2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V: Nissan Supercar with Accolades and Added Power

The fifth-generation Nissan GT-R supercar, which made its North American debut in July 2008, returns less than a year later with an enhanced 2010 model featuring a number of small yet important updates – including five additional horsepower, a revised suspension, revised wheel finishes and standard front seat-mounted and roof-mounted curtain sideimpact supplemental air bags. These changes come on a car that won near universal acclaim in its rookie year, including being named Motor Trend “2009 Car of the Year,” Automobile magazine’s 2009 “Automobile of the Year” and winning Kelly Blue Book’s “2009 Best Resale Value Award.”

For 2010, the horsepower rating of the GT-R’s 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 engine has been increased to 485 hp (from 480 hp) and the car’s high-performance 6-speed dual-clutch transmission receives new Transmission Control Module (TCM) programming designed to optimize clutch engagement for improved drivability and improve vehicle acceleration with the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on (activated). In addition, the braking system has been updated with more rigid brake lines for improved durability and the brake calipers now carry both the Brembo and Nissan logos. The GT-R’s already advanced suspension has been retuned with redesigned Bilstein® shocks with a new valve body design and revised spring and damper rates.

2010 Nissan GT-R Spec-V Image Gallery:


The base GT-R model is now equipped with slightly darker high-luster smoke finish for the 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels, while a new near-black metallic wheel finish is standard on the Premium model (the smoke wheel finish comes with the Cold Package). For 2010, one new color – Pearl White – is offered and the Super Silver exterior color has been enhanced and now includes a polished front bumper.

The 2010 Nissan GT-R is built on an exclusive Premium Midship platform, which enables the use of the world’s first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system. This system places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability. Total vehicle adjustability is provided by a “set-up switch” located in the center of the instrument panel, enabling the driver to adjust transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC-R) among three settings – Normal, Special or “R,” for ultimate handling.

The GT-R suspension is a special Bilstein DampTronic system, and the braking system consists of Brembo full-floating drilled rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads and Brembo monoblock six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. Tires are nitrogen-filled high-performance summer run flat or optional high-performance all-season tires, on exclusive GT-R 20-inch wheels. The compound of the Dunlop summer tires has been revised for 2010.

The Nissan GT-R’s functional styling utilizes advanced aerodynamics, offering a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce. GT-R’s hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum. Styling cues include front fender “aero-blades” and vents, an aggressive front end design with a large hood bulge and single central air intake, and “super wide beam” headlights.

GT-R’s four-passenger cabin features a sloping “aero blade canopy” roofline and curved Cpillar “sword edge,” as well as GT-R’s hallmark four-ring taillights, functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips.

GT-R’s interior balances functionality with a sense of ease and comfort. It features sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder. Premium models include a specially designed 11-speaker Bose® sound system with speakers mounted in rigid aluminum die cast panels, which provides sound quality suitable for a supercar.

The 2010 Nissan GT-R is available through nearly 700 official “GT-R certified” Nissan dealers across the United States. The names and locations of local GT-R Certified Nissan dealers are available to consumers on NissanUSA.com.

Highlights of the 2010 Nissan GT-R include:
Body

• Purposeful, cutting-edge styling with a Cd of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce
• Hybrid body construction of steel, die-cast aluminum and carbon fiber
• GT-R’s aggressive styling evokes the lines of a well-trained athlete, combining strong character lines with smooth and solid areas
• Front fenders express power and stability, “aero-blades” on fenders’ leading edges provide optimum air flow around the tires and along the body; vents in the fenders’ trailing edges assists in providing front downforce and optimization of side air flow
• Aggressive front end styling, large hood bulge and single central air intake for undisturbed air flow for power and cooling
• “Super wide beam” headlights featuring three additional sub-reflectors (compared to conventional lights) to give a wide illumination spread
• Four-passenger cabin with sloping “aero blade canopy” roofline and curved C-pillar “sword edge,” which facilitate air flow around the rear of the vehicle
• GT-R hallmark four-ring taillights; air flow above and below the vehicle is managed by a functional carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips
• Durable chip-resistant paint with “double clear coat” process; available seven-coat Super Silver paint hand-polished by craftsmen
• Five available exterior colors: Solid Red, Pearl White (new for 2010), Black Obsidian, Gun Metallic and Super Silver

Platform, Engine and Driveline

• Advanced Premium Midship platform, enabling the use of a world’s first independent rear transaxle all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, without traditional torque tubes, allowing the suspension to operate completely independently
• Exclusive hand-assembled twin-turbo VR38DETT 3.8-liter V6 engine
• 485 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm, 434 lb-ft of torque @ 3,200; LEV2/ULEV emission vehicle rating
• Plasma-sprayed bores for reduced friction, lighter weight, enhanced cooling, power output and fuel efficiency
• Symmetrical independent intake and exhaust manifold system featuring twin IHI turbochargers
• Secondary air management system for improved cold-start emissions performance
• Thermostatically-controlled oil cooling system; oil scavenger pump to maintain oil flowing to the turbochargers; lateral wet and dry sump oiling system
• All-new paddle-shifted sequential six-speed dual clutch transmission; manual and automatic modes
• Rear transaxle features separate clutches for the odd (1,3,5) and even (2,4,6) gears; sequential shifting; gear pre-selection for immediate shifts
• Hill Start Assist for easy starts on an uphill incline
• Electronically-controlled ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system specifically developed for GT-R
• Rear-drive bias, up to 50 percent of torque can be transmitted to the front wheels when needed, torque split continuously variable depending on speed, lateral and transverse acceleration, steering angles, tire slip, road surface and yaw rate
• GT-R specific yaw-rate feedback control, measuring differences between the target yaw rate calculated from steering angle, actual yaw rate detected by the yaw-rate sensor and G sensor to adjust torque bias

Suspension and Braking

• Special “set-up switch” located in the center of the instrument panel; adjusts transmission shifts, shock absorbers and the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC-R), three settings – Normal, Special or “R,” for ultimate handling
• 4-wheel independent suspension mounted to six-point front and rear subframes
• GT-R specific adjustable Bilstein DampTronic suspension system utilizes multiple vehicle information systems to provide appropriate damping forces for all situations and a high level of control for a variety of driving situations
• 15-inch Brembo full-floating cross-drilled two-piece rotors, low steel high stiffness brake pads, radial-mounted Brembo monoblock six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, which in combination minimize fade and provide intense stopping performance
• GT-R-specific lightweight forged 20-inch wheels, with special knurling to assist with securing the tires during hard acceleration or braking; new exterior finishes for 2010
• Nitrogen-filled Dunlop (GT-R) or Bridgestone (GT-R Premium) high-performance summer run-flat tires - 255/40ZRF20 front, 285/35ZRF20 rear; all-season Dunlop tires available

Interior Features

• Interior designed to balance functionality and comfort
• Usable passenger and luggage space – four passenger seating and trunk capacity of two golf bags or suitcases
• Optimal driving position provided by rear transaxle layout, with flat floor and narrow center console
• Driver-surrounding instrument panel, with all meters and multi-function meter at a uniform height to minimize the driver’s head movement
• Large center-mounted tachometer, with gear display on its upper right, as well as the easy-to-read graphics of the multi-function display, give the driver instant detailed information
• Interior design cues include “dial plate” meter-surround design that evokes the idea of engaged gears, large, metallic-framed center console featuring ergonomically designed shift lever and a red “engine start” button
• Sculpted performance bucket seats
• Soft pads located on the dash panels in front of the passenger and on both doors to give an extra level of comfort
• A video game-inspired multi-function display with eleven pages of mechanical and driving information available, including acceleration, brake pedal pressure, steering angle and a recording function with playback
• Navigation system featuring easy-to-use touch pad, as well as traditional navigation switches; screen interface also features enriched entertainment system with a Music Box Hard Drive, CD player controls and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
• Available specially designed 11-speaker Bose® audio system, two forward-facing woofers in rear center armrest area; speakers mounted in rigid aluminum die cast panels

Safety

• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System for driver and front passenger
• Standard front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags for driver and front passenger
• Standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front seat occupant head protection
• Front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and tension reducers
• Three-point ELR/ALR rear seat belts

Manufacturing

• Vehicle assembly in Tochigi, Japan; engines hand-assembled in Yokohama, Japan
• Available in two models: GT-R and GT-R Premium

Source: Nissan News

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2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z Bringing Racing-Inspired Performanc and Engineering to The Street

The all-new, second generation NISMO 370Z, which is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in June 2009, continues the tradition of the original by offering unique performance and design attributes that true sports car enthusiasts are looking for - straight from the factory. Like the limited production NISMO 350Z introduced two years earlier, the new NISMO 370Z is a tuner-Z® enthusiast’s dream, featuring 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque, racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and special super-lightweight forged alloy wheels. The NISMO 370Z was developed by Nissan’s Specialty Vehicles Group in conjunction with Autech Japan, Nissan’s longstanding conversion partner.

The NISMO 370Z’s standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL) combines with a refined 4-wheel independent suspension and advanced FM (Front Midship) platform to offer responsive performance and handling. The NISMO Z®’s exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control help provide responsive upper end power. As expected of a true performance machine, the NISMO 370Z is offered with only one transmission - a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with standard “SynchroRev Match,” the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission (which allows perfectly matched heel-toe-like downshifting).

2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z Coupe Image Gallery:


The NISMO 370Z also features a NISMO-branded strut tower brace for enhanced body rigidity and a pair of performance dampers to manage road-input vibrations and help contribute to the NISMO 370Z’s high levels of stability and performance feel. The NISMO-tuned suspension includes special springs and stabilizer bars. Unique 5-spoke 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels are mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires. Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) are also standard on all NISMO 370Zs.

Along with its standout performance, the new NISMO Z® stands out from the crowd with its dramatic performance-oriented exterior and interior. The functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body pieces include an extended front nose with a canard design at each corner for improved downforce and a fully integrated chin spoiler. Special side sills and a unique rear bumper help control airflow under the vehicle, while the functional rear spoiler also increases downforce.

The interior includes NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and red stitching, a NISMO tachometer, steering wheel with smooth leather and red parallel stitching, smooth leather-wrapped shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals. A serialized plaque of authenticity is also matched to each NISMO Z®, identifying its unique serial and model year designation.

Highlights of the 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z include:
Body

• A high-rigidity body with a dynamic presence and aerodynamic design
• Special NISMO 370Z styling with wide, strong stance expressing dynamic movement
• Unique, fully integrated NISMO body design, including an extended front nose design with optimized shape for managing airflow, an integrated front chin spoiler, side sills, and a unique rear bumper and rear spoiler designed to maximize downforce
• 174.3-inch overall length
• Enhanced body rigidity with a NISMO strut tower bar and front and rear Performance Dampers to manage body damping of vibrations from road input via the tires
• Lightweight aluminum hood, doors and hatchback
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights and LED brake lights with distinctive “boomerang” design
• Signature vertical door handles, dual remote control mirrors
• Electric rear window defroster
• Front fender-mounted “flashing” Z® emblems/sidemarkers
• Polished exhaust tips
• Five available colors: Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red and Platinum Graphite

Engine and Driveline

• Front engine/rear-wheel drive
• Fourth-generation VQ series 3.7-liter engine, 24-valve DOHC V6 (VQ37VHR), rated at 350 horsepower @ 7,400 RPM, 276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 RPM, red engine cover
• Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) system
• Micro-finished crankshaft and camshaft; small pitch, silent cam chain; drive-by-wire throttle
• Standard 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with “SynchroRev Match,” the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission allowing perfectly matched heel-toe-like downshifting
• NISMO-tuned dual exhaust with H-pipe configuration and larger diameter tubes for reduced exhaust pressure
• Carbon Fiber composite driveshaft
• Standard Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD)

Suspension, Steering and Braking

• NISMO-tuned 4-wheel independent multi-link suspension with use of lightweight aluminum components
• Double-wishbone front suspension, rear multi-link suspension; NISMO front strut tower bar; high response shock absorbers
• Large diameter front and rear hollow NISMO-tuned stabilizer bars
• Vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering
• Power-assisted vented front and rear disc brakes, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
• Nissan Sport Brakes with 14.0-inch front/13.8-inch rear rotors and 4-piston front/2-piston rear aluminum calipers
• Unique NISMO-branded 19-inch RAYS super lightweight 5-spoke forged-alloy wheels - 19×9.5-inch front, 19×10.5-inch rear
• Yokohama ADVAN Sport P245/40R19 front and P285/35R19 rear tires, Y-rated

Interior Features

• High quality interior with innovative, driver-centric “three-layer” design with information, operation and holding layers
• 2-passenger seating with unique driver and passenger seat designs and functions
• Distinctive black and red seat trim with NISMO logo
• Unique smooth leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob
• NISMO signature red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, center instrument panel, instrument panel console lid, door trim and knee pads
• NISMO tachometer
• NISMO 370Z plaque of authenticity with serial number and model year designation
• Aluminum-trimmed pedals
• Driver’s seat shaped to help hold the body firmly in place without interfering with shifting
• 8-way manual driver’s seat, 4-way manual passenger’s seat with manual seatback fold-down function
• 3-bay gauge pods, tilt steering column with integrated instrument cluster
• Adjustable front head restraints
• Standard automatic temperature control
• Power windows with auto one-touch up and down feature
• Power door locks with auto locking feature
• Two 12-volt power outlets, four cupholders (two in door panels, two in center console)
• Standard cruise control
• Standard Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition

Safety and Security

• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors
• Front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags
• Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags
• 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
• 3-point ALR/ELR seatbelts (driver’s seatbelt ELR only)
• Front seat Active Head Restraints
• Zone Body Construction
• Energy-absorbing steering column
• Standard Vehicle Security System
• Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
• Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Models

• NISMO 370Z Coupe offered in one model (6-speed manual transmission only)

Source: Nissan News

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All-New 2010 Nissan 370Z The Seductively Styled Z Roadster Adds Open-Air Excitement

Less than a year after the introduction of the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe – a vehicle that reset the bar for affordable sports car design and performance – comes its dramatic new stablemate, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. The seductively styled Z® Roadster offers everything the hardtop Z® Coupe does – and more. As in more classic open-air sports car driving excitement. More sun, moon and stars. And more refinement than any Z® convertible that has ever come before – including a standard automatic latching power top and Nissan Intelligent Key™. Also offered are an array of technology and convenience features, including the first-ever Z® Roadster-available heating and cooling ventilated net seats, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, satellite radio and advanced Nissan Navigation System. The 2010 370Z Roadster is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide in late summer.

“As expected, the 370Z Roadster delivers an exhilarating connection to the air, wind and environment on top of the new Z® Coupe’s exceptional levels of performance,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA). “But perhaps unexpected for a car this sporty is its greatly enhanced refinement and quality – as seen in features such as its one-touch, auto-locking convertible top and beautifully crafted interior.”

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Image Gallery:


A Truly Authentic Roadster
The 370Z Roadster’s most obvious departure from the 370Z Coupe is its convertible top. The soft-top roof was designed with an emphasis on three key areas: to provide a sleek silhouette matching the new Z®’s stunning styling with the top up or down, to offer easy single-action open-close operation, and to provide an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence and all-climate driver/passenger comfort.

With convertible top in the closed position, the design provides a sophisticated sloped-back appearance, the perfect balance between the soft top and the Z® body design. The shortened windshield and aerodynamically rounded rear deck enhance the Z®’s kinetic and dynamic character lines. When in the down position, the convertible top is concealed beneath a full body-color hard tonneau cover, which extends forward to help create the Z® Roadster’s classic “double cockpit” style interior.

The standard black cloth convertible top features a fabric inner liner, which provides a quality appearance and helps reduce noise intrusion into the cabin, along with an enlarged (versus the previous generation Z® Roadster) glass rear window with an integrated electric rear window defroster. The top operation takes approximately 20 seconds start-to-finish and is controlled by either a center console-mounted switch or by a button located on the doors. The automatic latch system secures the top to – or releases it from – the windshield header without driver intervention. The shape and position of the glass wind deflector, located between the fixed headrest bars, has been optimized to reduce turbulence into the cabin.

Like the new 370Z Coupe, the Z® Roadster’s new exterior is more aggressive in appearance and lighter and tighter in structure than the previous generation. The wheelbase is nearly four inches shorter (100.4 inches versus 104.3 inches) and overall length is reduced by 2.6 inches (167.2 inches versus 169.8 inches). The new Z® Roadster features an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk for reduced weight. At the same time, the body structure was extensively revised, improving rigidity and stability. The 370Z Roadster includes additional structural reinforcement (over the 370Z Coupe), including in the A-pillars and side sills.

The Z® Roadster’s exterior design incorporates the look and feel of the new Z® Coupe, including its signature long nose/short cockpit proportions, vertical door handles and distinctive new headlight/taillight treatment, which features a fierce “boomerang” shape. High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights with auto on/off feature are standard.

The 370Z Roadster is offered in seven exterior colors: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pearl White, Monterey Blue and a special premium color, Black Cherry.

Inside the stunning exterior, true to its sports car heritage, the Z® Roadster’s interior is completely driver-centric, with its three-layer design grouping items by how a driver sees information, operates the controls and is held in place – so drivers feel completely connected and engaged whenever and wherever they drive, top up or down.

The Z® Roadster features high back black woven “Carbon” cloth seats with 8-way manual driver’s/4-way manual passenger’s seat adjustments. Touring models include unique leather-appointed “net” seats with 4-way power/4-way manual operation on the driver’s seat (4-way power on the passenger’s seat). These second-generation net seats are exclusive to the Z® Roadster and have integrated heating and cooling functions – ideal for open air driving no matter what the outside temperature. Adjustable front seat Active Head Restraints are also standard.

The Z® Roadster’s 2-seat layout includes a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length center console separating the driver and passenger’s seat. The instrument panel retains the traditional Z® 3-pod cluster with oil temperature, voltmeter and clock, while the speedometer and tachometer now include an “initial sweep” function, coming alive when the car is first started.

The sporty steering wheel is a new “oval” 3-spoke design, which offers baseball-style stitching, improved thumb grips and palm rest areas for improved feel on long drives. The surface of the leather-wrapped wheel is “shaved” to provide a more kidney-like shape to better fit in the hand. The manual transmission shifter is specially padded to improve the accuracy of diagonal shifts and to feel softer in the hand for forward and backward motions.

Standard interior comfort and convenience features include Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition, power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature, power door locks with auto-lock feature and a center console box with a non-intrusive cover design.

Other features include automatic climate control, two 12-volt power outlets, three cupholders (two in door panels, one in center console) and an AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls.

The Touring model adds a 6CD Bose® audio system with eight speakers (includes dual subwoofer) and MP3/WMA playback, XM™ Satellite Radio (XM™ subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink™ Universal Transceiver and aluminum-trimmed pedals. This is the first time Bluetooth® and XM™ satellite radio have been available on a Z® Convertible.

The optional Navigation Package includes the touch-screen Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with XM NavTraffic™ real-time traffic information (XM™ subscription required, sold separately), 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and a USB fort for iPod® connectivity. The new navigation system offers a number of enhancements (versus previous Nissan Navigation System designs), including four times higher screen resolution, wireless music player audio streaming capability (via Bluetooth®), on-board Zagat restaurant ratings database, an in-dash DVD player and XM NavWeather™ weather information display (XM™ subscription required, sold separately).

The 370Z Roadster interior is available in Black cloth or for 370Z Touring Roadster models, a choice of Gray, Black or Wine leather-appointed net seating.

Open Air, Open Roads – An Unbeatable Combination
Roadster or Coupe, the new Z®s share one of the most advanced drivetrains available for affordable sports cars today. The Z® Roadster’s long list of cutting edge performance-focused technologies includes a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL), choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual with available “SynchroRev Match” (the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission), refined 4-wheel independent suspension and 4-wheel vented disc brakes (with available Nissan Sport Brakes).

“The new 370Z Roadster lives in the same sweet spot of performance, style and value that the Z® Coupe does,” said Castignetti. “Open air driving just begs for open roads and the new 370Z Convertible is the perfect companion.”

Compared to the previous generation 350Z Roadster, the new Z® convertible picks up 26 horsepower and 2 lb-ft of torque (332 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm, compared with the previous 3.5-liter V6’s 306 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm and 268 lb-ft of toque @ 4,800 rpm).

Along with its larger displacement, the 3.7-liter engine gives better power delivery all the way to the 7,500 rpm redline, improved low-end power and more high-end torque, creating an entirely new driving experience. Key to the enhanced performance is the VVEL system, which is able to optimize intake valve open/close movements, allowing the needed air to be sent promptly to the combustion chamber at the precisely optimized time. Since the VVEL system can adjust to open the valves slightly, it improves fuel efficiency by reducing camshaft friction and fuel waste. It also provides cleaner emissions by allowing for quicker warm-up of the catalyst and by stabilizing combustion when the engine is cool.

The 2010 Z® Roadster is offered with a choice of two new advanced transmissions – a close-ratio 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic. The 6-speed manual is available with SynchroRev Match™ (included in the optional Sport Package), which allows drivers of any skill level to experience professional-like gear shift performance. The SynchroRev Match™ function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the exact speed of the next gear position, essentially “blipping” the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts. This not only allows the driver to focus more on braking and steering, it improves vehicle balance and smoothness by reducing the typical “shock” when the clutch is engaged. The system can be deactivated with a button next to the shifter for drivers who prefer less vehicle intervention.

The available 7-speed automatic includes Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and is designed to offer quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode.

Drivers can use the standard paddle shifters or the shift lever. The 7-speed’s wide gear ratios offer improved fuel efficiency, while the Adaptive Shift Control is designed to adjust to the driver’s driving style.

Estimated fuel economy for the 370Z Roadster is 18 mpg City/25 mpg Highway for both the 7-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions – increases of 1 mpg City/2 mpg Highway for the automatic and 1 mpg City/1 mpg Highway for the manual transmission versus the 2009 350Z Roadster.

The Z® Roadster also utilizes the Z® Coupe’s advanced 4-wheel independent suspension. The double-wishbone front suspension (which replaces the lower multi-link setup in the 350Z) uses lighter forged aluminum arms and a lightweight rigid aluminum-alloy cradle, along with a lighter stabilizer bar with a 35 percent improved lever ratio. The 4-link rear suspension is also stiffer and lighter, with the rear cradle entirely integrated into a single part. “High response” shock absorbers are utilized on each corner for improved ride comfort.

The standard 370Z Roadster wheel and tire package features 18×8.0-inch front/18×9.0-inch lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels with P225/50R18 front/P245/45R18 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A summer tires. Available as part of the optional Sport Package are 19-inch RAYS forged lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A P245/40R19 front/P275/35R19 tires.

The Z®’s standard 4-wheel vented disc brake system includes Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The optional Sport Package includes Nissan Sport Brakes with large diameter 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors (versus 12.6-inch front/rear standard rotors) with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum calipers.

Steering is provided by a vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion design. Unwanted steering kickback and vibrations are reduced with the addition of a solenoid valve that acts like a damper when there is a harsh impact load. A Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system is standard.

The Nissan 370Z Roadster’s list of standard safety features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors; front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; door-mounted curtain air bags; and seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Other standard equipment includes Active Head Restraints, Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Vehicle Security System and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Two Well-Equipped Models
The new Z® Roaster is offered in two well-equipped models – 370Z Roadster and the 370Z Touring Roadster. The Touring model includes the heated and cooling leather-appointed power net seats, HomeLink™ Universal Transceiver, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, 8-speaker Bose® audio system, XM™ Satellite Radio (XM™ subscription, sold separately) and aluminum-trimmed pedals.

Only two option packages are offered (Touring model only): the Sport Package, with 19-inch RAYS forged wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, Nissan Sport Brakes, SynchroRev Match (6-speed manual transmission only) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential; and the Navigation Package, with Hard Drive-based Nissan Navigation System, 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and USB connectivity.

Source: Nissan official Press Release

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Nissan Qazana Concept: The Crossover Revolution Continues

By introducing an alternative to the traditional family hatchback theme, the Nissan Qashqai revolutionised one of the most conservative sectors of the market. That success has now inspired Nissan to see how it can reshape the small five-door of the future.

“Qazana is a concept car and was created specifically for the Geneva Motor Show… but it should not be dismissed as a just a design study. It gives a clear direction of how a future small car from Nissan could look.”
Alfonso Albaisa, Vice President, Nissan Design Europe

At a glance

• Crossover concept reinvents small five-door
• Inspired by motorbikes and beach buggies
• Compact design – sporty, yet rugged
• Designed in Europe

Cars have been dull for too long. Mainstream machines might perform perfectly from A to B… but sometimes drivers want to take the non-conformist route…

Fortunately Nissan has the answer. Inspired by a simple desire to have fun behind the wheel, Qazana shows that mind-numbing motoring could be a thing of the past.

Nissan Qazana Concept Image Gallery:


Officially it’s a showcar, a study into how a small car of the future could look. But with the announcement that a small crossover – a baby brother to Qashqai – will be built at the company’s Sunderland factory in the UK, Qazana’s significance should not be underestimated.

“The Qazana concept is an intelligent, all-wheel drive crossover which is masculine, agile, lean, and designed for the tough city streets. Our team at Nissan Design Europe in London realized this image with the motif of a modern day beach buggy and four-seat motor-bike,” Atsushi Maeda, Studio Chief Designer, Nissan Design Europe.

According to Matt Weaver, project lead designer at NDE, Qazana was designed to be sophisticated but fun. “It’s a hugely optimistic car, which is no bad thing in these difficult times. Had it been created in the 1960s, it would have counted camper vans, bikes and buggies as its rivals. Infused with that same spirit, there’s nothing quite like it available today.”

Challenges tradition
In the same way that Nissan re-wrote the rule-book when it introduced Qashqai two years ago, so Qazana is ready to do it again. By approaching the small car market from a totally different direction, Qazana invigorates, stimulates and rejuvenates the traditional town runabout.

Compact dimensions
Compact overall dimensions (4060mm in length,1570mm tall, 1780 wide and a wheelbase of 2530mm) mean Qazana would be ideally suited to the urban environment. Yet its advanced specification and energetic styling suggest an ability that goes far beyond the city walls.

By mixing SUV and sports car styling cues, NDE’s design team has created a highly individual Crossover quite unlike anything else on the road. The tall stance, truncated rear styling and short front and rear overhangs underscore its feeling of robustness and strength, but the low roof line, assertive side window graphic and broad shoulders hint at a sporting ability absent in traditional all-wheel drives.

At the same time, rounded elements – notably the wheel arches and bonnet – evoke a friendly ambiance and provide a link with existing Nissan Crossovers. Indeed, Qazana has the signature Crossover design detail in the rising window line at the rear, also found on Murano and Qashqai.

Says Weaver: “Qazana follows in Qashqai’s wheel tracks by challenging convention. Externally Qazana adds a number of existing Nissan design cues – including a variation on ‘boomerang’ rear light theme from 370Z – to a highly distinctive shape that’s unlike anything else in the company’s current design portfolio.”

Crossover styling
The profile is dominated by the prominent wheel arches and by the body’s high waistline, which combine to give an impression of strength and which contrast vividly with the slim side windows. Echoing a style first seen on Mixim, Nissan’s high performance electric coupé concept shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Show, the glasshouse resembles a crash helmet visor.

Although it appears at first glance to be a two-door coupé, Qazana has a further pair of rear-hinged half doors to ease access to the rear compartment. All the doors are electrically operated and for safety reasons the rear pair can only be activated once the fronts have been opened. With no conventional B-pillar, access to the interior couldn’t be easier.

One notable feature of the roof-line is the virtually straight cant rail above the doors which adds further to the strength of the profile. The roof itself has a pair of thin glass inserts running the full length of the roof which allow slithers of natural light into the cabin.

This contrast between sporty performance and all-terrain potential is underlined by the venturi-style skid plate at the rear of the vehicle, Qazana’s extended ground clearance and the soft rubber spats which edge the wheel arches and help to disguise the vehicle’s long suspension travel. The graphite coloured spats contrast vividly with the bold exterior colour, a unique shade called White Titanium, and the strikingly styled 20 inch black chrome alloy wheels.

Distinctive frontal aspect
The car’s face is dominated by four headlamps. Two lower circular lamps set within the bumper contrast with a pair of daylight running strips mounted high on the wings on either side of the bonnet: the look is of a rally car preparing for a night stage.

While the full width grille, dominated by Nissan’s centrally mounted badge, is an interpretation of current Nissan styling, its construction is not. A one-piece acrylic moulding, no cooling air can pass through the grille. Instead, the lower portion of the bumper, finished in a contrasting graphite colour, is dominated by a number of large holes for air to reach the radiator. See through acrylic mouldings are also used for the door mirrors

The interior has been designed as an extension of the exterior thanks to a clever interplay between hard and soft materials. Rather than being completely enveloped in leather for example, elements of the lightweight carbon fibre seat structure are on permanent view, appearing to have ‘broken through’ the covering. The centre portion of the backrests features a mesh material, allowing fresh air to circulate around the occupants.

Like the seats, the metal sections of the centre console seem to have forced their way through the leather covering while the internal door-frame is part exposed so that the door pull appears to be hewn from solid metal.

Motorcycle inspired interior
Adding further to the mechanical feel of the interior, the shape of the centre console and armrest has been inspired by the fuel tank and seat of a sports motocycle. Paul Ray, senior interior designer at NDE, is a keen rider. “I enjoy the sensation of being at one with my bike and wanted to capture that feeling in Qazana,” he says.

“The way the structure appears through the fabric of the interior also reflects motorcycle design and construction.”

Accentuating the practical side of the car, Qazana has ‘floating’ seats centrally mounted over a one-piece rubberised floor covering, creating an openness in the cockpit. Grooves cut in the flooring are replicated on the seats themselves.

The dashboard is dominated by a centrally mounted screen. As well as doubling as a navigation display, it will deliver vital information relating to Nissan’s next generation fully electronic ALL MODE four-wheel drive with torque vectoring system and other advanced technical processes found on board, including integrated communications systems. Using an intuitive touch-screen interface, the driver will be able to adjust the air-conditioning and other key vehicle settings.

Alfonso Albaisa, Vice President, Nissan Design Europe, says: “When it comes to design, Nissan has developed a reputation for constantly delivering something different. The global success of Qashqai has proven that the car buying public is fed up with the conventional… but we are not prepared to sit on our laurels. Qazana might seem a radical solution but important elements of the concept do point to a future Nissan production vehicle.

Source: Nissan News

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