sexta-feira, 31 de maio de 2024

Nissan issues 'do not drive' warning for older vehicles, says Takata airbags can explode

More than 83,900 vehicles from model years 2002-2006 are impacted.

 

Nissan has issued a “do not drive” warning for 83,920 vehicles from model years 2002-2006 with recalled Takata airbags.


The warning covers certain model year 2002-2006 Nissan Sentras, 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinders and 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4s.


The vehicles were already subject to open Takata airbag recalls from 2020. A vehicle's frontal passenger airbag inflators may explode due to “propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling,” according to the recall notices from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).


“Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an airbag deployment, propelling sharp metal fragments which can cause serious injury or death,” Nissan said on its website.


NHTSA said vehicle owners should check if their car has an open Takata airbag recall, and if so, should schedule a free repair at their dealerships and follow warnings from the manufacturer. Nissan and Infiniti are offering free towing, mobile repair and, in some places, loaner vehicles.


“Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata airbags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries,” NHTSA said in a press release. “Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the airbag is one of the contributing factors.”


An estimated 67 million Takata airbags—ranging across vehicles from multiple automakers—have been recalled because exposure over time to heat and humidity can cause metal parts inside the air bag to shoot out at drivers or passengers when deployed, according to NHTSA. The agency said 27 people have been killed by a defective Takata airbag and over 400 people have been injured.


The Independent Monitor of Takata and the Coordinated Remedy Program called the recalls “the largest and most complex vehicle recalls in U.S. history.” As of 2021, approximately 50 million defective Takata airbag inflators had been repaired, with the most dangerous air bags replaced first, the group noted.


In 2017, Takata pleaded guilty to wire fraud and agreed to pay $1 billion in criminal penalties for selling the faulty airbag inflators. Later that year, the company filed for bankruptcy.




terça-feira, 21 de maio de 2024

Beyond black and white: Iconic GT-R colors, then and now

 

The Nissan GT-R is renowned not just for thrilling performance, but also its one-of-a-kind design

With functional aerodynamic design including spoilers, air intakes and a rear wing, the Nissan GT-R looks fast – and turns heads – even standing still. That goes double for the many GT-R models adorned with distinctive and even color-changing paint.

For the 2024 model yearOpens in a new tab., the limited-availability GT-R Takumi Edition and Skyline Edition are splashed with two hues that will stir the emotions of any GT-R fan. Called Midnight Purple and Bayside Blue, both paint schemes are familiar to GT-R fans worldwide – and each has a fascinating backstory.

A "taboo," "monster" color

Purple is not a common color on any vehicle; data from 2023Opens in a new tab. suggests just 1% of new cars were painted that shade. But for nearly three decades, a limited-edition, color-shifting shade named Midnight Purple has been one of the most sought-after hues on the GT-R R33 and R34.

Introduced on the R33 generation of the Skyline GT-ROpens in a new tab., Midnight Purple evolved over time, with subsequent versions known as "Midnight Purple II"  and "Midnight Purple III" – the latter particularly made famous by the limited-edition R34 GT-R V-Spec.

When the color launched, putting purple on a production car was seen as almost "taboo" and better suited to aftermarket vehicles, according to Kei Yoshitomi, design manager of Color Design Group, Advance Design Department, Nissan Global Design Center. Nonetheless, he said the design team felt it suited the "monster-ness" of the new GT-R and, "it became a desirable color."

In the past decade, Nissan paid homage to the famous color with special-edition models. The 2014 GT-R Special EditionOpens in a new tab. wore hand-painted "Midnight Opal" bodywork, and modern interpretations of Midnight Purple were offered on the 2021 GT-R T-SpecOpens in a new tab.2024 T-SpecOpens in a new tab. and 2024 T-Spec Takumi EditionOpens in a new tab..

Front right 3/4 view of a black 2024 Nissan GT-R T-Spec, it is parked on a black backdrop.

The 2024 Nissan GT-R T-Spec wears a modern interpretation of the Midnight Purple III color made famous on the R34 GT-R V-Spec.


From racetracks to showrooms

Another iconic color from GT-R history, Bayside Blue has roots back in the Champion Blue hue offered in 1995 on the R33 GT-R LM – a road-going homage celebrating Nissan Le Mans racing wins. However, Yoshitomi notes that was a solid color without the depth of the now-famous Bayside Blue. For the next-generation car, he said, "an evolved, vivid blue was demanded."

Bayside Blue was introduced for the R34 GT-ROpens in a new tab. and is, arguably, the paint shade most closely associated with that era of the car. Inspired by the liveries of victorious Nissan models in the Japan GP racing series, its name came from Tokyo's underground car culture: The city's Bayshore Highway (also known as the Bay Shore Route) was, according to Yoshitomi, famously used by car enthusiasts looking to drive their cars spiritedly. Thus, the special color's name was born.

Vibrant blue toned cityscape at dusk along water with a highway curving overhead.

The Bayshore Highway in Tokyo.

Though officially "retired" for years, Nissan re-introduced the famous color in 2019 for the GT-R 50th Anniversary EditionOpens in a new tab.. In that case, Bayside Blue contrasted with white stripes meant to recall the paint color's racing inspiration. It has been available on GT-R ever since, harkening back to the famous R34 models and the successful racing machines of the 1990s.

GT-R's devotion to striking colors makes it a bold outlier in the industry, where 81% of new cars globally in 2023Opens in a new tab. were black, white, silver or gray. In fact, throughout its run, the R35-generation GT-R has offered numerous eye-catching color options. Some highlights – no pun intended – include:

Front right 3/4 view of a blue 2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition curving around a racetrack.

Bayside Blue returned to the GT-R's color palette in 2019 to celebrate the nameplate's 50th anniversary.

For Yoshitomi, who joined Nissan in 1992, there's another color that has always been a personal favorite: Millenium Jade. The latest version of that color is offered on the GT-R T-Spec. And, regardless of which is your favorite, he said bold hues are a core part of what drivers love about the iconic car.

"Body color cannot contribute to GT-R's performance, however, customers expect an emotional factor on high-performance vehicles," Yoshitomi said. "Striking body colors are one of the important factors to increase the emotional factor."

What's in a name? GT-R enthusiasts often refer to different versions of the car by codenames. Here's a quick guide to ones used throughout this story:

  • R32: Debuted in 1989; arguably the first chapter of modern GT-R family heritage, this Skyline GT-R introduced all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo inline-six engine.
  • R33: Launched in 1995 after being shown as a prototype in 1993, this model benefited from numerous enhancements to handling and performance.
  • R34: Introduced in January 1999, highlights included adoption of a six-speed manual transmission, along with many design and mechanical enhancements.
  • R35: Introduced for the 2009 model year, this generation was the first to be offered for sale in the United States. Nissan has made countless enhancements to its design and dynamic performance to become the supercar offered in showrooms today.

Nissan Pathfinder 2024

 








sexta-feira, 17 de maio de 2024

 


Nissan to transition to low-CO₂ emission aluminum by 2030

 

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that it will use low CO2 emission aluminum parts*1 made from green or recycled aluminum in new and current models from fiscal year*2 2024 onward and aims to complete the full transition to such parts by 2030.

Aluminum accounts for approximately 10% of vehicle weight. By using low CO2 emission aluminum, Nissan aims to take a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality.

Nissan aims to achieve carbon neutrality in the entire lifecycle*3 of its vehicles by 2050.

Green aluminum is produced using non-fossil fuel-derived electricity and can reduce CO2 emissions during production by approximately 50%*4. Additionally, recycled aluminum can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 95%*4. Nissan has been purchasing low CO2 emission aluminum sheets for vehicle panels produced in Japan from Kobe Steel, Ltd. and UACJ Corporation. Going forward, Nissan will use low CO2 emission aluminum for all aluminum parts, including processed components, globally, to further reduce CO2 emissions.

For all new models produced from fiscal year 2027, low CO2 emission aluminum will be used. For current models, from this fiscal year Nissan aims to start purchasing wheels, chassis parts, axle parts and harness wires made from green aluminum in Japan, the United States, and Europe. As a result, by the end of fiscal year 2024 approximately 20% of the newly mined aluminum Nissan uses for car parts procured in those markets is expected to be replaced with green or recycled aluminum.

Nissan’s places sustainability at the core of its business, aiming for a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world. Nissan will continue to accelerate its efforts towards realizing a sustainable society.

 

*1Parts that use a small amount of aluminum are not subject.

*2Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. fiscal years run from April 1 through March 31.

*3Includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and the recycling or reuse of end-of-life vehicles.

*4The ratio of aluminum raw materials refined using electricity derived from coal-fired power generation.

 

quarta-feira, 15 de maio de 2024

NissanTownstar Karaoke

Nissan Z NISMO

 

The most performance-focused model in the Z range is now available for order through Nissan Australia dealerships, with the Z NISMO taking on one of the country's most challenging — and exhilarating — hill climbs to celebrate its arrival.

While the first 100-vehicle allocation sold-out in just 53 minutes — the first time a Z vehicle was able to be specified and reserved online — the model is now available to be ordered through the Nissan dealer network, ensuring even more customers get to experience this benchmark performance vehicle for themselves.

"As soon as we saw the pent-up demand for the Nissan Z NISMO, and the speed at which our first allocation was exhausted, we knew there would be fans of this iconic vehicle who had missed out on securing one for themselves," says Nissan Australia Managing Director, Andrew Humberstone.

"That is why I'm so thrilled we've been able to secure additional vehicles to meet that demand. The Z NISMO is now available to be ordered through our Nissan dealer network, with deliveries to begin almost immediately.

"The Z NISMO is a vehicle that needs to be driven to be believed, and we're so happy that even more Australians will now get the chance to do exactly that."

Lake Mountain is one of Australia's most-celebrated roads, and a favourite for performance-car testing, owing both to the number and variety of corners along its 20km length.

Climbing from Marysville in Victoria to the top of the Cathedral Range State Park, it's also a road that could have been tailor-made for the Nissan Z NISMO, with demanding tarmac, challenging corners and plenty of surfaces for the rich exhaust note — enhanced by the NISMO-tuned Active Sound Control — and the roar of the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 to bounce off.

The NISMO is the most powerful model in the Z range, increasing its already generous outputs by 11kW and 45Nm — now 309kW and 520Nm. But the performance upgrades don't stop there.

A NISMO-tuned nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters is deployed for maximum acceleration and driver control, while wider and lighter wheels (+0.5-inches), bigger brakes (front brake rotors +25mm) and enhanced engine cooling all combine to increase agility, stopping power and performance.

Elsewhere, NISMO aerodynamic enhancements, a new NISMO Sport+ Driving Mode, NISMO-tuned Launch Control, NISMO tuned suspension and anti-roll bars and NISMO branded RECARO® seats complete the perfect performance package.

Nissan Z NISMO specifications:

$94,000 (MSRP)*

  • Power increased to 309kW (+11kW) and 520Nm (+45Nm)
  • NISMO-tuned 9 speed automatic with paddle shifters
  • New NISMO styling – exterior and interior
  • Gloss black RAYS® 19-inch wheels (0.5" wider Fr & Rr & lighter)
  • Enhanced Engine cooling
  • Bigger front brake rotors (+25mm)
  • NISMO aerodynamic enhancements
  • NISMO chassis, tyre and wheel enhancements
  • NISMO Sport+ Driving Mode
  • NISMO-tuned Launch Control
  • NISMO-tuned Active Sound Control
  • NISMO branded RECARO® seats
  • Heated and powered front seats not available on Z NISMO

*Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) are provided for media purposes only and do not include premium paint, statutory charges or other on-road costs.

# # #

Nissan Magnite achieves 30,000+ annual sales for 3rd consecutive year

 Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. (NMIPL) recently celebrated its third consecutive year of achieving 30,000+ sales with its Big, Bold, Beautiful SUV, the Nissan Magnite. This remarkable milestone reaffirms the Magnite's position as a game-changer in the Indian automotive market. Nissan extends its heartfelt gratitude to its valued customers, dedicated dealers, suppliers, the Alliance plant in Chennai and the entire Nissan team for their unwavering support and commitment towards this significant milestone in India.

Since its debut in December 2020, the Nissan Magnite has captured the hearts of Indian consumers, boasting over 100,000 domestic Magnite customers in India, a milestone the company crossed in January 2024. Additionally, the Nissan Magnite has also made a substantial impact on the international stage, with over 30,000 units exported till date. It has firmly established itself as the preferred choice in India's B-SUV segment. The Magnite embodies Nissan Motor India's manufacturing philosophy of 'Make-In-India, Make for the World', seamlessly blending design excellence from Japan with efficient production in India.

Magnite Export Sales

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

Total

513

7781

11540

9303

29137

Magnite Domestic Sales

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

Total

9,569

33,905

32,546

30,146

106,166

Magnite Consolidated Sales (Domestic & Exports)

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

Total

10,082

41,686

44,086

39,449

1,35,303

 

Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, commented, "We are immensely proud of how the Nissan Magnite has defied conventions and disrupted the B-SUV segment in India. But our success wouldn't be complete without acknowledging our loyal customers—their trust and unwavering support have been our driving force. Building on the remarkable achievements of the Magnite, we are now embarking on an exciting journey. Our focus is on creating a new product lineup that will resonate with the discerning Indian market."

Frank Torres, President, Nissan India Operations said, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued customers and dedicated dealers for their unwavering support. The Nissan Magnite has truly been a game-changer in the Indian automotive market, redefining the B-SUV segment for the industry. As we continue this journey, we remain committed to delivering excellence and innovative products, always keeping in mind the true philosophy of our Japanese DNA."

Since its launch, Nissan has introduced multiple variants of the Magnite to meet the evolving needs of Indian customers, including the Turbo, MT, the most affordable AMT, and the CVT. Last June, the Magnite achieved a significant production milestone—the rollout of its 100,000th Magnite from its Alliance plant (RNAIPL) in Chennai and it recently completed the sale of the 100,000th domestic sale of the same in January 2024.

The Big, Bold, and Beautiful Nissan Magnite isn't limited to India alone—it's making waves globally. Currently exported to 15 countries, including recent launches in Seychelles, Bangladesh, Uganda, and Brunei, this remarkable achievement reflects the brand's commitment to delivering high-quality products and services while tapping into India's potential as a major automotive manufacturing hub. In recent years, Nissan India has strategically shifted its primary export market from Europe to Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

The Magnite has received several prestigious accolades since its launch, including the recently awarded '2023 ICONIC Brand of the Year' at the Dainik Jagran INext ICONIC Awards; 'Compact SUV of the Year 2021' by Top Gear; 'Game Changer' award by Motor Octane; and 'Value for Money' by Autocar India, amongst others. Adding to this list, the recently launched Nissan Magnite Kuro Edition has emerged as the winner in the Variant of the Year Award 2024 at the recent Carbike360-2024 Awards.

segunda-feira, 13 de maio de 2024

he Nissan Ariya Tours Europe On A Single Charge

 ith dozens of past successes, from Altima to Z, Nissan knows building what people love is a winning strategy. The Japanese company has certainly produced more than its share of cult-classics.

How, then, to make a lovable crossover… that happens to be electric? That was the challenge facing the team behind Nissan’s sophomore EV effort, the Ariya.

Nissan Ariya

Let’s start inside. Here, Nissan leans into its heritage and presents diffused LED lighting, repeated Kumiko patterns inspired by Japanese woodworking, a bold faux wood bow across the dashboard, and a touchscreen UI that’s clean, responsive, and works with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Special mention to its dashboard drawer (practical), visibility (excellent), and seats (“zero gravity inspired”) as small details that make all the difference when living with any vehicle.

Nissan Ariya

Our drive took us across an easy 300 kilometre loop around several European-named locations in Ontario. We began in Cambridge, which is nearly as quaint as its more famous English counterpart, before driving through New Hamburg, Lisbon, Stratford, London, Sparta, Copenhagen and Vienna, finally arriving in Paris. While Canada’s Paris admittedly lacks an Eiffel Tower and overabundance of cute boulangeries, it makes up for it with an annual maple syrup festival and some of the region’s best river-tubing. (And you really wouldn’t want to go river-tubing in the Seine, trust us.) 

Through it all the Ariya was an admirable travel companion. Here, on flat roads considered regional highways at best, I briefly saw consumption dip as low as 14.8 kWh before ending with 17 kWh / 100 km, and a remaining range of 170 km.

Nissan Ariya

That lines up exactly with range estimates from Nissan for the front-drive Ariya, up to 465 km, though I was actually driving the top trim all-wheel-drive Evolve+ E-4ORCE that should do worse (428 km). In other words, Nissan’s electric SUV is efficient and easily capable of beating its official driving-range estimates. That’s no small feat; some of the biggest brands in the EV business can’t make cars that exceed their rated range, as this Nissan can. The Ariya toured “Europe” on a single charge and ended the day with juice to spare.

As an electric crossover, it performs exactly as you’d expect from a premium Nissan. Go a little deeper, however, and Ariya is also unexpectedly lovable as a place to be, and be seen in.