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 Godzilla
baby is about to reborn |
This quite period provides with the best opportunity for leaking some inside
story out and let the rumors to be flown, and the forthplay to began. Increase
excitements of the anticipation by some pics or drawings till the final climax
of the play.
This is the best recipe for measuring the absorbing capacity of the future
potentials that lifts the faint enthusiasm, and brings the car maker back to
the center of attention.
This is what has happened when both the CEO of Nissan Carlos Ghosn and Nissan's
COO Toshiyuki Shiga made some allusion of the comeback of a FR icon sometimes
in 2010-2011.
Since the famous and relatively low cost FR sport coupe ended production in
August of 2002 Nissan have left a gaping gap in their sports car line-up. Young
drivers armed with a fresh license and too much Initial D anime + Option drifting
videos, are all yelling and screaming like the AGK (Angry German Kid) on youtube,
demanding the comeback of the FR icon.
If the GT-R signifies Nissan's Innovation, the 350z signifies their heritage,
then the Silvia (or the 240sx or the 200sx or the 180sx...whatever the name might
be...you know what I mean...) is the model that signifies their youth.
These renderings, that may featuring the next generation 240SX / Silvia, made
their appearances in differnt Japanese car magazines. It is said to be based
on a modified version of the 350Z's FM rear-wheel-drive platform and may be
powered by a Renault engine (230 hp 2.0 liter turbo from the Renault Megane F1 Team R26).
We don't want to seem negative, but the profile of this vehicle with the small
quarter window at the back looks like it belong to a four-door sedan and not
to a coupe. The side looks like a Tiburon from Hyundai... the hood makes it look
kind of like a Mercedes slr or an slk.
The final version may look like different but still hoping for an exciting design
that would continue on the heritage of Godzilla baby and would be able to catch
the heart of the youngsters of the new millennium as it cought the youngster's of
the 80's and the 90's
We will be definitely following the labour of our new baby as we did at the
big brother's the GT-Rs and the Zeds.
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| Nissan Releases
New-Spec Nissan GT-R |
Since its introduction in the Japanese market in December 2007, the Nissan GT-R has
gone through continuous evolution, remaining on the cutting-edge of multi-dimensional
performance. The GT-R has also been acclaimed globally, winning more than 50 top awards
in various categories since launch. Nissan also supports GT-R owners with exceptional
after-sales service.
The latest revisions to GT-R include a new HDD-based CARWINGS navigation system with
enhanced entertainment functions. A USB port with iPod connectivity allows the driver
and passengers to enjoy their favorite music in the car, creating an even more pleasant
interior environment.
In addition, the GT-R’s suspension has been retuned to offer enhanced, premium quality
ride comfort, while still providing the driver with a feeling of direct contact with
the road surface. The accuracy of the front shock absorbers and springs has been
increased and the stiffness of rear suspension radius rod bushings has been strengthened.
Rear diffusers with cooling ducts, previously available only on the GT-R SpecV, have
been expanded to non-SpecV models, improving cooling performance around the rear floor
area.
The exclusive Nissan GT-R SpecV models receive revised rear shock absorber settings,
enhancing the characteristic combination of supple ride comfort and flat, predictable
handling.
In conjunction with this change, SpecV now comes standard with Dunlop tires.
The previously standard Bridgestone tires are available as a factory-installed option.
Finally, both the Nissan GT-R and GT-R SpecV achieve improved low- and mid-range engine
response, thanks to newly adopted hexagonal meshed catalyst cells that reduce
ventilation/airflow resistance.
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| Chop-Top
370Z is out soon |
The plans submitted to the European Trademark Office confirm that - since the
retractable hard-top was out of the question, (primarily due to packaging and
weight constraints) - the chop-top 370Z will look just as weird as every Z
convertible that precedes it.
The coupe's smoothly sloping rear hatch has been pared down in favour of a
severely truncated boot, and the Z's shapely roofline is no more. At the same
time the beltline rises up smoothly to merge with the top of the boot, accentuating
the Z's commodious rump and - unlike the droopy-arsed 350Z Roadster - the 370Z
convertible looks far more pleasing in profile.
Will it look quite so hot in the flesh? You'll have to wait and decide in April,
when the 370Z Roadster expected to make its debut at the New York Auto Show. Specs
and prices will also be announced there, but aside from a little more weight and
a few more dollars added to its price tag (not to mention that fabric roof), the
370Z Roadster should be pretty similar to its tin-topped brother.
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| New Clothing for
"Our Fair Lady" (240Z) |
Feb. 05-10, 2009, Nurenberd, Germany - Toy Fair Nürnberg as
it is known in Germany, (or the Spielwarenmesse International) is the worlds
largest toy fair. Since the first fair in 1950 the event has grown to feature
3000 exhibitors displaying over 1 million toy products to over 55,000 trade
visitors.
It is true that more text published about the event itself than pictures on
the almost secretly conducted presentations and showcases, but we have a hint
about a new Kyosho release that would make the heart of Zed fans pumping faster,
in specially those who are collecting memorabilia such as Die Cast Z car.
In spite of fact they are still behind schedule by releasing the long time expected
R35 models, Kyosho has introduced it's latest 1:18 scale BRE Datsun 240Z prototypes on
various toy fairs without specifying issue date yet.
Re-releasing an existing mould by giving new clothing for previously well accepted
models such as the red-black "works" Africa Safari and Monte rally cars, half
success even before they are out. And of course seemingly much more cost efficient
in these days, than undertaking the development cost of the missing generations
(such as 280ZX or 300ZX - Z31) that were never produced in scale 1:18 before.
The timing of the re-release at the same time provides with an unwittingly courteous
gesture toward to those who would never forget to commemorate the fortieths birthday
of "Our Fair Lady".
The original car, however was re-fabricated by Peter Brock, one of the well
acknowledged car designer/racing driver and "racing stable" runner of the sixties
and seventies - who's team transformed the six cylinder's city car into a shooting
beast and won great number of SCCA competitions by John Morton in the driver's seat.
More about the BRE Datsun 240Z will be out soon !!
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| Nissan at the
79th Geneva International Motor Show |
• Qazana Show Car
The star of the Nissan stand will be Qazana, a show car. It is best described
as a small Crossover, and has been conceived to challenge conventional wisdom
about what buyers of small five-door cars should expect.
The striking design is dominated by large, wide wheelarches and a lower shape
which gives a feeling of strength, while the upper body is dynamic, assertive
and sporty. Qazana is a five door, with the rear doors opening forwards once
the front doors have been opened, in the style of "suicide doors".
Qazana will reinforce Nissan's position as a pioneer of Crossovers, building
on the success of the Murano – now in its second generation, the Qashqai and
recently introduced Qashqai+2.
• NV200
Another world premiere is the debut of the passenger version of the forthcoming
NV200 line-up. Designed to offer accessible, practical family transportation,
NV200 is a three row vehicle, with sliding side doors for easy access to the
rear. The roomy interior can be configured differently to accommodate up to
seven occupants and is designed to be flexible, comfortable and convenient, with
lots of storage space, which is essential for large families on the move.
The van and Combi versions will be introduced at a later date.
• 370Z
Being shown for the first time in Europe, Nissan's all new Z-car picks up where
the popular 350Z left off. Using an enlarged version of the VQ V6 engine, now
producing 331PS, and driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox,
which is available with the world’s first synchronized down/up shift rev control
system, or an all-new paddle-operated seven-speed automatic.
The 370Z is more agile, thanks to a shorter wheelbase and overall length, as well
as being lighter by 32kg. Interior comfort, quality and refinement have been improved,
but the uniquely fun, adventurous driving characteristics of the Z remain. Customer
deliveries start in July.
• Cube
Already an icon in its home market of Japan, the all new Cube will be introduced
for the first time in Europe in November, where its unique, friendly design will
appeal to European car-buyers who are looking for something genuinely new and
different.
Its large, open and airy interior will win the hearts of city-dwellers who are
not traditional car "fans", but who will find Cube appealing as it is an extension
of their personality – creative, fun and distinctive. In Europe, the Cube will
come with both a 106PS DPF-equipped 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.6-litre petrol,
producing 111PS.
• Pixo
With European consumers demanding more value for money, combined with low
emissions and fuel consumption, the time is right for Pixo to join Nissan's line-up.
Powered by a three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine, it produces just 103 g/km CO2 and
delivers fuel economy of 4.4 l/100km (64.2 mpg) on the combined cycle. These figures
will position PIXO among the most affordable eco-cars in the small city car
category. To further add to its appeal, Pixo will be one of the most affordable
cars available on the market with an automatic gearbox. Customer deliveries start
in June.
• X-TRAIL Platinum
Also on display will be the new X-TRAIL Platinum, which reinforces the X-TRAIL's
natural strengths of comfort, practicality and dynamic performance.
Externally, X-TRAIL is now available with Scratch Shield Paint, giving the
exterior a degree of protection from light stone chips and damage typically
sustained in a car wash. More visibly, the top X-TRAIL Platinum will be fitted
with new 18" alloy wheels, adding presence and style to the vehicle’s appearance.
The X-TRAIL Platinum provides added appeal thanks to the availability of a
bespoke eight-speaker Bose premium audio system. An auxiliary input plug has
been added to all X-TRAILs in the central armrest storage compartment, allowing
occupants to connect their MP3 player, while also leaving it hidden when they
leave the vehicle. Customer deliveries begin in March.
Source:Nissan
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| From virtual racing to real thing -
Dubai 24 hours Endurance |
Jan. 09-10, 2009, Dubai, UAE - Nissan set out to try
something that had never been attempted before when three years ago they aproached
PlayStation with a simple question - could we turn a virtual racer into a real
racer?
The idea went into motion by running over eight months, GT Academy is an
international driving competition that captures the spirit and ethos of both
Nissan and PlayStation brands and unites the worlds of videogames and motorsport
through ultra-realistic competition. GT Academy received twenty five thousand
entrants across 12 European countries for the first stage of the competition on
PLAYSTATION Network to record their fastest online lap in Gran Turismo 5 Prologue
for PLAYSTATION 3. From these 25,000 entrants the two fastest from each country
went to the international final - the GT Academy at Silverstone - where 22
competitors battled it out for the two racing contracts
During the five-day GT Academy at Silverstone the 22 competitors faced a series
of rigorous tests to prove they had the physical and mental ability as well as
the driving skills to become a real race car driver. The boot camp-style competition
ran under the watchful eye of a panel of five judges who followed the competitors'
every move.
28-year old Lars Schlömer, from Germany and 23-year old Lucas Ordonez
from Spain beat 20 other competitors from across Europe to be crowned the GT
Academy champions. Winning the GT Academy will be life-changing for both
who have harboured lifelong dreams to become racing drivers.
The pair now faced a four-month intensive training programme with Nissan's race
team to earn their racing licence and compete in the ultimate test of driving
skill and stamina: the Dubai 24hr endurance race in January 2009.
This weekend saw GT Academy winner Lucas Ordonez realise his dream
- to qualify for International race license and successfully race as a key
member of the team at the Dubai 24hr endurance race. This is the first time a
racing driver has ever been found in this way and Lucas competed in a series
of races to earn the required license to compete at this level. The challenges
on the day were constant, with the race comprising of a mix of punishing day
and night driving, searing temperatures and a packed 80-car (753 lap) grid. Lucas
rose to the challenge not least of all at one stage achieving the 9th fastest
time overall on an individual lap.
Lucas did brilliantly, producing a mistake-free drive under big pressure. He
has achieved everything the team had hoped from him and proved that with the
right level of dedication and talent it is possible to make the transition
from virtual racing to the real thing.
Unic vision of 350Z
Source:Nissan
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