2011 Nissan Quest

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Nissan, New Car Reviews

A Minivan-Shaped SUV Minus The Ground Clearance



The last-gen Nissan Quest minivan was an oddball. It had good power, handled quite well, and was unconventional-looking. The thing is, unconventional isn't necessarily the best thing for a vehicle as mainstream as a minivan. Nissan pulled the plug on the funky-looking Quest after the 2009 model year, promising to return after skipping 2010.

So here we are with the new 2011 Nissan Quest, which is essentially a less dramatic-looking Nissan Elgrand (as it's known in Japan). It arrives in a minivan segment that's as competitive as ever and stacked with new products. The excellent 2011 Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna lead the class. Chrysler punted the gimmicky in-car card tables, banished the trashy interiors, and released the greatly improved Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. We grabbed the keys to a new Quest to see whether it really hangs with the A-listers.

Continue reading 2011 Nissan Quest

2011 Nissan Quest originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/08/2011-nissan-quest-review/

Nissan's MX-5 Miata rival back in the plans?

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Rumormill, Electric

Nissan's on-again, off-again MX-5 Miata rival is... on again, at least according to the blokes at Auto Express. What form a potential two-door sporty coupe from Nissan may take - if it happens at all - is still widely debatable; it could be as simple as a cut-down Sentra or as crazy as a sporty take on the all-electric Leaf.

Did that last little tidbit catch you off guard? Remember that Nissan showed off just such a machine in the form of the Esflow Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, though we wouldn't expect any potential production model to share much with that highly conceptual design.

In any case, Auto Express seems to think this sporty 2+2 may ride on a midsize platform sourced from Mercedes-Benz (the two automakers signed a partnership in 2010) that would be shared with whatever replaces the 370Z (along with its Infiniti G Coupe) and even the next-generation GT-R.

Another bit of wackiness? AE says Nissan is considering turning to the experts at Lotus for help in tuning the chassis for added sportiness. We suppose all of this is possible, but for now, we're taking it with the largest grain of salt we can get our hands on.

Nissan's MX-5 Miata rival back in the plans? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/03/nissans-mx-5-miata-rival-back-in-the-plans/

NissanNews: REVIEW: @AboutCars calls the 2012 Niss...

NissanNews: REVIEW: @AboutCars calls the 2012 Nissan Versa "one of the best family-car bargains on the market." - Read why at: http://bit.ly/rpy2Ri
http://twitter.com/NissanNews/statuses/95518861234946048

Nissan Leaf production to start in Smyrna by late 2012

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

Bill Krueger, head of Nissan's manufacturing and supply chain management, tells Automotive News that the March 11 quake in Japan disrupted construction of the automaker's Nissan Leaf production complex in Smyrna, TN, but says there's no need to worry because his team is working 'round the clock to stick to the automaker's open-by-late-2012 timetable.

Says Krueger:

We're still targeting to launch on time. It's too early to give up on meeting our original timing. We have just shy of a year and a half to make it up. We had people over there training when the lights went out. Production didn't happen for a month. That drove the training curve back. We're looking at work-arounds to try to accelerate the schedule now.

This means that, if Nissan can get back on track, the first U.S.-built Leafs will roll down the assembly line in Smyrna, TN in late 2012. Nissan says up to 150,000 Leafs will be built at Smyrna annually.

Nissan Leaf production to start in Smyrna by late 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/11/nissan-leaf-production-to-start-in-smyrna-by-late-2012/

2012 Nissan Versa priced from $10,990

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Sedan, Nissan

2012 Nissan Versa - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 model year marks the end of the sub-$10,000 new car here in the United States, but Nissan is still committed to offering a bargain price for shoppers looking for purely basic transportation. The 2012 Versa subcompact has officially been priced, and the base 1.6 S 5MT model will only set you back a cool $10,990. And unlike the sub-$10K Versa that came before it, the new 2012 model comes standard with both air conditioning and an AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo.

Of course, more lavishly appointed Versa models are available, starting with the 1.6 S CVT at $12,760, the 1.6 SV CVT at $14,560 and the 1.8 SL CVT at $15,560. Nissan offers a host of optional equipment throughout the Versa range, including Bluetooth, XM satellite radio, a touch-screen navigation system and USB input for iPod/MP3 devices. Hit the jump for Nissan's official release.

Continue reading 2012 Nissan Versa priced from $10,990

2012 Nissan Versa priced from $10,990 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/11/2012-nissan-versa-priced-from-10-990/

Nissan bringing back Datsun name for emerging markets?

Filed under: Budget, Nissan

Word on the web is that Nissan is mulling the notion of bringing back the Datsun name. According to The Truth About Cars, reports are emerging that the Japanese automaker will employ its old moniker in emerging markets for new, inexpensive models. Specifically, the cars are slated to cost no more than $5,000. That kind of coin likely won't fetch buyers much more than an engine and a couple of doors, but that's just fine by our reckoning. Unfortunately, the news means that American buyers won't be able to sink their teeth into a resurrected 510 anytime soon.

The reports haven't said exactly where the Datsun name will show up. In fact, the plan seems to still be awaiting the go-ahead from the suits at Nissan. Still, if approved, there's a chance that your next overseas rental will wear a Datsun badge on the hood.

Nissan bringing back Datsun name for emerging markets? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/nissan-bringing-back-datsun-name-for-emerging-markets/

Legacy Nissan June Newsletter

Legacy Nissan June Newsletter
http://www.legacynissannews.com/News/2011/June_2011/