New, 2009 Versa Sedan 1.6 Features $,9,990 MSRP, Excellent Fuel Economy, Design, Quality and Reliability; Available at Dealers November 18
Nashville, Tenn. -
Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced a new 2009 Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 model, which features a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $9,990* (excluding Destination and Handling). The new Versa focuses squarely on value and fuel economy, with its standard 107-horsepower DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine delivering responsive performance and a 34 mpg highway fuel economy rating (with the 5-speed manual transmission).
 
The Versa Sedan 1.6 goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning November 18, 2008.
 
“Starting under $10,000, this new Versa Sedan 1.6 has the lowest new-car MSRP in the United States,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, NNA. “It combines the low price of a used car with the dependability, high quality and full factory warranty of every new Nissan. It’s our way of saying that in tough economic times, Nissan is here to help.”
 
Since its introduction in 2006, Nissan Versa has enjoyed strong appeal in the marketplace among buyers seeking fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance or roominess. Versa offers one of the highest standard horsepower/torque ratings and the largest interior in the entry-level segment – along with excellent quality, reliability and durability.
 
The new high-value Versa Sedan 1.6 model features a smaller displacement 1.6-liter engine (versus the standard 1.8-liter), standard 5-speed manual transmission and simplified content. It is also available with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the 5-speed manual and 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway with the 4-speed automatic.


”The new Versa Sedan 1.6 is another way in which Nissan is taking a leadership role in reassuring consumers that now is a great time to consider a new car,” said Carolin.
 
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.comwww.infiniti.com. and
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* Based on Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $9,990 for the new, 2009 model year Versa 1.6 Sedan. Claim based on competitive MSRP’s in the Lower-Small segment for new, model year 2009 vehicles. MSRP excludes applicable tax, title and license fees.  Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice. Destination and Handling $695.

Seeking a Symbiosis of People, Vehicles and Nature

Nissan's philosophy towards the environment, "Seeking a symbiosis of people, vehicles and nature," decribes our idea for a sustainable mobile society, now and in the future.  To contribute to the creation of a sustainable mobile society, Nissan continues to seek new ways to address environmental challenges.  Our primary focus at the moment is a reduction in CO2 emissions. We are taking action not just for the present generation, but for future ones as well, striving to preserve our global environment.

 

Nissan is aiming to become a "sincere eco-innovator."

 

For our planet's present and future generations:

• Sincere: To pro-actively address the environmental challenges and reduce the load on the environment
• Eco-innovator: To develop a sustainable mobile society, we will provide customers with innovative technology in our products

To learn more about the Nissan Green Program, including their initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions, please visit www.nissanusa.com/about/green-program/index.html

First look at the Nissan GT-R. Nissan unveiled the GT-R at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show to much fanfa By James R. Healey, USA TODAY TOKYO — Nissan finally quit teasing and showed the production version of its super-high-performance GT-R sports coupe, unveiling it at the big auto show near here Wednesday as a car designed to give Nissan the kind of halo that the Corvette gives to Chevrolet. GT-R will go on sale here in December and in the USA — to the cheers of long-suffering auto enthusiasts — in June or July 2008. U.S. auto buffs have been clamoring for the car for more than a decade. Nissan hasn't sold previous versions of the road rocket in the USA, deeming it too small for American tastes and too hard to re-engineer to meet U.S. safety and anti-pollution regulations. The new one, though, was developed with the USA in mind. The car will start at 7.77 million yen here, equivalent to about $68,000 at recent exchange rates. Nissan hasn't announced the U.S. price, which could be higher if the U.S. model is equipped differently. The bottom line: GT-R is supposed to be quicker than the $124,000 Porsche turbo but little more than half its price. In fact, if the U.S. price is roughly equivalent to the Japanese price, GT-R will be several thousand dollars less than the least-expensive Porsche 911 sold in the USA. Still, the price is lofty by Nissan's mainstream standards, and a potential challenge — at least in the USA — to the car company's marketing skill. Despite the huge advance buzz surrounding the car, it's uncertain if buyers easily will part with $70,000 or $80,000 in a showroom that also sells $15,000 economy cars and $30,000 SUVs. Nissan is confident, pointing out how easily Chevy dealers sell Corvettes with plain-Jane work trucks and Korean-built Chevy economy cars. Nissan believes the GT-R's performance numbers — and touches such as silver paint that's hand rubbed in the factory for an extraordinary sheen — should wipe out buyer resistance. GT-R has a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 engine rated 473 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 434 pounds-feet of torque starting at 3,200 rpm. All-wheel drive is standard, spreading the power among four tires instead of between just two to help keep the car stable during hard acceleration. Nissan expects it to go 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds, as quick as some motorcycles. GT-R is a small coupe, measuring 183.2 inches long, 74.6 inches wide and 53.9 inches tall, riding on a 109.4-inch wheelbase. It's designed to seat four, but rear-seat dimensions are tight. Total passenger space is 79.4 cubic feet — about the same as some subcompact sedans. The trunk, though, is a relatively generous 8.8 cubic feet. Nissan will manufacture just 12,000 GT-Rs a year. The U.S. allotment hasn't been set.

Comparison: 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid vs 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line vs 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

On occasion the process works and a member of the auto industry comes up with a new vehicle name that's tantalizing.

Chalk one up for Nissan. It calls its compact crossover derived from the Sentra sedan Rogue, a devilishly delightful moniker. More so when compared to RAV4 from Toyota or CR-V from Honda -- bor-ing.

Rogue is a great-sit-up-and-take-notice name that doesn't put you to sleep like the MK XYZ nomenclature over at Lincoln.

Of course, it takes a little more than a cute name to win folks over, especially because RAV4 and CR-V are well established, and Rogue is just one of a long line of intenders seeking to capitalize on the interest in a replacement for a sport-utility that does better on mileage and doesn't look like a minivan.

Rogue is offered in front- or all-wheel-drive in S or SL trim, but with only a 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower 4-cylinder with one of those continuously variable automatic transmissions -- or do you say CVT? That's the one with an infinite number of gear ratios to match conditions whether the road is flat or hilly, the cabin full or empty or your foot floats like a feather or falls like lead on the gas pedal.

With a CVT you don't feel the shift points when moving through the gears. Traditionalists used to waiting to hear or feel the tranny upshift after kicking the pedal hard to get ahead of the pack will need to adjust to the new seamless and soundless technology.

Rogue isn't a barn burner. It's not that the 2.5 sputters down the merger ramp. It's just that the 4 is being asked to put more than 3,400 pounds in motion and that takes some effort. A Sentra sedan has a little more zip than its crossover cousin. Accept that, and you'll accept Rogue.

Can't fault the 4 for its mileage rating -- 21 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway, especially since we tested the all-wheel-drive version that pays a slight fuel penalty for all-seasonality. But it would be nice if the 4 cylinder was a touch quieter, especially at launch from the light. Consumers will tolerate more commotion in an SUV than a crossover. If automakers can make V-6 engines with the power of a V-8, why can't they make a 4 with the quiet of a V-6?

FWD or AWD, Rogue boasts stability control with yaw sensors as standard to limit lateral fidgeting. The suspension is tuned more for soft, bounce- and irritation-free motoring than pinpoint handling. Take a corner at speed and stability, as well as traction, control works to prevent slipping or sliding. But they don't keep the sidewalls from feeling as if they are scuffing the pavement. There's a pronounced lean to those 16-inch all-season radials in turns.

Though compact sized, Rogue has good room for four adults or two adults and a couple rug rats. Cloth seats are a tad firm and side bolsters a little narrow but there's plenty of room to stretch front or rear. And for a compact, rear-seat leg and especially head room are a pleasant surprise. The second-row seat is far enough ahead of the rear wheels that occupants don't get bounced around -- as when the seat sits right over them.

A nice touch is the generous cargo room behind the second-row seat. Should you need more, the seat backs lower with a pull of a lever. The lever is easy to reach and use so there's no fear of physical injury or mussing your clothes.

Speaking of clothes, kudos to Nissan for adding a pull-down hook on the back of the front seat that can hold coat or sweater or the dry cleaning. Neat. Or, it can hold the plastic bag from the grocery store. Other nice touches include holders for the iPod and cell phone -- as well as cups.

We tested the base S version, which starts at $20,450 with AWD, an on-demand system that directs torque front or rear depending on wheel slippage detected. FWD starts at $19,250.

The S is nicely equipped but aimed at the price-sensitive consumer. Air conditioning, power mirrors/windows/locks and keyless entry are standard, but seats and liftgate are manually operated. And options are limited.

The top-of-the-line SL starts at $20,670 with FWD and $21,870 with AWD and offers not only more standard equipment but also more options.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch, all-season radials; body-colored, sideview mirrors; privacy glass; roof rails; seatback pockets; center console; visor vanity mirrors; and a washable and portable tray below the cargo floor to hold wet or dirty gear, tools or clothes.

The SL also offers an optional premium package at $2,200 that includes AM/FM/CD changer, Bluetooth hands-free phone, foldable cargo organizer (basically a pop-up plastic basket under the cargo floor to keep stuff from rolling around), paddle shifters and satellite radio. Power moonroof adds $800, and leather package with leather seats, power driver's seat, Homelink receiver and rearview mirror compass runs $1,800. None of these items is available on the S.

Nissan won't say how many it expects to sell, but since it doesn't offer a compact crossover now, any sales would be plus business, more so if it keeps a customer out of a RAV4 or CR-V.

- - -

2008 Nissan Rogue S AWD

- Price as tested: $20,575 - Add $745 for freight. Wheelbase: 105.9 inches - Length: 182.9 inches - Engine: 2.5-liter, 170-h.p. 4-cylinder - Transmission: CVT automatic - Mileage: 21 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway

THE STICKER

- $20,450 Base - $125 Splash guards

PLUSES

- Another compact crossover. - Decent room for people and their things. - AWD for all-season motoring. - Stability control with traction control and side-curtain air bags standard. - Wonderful name.

Even though front-wheel-drive coupes aren't big sellers, Nissan took the financial risk to develop a sleek, two-door version
of the redesigned 2008 Altima sedan and came up with a terrific mainstream coupe.
Its stylish silhouette rivals the beauty of Nissan's Infiniti G35 luxury coupe (Test Drive, March 15). That might annoy those
who paid twice as much for the Infiniti, but surely will appeal to those who want much of the G's visual cachet for
considerably less money.

"Every body panel is different from the (Altima) sedan, except the hood. The investment was significant," says John Curl,.
an Altima product manager. "We didn't want to just build a two-door sedan."

Power delivery in the V-6, regular-production test car was delightful. Nissan seems to have proprietary voodoo it works on
CVTs (continuously variable automatic transmissions) to keep them from feeling like a manual transmission with a slipping
clutch, as some rival CVTs do. Nail the throttle and there's a definite, solid downshift to a lower gear ratio for fast
acceleration. No brutal revving of the engine without commensurate leap of the vehicle. Whatever Nissan does to the
pulleys-and-belt CVT elevates it to the level of pleasing, appealing and satisfying.

Handling of the loaded, $31,980 test car was sufficient for most drivers most of the time. The coupe's suspension is tuned
differently than the sedan's, giving the two-door a crisper driving feel, which is an accomplishment because the Altima
sedan feels pretty crisp and agile and sporty. The coupe is a front-wheel-drive car, as is the Altima sedan on which it's
loosely based. So the front eventually will plow straight ahead in tight, fast corners, rescued by the optional stability
control if you're willing to pay extra for it ($600 on the high-end test car, not available on the base model).
"In this price range, it's not often standard," says Curl.

The test car leaked water from a windshield pillar onto the driver's left leg after a hard rain. Nissan says it appears a drain
from the sunroof was faulty and allowed water to build up. It says it was unique to the test car and not a general problem.
If you can overlook the went pant leg, details were pleasing. The standard proximity key lets you lock and unlock the car if
you have the fob in your pocket or purse, and lets you start and stop the engine by pushing a big dashboard button.
Sounds silly, but it's one of those features that after having it awhile, you can't imagine not. Frees your hands for the
miscellany that overwhelms real life. Nissan is at the forefront of making proximity keys standard.

The optional backup camera delivered a bright, crisp image of what you're trying not to hit. Nooks, bins and cup holders
were adequate for daily living inside a small car. Instruments and controls were sensibly arranged.
The coupe's instrument panel is taken straight from the sedan. Smart. No need to try jazzing up what's already a
handsome, useful, logical setup.

Seats differ from the sedans, and were quite comfortable up front in the test car. Wide enough for middle-age backsides,
tight enough to hold occupants in place during the enthusiastic driving the car invites.
Back seats, typical of a coupe, were small and of limited usefulness. Even so, there are three sets of safety belts for those
who want to cram that many riders back there.

In surveys of potential buyers, Curl says, "we heard very, very clearly that the rear-seat room isn't important, but they
have to have" a rear seat to consider the car.

Coupe buyers, usually young (late 20s in the case of Altima), childless and single, "don't want to be the haulers of
people," Curl says. A coupe, with obviously limited passenger space, is "a statement of their freedom and their
availability."

To be clear: A coupe, by definition, is a two-door car. Automakers' occasional references to three-door or four-door
coupes are not accurate nomenclature. They are pure marketing gobbledygook, in the same vein as calling something a
two-wheel unicycle.

A coupe, by custom, is not just a two-door version of a four-door sedan. It's a two-door car with a sleek roofline and
modest rear-seat accommodations, assuming the back seldom will be used.
Coupes often are shorter and lower than the sedans on which most are based.
A coupe often is a substitute for a sports car, bought by those not hard-core enough for the punishing ride and
compromised space that often are part-and-parcel of a true sports car, or those too practical-minded for a sports car but
too frisky for a family sedan.

Sports cars are best as the other car. Coupes can be the only car.

Curl says Nissan began about six years ago mulling what other versions of the Altima it could develop "to more fully
compete. Everything you could think of," including a station wagon.

That's an intriguing idea: High-performance V-6 engine (or maybe that U.S. diesel Nissan promises by 2010, intended for
the Maxima); all-wheel drive, which the chassis theoretically can accommodate; third row of seats for times you're the
designated carpooler, corner-conquering suspension for times you're not. Hoo, mama; trade in the SUV.
Wagons, done right, are very cool. No hint that we'll see an Altima wagon, but worth savoring the notion. It's useful to
recall that the 1991 to '97 Honda Accord lineup included a wagon, and it handled better than the sedan and generally was
more fun to drive. Really.

The lower-price, lesser-equipped, four-cylinder version of the Altima coupe, not tested, would have the same visual
appeal (except for the steel wheels with fake alloy-wheel hubcaps) but would lack the V-6's quickness that's a big part of
the car's appeal. Curl says 60% of four-cylinder cars will be bought by women; 60% of V-6s by men.
While not an all-out, high-performance sports machine, the Altima coupe is a sweet piece of work that gives you most of
what you want for a price that might surprise you.

Nissan Sentra EXPEDITION EXCEEDS 10,000 KM
 

Since its departure, in Mexico, Sentra 3 America's project car has already crossed five countries, covering 8,200 km in only seven days

 

Brazilian journalist Paulo Rollo and the photographer Jeanne Look have just completed 30 days of their expedition, covering more than 10,000 km and five Latin-American countries. They departed from Aguascalientes, Mexico, in front of the plant where the Nissan Sentra is produced and exported to several countries, including Brazil. In only seven days, the journalist and photographer crossed 8,200 km.

 

Next, they entered the Yucatan Peninsula and passed through Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, Coba and the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, areas many describe as paradise. They drove along the beautiful Mexican Caribbean Coast, in the region of Cancun. They crossed the Mexican border to Guatemala and visited the Atitlán Lake, La Antigua Guatemala and Guatemala City. They both took the opportunity to scale the Ipala Volcano. The following destinations were El Salvador, Honduras and, lastly, Nicaragua, the fifth country visited.

 

Paulo is giving press conferences to the local media and is regularly updating his car performance reports on weekly bulletins available on www.sentra3americas.com. The journalist is amazed by the vehicle's performance and low fuel consumption. "Traveling at the speed of 100 km/h on a highway, it was amazing to see that our Sentra does 15.2 km to the liter. I have never had such a cost-effective 2-liter sedan in my hands. Taking all our luggage and equipment for a four-month expedition into account, the total weight is equivalent to four passengers", says Paulo Rollo.

 

For this expedition, Nissan offered a Nissan Sentra SL with an XTRONIC® CVT transmission and the same specs of the models sold at the Brazilian dealerships. The Sentra 3 Americas Project will traverse 30,000 km, in approximately 100 days, crossing 17 Latin-American countries: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and, to finish, Brazil.

 

Below, please find a statement from Paulo Rollo about the first 30 days of this expedition:

 

“Traveling by car is one of best experiences in life. Now, just think about starting this 30,000 km expedition at the beautiful and magical Mexico. Prior to shipping the Nissan Sentra from Santos to the Mexican Port of Altamira, we drove it for about 5,000 km in Brazil, so that we could check its performance before experiencing this challenging expedition. The Nissan Sentra is showing an impressive performance, which did not surprise us, but strengthened our confidence in the success of the project.

 

At the historical site of Aguascalientes, the Mexican city where all Sentras are produced, we headed towards the first and pleasant destination of this long and unprecedented journey across 17 countries: the Yucatan Peninsula. We visited impressive Mayan ruins at Uxmal, Chichén Itzá, Coba and Tulum.

 

We traveled with our Sentra along the beautiful Caribbean Sea, where the photographer of the expedition, Jeanne Look, could dive and interact with dolphins, at the extraordinary Xel-há Park, to the South of Cancun.

 

 

Consumption of a small car

 

In Mexico, the "Magna" unleaded fuel with an 88 octane content costs 7.05 pesos a liter, equivalent to 1.34 Brazilian reais. Traveling at the speed of 100 km/h on a highway, Sentra is showing an excellent performance, doing an average of 15.2 km to the liter. I have never had such a cost-effective 2-liter sedan in my hands. We must point out that our entire luggage and equipment for a 4-month journey is equivalent to the weight of four passengers.

In two-way roads, traveling at an average speed of 80 km/h, crossing urban areas and numerous speed bumps, Sentra does the excellent average of 12.1 Km/l. This is partly provided by the perfect synchrony between the engine and the CVT transmission. A couple of months ago, I have had the opportunity of driving a Sentra equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and, comparing it to the model equipped with the CVT, I noticed that in speeds superior to 90 km/h, it works with an average of less 500 rpm. At 120 km/h, for example, the manual transmission, in the sixth gear, was at 3,000 rpm, while the CVT was at only 2,500 rpm. This low consumption is twice as valuable: it is economical and environmental friendly.

The excellent cargo capacity was another surprise. All our stuff could be freely accommodated in its wide trunk. Up to now, our Sentra is impeccable, just as the day when we received it, which confirms our initial positive expectations. This demonstrates the meticulous attention that the project team dedicated to each detail. However, it will still face many challenges until our arrival in Brazil.

 

 

We left the North-American Continent through the Mexican border with Guatemala, where I was amazed at the welcoming lack of bureaucracy. Six years before, I experienced huge formalities imposed by border officials. At this time, they simply did not examine the car! During one week, we visited beautiful places, such as the Atitlán Lake, La Antigua Guatemala and Guatemala City. We also took the opportunity to scale the Ipala volcano.

The next destination was El Salvador. I was worried because the last time I visited the country, in 1988, there was danger and destruction, owing to the guerillas warfare and hurricanes. Fortunately, everything is fine now. Moreover, the Salvadoran highways deserve my highest score up to now. As it is a small country and the rain could not stop, our visit was limited to a short trip and we soon followed to Honduras, where we found a different reality in terms of bureaucracy and roads. Not only the road signage is unsatisfactory, but also there are many potholes, dangerous bends, sheer drops and numerous irresponsible drivers, making unthinkable overtakes. On the other hand, the country is beautiful and the people are very friendly.

The first stop on Honduran soil was at the impressive Ruins of Copan. Then we headed to the capital, Tegucigalpa. Under heavy rain, on the third day, we decided to lead to the next country of our expedition: Nicaragua. Check out the continuation of our adventure here and on www.sentra3americas.com.”

 

All New Cube available now
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