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industry news
More On The Chrysler And Nissan Platform Swap
Nissan was kind enough to provide us with some time to answer questions about their new Nissan-Chrysler Platform Swap. For those who haven't been following the news, Dodge is going to build the next generation full-size truck for Nissan based on the upcoming Dodge Ram platform. In return, Nissan is going to build a small car for Dodge based on one of their, currently unnamed, platforms. Both companies claim that the cars will have unique designs and interiors so they're not to be mistaken for mere badge-reengineered vehicles. Both vehicles will be sold in North America but, because neither will go on sale this decade, details remain limited. Information on possible hybrids, names and powertrains below the jump. More »
industry news
Nissan Announces Yearly Price Increases, Trying to Scrape Another $80 For A Versa
It's this time of year, after the Christmas rush, when automakers try to quietly drop price increases into the news cycle without anyone noticing. Even better, do it on a Friday and it won't go into the news until Saturday when no one reads the news. But we're ever vigilant and have seen through the bull shit to let you know that Nissan will be raising prices from between $80 for a Versa/Sentra to $170 for a 350Z Roadster. But in 2008 coffee will cost $200 a cup and a shoe shine a cool $1,000 &mdash so you can see the value. Press release below the jump. More »
is paris's next car a versa?
Nissan testing in-car breathalyzer
In a potential bid to corner the celebrity market, Nissan is developing an in car Breathalyzer. In equipped cars, the system is activated when the key is switched to "on," requiring the driver to blow into it before the engine will start. If the blood alcohol level is determined to be above a preset limit, it disables the vehicle's ignition. No word on what Nissan's plans for the system are or how long the vehicle would remain disabled, so keep it away from your hilarious drunken friends. More »
custom car/hot rods
SEMA Show: Matte Is This Year's Black
Among custom jobs at SEMA this year, the matte-black finish is an unmistakable theme. Despite its humble origins among rodders without the cash to indulge in metal flake kandy koatings, the flat finish can cost upward of $10,000 to render properly (we've heard up to $30,000 for the Mercedes CLS on display here). Of course, it attracts fingerprints like a slot machine attracts chain-smoking rubes, so while it looks somewhat slick, it's not exactly the best solution to finding the new minimalism. [Gallery] More »
custom cars/hot rods; tuners
More SEMA Editions: 2007 Nissan Versa
Somehow, we just can't picture the 2007 Nissan Versa as a Trans Am B-Sedan winner, like its anteceedent Datsun 510. Still, Nissan's getting six of the new economy models all modded up in time for the SEMA show. Edmunds Inside Line reports on the company's custom commissions, including a "Green with Envy" entry by 2K Motorsports Marketing, a "VIP Versa" by M2Motoring, which sends up the noted Japanese mafia style, and a race-inspired tuner by turn3 Creative/Siphon magazine that sports NISMO racing graphics. No pictures yet, but we're sure the garages will be working hard to de-emphasize the Versa's turnipy comportment. More »
news
Nissan Announces Versa Pricing
We have to say, that whenever we think of Nissan compacts, the old "New Nissan Sentra! You need this car!" jingle pops into our head. What was is about the unbridled optimisim of the early 1980s brought that kind of stuff about, complete with choral vocal groups singing faux-Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-style anthemic catchphrase tunes? Who ever thought that was a good idea? They should've commissioned Mike Post to write all their music. We suppose that's what life under threat of nuclear annihilation will do to you. Meanwhile, Nissan's up and undercut Honda's Fit with its Versa pricing, launching the base model at $12,450. Which is just one more reason not to buy an Aveo. [Thanks to Brian for the tip.] More »
news
Nissan's Versa Drops by Detroit
We're big fans of Iron Maiden. So big, in fact, that we even checked out Samson, frontman Bruce Dickinson's pre-Maiden outfit featuring the inimitable Thunderstick on drums. And whenever we see the Nissan Versa, Samson's "Vice Versa" immediately gets stuck in our heads. Unfortunately, it's not a very good song, and we only know the words to the chorus, which consists of Dickinson repetitively singing "Vice versa!" in his trademark air-raid-siren howl. All of this, just because of a 120hp, four-door hatch to be positioned below the new Sentra. More »
news
Renault Clio Nabs European Car of the Year Award
Renault's Clio hatchback beat out the VW Passat, Alfa Romeo 159 and BMW 3-Series to become the European car of the year for 2005. The 58 journalists from 22 countries who judged the award deemed the new Clio just more worthy than more expensive sedans, and its close competitor the Toyota Yaris, due to its refinements and road presence. It's good news for Americans, who will see the Clio appear next year in the form of its platform-mate Nissan Versa economy hatchback. Its rivalry with Toyota will continue when the Toyota Yaris arrives close behind. More »
gadgets
Hit-and-Run Transmission: Nissan's Continuously Variable Future
Get Leonardo DaVinci on the horn, he may be in for some royalty cash. Edmunds Inside Line is reporting on Nissan's move to make continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) — a design for which showed up in ol' Lenny's notebooks — the norm on many of its models. The company plans to produce upward of 1 million CVTs per year worldwide, on both hybrid and traditionally powered cars. In the US, the Murano crossover already comes with CVT as an option, and Nissan's new Versa subcompact will get optional CVT. The move will mean more business for the company's Jatco division, which will supply the trannies (from a new plant in Mexico) for Nissans and for the 2007 Dodge Caliber. Since CVTs swap gear ratios continuously, acceleration comes without the telltale pause between gear swaps in a traditional automatic. As for the whiny noise, we'll all just have to get used to it. More »
news
Nissan Releases Official Pics of Versa Subcompact for US
Americans who've never driven a new Renault
news
