Although Mitsubishi has failed to unveil its upcoming 2008 Lancer Evo X at the 2007 IAA motor show in Frankfurt, there is still a chance we will actually see the car at the upcoming 40th Tokyo Motor Show to be held from October 26th through November 11th.
As for now, there is a set of four official photos of the new Evo, including an interior shot of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR, which will be sold in the U.S.
The Evo X, Car and Driver is reporting in its November printed issue, will be equipped with a 295 hp engine producing up to 300 lb-ft of torque and mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Japanese-only Evo X MR will also feature more interesting all-new dual-clutch sequential gearbox, so the car will cost slightly more than the GSR model, which will start at bearable $30,000.
The power will be transmitted to all the four wheels via the new 4WD system with a power split ratio of 50/50 in normal mode and with 80% front or rear bias depending on the driving conditions.
The car will feature a little bit worse acceleration time than the outgoing model, arriving at the 60mph mark in 5 seconds, but will in return provide you with better cornering abilities.
More info and specs later.
See also: Subaru Impreza GB270 to be limited to 300 + 100 units
Friday, November 16, 2007
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X: more photos
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
2009 Nissan Murano gets smoother
The new 2009 Nissan Murano crossover SUV will be even smoother than the first-generation Murano, looking more like an overgrown Qashqai / Rogue. The car will be officially revealed at the upcoming motor show in Los Angeles.
Based on the 2007 Nissan Altima, the 2009 Nissan Murano will feature a little bit more aggressive exterior than the outgoing model. Mainly, due to a wider hood and a set of impressive 20-inch wheels. Just like its main competitors, the car will receive a set of LED tail lamps and a second row moonroof.
Inside, you'll find a Bose audio system, a DVD multimedia and navigation with a 9.3GB hard drive, a six-disc changer and an auxiliary jack, as well as heated front and back seats, a power liftgate, and a rearview camera
All this gear on wheels will be motivated by a 265-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
List of standard active safety systems includes stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, and side and curtain airbags.
See also: 2008 Nissan Xterra gets higher price tag
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Nissan Murano GT-C surfaces at Goodwood
Announced just a month ago, the new Nissan Murano GT-C was unveiled today at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed. After Goodwood, the company plans to show it off again at the British International Motor Show in mid-July.
The concept is based on the well-known Nissan Murano 4x4 crossover, but features a revised powertrain, a raft of suspension, brake and steering upgrades, and a set of subtle changes in both exterior and interior.
The new 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 comes with a Garrett hybrid turbo-charger, which features a turbine from a Garrett T3 and a compressor from a Garrett T4. The engine also sports variable valve timing on both inlet and outlet camshafts, and an acoustically tuned stainless steel exhaust system with four tailpipes.
No wonder, the upgraded powertrain now produces 340 hp at 6,000 rpm and a decent 265 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm, which is good enough to accelerate the crossover from zero to 60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and provide the Nissan Murano GT-C with a top speed of 140 mph.
The engine is mated to a computer-controlled X-Tronic CVT all-wheel drive transmission, which transfers its power to a set of 22-inch five-spoke two-piece lightweight alloy wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx ZR 265/35 profile tyres.
More info and photos at Easier.com
See also: 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander to be previewed in Paris
Nissan Livina Geniss unveiled in Guangzhou
The first of new Nissan's global car's family was unveiled today at the 2006 Guangzhou International Motor Show in China. The new MPV, able to carry up to seven passengers, is powered by a 1.8 MR18DE four-cylinder gasoline engine. The Nissan Livina Geniss will be assembled at Dongfeng Motor Co.'s Huadu plant in Guangdong Province.
The engine that features Nissan's C-VTC technology is, probably, identical to the one, installed in the 2007 Nissan Versa hatchback and capable to provide the car with 122 hp of power and 125 lb-ft (169 Nm) of torque.
The main problem here is that the Livina Geniss seems to be much heavier than a small hatchback and driving this vehicle under full load may become a Chinese torture. May be, that's why the car was unveiled in China.
See also: Renault Scenic MPV gets a facelift
Friday, October 26, 2007
Nissan announces new Nissan GT-R
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, today announced the launch of the Nissan GT-R, a new multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of “an ultimate supercar enjoyable to anyone, anywhere, at anytime”. The 480PS (473HP) twin-turbo GT-R features a newly developed Premium Midship package, including the world’s first independent transaxle 4WD developed independently by Nissan. GT-R will be available mainly through Nissan High Performance Centres nationwide in Japan on December 6th.
GT-R was developed with a new understanding and appreciation of the Earth’s natural forces – gravity, inertial force and aerodynamics – and translates those forces into a completely new design, maximising tyre grip and airflow.
Basic vehicle dynamics and integration with the driver have also been examined, resulting in new componentry and creating a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) never seen before in the marketplace. All of these theories have been integrated to balance “speed and efficiency,” “high-output with environmental mindfulness” and “high performance and safety”.
Taking these factors into account, Nissan created the all-new Nissan GT-R, which offers advanced high performance for secure and enjoyable driving free of climatic, road condition or driving technique limitations. GT-R offers ultimate performance for virtually every driving situation – whether it is the Nurburgring circuit, where GT-R has been developed, to snow, rain or urban areas – all manageable by the GT-R driver through advanced technology and driving dynamics.
GT-R’s unique characteristics are instilled not just in the vehicle’s design, but also through a specialised production process. Carbon fibre, aluminium and steel components are assembled with a special high-precision process, which includes a series of vibration tests. Engines and transmissions are assembled in a “clean room” environment and upon completion every GT-R undergoes a battery of comprehensive tests to ensure the proper operation of all vehicle components.
To properly support the all-new GT-R, Nissan has established special Nissan High Performance Centres in Japan, where all certified advisors and technicians have received extensive training. Total support for the GT-R owner is offered for the first three years of ownership, including measurement and adjustment of the engine, transmission and wheel alignment after the first 1000 km.
Packaging and Driveline Suited for a Supercar
The all-new Nissan GT-R uses a Premium Midship package, an all-new platform which enables the use of the world’s first application of an independent transaxle 4WD system. The transaxle’s layout places the dual-clutch transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle (instead of the usual front location), which enables vehicle weight to be evenly distributed throughout the car. This gives GT-R a superb front-to-rear weight balance, while enhancing leg and foot space and allowing for an optimal pedal layout.
Under the hood, GT-R features an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 “VR38” engine, featuring plasma-sprayed bores and a special twin-turbo exhaust manifold system. A secondary air management system enables the newly designed power-plant to provide approximately 40kgm of torque during ordinary low-rev driving, which provides for an optimum air-fuel ratio for around-town efficiently and helps GT-R meet ultra-low emission vehicle (U-LEV) standards in Japan.
GT-R’s new engine produces 480PS (353kW) at 6400rpm and maximum torque of 60kgm (588Nm) from 3200 to 5200rpm. Putting the power to the ground is an all-new GR6-type dual clutch transmission, with paddle shifting and a Borg Warner six-plate dual clutch for direct control.
Suspension duties are handled through a special Bilstein DampTronic system, which utilises all pertinent vehicle information to provide appropriate damping forces for all situations and helps maintain a high level of control for straight-line driving, cornering, and braking.
Braking is essential for a daily-driven supercar and GT-R features large Brembo full-floating drilled rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads and Brembo mono block six-piston front and four-piston rear callipers, which in combination minimise fade and provide stable braking. Run-flat tyres, exclusively designed for use on GT-R, balance high grip and all-weather capabilities and a comfortable ride in all driving situations. The tyres are designed to maintain their integrity for 80km of travel at 80 km/h and also provide a level of performance after a loss of pressure.
High-Performance Safety and Environmental Technologies
Standard safety equipment includes a pop-up engine hood, system for enhanced pedestrian safety, driver and front passenger SRS Air Bag System, front seat belts with tension reducer, front seat belts with load limiter, and three-point rear seat belts. Driver and front passenger SRS Side Air Bag System and SRS Curtain Air Bag System are also offered.
Environmental technologies include extensive work to create an U-LEV certification in Japan for the 3.8-litre twin turbo engine and reduced levels of volatile organic compound in the cockpit.
Functional Design – High Performance Aerodynamics and Style
GT-R’s styling follows the function over form theory. Every styling aspect, from the overall design to the smallest details, is created to maximise the vehicle’s driving experience – as well as suggesting GT-R’s “supercar” level of performance. Utilising advanced aerodynamics, GT-R’s aggressive styling evokes the lines of a well-trained athlete, combining strong character lines with smooth and solid areas.
GT-R’s body is created with a combination of steel, carbon fibre and aluminium, providing a unique combination of stiffness and lightness. GT-R features a low coefficient of drag of 0.27 which enhances fuel efficiency, which is balanced with high levels of front and rear down-force, which provides GT-R with enhanced grip in all weather situations.
The front bumpers express power and stability, while the “aero-blades” on the leading edges provide optimum airflow around the tyres and along the body. The scoop in the bumper trailing edges assists in providing front down-force and optimisation of side airflow. The aggressive front end, with a large bonnet bulge and single air intake, provides a sophisticated style as well as undisturbed airflow for power and cooling. New “super wide beam” headlights feature three additional sub-reflectors (compared to conventional lights) to give a wider spread to the illumination area. 
GT-R’s large, four-passenger cabin features a sloping “aero blade canopy” roofline and curved C-pillar “sword edge,” which expresses the distinctive GT-R identity, as well as facilitating air flow around the rear of the vehicle. GT-R’s hallmark four-ring taillights, efficient rear spoiler and large, integrated φ120 exhaust tips, provides an appropriate rear view of GT-R, as well as optimising airflow along the top and under the vehicle.
The high level of advanced technology is evident even in GT-R’s paint – which utilises a “double clear coat” and “anti-chipping” process and is painstakingly hand-polished by craftsman. GT-R features Ultimate Silver as a special new colour.
An Interior Suitable for Daily Driving or Supercar Duties
Key to GT-R’s usability as a daily driver or a high-performance supercar is its interior, which is designed to balance functionality, safety and comfort.
Sculpted performance bucket seats give the driver and passenger a comfortable driving experience, and soft pads are utilised on the lower portion of the instrument panel and doors to give an extra level of comfort and safety.
The instrument panel surrounds the driver, with all meters and multi-function meter at a uniform height to minimise the driver’s head movement when travelling at high speeds. A large centre-mounted tachometer, with gear display on its upper right, as well as the easy-to-read graphics of the display, gives the driver instant detailed information, essential for the performance nature of the GT-R Functional style is also evident in GT-R – each meter features a dial plate design that evokes the idea of engaged gears, as well as a three-dimensional metal-like ring, suggesting the multi-dimensional performance of the GT-R. A large, metallic-framed centre console features the ergonomically designed shift lever and a red “engine start” button.
Adjustability is central to the daily-driver nature of the GT-R, with a special “set-up switch” located in the centre of the instrument panel. This switch enables the driver to adjust transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the Vehicle Dynamic Control in three settings – Normal, Comfort or R, the high-performance setting designed for the GT-R “supercar” application.
A high-speed, high-capacity CARWINGS navigation system is available in Japan, with a powerful 30GB hard disk drive, features an easy-to-use touch pad, as well as traditional navigation switches. The screen interface features not only the navigation system, but also an enriched entertainment system with a Music Box hard drive, DVD and CD player, and Bluetooth® audio function.
For special use in the GT-R application, the multi-function display also includes mechanical and driving information for safe high performance driving, including accelerator opening, brake pedal pressure, and steering angle. It also includes an “optimal gearshift map,” to encourage economical vehicle operation.
A specially designed BOSE sound system includes two forward-facing woofers in the rear centre armrest area combined with traditional door speakers. All speakers are mounted in rigid aluminium die cast panels, which combined with the design of the system itself, provide sound quality suited for a supercar owner.
Source: Nissan
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Nissan Still In Minivan Game In 2007
As Chrysler prepares to try to shake up the minivan segment with a new generation of its people-mover coming in September, and with Ford and General Motors exiting the market, Nissan is prepared to ante up for a few more hands.
Nissan will stay a player for now, in what the Japanese automaker sees as a shrinking—but still viable—market, Larry Dominique, Nissan North America vice president in charge of product planning, told Car and Driver in an interview.
The Quest—with a controversial design customers either love or hate—has never sold as well as hoped, even with a fairly comprehensive redesign for 2007. Less than 32,000 units were sold in 2006, down 21 percent from the previous year, and sales are less than 16,000 through June, a one percent dip, according to Ward’s Automotive Reports.
Dominique is a Quest fan. He thinks the minivan just lacked awareness. And while assembly of the next-generation Quest will move to Kyushi, Japan, from Canton, Mississippi, that is at least a couple years out and does not necessarily mean the end of Quest sales in the U.S.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Nissan GTR 2009
By Ben Stewart
Unless another manufacturer pulls the wraps off a surprise supercar, the production Nissan GTR will be the star of the show. At this point, all we’re allowed to show you is this photo of the concept, and all we can say about the technical specs is what’s rumored. The GTR, in case you’ve missed out on video games like Gran Tourismo over the years or haven’t followed the sport compact car scene too closely, is Nissan’s supercar. And the version that the company will show off in Tokyo will be the first GTR to come to the United States—ever. We know the legendary sports car will come with all-wheel drive. And we hear it will have a turbocharged V6 producing around 480 hp, which means it should be about as quick as a Porsche 911 Turbo.
