New Nissan Micra Unveiled

It’s the Geneva motor show so we can just expect more pictures and details on the slew of debuts. This here’s the unveiled new Nissan Micra.

The Euro-spec version of the car is powered by a choice of two engines – a 1.2L 3-cylinder gasoline engine that dishes out 79bhp and 80 lb-ft of torque and supercharged 1.2L engine that dishes out 97 bhp and 105 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged version will feature a start-stop system as well.

Buyers will be able to choose between a CVT transmission and a proper manual. The car will also have a collection of add-ons like parking sensors with “parking space measurement,” touch-screen sat nav and automatic wipers.

The new version’s built on an all-new global V-platform that’s designed in Japan but will be built in various Nissan plants in Mexico, China, Thailand, and India. European sales are set to begin in Europe.

Nissan 370Z Black Edition

Nissan may not be releasing something new for now but updates on its existing fleet would be most welcome. We’re pretty sure that they’re still milking all the development and hype they’ve given cars such as the GT-R and the 370Z.

Anyway, here’s a special edition of the 370Z sports coupe – the Nissan 370Z Black Edition. The car’s built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Nissan’s Z cars.

Powering the car’s the same 3.7L engine from Infiniti found in the standard 370Z. The car gets some added goodies though which include red leather and suede interior, leather steering wheel, and a touchscreen sat nav inside.

Outside the car gets either a metallic black or quartz paint job while it sits on 19-inch rims. The car also gets red brake calipers for good measure.

Only 370 of these babies will be hitting Europe and would cost around $52,500 (£33,645) for a manual and $54,680 ( £35,045) for an automatic.

Source: Autocar

Top 10 Best Cars of the Decade

So it’s the year and the decades end and it’s all about lists. So we’ve made our own and checked it twice on our pics for the best cars of the decade. Largely our basis for choosing is the car’s impact to motoring. If it’s all about speed and performance supercars will pepper the list. For some reason, it does, but that doesn’t stop us from looking at the sensible side of things.

10. Toyota Prius

While die-hard gear- and petrolheads aren’t throwing in the towel yet in this econmentalist revolution that has affected the motoring industry, we have to admit the the impact of the hybrid. It might be slow to drive and you might look like a smug and sanctimonious bastard who likes the smell of his own farts owning one. But it did challenge the status quo regarding cars and saving the planet. And quite frankly, whether we like it or not, that’s where motoring is headed.
[Read more]

Tokyo 2009: Updated Nissan GT-R

And we all thought that special edition 370Zs and EVs would be all that Nissan will be showcasing at the Tokyo show. Nissan quietly released an updated Godzilla.

No major changes to the Nissan GT-R here but the few changes they made are sure to delight buyers and piss off those who already bought one.

The car gets rear diffuser cooling ducts as part of the standard car. Those ducts were only previously found in the Spec-V GT-R. The car also gets improved low and mid-range responsiveness which should make the car just a bit quicker.

And for those who are looking to use the GT-R as an everyday roadgoing car, this update tweaked the suspensions so that the performance is retained but the ride comfort is enhanced.

These, however, are for JDM GT-Rs which we hope are only for now.

Source: Autocar

Video: Tokyo Show Preview Toyota FT-86, Honda CR-Z, Mazda Kiyora

Having offered nothing really special in the past motor shows, the Japanese have quite a lot in store for the Tokyo Motor Show. Toyota will be showcasing its revival of the AE86 sports coupe with its Subaru co-developed FT-86. Honda, in its quest to be the greenest automaker, will be showcasing the hybrid-only CR-Z. Mazda will be unveiling a couple of engines and the Mazda Kiyora. Nissan and Mitsubishi will have their debutantes as well.

Check out the video showing some of the Tokyo debutantes below:

Tokyo 2009: Nissan Land Glider

Oh boy. It’s the Tokyo motor show again and since most of the participants will be Japanese, we can all expect that level of eccentricity that even the Brits can’t seem to match.

For Nissan, which isn’t making any major changes to Godzilla this year, it’s all about green zero-emissions vehicles this year. So they’ve already launched the Leaf which will be shown at the show stands but next to it is another EV concept – the Land Glider.

Just check out the funky design. It’s only good for one person and is Nissan’s “new proposal for urban mobility that can be enabled by zero-emission car.” Forget the Segway and Winglet, I think I’d rather still be in a car even if it looks like a snazzy bumper car.

Nissan claims that the narrow body can help deal with traffic congestions and help with parking spaces. Well, they might want to take a look at the number of cars without any passengers and do some fancy math and statistics to ascertain those claims but yes, the car has potential.