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[2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/2010-nissan-leaf-electric-car-in-person-in-depth-and-u-s-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/2010-nissan-leaf-electric-car-in-person-in-depth-and-u-s-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/01/2010-nissan-leaf-electric-car-in-person-in-depth-and-u-s-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


2010 Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for hi-res gallery

It would be easy to paint Nissan as late to the burgeoning U.S. green party, as the company essentially only counts the Altima Hybrid to sell among its alt-fuel offerings - and that sedan utilizes technology borrowed from Toyota, and it's only sold in a few states in small volumes. While that may be the case, Nissan says their near-term prospects are really quite different. While the company has admittedly been cautious in marketing alt-fuel vehicles in North America, they have been hard at work developing electric vehicles - as well as the advanced lithium-ion batteries to support them - since 1992. What's more, officials say they are now singularly well-placed to leapfrog "transitional" powertrain solutions like gas-electric hybrids in favor of genuine zero-emissions vehicles, and they are promising that their first pure-electric car will reach U.S. shores late next year.

That car, the Nissan Leaf shown here, is the reason we find ourselves in the company's brand-new Yokohama headquarters today. Designed as a four-to-five seat, front-drive C-segment hatchback, Nissan says the Leaf is not just for use as a specialty urban runabout, but rather, it was designed as an everyday vehicle - a "real car" whose 160-kilometer+ (100 mile) range meets the needs of 70% of the world's motorists. In the case of U.S. consumers, Nissan says that fully 80% of drivers travel less than 100km per day (62 miles), making the Leaf a solid fit for America's motoring majority, even taking into account power-sapping external factors like hilly terrain, accessory draw, and extreme temperatures.

We were afforded an advance look at the Leaf ahead of the car's unveiling today, and while it was a hands-off affair, we did have the chance to formulate some in-the-metal first impressions and take a deep dive into the car's technology. Click through to the jump to learn all about it.


Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV


Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV- Yokohama Introduction

Continue reading 2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos]

2010 Nissan Leaf electric car: In person, in depth - and U.S. bound [*UPDATED w/vids & live photos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative energyalternative fuelAlternativeEnergyAlternativeFuelbattery electricbattery electric vehicleBatteryElectricBatteryElectricVehicleBEVbreakingbreakingnewsfeaturedleasingliOnlithium ionLithiumIonNissanNissan headquartersNissan LeafNissan YokohamaNissanHeadquartersNissanLeafNissanYokohamapure electricPureElectricyokohamazero emissionsZeroEmissionsZEVSat, 01 Aug 2009 21:48:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2008: Yokohama tire dealers compete in blackjack tournament to win Superformance MkIII Cobra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/sema-2008-yokohama-tire-dealers-compete-in-blackjack-tournament/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/sema-2008-yokohama-tire-dealers-compete-in-blackjack-tournament/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/06/sema-2008-yokohama-tire-dealers-compete-in-blackjack-tournament/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of Yokohama's Superformance MkIII Cobra

While many tire manufacturers are cutting back at SEMA this year (come on Michelin, where's our supercar display?), others are pushing forward with new products and generating lots of excitement. Yokohama decided to try positive reinforcement with its dealers and set up a blackjack tournament for its top retailers with the grand prize being a brand new Superformance MkIII Cobra replica worth $70,000. The car comes complete with Yokohama S.drive tires, 245/35R19 front and 285/30R20 rear as well as a Roush 327ci V8 with 425 horsepower. We didn't stay long enough to see who won the tournament, but we do know that at least one Yokohama tire dealer will leave Las Vegas very, very happy.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Yokohama gives away Superformance MkIII Cobra

SEMA 2008: Yokohama tire dealers compete in blackjack tournament to win Superformance MkIII Cobra originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>SEMASEMA 2008Sema2008SuperformanceSuperformance MkIIISuperformanceMkiiiYokohamaThu, 06 Nov 2008 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Lemony Fresh: Yokohama uses citrus oil in tires]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/19/lemony-fresh-yokohama-uses-citrus-oil-in-tires/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/19/lemony-fresh-yokohama-uses-citrus-oil-in-tires/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/19/lemony-fresh-yokohama-uses-citrus-oil-in-tires/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Yokohama is doing its part to reduce petroleum consumption. Its new Super Nanopower Rubber compound uses a unique brew of citrus oil and natural rubber to cut petroleum in the tire's makeup by 80 whole percent. The Decibel Super E-Spec (they certainly have a knack for catchy names) tires that use the technology will only be available in Japan for now, but there's more to these meats than just less oil. As part of a larger conservation intiative that Yokohama's calling EcoMotion, the E-Specs are designed to save fuel on several fronts.

The new compound that uses far less petroleum is a first step, but the tires also boast a lower rolling resistance by way of reduced weight. There's also an inner liner in the tire to reduce air permeation of the tread compound. This helps keep the air in the tire, and maintains inflation, dodging the fuel consumption increases from underinflated tires. The most pressing question, though, is what do they smell like? There are scented tires on the market already, but we're guessing that these Yokos aren't going to release clouds of fruity smoke when you peel out.

[Source: Yokohama via autoindustry]

Lemony Fresh: Yokohama uses citrus oil in tires originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citrusgreentechtiresyokohamaMon, 19 Feb 2007 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan offices to open in Yokohama]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/15/nissan-offices-to-open-in-yokohama/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/15/nissan-offices-to-open-in-yokohama/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/15/nissan-offices-to-open-in-yokohama/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nissan decided to return to their roots, at least geographically, when they broke ground this past Saturday on their new global head office in Yokohama, Japan. The city of Yokohama served as the launching pad for Japan's second largest car manufacturer over 70 years ago.

The new, 860,000 square-foot facility will be completed by October 2009 and will house close to 2,500 of the 3,000 employees currently working for Nissan. The 22-floor, 324-foot tall building will cost approximately 42 billion Yen or $350m U.S., and has been designed to mimic "a sailing ship departing for open sea."

[Source: Drive.com.au]

Nissan offices to open in Yokohama originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 07:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japannissanyokohamaMon, 15 Jan 2007 07:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Michelin Tweel in motion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/video-michelin-tweel-in-motion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's been well over a year since Michelin unveiled its take on the future of the tire, the airless Tweel. The odd-looking invention pairs a replaceable outer rubber layer with a central alloy hub joined by polyurethane ribs. Judging by this video, it would appear that the tire manufacturer is continuing to develop its concept, testing it on a variety of vehicles in a number of different environments. Click on the link to get a glimpse of what might just be in your automotive future.

[Sources: FreshCreation.nl; Michelin]

(Appreciate the tip, Martijn)

 

Video: Michelin Tweel in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alloy wheelAlloyWheelAvonCooper TireCooperTireDunlopFalkenFirestoneGoodyearKumhoMichelintiresTweeltyretyresYokohamaTue, 16 May 2006 12:58:00 EST