help to reduce the purchase and lease prices of the Nissan Leaf by offsetting the high additional cost of battery.”

And from the press release via Nissan:
The world’s first EV designed for large-scale volume production
• High-performance, zero-emission power train and platform take the “joy of driving” to another dimension.
• A design that evokes a clean and intelligent image and a body that achieves optimal aerodynamics and wind noise characteristics are packaged into this innovative and original five-passenger, five-door hatchback.
• Has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge, which is sufficient for most daily needs.
• Features an advanced IT system that is specially designed for zero-emission mobility. Navigation screen supports the driver by displaying range autonomy areas and battery-charging spots with a touch of a button.

honestly, we can’t wait to give one a test ride – but for now we hope you enjoy the Leaf Photos… and your daydreaming.
Source: Jalopnik

The small car / crossover market is growing. With the success of Nissan’s Cube it was time to up the ante with a more stylish, somewhat larger mini-SUV. With that, Nissan is proud to introduce Juke.

Juke measures 157 inches long, 69.5 inches wide and 61.8 inches high. “Juke brings a sense of adventure to the car market,” said Andy Palmer of Nissan PR. “It’s light, nimble, urban, reactive: qualities designed to grab a younger audience. It offers something entirely different to the traditional B-segment vehicles and cements Nissan as a car maker prepared to do something different.”

Inside and out the Juke looks like a sports car. It’s sporty red or silver exterior is reminiscent of Porsche colors. Inside, the crossover includes a stylish dash and racing style seating for front passengers. But don’t worry, we’ve got a roomy 5-seater here.

Juke will be powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine, producing somewhere around 117 HP, while the turbocharged version produces 190 HP. A third motor available in Europe is a 1.5 dCi diesel with 110 HP.

Juke has been confirmed for Europe, Japan and the United States – with a world debut schedule for Geneva early next month.

It dubs to be a sporty compact car much like the Honda CR-Z. It has a distinctive, aerodynamic coupe shape with exterior styling that is highlighted by LED driving lights, a wraparound windscreen, an angular slash running through the center of the doors and triangular side windows that link the sloping roofline and ends with the sweptback rear. The Mixim has the same wheelbase as the Nissan Cube, but is more than 11 inches shorter in length.

Via: CarGuideBlog

Here’s a quick rundown of the 8 new Nissan / Infiniti Models coming by the middle of 2011, thanks to CarConnection:

Infiniti M: A new six-cylinder and V-8 luxury sedan coming this spring.
40th Anniversary Nissan 370Z: An uprated version of the Touring spec Nissan 370Z that goes on sale this spring.
Infiniti QX56: A replacement for the aging QX full-size SUV is coming this summer.
Nissan Juke: A European designed compact crossover will be introduced locally in September.
Nissan NV 2500: A full-size commercial van similar to Ford’s Econoline that goes on sale in November.
Nissan Quest: A replacement for the slow-selling and now discontinued minivan is coming in January, 2011.
Nissan Leaf: One of the first all-electric vehicles from a major automaker will hit showrooms in December in the form of the new Leaf.
Brand new Infiniti: Not much is known about this model except that it will be derived from an existing model and possibly featuring a hybrid or all-electric powertrain.

According to a recent USA Today report, “Nissan is dead-set on staying in the market for full-size pickups.” The Japanese auto maker will also continue to produce Titan and hopefully any future trucks at their Canton, Miss assembly line. Nissan sold 16,894 Titans for the first 11 months of 2009. The Ford F Series sold 365,416 over the same period. Looks like Nissan has a lot to live up too.

The Titan, introduced in 2004, shares the F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX56 SUVs.

According to sources at Inside Line: 2013’s GT-R would use the current 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 plus the battery powered electric drive powertrain in the 2009 Infiniti Essence Concept. We hope the new version can stay up to par with current Nissan GT-R capabilities, including 485 horse power and a 25 – 30 MPG rating in the States. One change we could all do with – try keeping it under $100,000 this time – just sayin – some of us working stiffs would like a ride in a GT-R too.

The Source: WCF

Nissan’s V2G (aka – Vehicle to Grid) uses “bioresin impregnated carbon nanotube cloth” technology. Umm…not sure what the means, but doesn’t it sound really futuristic and environmentally friendly?! Nissan designers really took the 2030 “Youthmobile” concept to heart – putting together a top of the line eco-friendly vehicle – light and comprised of many recycled parts, an angle many car maker will have to take as our future unfolds.

The LA Auto Show designs included a variety of auto concepts: vehicles that incorporate human DNA, ones which changed shape, and cars that link into a mass transit system (i.e. the V2G) where drivers not only share the commute but trade music and compare class schedules.

Nissan LEAF is our first zero-emissions electric car. Don’t confuse it with a hybrid or any other type of gas-powered, eco-friendly vehicle. This is electric – 100%. That means it burns zero gas and produces zero emissions. But this is no golf-cart. Off the line, Nissan LEAF performs like a V6. Plus, there’s room for five, and it comes with all the quality, reliability and versatility you’ve come to expect from Nissan cars.

- Zero tailpipe emissions
- 100% electric — no gas required
- Competitively priced
- Speeds up to 90 mph
- 5 passengers, 5 doors
- Advanced airbags, premium audio, Nissan navigation system, and more

No little white tape can hid that Nissan logo. As you can see the concept drawing and final product have a number of differences, including the front end curves & we’ve got 4-doors instead of 2. According to a report from Autocar, who broke the spy shots online this week, the 2010 Nissan Micra will sports a 1.2 liter gas and 1.5 turbo diesel with a max output of 147 lb-ft of torque.

“Weight-saving” is a major buzzword with the so-called V-cars – it’s reported they use up to 18% fewer parts: dashboard is built from 28 pieces instead of 56, and seats cut off 35 parts from their usual 85.