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Nissan is introducing an enhanced automotive navigation system emphasizing Safer, Greener driving, which will be first available on the Nissan Fuga(also calls Infiniti M, will go on sale in Japan later this year and in the U.S. early next year.).
The new navigation system is designed to keep the driver aware of potentially dangerous driving conditions, by warning drivers of low-visibility intersections, school zones, and speed traps. Additionally, the system also calculates routes faster than previous sat-navs that Nissan has made available.
The navigation system will be the first production system to use intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure and other advanced technologies to promote safer and greener driving. Besides the standard navigation functions, the system includes four new features: a low-visibility intersection warning system, a school zone alert, a navigation-linked speed control and more efficient route search and calculation functionality.
The navigation-linked speed control takes control of the engine and transmission when the driver approaches a tollbooth or sharp curve at a high rate of speed. The feature is already available on the Nissan Eco series.
Of most interest is the low-visibility intersection warning system. The latest system uses a beacon that works in sync with a number of other sensors located around the general road infrastructure. Using information transmitted from this network, drivers can receive audible and display warnings when approaching some low-visibility intersections. The driver can decide whether the information is necessary to act on or not, depending on driving conditions.
Nissan is hopeful the advanced warning system will cut down on the number of traffic accidents and roadside fatalities.
Nissan has announced the development of a new Dual Injector system, which will help improve the fuel efficiency of its small-displacement, gasoline/petrol engines.
While most current petrol engines utilize one injector per cylinder (sending fuel to two intake ports), the new Nissan Dual Injector system doubles the number of injectors per cylinder. This improvs vaporization and reduces the diameter of the fuel droplets by about 60 percent, making combustion more efficient.
Nissan claims it will adopt this system for small-displacement engines instead of a direct-injection system. While similar in theory to direct-injection systems, which also inject fuel directly into cylinders, such direct injection systems are difficult to use on small-displacement engines because they require a high-pressure pump that complicates system design, making component layout less cost-efficient. In contrast, the Nissan Dual Injector system is lighter and structurally simpler and takes up less space because it sends fuel at normal pressures. The system also requires half the amount of rare metals in the catalytic converter compared with a standard engine, helping to further reduce costs.
The Duel Injector system also features continuous valve timing control on the exhaust to reduce pump losses, improve heat efficiency, and raise fuel efficiency by up to 4 percent in sync with the dual injectors.
Nissan will be introducing the new system on some of its models early in 2010, but so far no actual models have been confirmed.
After the release of the new Nissan 370Z, Nissan factory tuner Cobra N+ has designed a wide range of exclusive options for refining the two-seater sports car. No major modifications were made to the engine, but Cobra N+ says its aerodynamic and handling enhancements made a lot of difference.
To reduce unsprung weight to a minimum level, Cobra has developed lightweight wheels with six double spokes, measuring 9Jx19 in the front and 10Jx19 in the back and shod with Pirelli rubber. The wheels are linked to stiffer-than-stock springs which lower the ride of the 370Z by 30 mm. An additional coil over suspension kit varies the ride height between 20 and 40mm on front and rear axle.
For aerodynamic enhancements, Cobra has introduced a diffuser insert for the production apron, custom developed and featuring a central reflector as well as custom cutouts for the two 120-mm tailpipes of the Cobra N+ sport exhaust system. The stainless-steel sport rear mufflers of the exhaust system feature new 120-mm tailpipe on either side. The electronically controlled flap allows selecting an exhaust note for the V6 engine ranging from discrete to racing, depending on what sound you’d like for your 370Z.
At the front, the tuner fitted the 370Z with a carbon fiber front spoiler, squeezed in the opening of the air inlet of the production front apron. Additionally, the body kit includes carbon-fiber-look covers for the outside rearview mirrors.
The new upgraded components will be offered through Nissan dealers in Japan only for now, and pricing is yet to be revealed.
Nissan’s upcoming Nismo 370Z - the sportiest Z on offer - has officially gone on sale, priced from $39,130 and available with just three accessories – Nismo branded carpeted floor mats ($115), illuminated kick plates ($200) and a carpeted trunk mat ($95).
The NISMO 370Z was developed by Nissan’s Specialty Vehicles Group in conjunction with tuning partner Autech Japan. The car is offered in one completely equipped model (no options) with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission and the SynchroRev Match function.
The SynchroRev Match - the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission system- automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the speed of the next gear position, essentially "blipping" the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts. This not only allows the driver to focus more on braking and steering, it improves vehicle balance and smoothness by reducing the typical "shock" when the clutch is engaged. The system can be deactivated with a button next to the shifter for drivers who prefer less vehicle intervention.
Power comes from a tuned version of the company’s 3.7-liter motor, offering 350 horsepower at 7,400 rpm — an increase of 18 hp over the standard model. Peak torque is 276 pound-feet at 5,200 rpm — 6 lb-ft. more than the regular 370Z. The extra oomph is courtesy of an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design and muffler tuning, along with an optimized ECU.
“The NISMO name is known throughout the world as the leading supplier of race-bred, factory-tuned, extreme performance Nissan parts, accessories and vehicles,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America. “The new, second-generation NISMO Z proudly – and deservedly – wears the NISMO badge, carrying on the tradition of bringing racing- inspired performance and engineering to the street.”
To improve chassis, engineers added a stiffer strut tower bar brace and a pair of performance dampers. The standard double-wishbone and four-link suspension has also been specially tuned for improved stability and handling. Compared to the standard 370Z Coupe, front spring rates have been dialed up 15%, rear spring rates 10%, front stabilizer bar rate upped 15% and the rear stabilizer bar is 50% stiffer. The roll stiffness rate has been increased by 15% and front and rear damping factors have been increased by 40% and 140% respectively.
Other features include large diameter 14.0in brakes with uprated four-piston aluminum calipers at the front and two-piston calipers in the rear. To set it apart from the standard model, the Nismo version has also been fitted with a full bodykit and bi-xenon headlights. Available color options include Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red and Platinum Graphite.
Inside, there are Nismo logos on the seats and tachometer, as well as a sports steering wheel with leather and red stitching, and aluminum trimmed pedals. The final addition is a serialized plaque located on the center console.
“One look at the dramatic NISMO 370Z body and you know that this isn’t your everyday sports car,” said Castignetti. “The styling is highly emotional yet totally functional – expressing dynamic movement while enhancing airflow and downforce for enhanced aerodynamic performance.”
After releasing GT570 racing kit for the GT-R, HKS now has gone another step further and produced an even stronger pair of packages for the GT600 Racing and GT600 Sports lines.
The new GT600 kit is based on the previous GT570 package and essentially adds a new induction kit with large diameter intakes, a fuel regulator and a fuel pump. The GT600 kit also ships with the HKS Superior Finisher fitted with an exclusive GT600 badge. The only difference between the Racing and Sport lines is the exhaust system, which for the street-legal Sport trim has been toned down to pass emission and noise regulations in Japan.
According to HKS’ own dyno chart the addition of the GT600 package boosts power to 592hp (441kW).
The pricing for GT600 Racing and GT600 Sports kits has also been released, for the GT600 Racing package you get three options. The GT600 Racing base package is 882,000 yen. For the less obnoxious “Silencer Version” fitted with an additional muffler in the exhaust you will pay 903,000 yen. Finally for the LEGAMAX Premium exhaust version you’re looking at 1,155,000 yen all up. The GT600 Sports package prices at 1,197,000 yen for the base package and 1,470,000 yen including the LEGAMAX Premium exhaust.
The compilation made by Insure.com has shown a list of the twenty most expensive 2009 vehicles to insure, as well as the twenty cheapest 2009 vehicles in the U.S. From the list, the Nissan GT-R stands at the top of the list of the most expensive cars.
The GT-R, which is owned by a 40 year old man who travels about 12 miles to work daily, with a $100,000 policy limit for injury liability for a single person, $300,000 for all injuries, $50,000 for damage to property, and a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive, can be insured annually for an average $2,540.
According to Insure.com, the reason the GT-R features so prominently is because of the fact that customers will buy the car for its speed and power, and they will be more likely to be involved in serious crashes.
The most expensive cars to insure for this year portion of the list are populated by sports cars. Next to the GT-R comes the Dodge Viper, which ranked as the second most expensive vehicle to insure ($2,446/year) and the third-ranked BMW M6 ($2,236). High-performance vehicles such as the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, the BMW M5, the Lexus IS F, the Jaguar XK and the BMW M3 also made the top 20 list for the most expensive vehicles to insure.
Other categories where a clear correlation between vehicle class and insurance cost arose was that of luxury SUVs, such as the Mercedes G-Class, the Hummer H2, the Land Rover Range Rover, the Cadillac Escalade and the BMW X6 all making appearances in the top 20.
At the other end of the spectrum were smaller and cheaper vehicles that didn't offer much in the way of power but were big on safety. Interestingly, the five cheapest cars to insure were all from South Korea, with Hyundai and Kia featuring multiple entries in the cheapest five vehicles to insure. Meanwhile, minivans seem fairly cheap to insure also, with the Honda Odyssey, the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan all featuring on the list for cheapest vehicles to insure.
The 20 most expensive 2009 vehicles to insure:
1 $2,533 Nissan GT-R
2 $2,446 Dodge Viper
3 $2,236 BMW M6
4 $2,186 Ford Shelby GT500
5 $2,088 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
6 $2,071 Audi S8
7 $2,020 BMW M5
8 $1,912 Hummer H2
9 $1,881 Lexus IS F
10 $1,819 Porsche 911
11 $1,762 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
12 $1,717 Jaguar XK Series
13 $1,714 BMW M3
14 $1,694 Cadillac XLR
15 $1,637 Audi R8
16 $1,603 Land Rover Range Rover
17 $1,592 Cadillac Escalade EXT
18 $1,587 Honda S2000
19 $1,584 BMW X6
20 $1,577 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
The 20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure:
1 $832 Hyundai Santa Fe
2 $840 Kia Sportage
3 $848 Hyundai Entourage
4 $857 Kia Sedona
5 $870 Kia Rio5
6 $871 Honda Odyssey
7 $881 Smart Fortwo
8 $911 Saturn Vue
9 $913 Mazda Tribute
10 $915 Chrysler Town & Country
11 $921 Scion xB
12 $929 Mazda Mazda5
13 $936 Volkswagen Passat
14 $939 Jeep Wrangler
15 $951 Honda Accord
16 $954 Suzuki Forenza
17 $955 Lincoln Town Car
18 $957 Mazda Truck (B-Series)
19 $959 Chevrolet Impala
20 $960 Dodge Grand Caravan
The Nissan 370Z is available in the markets of Japan and the US in a high-performance trim by Nismo, but the model will not be available for Europe. However, Nissan is offering a special edition to its European buyers, which is patterned after the yellow Nissan 370Z race car that participated in the Nurburgring 24 hour competition just recently. It’s so called 370Z Nurburgring Edition.
This special edition features a number of performance modifications and is limited to just 80 copies. Not surprisingly, pricing of the vehicle reflects this limited availability and exclusive quality and has been set at €50,400 (approximately $71,280).
Each vehicle will come with a uniquely numbered plate, as well as unique 19in OZ Racing alloy wheels shod with 285mm tires in the rear and 255 tires up front, including a Cobra performance exhaust system. A special ring card with €150 ($212) of credit will also be offered to customers, which they can use for public track days on the Nurburgring circuit.
Apart from the new exhaust system, the car’s powertrain has been left untouched which means it features the most current 3.7L V6 engine with 332hp (247kW) and 270lb-ft (366Nm) on tap. Standard on this model is the six-speed manual equipped with SynchroRev Match function from Nissan.
