Nissan is recalling their 2005-2009 trucks and SUVs, which many consider to be the best in the business, due to a faulty crash sensor. In states where cold winters and snow occur, salt is used to clear icy roads and has previously only caused some rusty cars. Nissan is saying that the road salt is causing the crash sensor to corrode which in turn is causing the front-impact airbags to fail.

The recall only affects registered 2005-2009 Xterras, Pathfinders and Frontiers in heavy snow regions including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Nissan won’t leave the rest of its owners out in the cold and will be providing a 10 year warranty for the sensor in other states.

Currently there have been no crashes or injuries linked to the faulty sensor and Nissan will notify owners of the affected models in the next couple of weeks.

Press Release

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

Consequence:
THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

[via NHTSA]

Here's the press release:

GM Reports 221,983 Deliveries in December; 2,980,688 Vehicles Sold in 2008

* December deliveries up 30 percent compared with October and up 43 percent compared with November
* Market share in December expected around 24 percent, up about 4 ppts compared with November, reflecting renewed APR rate support through GMAC
* Second half 2008 share up nearly 2 ppts compared with first half
* 2008 market share position anticipated to hold steady at just above 22 percent

DETROIT – General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 221,983 vehicles in December, down 31 percent compared with a year ago. However, total deliveries were 67,000 vehicles more than November’s result, up more than 43 percent month over month. GM December car sales of 87,506 were off 25 percent and truck sales of 134,477 were down 35 percent compared with a year ago.

For the year, GM delivered 2,980,688 vehicles while maintaining an expected market share just above 22 percent. Annual deliveries were down 23 percent compared with 2007, largely due to building weakness in the marketplace throughout the year spurred by economic headwinds such as the dramatic reduction in credit availability experienced in the fourth quarter, coupled with historically low levels of consumer confidence. Additionally, the American Axle strike and several supply disruptions impacted GM’s performance in the first half of the year.

“Given the ongoing challenges and the difficult market environment, we were very encouraged to see a volume rebound for GM in December compared with both October and November,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “We are building more vehicles than ever that provide great value and Americans enjoy owning. That is why, for the year, we are seeing our market share holding steady at just above 22 percent. That’s 5 percentage points more and 760,000 vehicles more than our nearest competitor.

“Our outstanding cars, trucks and crossovers are enabling us to hold the leadership position in a very difficult market. Our Red Tag Event was well-received, and the ability to offer some 0% financing through our partner GMAC in the last week of the month also helped,” LaNeve added.

Despite the weak market in December, Chevrolet Malibu continued its solid performance with total sales up 43 percent compared with last December. For 2008, Malibu sales of more than 178,000 vehicles were up 39 percent, making it the highest percentage gainer in the top 20 vehicles sold in America with a volume increase compared with 2007. With its six-speed transmission and four-cylinder engine combination, the Malibu delivers an EPA-estimated 33 mpg highway – tops in the industry’s mid-car segment. The Malibu Hybrid also offers the lowest-priced hybrid in the segment. Additionally, with 4,500 retail vehicles delivered, the Chevrolet Traverse crossover nearly doubled its retail volume compared with November.

“We’re really pleased about the strength of our Chevrolet brand, with the Malibu continuing to perform very well, and the Traverse crossover off to a strong start,” LaNeve added. “Also, with a harsh winter and lower gas prices, our trucks and SUVs are continuing to perform well in their segments. With GMAC now able to provide more financing capacity, and with all the exciting new car and crossover launches including the Cadillac CTS Sportwagon and SRX, Chevy Camaro and Equinox, and Buick LaCrosse in 2009, we are optimistic that with an overall market recovery we can begin to capitalize on the well-recognized product renaissance of all our brands.”

A total of 2,555 GM hybrid vehicles were delivered in the month. Hybrid sales included: 981 Chevrolet Tahoe, 442 GMC Yukon and 306 Cadillac Escalade 2-mode hybrid SUVs delivered. There were 454 Chevrolet Malibu, 34 Saturn Aura and 338 Vue hybrids sold in December. In 2008, GM sold a total of 14,439 hybrid vehicles.

GM inventories dropped compared with a year ago. In December, only about 872,000 vehicles were in stock, down about 36,000 vehicles (or 4 percent) compared with last year. There were about 397,000 cars and 475,000 trucks (including crossovers) in inventory at the end of December.

Certified Used Vehicles

December 2008 sales for all certified GM brands, including GM Certified Used Vehicles, Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, were 43,070 vehicles, up 21 percent from December 2007.

GM Certified Used Vehicles, the industry’s top-selling certified brand, posted December sales of 37,632 vehicles, up 24 percent from December 2007. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 888 vehicles, down 24 percent. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 3,740 vehicles, up 11 percent. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 548 vehicles, up 14 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 262 vehicles, up 85 percent.

Total 2008 sales for all certified GM brands were 485,279 vehicles, down 5 percent from 2007. Annual sales for GM Certified Used Vehicles were 422,114 vehicles, down 6 percent. Saturn Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 11,573 vehicles in 2008, down 9 percent. Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles finished 2008 with sales of 41,598 vehicles, up 7 percent from 2007, while Saab Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles posted sales of 7,705 vehicles, up 6 percent, and HUMMER Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles sold 2,289 vehicles, up 71 percent.

“December sales for certified GM programs were strong, with GM Certified Used Vehicles up 24 percent over last December, as shoppers continue to seek value and peace of mind in a challenging economy,” said LaNeve. “GM Certified finished 2008 as the sales leader among all manufacturer-certified pre-owned brands for the seventh consecutive year, and our Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER luxury certified brands each posted strong year-to-year sales increases.”

GM North America Reports December, 2008 Production; Q1 2009 Production Forecast at 420,000 Vehicles

In December, GM North America produced 249,000 vehicles (105,000 cars and 144,000 trucks). This is down 3,000 vehicles or 1 percent compared with December 2007 when the region produced 252,000 vehicles (71,000 cars and 181,000 trucks). (Production totals include joint venture production of 10,000 vehicles in December 2008 and 15,000 vehicles in December 2007.)

GM North America built 823,000 vehicles (371,000 cars and 452,000 trucks) in the fourth-quarter of 2008. This is down 219,000 vehicles or 21 percent compared to fourth-quarter of 2007 when the region produced 1.042 million vehicles (358,000 cars and 684,000 trucks). Additionally, the region’s 2009 first-quarter production forecast is now 420,000 vehicles (143,000 cars and 277,000 trucks),which is down about 53 percent compared with a year ago, and about 180,000 fewer than the previous forecast. GM North America built 885,000 vehicles (360,000 cars and 525,000 trucks) in the first-quarter of 2008. First quarter 2008 production was reduced nearly 100,000 vehicles due to the strike at American Axle.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 252,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 34 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.

Note: In this press release and related comments by General Motors management, we use words like "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "objective," "plan," "goal" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, representing our current judgment about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Among other items, such factors might include: market acceptance of our products; shortages of and price increases for fuel; significant changes in the competitive environment and the effect of competition on our markets, including on our pricing policies; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt; and changes in general economic conditions. GM’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provide information about these factors, which may be revised or supplemented in future reports to the SEC on Form 10-Q or 8-K.

# # #

These are the cars and trucks that, for one reason or another, really made my day when I ran across them on the streets of Alameda. Some of them are on this list because they're rare and/or interesting (the "Whoa! What's that?" factor), while others made the cut simply because I yearn to own them. And, yes, the Fire Arrow falls into the latter category, because I'm sick like that. So here we go, my personal Alameda DOTS favorites for Ought-Eight:

It's always been tough to stack up raw engine power output of the car against at-the-pavement performance. This has been the problem with dynos in the past, you either measure power on an engine dyno and don't know the power to the wheels or measure on a chassis dyno and don't know how much power the engine really makes. Rule of thumb driveline losses are never satisfying in either case and that's where Hyper Power International comes in.

Apparently, their dyno looks like any other four-wheel chassis dyno, with four big rollers to strap a car onto and sophisticated measurement equipment to test maximum output. The trick comes in when you've finished a pull and the system asks you to put the car in neutral. As the wheels and the rollers slow down, the dyno which was just used to measure power is now able to measure losses. By comparing the normal slowdown of the rollers against the slowdown with the car and all of its drag from gears, bearings, differentials and so on it can determine real driveline losses.

Motor Trend's Frank Markus was the first journo to test out the system and considering the constant automaker slap-fight surrounding the Nissan GT-R, Godzilla was the only choice for the test. The results are pretty interesting — it looks like the initial Nissan HP claims have been accurate. Of course, now there will just be naysayers wanting to see engine dyno versus chassis dyno versus Hyper Power dyno results now just to confirm Nissan isn't a den of cheaters. And by naysayers we mean Porsche. [MotorTrend]

2009 NISSAN CUBE SET FOR SPRING U.S. DEBUT; NEW ENTRY-LEVEL COMPACT COMBINES FASHION WITH FUNCTIONALITY – Small But Substantial, Spirited But Economical, All-New Third Generation Cube's Asymmetrical Design and Lounge-Style Interior Provide Unexpected Charm and Utility – Huey Lewis once sang "It's hip to be square." Few believed him. Mathletes wax poetic about the superior geometric efficiencies of a cube in terms of volume v. surface area. And get little respect. Cavemen discovered that a round stone rolls better than a square one. And, as a consequence, gave birth to the traffic jam. In 1998, Nissan introduced the original Cube, an aptly named box-on-wheels, to minor consumer interest. Perhaps, like homo erectus, the Cube was simply ahead of its time. But times change, and so did the Cube. In 2002, an all-new second generation Nissan Cube was introduced in the Japanese market. More spacious inside, more glass outside, more power under the hood and, more importantly, a few more angles and curved surface details added to its compact, slab-sided exterior. Quintessentially Japanese, this new Cube took Tokyo by storm. A pocket-sized fun-and-function cocktail mixing the charm of Godzilla and the wit of Mothra, buyers were smitten. And so, it turns out, Huey was right after all. Like the Nissan GT-R before it, the Nissan Cube soon found an audience outside of Japan – not in person, but through its exposure in fashion and automotive magazines, videos and on the Web. Reboot to today, more than 10 years since its original appearance, and the Nissan Cube is ready to meet the world in person, coming to America in spring 2009 in an all-new, dramatically rethought third generation design that is clever, quirky, witty, fun and uniquely functional. And still totally square. More than just unique geometry, however, the new 2009 Nissan Cube is also conceived as a totally different take on an automobile – a car that doesn't want to be defined as car. "With its unique blend of fashion and function, Cube imagines a life less ordinary," said Al Castignetti, vice president, Sales, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA). "Cube is as much of a Mobile Device as it is an automobile, something that enhances life like people's digital devices do. Cube is a vehicle that people of all ages can fall in love with, even when they don't love cars." Evocative Yet Rational Though its uniquely styled, asymmetrical body makes a standout statement against the backdrop of today's look-alike entry-level vehicles, Cube presents a range of strong rational arguments for purchase as well. Along with its projected fuel economy of over 30 mph Highway (equipped with the CVT transmission, actual EPA estimates not available at this time), Cube offers an alphabet of standard safety equipment – including an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), six air bags (including front, side and curtain supplemental air bags) and front seat Active Head Restraints. "The new Nissan Cube is not, by any measure, a pure ‘youth car,' though it especially meets the needs of young adults' lives in the sense that it is social, expressive and practical," said Castignetti. "And like many entry-level vehicles, Cube will be purchased by young consumers with the help or influence of their parents. We believe the combination of value, fuel economy and safety will be especially reassuring to parents involved in such decisions." A "Bulldog in Sunglasses" The all-new 2009 Nissan Cube builds on the previous generation Cube's non-traditional design with an improved stance and an added sense of dynamic movement. With Cube's long wheelbase relative to its overall length (a 99.6-inch wheelbase against a 156.7-inch overall length) and wide track, the wheels, in effect, are pushed out to each corner – providing exceptional space utilization and a confident-looking stance that has been compared to a "bulldog in sunglasses." "The designers, engineers and planners' effort and passion in creating the next generation Cube was unheard of – perhaps only exceeded in recent memory by that of the Nissan GT-R development team," said Castignetti. "They were constantly drawing, cartooning, adding thoughts and ideas, which is how the image of the bulldog emerged and evolved. This was not a traditional development process." Along with its stance, the "incognito canine" look is aided by the wide headlights and grille treatment, the small but substantial body proportions and the short "tail" section. In the rear, the bar-type taillights reinforce the wide, anchored feel. The Cube's creators also sought to maintain a sense of "pure design," reducing the number of character lines to give simplicity and freshness to the styling. Another unique aspect of the Cube's exterior is the greenhouse. The A-pillars are positioned far outward and relatively upright, giving a wider range of forward visibility. The front door windows utilize a "photo frame" design patterned after a personal photo frame, while the asymmetrical wraparound side/rear window creates enhanced rear diagonal visibility for lane changes and reverse parking. "The ‘geometric circle shape in the square' rear window is Cube's signature," said Castignetti. "Though there are D-pillars on both sides of the Cube, the visual effect of the narrower passenger-side pillar is quite remarkable in the overall appearance, a look aided by the asymmetrical back door." Unlike typical top-hinged or clamshell-style utility rear doors, Cube features an easy-access refrigerator-style opening, which makes it possible to open or close it even if parked tight against other cars in parallel parking spaces or when backed in against a wall or other obstacle. The back door opens fully when space allows for loading groceries, luggage or large-sized objects – or to a limited-access position (about eight inches) when space is restricted for retrieving or loading a backpack or other small objects. The one-hand door handle operation is designed for easy use, even while carrying things in the other hand or arm. The 2009 Nissan Cube is available in eight mild-to-wild exterior colors: Chrome Silver, Steel Grey, Bitter Chocolate, Scarlet Red, Caribbean Blue, Moss Green, Super Black and White Pearl. A "Casual Lounge" Interior The centerpiece of the new Cube's universal appeal is its "social space" – the surprisingly roomy interior that offers room for five in a lounge-like comfort. "Cube is not wasteful in terms of its footprint, carbon or physical. It creates a third space, in addition to home and school, for interacting with friends. It's a space that is highly changeable and adaptable to owners evolving lives, with plenty of room for personalization," said Castignetti. Cube's clever, inspired and surprisingly open occupant space was conceived with a "Jacuzzi Curve" layout and "floating meter pod" driver's area. It combines "casual lounge"-style passenger seating with a relaxed driving experience. The interactive interior is anchored by its curve-themed architecture, such as the subtle wavy shaping of the instrument panel, door panels, seat shapes, armrests and the iconic circular/oval shapes of elements ranging from air conditioning vents, door pulls and climate controls. The comfortable Cube seating includes 6-way manual driver's seat and 4-way manual front passenger's seat, along with a "lounge sofa" style sliding rear bench seat. The reclining rear seat can be adjusted to three positions – full rearward (providing ample legroom), mid-position (3.9 inches forward) or front position (6.0 inches forward). The rear seat also is positioned higher than the front seats, theater style, enhancing rear passenger comfort and visibility. "In some ways, the Cube is like the big cardboard appliance boxes you used to play in as a kid – they could be clubhouses, race cars, forts, whatever your mood and imagination wanted at the time," said Castignetti. "The new Cube's interior leaves room for imagination and personalization, yet also starts with a solid functional purpose." Stress-Free Driving, Room For Personalization Cube's stress-free driving experience is the result of a number of factors: an extremely tight 32.8-foot curb-to-curb turning radius, a tall seating position made possible by the tall body height, an extremely short hood "invisible length" (the area of the hood panel that the driver is unable to see) and the good rear visibility for parking and backing up. "Our studies show that one of the most stressful aspects for young or inexperienced drivers is parking, particularly parallel parking," said Castignetti. "Cube is extremely adaptable to parking environments in terms of its compact exterior dimensions, good visibility and easy steering." Other interior features include the "floating pod" instrument panel with asymmetrical light blue and white gauges, which are designed to make it easier to distinguish between the speedometer and the tachometer. The gauge needles "sweep" when the engine is started to add a sense of flair, while the gradation effect gives a natural ambience similar to the glow of the white moon and the blue earth. Sub-gauges are concentrated for enhanced visibility. The three-spoke steering wheel is available with leather wrapping and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. Convenient storage spaces and cup/bottle holders are abundant throughout the Cube interior – including six cupholders (instrument panel, front center console and rear armrests) and five bottle holders (door panels and center console). There are also detachable multi-hooks for holding bags or hats, which can be moved from place to place – including the instrument panel and rear passenger doors. The "shelf expression" concept features two "shelves" located on top center and passenger side of the instrument panel. Not designed for holding objects when the Cube is in motion, they provide convenient spaces for placing keys, cell phones or digital music players when the vehicle is parked. The shelves can be personalized with accessory wood-like trim or shag carpeting. Cube's "Magic Rubber Bands," another clever Cube accessory item, are colorful rubber straps (red, yellow, orange or silver) that slip into cutouts on the door armrests to secure items such as maps, nametags, photos, towels or small stuffed animals. "The interior concept is really about the Cube conforming to the users' needs, rather than the other way around – you can put your favorite items anywhere you want, not where the vehicle tells you to," said Castignetti. "The designers demanded that every aspect of the Cube interior be delightful, as well as functional." The Cube interior design also incorporates a series of subtle "Water Drop" concentric circles, inspired by nature and the calming way that ripples move outward from a drop in water. The circles can be seen in items ranging from the roof headliner to the cupholders to the climate control design. A Wide Range of Available Features Cube's heating and cooling system provides quiet, efficient operation with easy to recognize and use knobs and switches. Other standard equipment offered on the 2009 Nissan Cube includes power windows with driver's side one-touch auto down feature, Remote Keyless Entry system, power door locks with auto-locking feature, variable intermittent windshield wipers and intermittent rear window wiper, rear window defroster with timer, cargo area courtesy light and hooks, 12-volt power outlet and adjustable front seat belt upper anchors. Available Cube technology features include Nissan Intelligent KeyÔ with Push Button Ignition, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer with six speakers, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately), Interface System for iPod® and a rear sonar system. The Cube interior is offered in two color environments, Wall Gray and Graphite. Wall Gray, available in a quilted suede-like fabric with special "natural wave" stitching only, is designed to create a relaxing contrast between the warm, light gray upholstery and warm off-black interior accents. The warm off-black Graphite interior, available in two cloth grades, provides a combination of relaxation and more traditional "driving enjoyment" attitude. "The Cube interior is a great example of how an inexpensive, high value vehicle can be done well – quality design, quality materials and the features and equipment that the user needs with room for personalization, rather than forced customization," said Castignetti. Unexpected Power and Driving Ease Just as Cube has its own unique take on styling and interior design, the engineering team took a fresh approach to performance – creating a vehicle that is easy to drive and easy to handle in traffic. The emphasis for Cube's performance credentials is squarely on fun-to-drive, rather than exhilaration. Cube combines an advanced 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder with a new-generation Nissan Xtronic CVTÔ (Continuously Variable Transmission) for good acceleration response, smooth operation and fuel efficiency. Torque is rated at 127 lb-ft. The MR18DE engine, also utilized in the popular Nissan Versa, is designed to be powerful and responsive, while also delivering excellent fuel economy. Fuel economy is projected to be over 30 miles per gallon Highway with the CVT transmission (actual EPA fuel economy unavailable at this time). The Xtronic CVT, unlike conventional stepped gear automatics, operates as essentially "one gear" through use of a belt and two pulleys. By infinitely varying the working diameters of the two pulleys, the transmission eliminates the "steps" between gears, resulting in a smoother, more efficient operation by keeping the engine in its optimum power range under a variety of driving and load conditions. Cube's new generation CVT adopts a new CVT oil warmer for enhanced warm-up performance in cold conditions (reducing friction). It also includes an advanced Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), which detects the driving situation and style (economy, normal, sports) and communicates with the engine control – helping optimize both fuel economy and driving pleasure. The 2009 Cube is also offered with a 6-speed manual transmission with a new shift control system, triple cone synchronizers (1st and 2nd gear) and reverse synchronizer system. The 6-speed manual is available with Cube 1.8 and Cube 1.8 S models. "The Cube has a strong power-to-weight ratio, which combined with the advanced CVT, gives it a surprisingly spirited driving feel. Throw in the small turning radius, good outward visibility and the smooth suspension feel and you have the perfect formula for navigating through traffic with confidence and ease," said Castignetti. Cube's suspension combines an independent MacPherson strut front design with stabilizer bar with a torsion beam rear with integrated stabilizer bar. Its comfortable, flat ride is a result, in part, of the "Ripple Control" shock absorbers and the high body stiffness. Other standard equipment includes vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power-assisted steering, power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes and 15-inch wheels with P195/60R15 tires. Cube's long list of standard safety features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), seat-mounted driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection. Cube also offers standard front-seat Active Head Restraints, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS), along with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Three Well-Equipped Models The 2009 Nissan Cube is offered in three well-equipped models: Cube 1.8, Cube 1.8 S and Cube 1.8 SL. A full range of dealer accessories allows buyers to expand their Cube world with items such as an illumination kit with 20 selectable colors, illuminated kick plates, rear cargo organizer, pet blankets, wheels, aero kits and more. "We know that self-expression is important to many potential Cube buyers, so we've provided the room and accessorize to help with personalization," said Castignetti. "However, Cube is far from a blank or empty canvas that buyers must equip on their own. Cube is a different kind of box than other vehicles on the market, with an abundance of personality right off the assembly line." Smart Simplicity "Economical, affordable, functional and adaptable, the 2009 Nissan Cube offers an unmatched sense of ‘smart simplicity.' It builds on a Cube DNA of distinctive spirit and non-automotive style, and adds an enhanced level of humanistic charm and clever design," said Castignetti. "If cars could talk, Cube would be likely to say, ‘Nice to meet you.' Come this spring, America gets its chance."

GREEN CAR JOURNAL'S TOP 5 FOR 2009™ ANNOUNCED – ONE TO BE NAMED 2009 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR® AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW
Winner to be Unveiled at a Nov. 20 Press Conference

LOS ANGELES – Oct. 30, 2008 — Green Car Journal's Top 5 for 2009™ – the year's best-of-the-best 'green' vehicles - have been identified by the magazine's editors. These vehicles are the five finalists competing for the Green Car Journal's 2009 Green Car of the Year® award: the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2-Mode Hybrid, smart fortwo and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The 2009 Green Car of the Year will be unveiled at a morning press conference on Nov. 20 during Press Days at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The five models are important milestones for their manufacturers. The VW and BMW clean diesels are leading edge models signaling the advent of highly efficient, advanced diesel sedans that meet emissions certification in all 50 states. Ford's Fusion Hybrid, a full hybrid, is this automaker's first hybrid sedan. Saturn's Vue 2-Mode is GM's first application of its two mode hybrid system in a V-6 front-drive platform. The smart fortwo is a new-for-the-U.S., fuel efficient micro car with a small eco footprint.

"This is an exciting year for 'green' cars because of the many innovative and advanced models now emerging," said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. "In fact, this year's selection of nominees was more challenging than in years past because of the auto industry's greater emphasis on greener vehicles and the number of potential vehicles to consider. For the first time, we've also seen a pair of clean diesels and a small gasoline model giving hybrids serious competition."

Green Car Journal's Green Car of the Year program focuses on recognizing new model vehicles that provide real answers for new car buyers looking for a personal stake in lessening environmental impact. This may be through substantial improvement in fuel efficiency, lower emissions, use of an alternative fuel, or an overall lower environmental load.

Green Car Journal editors perform an exhaustive review of vehicle models to identify those that merit consideration for the Green Car of the Year program. Vehicles using all types of technologies, fuels, and powerplants are eligible. To qualify for consideration as a nominee in the 2009 Green Car of the Year program, a vehicle must exhibit characteristics that substantially raise the bar in environmental performance and be in production by January 1 of the award year. Plus, a potential nominee must be driven by Green Car Journal to allow first-hand evaluation of driving dynamics.

The 2009 Green Car of the Year will be selected by a jury comprised of nine jurors. These include Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; automotive expert and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno; and automotive icon Carroll Shelby. Four Green Car Journal editors round out the jury.
About Green Car of the Year®

The Green Car of the Year® award is an important part of Green Car Journal's mission to showcase environmental progress in the auto industry. Since 1992, Green Car Journal has focused on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment, first with an industry newsletter and then with an award-winning auto enthusiast magazine. Today, the magazine is considered the premier source of information on high fuel efficiency, low emission, advanced technology, and alternative fuel vehicles. Green Car of the Year® is a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.
About the Los Angeles Auto Show

For the third year in a row, the Los Angeles Auto Show will be held in the fall. Green Car Journal has been unveiling the Green Car of the Year® winner at the Los Angeles Auto Show every year since it initiated the annual award in 2005. The show opens for media only Nov. 19-20. Media registration is now open and the deadline to register online and still receive credentials in the mail is Oct. 31. Online registration will remain open until Nov. 6 but credentials must be picked-up on site. Public days run from Nov. 21-30. For general information visit www.LAautoshow.com.

[Green Car Journal]

1. Saab 9X Air

Where every road-going Saab’s dash looks like it was designed in 1994 (which all of them actually were) the 9X Air ditches the claustrophobic clutter for white simplicity and green holographic instruments. Note how even the steering wheel center is simplified into a subtly attractive form free from an excessive smattering of buttons. Our greatest hope for the production Saab 9-1 — which this vehicle hints at — is in the way traditional Saab design hallmarks have been updated. Check out the way the front headrests mount to the seats and the display screen at the top of the dash, which keeps navigation and entertainment functions in the driver’s line of sight.

2. Renault Ondelios

While the huge gullwing doors — able to admit six passengers with minimal intrusion — wowed onlookers, it’s actually the Ondelios’s dash that’s most impressive. Ignore the whale-like form and gimmicky prism primary instruments; it’s the reconfigurable optical feedback keyboard and lit-from-underneath instruments on the dash that alter the way you interact with the in-car functions. Imagine being able to enter an address into the navigation system using a QWERTY keyboard that’s only visible when it’s needed.

3. GtbyCitroen


The GTbyCitroen is pure concept car fantasy, designed to work within the virtual space of Gran Turismo 5 rather than the confines of the real world. The brushed copper dash would be extremely distracting in real driving conditions, but here delivers a sense of drama alien from more pedestrian models. Instruments are by fighter jet-style Heads Up Display, while settings are controlled through a red leather-covered F1-style steering wheel.

4. Mini Crossover Concept

Driven one of BMW’s Mini’s? You’ve probably come away disappointed by how cheap the otherwise uniquely-styled dash is. The Crossover fixes that by deleting just about all the buttons (placing them instead in the totally unrealistic laser projection globe interface) and replacing the cheap plastic with leather, wood and other high-quality materials. The Crossover’s dash actually looks like it could justify the brand’s premium price tags. Instead of tacky $1.50 add-ons, the tachometer is made from metal and looks like it was designed with the car, while the speedometer is a bar that wraps around the globe’s upper half. Expect to see that on future production models.

5. Audi A1 Sportback


Already known for the best interiors in the business, Audis nevertheless tend to be cold and efficient inside. The A1’s dash changes that, dropping high-quality black plastic and replacing it with white leather and brushed aluminum. The whole thing says luxury and quality in a way even Audi’s current interiors can’t. We won’t see this on the production A1, but we might get the fancy propeller air vents.

6. Heuliez dump scooter

Heuliez keeps things real on their electric dump scooter. Who needs fancy haptic feedback lasers when you can use cable ties? Why use rear view cameras and LED displays when the mirrors can be cheaply and easily bolted directly to the crash structure? The front-loading scoot shows all the fancy concept cars that functionality rules.

7. Citroen Hypnos

With the Hypnos, Citroen is trying to make advanced technology more human and approachable. Instead, they've designed a wild, colorful interior then stuck on a flat-screen TV with Velcro. You get the impression that the colors are totally superfluous and it’s the transmission tunnel’s drive selector and other instruments — specifically the way they’re contoured — that really matter here. It’s as if Citroen wanted to make the points of interaction hugely tactile, but instead just made them odd.

8. Mazda Kiyora

Inside, the Kiyora looks like a space fighter from some cheesy sci-fi flick. But since we really enjoy a cheesy sci-fi movie, that’s fine by us. The wrap around instruments radically focus the interior on the driver. None of this looks remotely grounded in reality, which is a shame, because Mazda interiors are some of the blandest in the business. Check out the webbed alien foot pedals.

9. Nissan Nuvu

We’re not sure if Nissan’s designers meant to turn the Nuvu’s interior into the ultimate ride for midget strippers. But with a tiny stripper pole in the back seat and marital aids in place of a steering wheel (as well as the wipe-clean materials), that’s what they did. We’re not sure if it's because or in spite of this, but the Nuvu is one of our favorite concepts from the Paris Motor Show.

10. Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION

Ignore the incredibly pretentious coke mirror, Leica M8 and Cuban cigar-equipped trunk and focus instead on the dash. Remember when Mercedes' were the highest quality cars on the road? The stupidly named and badly styled ConceptFASCINATION’s dash does, replacing production-spec plastics with leather, wood and metal. Mercedes, please immediately implement this dashboard on every single car in your range.

11. Peugeot RC HYmotion4

Peugeot makes nice, sporty economy cars for legions of budget minded Euros, so why does it keep knocking out high-end four-door coupe concepts? Regardless, this dark and moody interior, aside from the crazy instruments and screens, looks strangely production ready and wouldn’t be out of place in any other expensive sports car. We like the exaggerated dual cockpits, the rounded corners and the black leather almost as much as we like the red accent lighting and chrome accents. Color us impressed.

12. Renault ZE

While the ZE’s interior is a pleasant if unambitious take on the whole iPod thing, it’s the crazy green-tinted windows that are really the point here. We don’t know if they’re meant to say, “ Renault Drivers see an environmentally friendly world” or the more subversive “Hybrids are bullshit but their drivers think they’re saving the world.” We’ll continue to think the latter, and thank Renault’s designers for acknowledging the truth.

13. Tang Hua XY08 Chika

We’d be pretty happy boys if every car in the world looked like the Chika. We’d walk around calling everyone Mr. Happy, Mr. Angry, or, in Ray’s case, Mr. OCD. We’d drive around sewing ourselves new clothes (note the needle-holding fabric tomato on the dash) while constantly seeing the smiling visage of our masterful leader in the center of the steering wheel. Right where the airbag would be in a less-perfect world.

14. Honda Insight

The Insight will go on sale next April in a slightly less-concepty form, but this is pretty much it. Expect the interior to use way more black plastic, but retain most of this simplicity. And that’s a good thing.

PARIS: NEW SEAT EXEO IS A SPANISH SURPRISE

* New saloon is indicative of the Spanish brand's ambition
* Highest levels of quality and performance
* Advanced technology combined with exciting new equipment

SEAT is pulling off one of the surprises of the 2008 Paris Motor Show with the debut of its handsome new Exeo saloon. The Spaniards' unexpected showcasing of their new super-saloon in the French capital underlines SEAT's determination to present a real challenge to existing offerings in the mid-size saloon segment.

Exclusive, elegant and sporty, the new Exeo – pronounced 'ex-ay-o' – represents a major leap in quality for SEAT, whose aim with this and other newcomers is to explore new markets and significantly broaden its already attractive model range.

Quality and precision of both manufacturing processes and materials were the underlying requirements when designing and producing Exeo, and their expert application results in a sporty, refined, safe and engaging car.

Distinctive personality

Distinctive, elegant styling abounds on the new Exeo. Outside, both the front and rear ends are clearly indicative of the Spanish brand's image – it is sporty with fluid forms, soft curves and prominent wings that heighten the car's athletic looks. The unmistakable SEAT grille, markedly larger on this model, plus the proportion of glass to metal lends an even sportier look to the car.

The new Exeo's assertive styling is enhanced on the Paris show car with stunning 18-inch alloy rims and a muscular twin exhaust pipe arrangement, both telltale signs for those 'in the know' that this is a potent piece of machinery.

Inside, the Exeo's extraordinarily ergonomic interior is especially comfortable. At the front of the passenger compartment the dashboard lines flow towards the door panels and the driver-facing central console, creating a pronounced and engaging wrap-around effect. The two-tone instrument panel's great looks are completed with dark brown wood inserts.

The interior colour scheme of the show car is particularly interesting. Entitled 'magnolia', it creates a feeling of spaciousness with light, airy tones. The comfortable leather seats and Alcantara lining on pillars and roof panel also underscore the Exeo cabin's feeling of style and roominess.

Naturally, the new car also provides an extremely comfortable driving experience. The front seats have four automatic memory positions, and the seat length offers exceptional leg support. And, in a touch of limousine-like luxury, even the rear sunshade can be controlled electrically to reduce incoming glare.

The bodywork construction includes a steel monocoque structure with integrated aluminium components. The further use of high strength steel helps reduce weight on the new car, guaranteeing excellent results in both occupant and pedestrian protection. These special elements are used on both the front-end structure and the passenger compartment.

SEAT's saloon also features ample boot space, with a volume of 460 litres, while the notably generous 1,000 mm loading width between the interior extrusions allows bulky objects to be loaded with ease.

Agile, dynamic and sporty

With the arrival of the Exeo, SEAT is demonstrating its efforts to design and manufacture truly 'made-to-measure' vehicles. Its compact size and exceptional manoeuvrability provide more comfortable, agile performance in both city driving and when parking. Add the exceptional long distance performance that comes with a top quality mid-size saloon and SEAT is confident its newcomer will have significant appeal.

The SEAT Exeo uses the Volkswagen Group's Premium platform, found on mid-sized saloons, to provide outstanding driving comfort for both passengers and driver. The platform's exceptional dynamic performance is due to the exhaustive work carried out on its rigidity and geometry, as well as significant modifications to suspension coils and shock absorbers.

The front suspension set-up is an independent multilink, with a trapezoidal link at the rear. Light alloy elements on both shafts also considerably reduce the unsuspended mass.

On board the Exeo, the driver immediately feels the vehicle's controlled behaviour, even when driving to the limit, with the car's body responding succinctly to the steering wheel and delivering minimal roll. Speed-dependent Servotronic power steering, where the degree of assistance depends on the car's speed, provides greater comfort and driving pleasure.

Technologically advanced

Driving enjoyment is at the very heart of the SEAT Exeo ethos and, as such, several solutions have been specifically added for both driver and passengers to deliver exceptional comfort.

Besides the many features expected on a saloon in this category, the Exeo also features double-thickness door windows which significantly reduce noise inside the car and are also a theft deterrent. It is also equipped with a tilt sensor alarm and an innovative 'solar roof', which provides enough electrical power to activate the car's ventilation system even allowing it to continue to work when the engine is turned off.

SEAT's new car also features latest generation Xenon Plus headlights, including stunning daytime running lights, providing an intense, even beam. The dynamic turning system is made up of swivelling lights that illuminate the inside of a curve when the car is travelling at a speed of at least seven miles an hour.

The twin-zone automatic climate control system is equipped with a sophisticated air quality sensor, which not only provides independent climate control on the driver and front passenger sides, but also detects and avoids the entry of noxious gases, maintaining a constant air quality for the vehicle's occupants.

The new car also naturally features a sophisticated satellite navigation system with two SD ports, MP3-type audio player and hard disc, including a map database of the whole of Western Europe.

Extensive safety measures

The Exeo is packed with the most sophisticated occupant protection measures, including two front airbags which deploy in two stages depending on the severity of the collision, two front side airbags, two curtain-type head airbags, driver knee airbag and rear side airbags.

The car also features active front seat head restraints that protect driver and passenger from whiplash caused by a rear-end collision. The front passenger and rear seats are also equipped with Isofix anchoring points for the safe securing of child seats.

SEAT's new executive class saloon is also equipped with numerous active safety elements including ABS, TCS and ESP +, EBA and tyre pressure monitoring.

More horsepower, fewer g/km of emissions

The Exeo showcased in Paris boasts a powerful petrol engine in the shape of a turbo-charged direct injection 200 PS 2.0-litre TSI. It delivers maximum torque of 280 Nm at only 1,800 rpm, providing highly accessible performance. Fuel consumption comes in at 36.6 mpg on the (provisional) combined cycle, while CO2 emissions fall below 185 g/km.

Further details, prices and specification will be announced closer to the SEAT Exeo's UK launch during the first half of 2009.

10) Incredibly Uncomfortable Chairs

What's Wrong: Chairs are one of those things you should sacrifice for the sake of comfort over making a design statement. The chairs in the press room may look nice, but after an hour of seat time they try to consume your soul through your back side.
How To Fix It: Function over form, people. Suck up your silly Euro pride and get over to Michigan and buy yourself some Haworth or Steelcase chairs.

9) Wiring Monster

What's Wrong: Nothing is worse than needing power, hooking up your voltage adapter, and blocking the adjacent ports so people in the same situation are out of luck.
How To Fix It: Take a tip from the Tokyo Motor Show and put multi-voltage, multi-port hubs on the top of the desks. With multi-port hubs, you make everybody happy and plugging in power strips in your native voltage becomes a snap.

8) Messy Press Release System

What's Wrong: In the press rooms at most major shows there's a dedicated set of labeled cubbies with all of the available press releases and a staff there to deliver what you ask for and keep everything in stock and neat and tidy. At Paris there are some wood boxes and nobody to do anything about the wretched state they devolve into.
How To Fix It: Let's work on that. Assign someone to the press release cubby area and have them, you know, figure this shit out.

7) Desktop Computers EVERYWHERE

What's Wrong: Hey Paris, the age of the desktop is over. Anybody press person traveling to the Paris Motor Show really should have a laptop and one would think they'd prefer it over a big clumsy desktop. Instead of having 15-20% more desktop space, 80% of the press room is loaded up with staffers camping out on desktops because there are no more hard lines anywhere else.
How To Fix It: Dump 90% of the desktops and keep a couple in the corner for the gray hair auto journos and print mag head honchos who've yet to figure out why a laptop might be important for them to bring with them.

6) Stairs

What's Wrong: It may sound like a little thing, but when you're walking five to ten miles a day with a heavy bag of camera gear, doing acrobatics to get a good shot under the hot spotlights, running from press conference to press conference and battling the army of similarly motivated and equally sweaty competitors, another set of stairs are the last thing you need. Adding insult to injury, these stairs are only big enough for one full grown man to use at a time.
How To Fix It: Not everyone can have escalators like the Chicago Auto Show and the New York Auto Show, but walk-in press rooms Paris, you heard it here first.

5) Terrible Traffic Flow

What's Wrong: For a two-story, instant-style container building, the upper floor is loaded with big-ass columns that take up valuable floor space, make foot traffic congested, and just generally get in the way. Interestingly, not a single one of those columns has a power outlet on it. All failures of design in our opinion, aren't you folks supposed to be good at that kind of thing?
How To Fix It: Perhaps a pre-fab trailer isn't the best place to put a press center at an international auto show.

4) Way, Way Too Small

What's Wrong: Fer Chrissake, you're the people who built the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, The Cathedral of Notre Dame, you know how to make things big. There's no reason for a press room as crowded as a cafe on the Avenue des Champs- Élysées and that looks like a double-wide with some folding tables tossed in for fun.
How To Fix It: Think bigger folks, you have entire floors of some of the halls empty, use 'em.

3) Location, Location, Location (You Picked A Bad One)

What's Wrong: As we mentioned, the press room is all the way off in BFE (Butt-Frenching Egypt) on the North side of the show. On top of that it's outside (getting thousands of dollars worth of gear wet from rain is not at all fun). There are two main halls where most of the action takes place, Hall 3 and Hall 1.
How To Fix It: Connecting the two major halls is the Hall 2 second floor, which acts as a bridge over traffic. Hall 2 is home of vendors and tier 3 suppliers of all varieties. Would it be impossible to drop some of those folks into the lower level of the sparsely populated Hall 2 first floor? No, and it would save a lot of travel time.

2) Unreliable Wifi, Too Few Hard Lines

What's Wrong: Hard lines seem like an antiquated way to hook up to the internet these days, what with industrial strength 802.11n routers and all, but when the teaming horde of journalists whip out their laptops, all their electronic equipment, TV cameras, mixing boards, etc. clog the airwaves with their static. And don't even get us started on the 32-key password.
How To Fix It: Nothing is more of a godsend than walking into the Detroit Auto Show and finding a good old shielded hard line. We can't tell you how many times Wi-fi is more like No-fi at an auto show. Throw us a bone here folks and drop more hard line hubs.

1) Laughable Food Service.

What's Wrong: If you have time to graze upon the offerings of the automakers, the Paris Auto Show is a magical place. Paris is known as a foodie kind of place, so to keep up appearances, everybody dishes up some of the best auto show food in the world (Honda, we're looking at you and your awesome Asian/French fusion lunch on Thursday. Not that we stopped to eat or anything Wert, we swear!). But for those on the run or stuck phoning it in to the home office, the best you can hope for in the press room is overly sweet dessert bites, juice, water and soda.
How To Fix It: An army marches on its stomach and this one is no different. At least put out a plate of sandwiches once in a while. I mean, you guys invented baguettes, use them.


Let's be clear, we wouldn't trade our time at the Paris Motor Show for anything. We're just saying that when we're trying to decide which international show's tops, it's hard to argue for a show that seems unable to buy comfortable chairs. Just sayin'...

Yeah, that totally looks like it fits.

Perhaps they're intended only for briefcases and groceries, though, to be fair, the trunk behind the engine is big enough for a decent round trip to your local Tesco. Despite your wild fantasies of jaunty trips cross country with the Missus and kids in your favorite Lotus, we are sorry to inform you that will not be possible. This car is not a four seater, it's not even a 2+2 — it's more like a 2+nothing. Because frankly, the rear seats are good for nothing more than a way to lower the insurance rates.

WORLD PREMIERES

The result of close technological collaboration between Venturi Automobiles and Michelin, the Venturi Volage, presented for the first time at the “Mondial 2008” (Paris Motor Show), marks a major step forward in the evolution of the Automobile.

This new Venturi incorporates innovations which have enabled radical changes in terms of the vehicle’s architecture, style, dynamic behaviour and, more generally, the design of a modern vehicle.

All these changes constitute several world premières which, with the presentation of the Venturi Volage, reinforce Venturi’s capability for constant innovation, as well as its position as the most advanced company in the field of electric vehicles.

POWER TRANSMISSION & ACTIVE SUSPENSION

With 4 drive wheels with active suspension, the Venturi Volage has no equivalent. “Michelin Active Wheel” technology in fact incorporates 2 electric motors per wheel (1 for suspension and 1 for drive), ie. a total of 8 electric motors piloted in real time by spearhead electronics.

Like the mechanism of a watch, all the components, motors, gear reduction units and suspensions, are miniaturized and built into the wheels.

The active electric shock absorber system allows for total adaptation to the type of road surface and driving. Combining Michelin’s experience in the area of surface liaison with that of Venturi for the chassis, the Venturi Volage represents in its road holding, drivability and silent functioning, the sum of today’s automotive technology.

THE CAR OF THE DIGITAL ERA

Playing down the mechanical aspect in favor of electronics, close to the concept of a robot, this car belongs to a new era, the digital era. Thanks to a dashboard touch screen, the driver can configure the vehicle entirely as he wishes. This total control marks significant progress in terms of management, particularly of the energy stored in the car’s batteries: the driver can, for example, decide to give preference in certain cases to range rather than power, comfort rather than speed, an important factor for an electric car.

A CHASSIS UNIQUE WORLDWIDE

The only part that the Venturi Volage shares with the Venturi Fétish is its carbon fiber bodywork. Developed by the Venturi Design Office, this body is still a unique concept worldwide, as it is the only one to have been specifically designed to be that of an electric car and thus carry batteries within its very structure.

Thanks to this innovative design, both the Fétish and the Volage benefit from an unequalled level of safety, for both the cars’ passengers and also the batteries they carry.

The ideal distribution of the Venturi Volage’s masses - 45% at the front, 55% at the rear – and its perfectly mastered weight of 1,075 kilos enable it to attain 100 km/hr (62 mph) in less than 5 seconds.

PRODUCTION MODELS

A real demonstration of spearhead technology, the car presented in its world première is entirely operational and prefigures the production of a limited series of this model, scheduled as from 2012.

Like the Venturi Fétish assembled in our workshops in Monaco, the Venturi Volage will be assembled by hand, in the form of very limited production.

The technological repercussions of these two cars positioned at the very top end of the market are to be found on other vehicles bearing the Venturi brand, enabling as many people as possible to benefit from the firm’s advances in the field of sustainable mobility.

DESIGN OF VOLAGE, BY SACHA LAKIC

“Like a light and sensual veil, the Volage’s bodywork clings close to its exceptional technical features.

Active suspensions and motors incorporated into the wheels, a flat bottom, aerodynamic tunnels: these choices and technological advances have enabled me to “design the void” usually occupied by the engine and suspensions, and thus explore audacious new paths in terms of styling.

The void is part of the Volage style; it has been designed by subtraction.

Volage has been fashioned by the wind.
The science of aerodynamics is the main tool that has been used to elaborate its shape. It is easy and enjoyable to imagine the movement of flows of air, on and across its bodywork.

Volage finds itself in a totally original and decidedly contemporary formal category. The relationship with Venturi’s other models is obvious, though it is also possible to see, in a few details, a subtle tribute to certain icons among French cars of the pre-war era, the most elegant, the ones that were way before their time.

Volage inspires passion: its powers of seduction are immense.”

SUBARU BOXER DIESEL: Features & Benefits

Low vibrations and noise
- The movements of the horizontally-opposed pistons work in unison to effectively cancel out the second harmonic vibration (vibration at double the frequency of the engine’s revolution) that causes discomfort in drivers. Thanks to this structural advantage, the SUBARU BOXER DIESEL does not need balancer shafts which are commonly used in conventional in-line and V-type engines. The compactly designed crankshaft sandwiched by the highly rigid cylinder blocks helps minimizing an uncomfortable noise and vibration up to high rpm’s.

Superior engine response and good fuel economy
- No need for balancer shafts leads to low rotational inertia and friction within the engine itself. The result is exceptional accelerator response and good fuel economy.

Contribution to the handling performance
- The bore pitch has been shortened and the left and right blocks holding the crankshaft provide a highly rigid design compared to the conventional in-line engines, which has also allowed use of an aluminium alloy cylinder block for weight savings.
- In addition to the low centre of gravity provided by the structure of the Horizontally-Opposed Engine, the placement of the turbocharger unit at the lower part of the engine functions to maintain a low centre of gravity for the diesel engine, which tends to be quite heavy in weight.
- These engine features contribute to excellent handling performance.

SUBARU BOXER DIESEL: Mechanisms

1. Cylinder block
- Cylinder block
An aluminium alloy cylinder block has been used to maximise the potential of the highly rigid Horizontally-Opposed Engine layout. To obtain ideal diesel combustion, the stroke was extended by 11 mm and the bore was shortened by 6 mm compared to the SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine (EJ20). The bore pitch has been shortened to 98.4 mm, which is similar to that of SUBARU BOXER 6-cylinder petrol engine (EZ30), while the petrol engine (EJ20) has 113.0 mm. This has led to a 61.3 mm reduction in engine block length for even more compact design.

Semi-closed deck: The block design uses the semi-closed deck type that has proven its durability in the turbocharged petrol models. This increases rigidity around the head gasket mating areas.
Metal matrix composite journal: All 5 main bearings (journals) in the cylinder block incorporate metal matrix composite journals (which are inserted during the casting process), resulting in superior levels of quietness due to high rigidity and similarity in thermal expansion ratio to that of crankshaft.

Extra cooling channels: Cooling slits have been given between the cylinder bores to operate as water cooling channels, thus improving cooling performance.
- Pistons
High strength materials have been used to withstand the high combustion pressures of the diesel engine. Cooling channels within the pistons have been incorporated, with engine oil squirted via oil jets, which enhances piston cooling.

- Connecting rods
The large ends of the connecting rods feature an asymmetrical profile, which increases precision during assembly and in roundness of the surface connecting the crankpin for reduced friction. It has also contributed to minimizing the rotational path, thus allowing an extended piston stroke inside the compact cylinder block.

- Crankshaft
The high strength crankshafts have undergone surface treatment to withstand the high combustion pressures that are found in a diesel engine. Since the Horizontally-Opposed engine layout allows for shorter journal pitch, high rigidity is maintained in a diesel engine that is dramatically lighter in weight than conventional in-line engines.

2. Valve system / intake and exhaust system
- Cylinder head
High strength cylinder heads have been used to withstand the high combustion pressures.
Roller rocker arms: compact and low friction end pivot type roller rocker arms have been used in combination with the double overhead cam (DOHC) system.
Valve System: The diameter of the intake valves have been optimised for enhanced breathing performance and swirl ratios, resulting in improved combustion efficiency.
- Intake ports
The combination of an intake swirl pot system and optimised intake valve diameter results in ample swirl performance.
- Cam Drive System
A highly durable chain system has been used to drive the camshaft to handle the variations in torque produced by the diesel engine.

3. Common rail system
A common rail system has been used for fuel delivery for better performance. The fuel is pressurised to 180 MPa before being fed into the common rail.
- Solenoid injectors
Specially designed injectors have been used. A shorter overall length of the injector has contributed to maintain overall engine width as that of the regular petrol engine despite the longer piston stroke.
4. Turbocharger
A variable nozzle type turbocharger has been specially designed to deliver ample turbocharged performance across the entire engine range. The turbocharger itself has been positioned under the engine and mounted directly to the catalytic converters for increased environmental friendliness. Response has been improved while also helping to lower the centre of gravity.

5. Exhaust
The exhaust system has been fine tuned for use with the diesel engine.

6. Exhaust Emission Control System
A closed-type of diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been adopted for the exhaust emission control system of the Impreza in order to further enhance environmental friendliness.
The DPF has been positioned together with the turbo charger at the lower part of the engine. This not only improves exhaust gas purification performance, but also helps keeping the centre of gravity low, thus further enhancing the superb handling performance of the symmetrical AWD. This system complies with European EURO 4 exhaust gas regulations.
- Oxidation catalytic converter
The catalytic converter separates un-burnt fuel into water and carbon dioxide. The unit has been made compact enough to be activated soon after the engine has been started. If the temperature rises to 300°C under certain driving conditions, the oxidation catalytic converter generates NO2, which oxidises collected diesel particulates inside the DPF.
- Closed Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
The adoption of a closed DPF functions to improve engine combustion efficiency and reduce particulate matter (PM) in the exhaust in order to further enhance environmental friendliness.
The closed DPF features a honeycomb shaped filter made of silicon carbide. The filter channels are blocked on alternating ends of each side and there are also microscopic pores on the inner filter wall, thereby functioning to effectively collect the PM as the exhaust gas passes through these microscopic pores.
The collected PM is combusted inside of the filter, which reaches 600°C and higher depending on operating conditions, and repeatedly regenerated, processed, and emitted as exhaust. Conversely, if the internal filter temperature is low with a continuous load operation, the temperature within the layers is controlled to cause combustion of the PM, which is then repeatedly generated, processed, and emitted as exhaust.
- EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system
An EGR system has been used to comply with European EURO 4 exhaust gas regulations. The cooled exhaust gas is fed back into the combustion chamber to lower the combustion temperature and reduce NOx emissions.

7. Engine mounting system
A liquid-filled engine mounting system has been employed for even less vibration and better handling performance.

ONDELIOS: AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY LONG-HAUL JOURNEY

The Paris Motor Show sees the wraps come off Renault’s top-of-the-range concept car
Ondelios designed for lovers of long-haul travel who set store by comfort and
refinement. Ondelios epitomizes Renault’s vision of the high-end crossover, combining
a comfortable ride with respect for the environment. Clear illustrations of that vision are
the vehicle’s ethereal design, its interior layout, and an original hybrid powertrain.

A sleek design that answers the call of the open road
The 4.8-metre-long, 1.6-metre high Ondelios has drawn inspiration from the world of aviation
design to deliver high drag efficiency and a Cd of just 0.29. This long-distance voyager boasts
sleek, smooth, amazingly fluid lines that make it appear as though it glides over the ground. It
embodies Renault’s vision of high-end car.
"Ondelios is inspired by motion rather than speed and is a whole new response to the call of
the open road," enthuses Patrick Le Quément, Renault’s Design Director.

The aluminium-finish grille is flanked by headlamp units that also suggest flowing motion, while
its high-performance LED headlights are both longer lasting and more efficient.
Another feature of Ondelios' aerodynamic styling is the boomerang-shaped tail lights. They are
built into the bodywork and ringed with air extractors to control the flow of air from the wheel
arches.
The glazed roof further emphasises the vehicle’s airy look and feel, bathing the interior in
natural light. The steeply raked windscreen, which extends well down the bonnet, further
accentuates this ethereal feel.

"We think of it as made from a single material, where the body and glazed areas merge into
one. Ondelios is a glimpse of what the automobile might be in the medium term future," adds
Patrick Le Quément.
The butterfly-type side doors, which also feature an extensive glazed area, add a further touch
of elegance to the car’s overall styling. They swing out and upwards as the sills slide down to
facilitate ingress.

The dark blue anthracite of the bodywork blends perfectly with the tinted glazed area, making
the car look as if it were all of a piece and a single colour.
The tailgate’s upper section rounds off the sleek, aerodynamic lines with a profiled glareshield
that slides inwards to air and cool the cabin.

Ondelios sits on seven-spoke, 23-inch aluminium alloy wheels which contribute to its profiled
styling. The propeller-like hubs draw airflow from the sides of the car to prevent turbulence.
They operate in conjunction with the rim-side brake discs to ensure they suck in air effectively.

The sleek sidewalls of the large diameter 255/40 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres deliver outstanding
drag performance. Their tread pattern is designed to minimise deformation of the contact patch
while on the move to help curb rolling resistance.
The tread has efficient, active flow channels which, together with the wide circumferential
groove that helps clear water, strengthen the image of a high-end, high-tech tyre.

Business-class comfort for a long-haul journey
The elegance of the Ondelios interior is in harmony with the call of the open road suggested by
its exterior. To begin with, its layout is designed to profit from all the available space. There are
three rows of seats that offer individual seating for six. With their cantilever mounts they give
the impression of floating, while their kinematics are redolent of airplane seats. The electrically
adjustable backs fold into comfortable, business-class positions, while occupants can deploy
and retract their footrests at will. Although their slim lines speak of lightness, they are
designed, like giant leaves, to hug their occupants who can curl up in them to enjoy the
comfort and support they afford. The height of the seats is carefully designed to ensure
occupants are perfectly at ease when they talk to each other.

Unlike conventional door opening systems, the doors are hinged to the roof, which makes
getting into the car extremely easy. The second row of seats slide forward and folds down to
facilitate access to the third row.

In addition to seating comfort, the cabin exudes a highly refined ambience. The materials used

are drawn from contemporary interior design and give the impression of sitting in a lounge on
wheels. They blend soft, supple textures like light grey leather and fabric, as seen on the
dashboard, seats and door panels. The colour of the seatbacks blends gradually from ochre to
purple, further enhancing the sense of security and comfort.

Interior features and fittings are both modern and intuitive. The ergonomically designed
controls, in keeping with Renault’s touch design approach, afford users efficient, comfortable
ease of use.

The ample, flowing yet sober design of the broad dashboard echoes the car’s aerodynamic
exterior. It is further highlighted by a roomy, suspended stowage compartment which is
protected by a lit shell, while all the dashboard’s functional components are particularly user-
friendly:
- active display skins show driver aid and ride information;
- a monitor at the base of the windscreen displays the different menus and pictures from the
door mirror cameras;
- three large strip displays provide driving-related information, revs and how the hybridized
drivetrain is operating;
- a digital speedometer.
The technologies with which Ondelios is equipped enhance the collective and individual well-
being of all occupants. All the passengers, including those in the back row, have their own
Samsung interactive portable multimedia devices which they can use for sharing data or
multiplayer gaming. Speakers are also incorporated into the headrests and a multizone HVAC
system enables each passenger to set the temperature to his or her own liking.

The smart technologies that have gone into designing Ondelios help drivers to settle in at the
wheel, include a Samsung cell phone which also acts as a hands-free door lock recognises the
driver and loads all his or her personal settings, e.g. seat-adjustment settings and favourite
music. The vehicle adds a final, friendly touch in the form of the back-lit logo which lights up to
show that it has recognised the driver.

An environmentally friendly voyager
To complement the extensive work that has gone into Ondelios’s aerodynamics, some of the
car’s structural parts are made from natural flax fibre for greater recyclability. In keeping with
the commitment to make the car as light as possible, its body is made from carbon and the
glazed areas from polycarbonate.

Ondelios is powered by a hybrid powerplant which combines a more powerful 205hp (150kW)
version of the 2.0 dCi engine, with two 20kW electric motors at the front and rear. They
operate in mild hybrid mode, giving the engine extra boost as required. They use a brake and
boost system, recovering energy during braking then delivering it to the engine to boost
acceleration. The front motor also uses fuel-saving stop-start technology.
The electric motor mounted on the rear axle drives the rear wheels when the ESP sensors
detect a loss of traction, thus giving Ondelios the capability of a 4WD vehicle. The car is
equipped with a lithium-ion battery that can deliver power of up to 4kW/h.
With torque of 450Nm between 1,700 and 3800rpm, the diesel engine provides comfort and
flexibility at all engine speeds for long-distance driving pleasure. The 2.0 dCi unit takes
Ondelios from a standing start to 100kph in just 7.8 seconds. Driving through a seven-speed,
double-clutch gearbox, it affords outstanding driving pleasure, while keeping fuel consumption
at a frugal 4.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions at a lowly 120g/km – very impressive for a top-
of-the-range vehicle.

Similarly, the body, chassis design and hybrid powertrain contribute decisively to protecting the
environment.

Ondelios is a long-distance travel-loving aerodynamic crossover born for the open
road. It is proof that caring for occupants and the environment is entirely compatible.
Ondelios is a concept car that illustrates Renault’s vision of the high-end car of the near
future.