Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Nissan cancels RWD Silvia successor and GT-R sedan, Prius-fight planned]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/nissan-cancels-rwd-silvia-successor-and-gt-r-sedan-prius-fight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/nissan-cancels-rwd-silvia-successor-and-gt-r-sedan-prius-fight/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/nissan-cancels-rwd-silvia-successor-and-gt-r-sedan-prius-fight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



We knew this was coming, it was just a matter of getting confirmation. According to Autocar, Nissan has suspended plans to create a compact, rear-wheel-drive successor to the Silvia due to Nissan's financial difficulties and Carlos Ghosn's pledge to reduce costs.

The first indication that Nissan was working on a Silvia/240 replacement came in the form of the Foria concept that debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. The Urge design study quickly followed and development of the RWD coupe continued over the following years. We talked to a Nissan exec back in August of 2008 and they were able to confirm that work was still underway, but wouldn't put an exact date on when it would be unveiled.

Another casualty of the financial crisis is the rumored and refuted GT-R-based sedan for Infiniti. Work on the Porsche Panamera fighter has been put on indefinite hold, but it hasn't been cancelled outright. Ghosn wants the automaker to focus its development efforts on producing small- and medium-sized cars, including a Toyota Prius competitor which could arrive as early as next year.

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Nissan cancels RWD Silvia successor and GT-R sedan, Prius-fight planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>200240cancelcancelleddropdroppedgt-rgt-r sedanGt-rSedangtrinfiniti gt-rInfinitiGt-rnissannissan priusnissan silviaNissanPriusNissanSilviapriusThu, 12 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Nissan's new RWD sports coupe could be hybrid-powered]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/rumormill-nissans-new-rwd-sports-coupe-could-be-hybrid-powered/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/rumormill-nissans-new-rwd-sports-coupe-could-be-hybrid-powered/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/16/rumormill-nissans-new-rwd-sports-coupe-could-be-hybrid-powered/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We've been obsessively following the developments surrounding Nissan's rumored re-entry into the compact, RWD market, and up until now, it's been assumed that a small-displacement engine would be mounted up front, possibly fitted with a turbocharger. But according to a report by Drive.com.au, Nissan is actively considering a hybrid drivetrain to power its Silvia replacement.

The Aussie automotive news outlet spoke with Junichi Endo, Nissan's senior vice president of global marketing, who said that the automaker is trying to strike a balance between "fuel economy and driving pleasure," and that a hybrid-powered sports car has a "50-50" shot at production. However, the fate of such a vehicle hinges on the hybrid sports coupe's marketability.

While the idea certainly isn't original - Toyota is considering a gasoline-electric hybrid sports car inspired by the FT-HS concept and Honda has confirmed that the hybrid CR-Z is on its way - the move by Nissan would be a significant departure for an automaker that's kept hybrids and hybrid development at arms length, save the Altima hybrid. Additionally, Nissan maintains that if such a vehicle gains the affection of consumers, an all-electric sports car is the next logical step.

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Rumormill: Nissan's new RWD sports coupe could be hybrid-powered originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>240hybridnissannissan 200 hybridnissan hybridnissan silvia hybridNissan200HybridNissanHybridNissanSilviaHybridsports carSportsCarFri, 16 May 2008 13:05:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Volvo's 81-year history in 9 minutes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/11/video-volvos-81-year-history-in-9-minutes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/11/video-volvos-81-year-history-in-9-minutes/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/11/video-volvos-81-year-history-in-9-minutes/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view video

Volvo has been making automobiles since April 14, 1927, and while most of us know Volvo for its safe and sometimes fun-to-drive vehicles, the Swedish automaker's history is of course more complicated than that. For instance, Volvo earned its reputation as a safe automaker before it sold a single car by getting in a head-to-head accident with an American car, which totaled the domestic while only scratching the Volvo. Volvo also featured the first standard three-point safety belt and was the first automaker to have a catalytic converter. Hit the jump to catch up on Volvology. It's a very solid nine-minute Volvo history course, even if it fails to mention current owner Ford all-together.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Volvo's 81-year history in 9 minutes

VIDEO: Volvo's 81-year history in 9 minutes originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>240850FordRally RacingRallyRacingSwedenVolvo HistoryVolvoHistoryFri, 11 Apr 2008 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Another Cheap FR Sports Car? Nissan joins the fray]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/13/nissan-planning-smaller-cheaper-fr-sports-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/13/nissan-planning-smaller-cheaper-fr-sports-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/13/nissan-planning-smaller-cheaper-fr-sports-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Japan's top two auto makers have a long and sordid history of ripping off each other's successful designs. No sooner had the Nissan Cube become a run away success in its home market than Toyota came up with the similarly boxy bB (Scion xB). Many years earlier, after the Toyota HiLux Surf (4Runner) proved a hit with, well, surfers, Nissan restyled their Terrano with nigh on identical lines, hoping to ride on the coattails of the Toyota. And let's not get in to the Supra vs. Z and Celica vs. Skyline wars.

Now, just weeks after confirming that Toyota does indeed have a successor to the lauded AE86 in the pipeline, Best Car magazine claims to have evidence that Nissan has got a team working on building a new Silvia. Like the final 2002 S15 Spec R Silvia the new car is reckoned to be powered by a turbocharged two-liter good for 247 HP, but will just be 10 kgs heavier at one and a quarter metric tons (2450lbs).

The new range should sell for between 2.5 and 2.8 million Yen ($21,000 - $23,700), but not until 2010. Best Car's scoop ties in nicely with photographs of a shortened Z, most likely a mule testing a new, smaller FR drive train, taken at the ring earlier in the summer. If the new Silvia is indeed to be based on a modified Z/Skyline LM platform, expect a similar wheelbase of 8' 6", but smaller overall dimensions, around 14' 4" long by 5' 8" wide.

Chances of Nissan bringing a concept car, possibly derived from the URGE shown in Detroit last year, to October's Tokyo Motor Show? 60-percet according to the magazine.

[Source: Best Car]

Another Cheap FR Sports Car? Nissan joins the fray originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010240240sxnissans15silviatoyotaurgeMon, 13 Aug 2007 08:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Boxy, but quick - twin-turbo Supra engined Volvo 244]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/boxy-but-quick-twin-turbo-supra-engined-volvo-244/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/boxy-but-quick-twin-turbo-supra-engined-volvo-244/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/05/boxy-but-quick-twin-turbo-supra-engined-volvo-244/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



If such a thing is possible, Volvo 240s have an even mustier image in Australia than they do in the United States. That's good for those of us who know that they're anvil tough and respond well to modifications. Being front engine, rear wheel drive and European, the ingredients for a stormer are there, if you care to do some work. Additionally, 240s are super easy to work on, and there's a decent enthusiast base, especially now with the interweb tubes in full swing.

Engine swaps into RWD Volvos are nothing new, Converse Engineering and Jags That Run have been selling kits to provide your "Brick" with a small-block heart transplant for years. A particularly determined Aussie has swapped in a twin-turbo Toyota Supra engine good for 284 horsepower. Sure, the V8s will bump out that pony count all day, but they won't have that inline-six wail. Of course, there's something equally alluring about the rhythm of a V8 doing its work, too. Decisions, decisions. Guess we'd just have to get a few and go swap-crazy. Good thing old Volvos are cheap!

The dyno run video is posted after the jump.

Gallery: Supra powered Volvo



[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading Boxy, but quick - twin-turbo Supra engined Volvo 244

Boxy, but quick - twin-turbo Supra engined Volvo 244 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2402446brickcustomenginesixsupraswapswedishturbotwintwin turboTwinTurbovolvoTue, 05 Jun 2007 12:03:00 EST