Autoblog

Can a car be lifted using rubber bands?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Nissan, Humor

It's quite amazing what it takes to lift a car. We already know the feat can be accomplished using just a pair of phone books, but what about rubber bands? To the Internet! A video series appropriately titled "Will It Lift" attempted to find out by using a massive crane and a Nissan Micra weighing less than 1,800 pounds.

Doing a little math, the trio determined that it would take 180 rubber bands to support the car. A metal bar was placed through the window openings and another was place atop the car, and then attached together using the rubber bands and hooked to the crane. Now these aren't any special rubber bands or anything. They're just eight-millimeters thick, but the stunt is testing the rubber bands' power in numbers.

We're not going to spoil it for you, so scroll down to check out the video of the stunt.

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Can a car be lifted using rubber bands? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Jan 2013 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Japan, Hatchback, Nissan, Tokyo Auto Salon

With press days for the Detroit Auto Show now behind us, our focus is shifting eastwards. Make that Far East, as the tuners have rolled in for the Tokyo Auto Salon, where Nissan performance tuning arm Nismo has taken on its third compact and given it an attitude adjustment.

Following the recent debuts of the Leaf Nismo and Juke Nismo comes this March Nismo, based on the small hatchback also known as the Micra or (in Taiwan) as the Verita. Nismo has given it a enhanced sportiness through lightweight wheels, updated grille and aero kit, new door mirrors and sportier seats and steering wheel inside.

It's all capped by a pearl white finish with red highlights, but while the Nismo parts catalog is sure to offer bolt-ons for the March, this particular configuration is strictly a concept. Check it out in the pair of high-resolution images along with the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video]

Nissan March Nismo concept debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault introduces new Pulse hatchback for India

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows, Renault, India, Diesel

While Renault's RS27 engine was powering Sebastian Vettel's RB7 to yet another victory at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, Renault was also unveiling a new dedicated vehicle for the Indian market.

Called the Pulse, the subcompact hatchback is built upon the same platform as the Nissan Micra at the Renault-Nissan Alliance's assembly plant in Chennai, India. It was also designed at the automaker's design center in Mumbai specifically with the Indian market in mind. Power comes from a 1.5-liter diesel four, also made locally.

Following the introduction of the Fluence sedan and Koleos crossover in India, and with the Dacia Duster and another sedan waiting in the wings, the Pulse is the third of five vehicles planned for introduction this year in India. The order books open at the New Delhi Motor Show in January. Follow the jump for the full press release and take a closer look in the high-res image gallery.

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Renault introduces new Pulse hatchback for India originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reports: Nissan to repair 2.14 million vehicles in its 3rd biggest recall ever

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:52:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Infiniti, Nissan

The line at the door for the recall party is getting longer. Nissan has just showed up and it needs to bring in 2.14 million vehicles around the world, making it the automaker's third largest recall of all-time. The issue lies with a faulty ignition relay that could cause the engine to stall or fail to restart. The fix is reported to take less than 25 minutes, and involves swapping out the faulty ignition relay for a new one.

This recall affects vehicles built around the world, from August 2003 to July 2006. Japan serves up the bulk of the recalled vehicles, with 835,000 units needing to come back in. The U.S. and Canada are not far behind, recalling 762,000 cars between them. The vehicles include a wide gamut of Nissan product, from subcompacts like the Micra and Cube up to larger cars and trucks such as the Titan and Infiniti QX.

Nissan joins an ever expanding list of automakers reporting recent recalls. BMW recently took the first step in admitting they have a problem, by recalling N54-equipped vehicles. Chrysler and Volvo vehicles have had power steering issues. Some Ram trucks went out with incorrectly labeled weight and seating stickers. Honda and Toyota used a parts supplier who was dealing in faulty brake master cylinders. The list goes on and on.

[Sources: AOL Autos]

Reports: Nissan to repair 2.14 million vehicles in its 3rd biggest recall ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart collaborating with Nissan on new B-segment car

Zach Bowman — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Hatchback, Nissan, Smart

Smart/Nissan collaboration sketch - Click above for high-res image gallery

Smart has announced that it, the purveyor of pint-sized conveyances, has partnered up with Nissan to build a new vehicle slated to go on sale here in the States. Details are remarkably scarce at the moment, but Smart has been kind enough to roll out a couple of sketches to give us an idea of what's coming down the pike. From the press release, we're told that the new creation will be a five-door, B-segment competitor powered by a gasoline engine, and that it will go on sale late 2011.

Given the short lead time, we're that the car will likely be based on the Nissan Micra, especially since Nissan's current B-segment car, the Versa, is one of the largest offerings in that class. The sketches don't exactly reveal too much, other than the fact that the vehicle will retain the Smart penchant for unique design.

As of right now, the two companies have merely signed a Memorandum of Understanding. That means that the final decision still has to go through numerous approvals before getting the go ahead. Still, it's good to see Smart making moves to get out of the rut the company has been in for the past year or so. Hit the jump to read the official press release.

Gallery: New Nissan/Smart Small Car Sketch

[Source: Smart]

Continue reading Smart collaborating with Nissan on new B-segment car

Smart collaborating with Nissan on new B-segment car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Nissan Micra is easy being green

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:41:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Nissan

2010 Nissan Micra - Click above for high-res image gallery

The more charming - if that's even possible - Nissan Micra has been tweaked to bring smiles to consumers in 160 countries where it will go on sale. To keep them smiling once things get under way, a brand new 1.2-liter, supercharged three-cylinder gas engine gets down with 80 horsepower and 144 pound-feet.

Believe it or not but the bounty doesn't stop there, with a suspension combining "agility, refinement and poise" also included as standard equipment. We'll let you decide for yourself, unless you're in the U.S. since we probably won't get it. For you, there's a press release after the jump and a gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Nissan Micra

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Geneva 2010: Nissan Micra is easy being green originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Nissan teases new compact global compact car, Micra replacement ahead of Geneva

Dan Roth — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Videos, Nissan

Click above to view the video after the jump

Past generations of the Nissan Micra have done well for the company, garnering accolades and proving its worth in the marketplace. There's a new compact Nissan coming, which we're likely to see for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show.

Nissan has released a video covering some of the new car's details as a way to whet our appetite. There's a sharp-looking rendering at the very end of the video, after you've learned about the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, which Nissan claims has NVH levels equivalent to a four cylinder. There's a new constantly variable transmission, and the V platform, as its named, is also a clean sheet design and developed for flexibility and packaging. Sounds like every other press release lately - "better performance, more efficient, more flexibly packaged, cures warts!" We'll see. Make the jump to watch the video.

Continue reading Video: Nissan teases new compact global compact car, Micra replacement ahead of Geneva

Video: Nissan teases new compact global compact car, Micra replacement ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next Nissan Micra spotted?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Minivan/Van, Hatchback, Nissan

Images of the next generation Nissan Micra have plopped onto the interwebs, and they have brought with them a revelation we are a little ashamed to have come to so late. First, let us say that we really, really dig the Nissan Micra as it is. Sure, we delight most in its hardcore version, but even the gutless four-door variants have that design going for them: the Micra is wonderfully visually compelling.

The revelation is this: when it comes to Nissan, the phrase "This car is coming to the U.S." looks to actually mean "a bloated kind of melty looking version of this car is coming to the U.S." We saw it first with the Cube, and the same sort of globular travesty has apparently been perpetrated on the Micra. Forget the oh-so-sexy sketch from a month ago. If this is the car we're getting, look for the Micra with its thumb stuck its thumb in its grille and puffed-out cheeks.

When the new Micra bows as a 2011 model, it will reportedly be built in four-door, five-door, and MPV flavors, all of which will supposedly be powered by a three-cylinder engine. What isn't clear, however, is which Micra bodystyles we'll see in America.

[Source: Joke for Blog]

Spy Shots: Next Nissan Micra spotted? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Next generation Nissan Micra coming to the U.S.

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Minivan/Van, Sedan, Europe, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Nissan, UK

Next Generation Nissan Micra - Click above for high-res image gallery

On the eve of the Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan has confirmed plans to offer the next generation Micra in the United States. The new, yet-to-be-named model will slot in below the Versa (the Micra is nearly two-feet shorter than Nissan's entry-level hatch) and will be built atop Nissan's new low-cost "V" architecture.

The new model will be build at five of Nissan's plants around the world and will be equipped with a three-cylinder engine putting out an undisclosed amount of power. Three variants will be available - a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback and an MPV-like vehicle - all in an effort to sell one million "V" platform units globally each year. Nissan hasn't disclosed when the next generation Micra will go on sale globally - or more specifically, in the States - but expect the sub-compact runabout to hit U.S. shores sometime in 2011 or 2012.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan Micra Sketches

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Next generation Nissan Micra coming to the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant

Michael Harley — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Plants/Manufacturing, Nissan, UK

Click on the above sketch for a high-res gallery of the Micra 160 SR

After sharing tea at Nissan's European Design Centre in central London, Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Company, and the Right Honorable Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, released the news that Nissan will design and build an all-new compact car in the UK's Sunderland plant. The car, a dedicated A-platform, will be used for several new models, including the next-gen Micra. According to the press release posted after the jump, the new Nissan will fill the void created when the current version of the Nissan Micra ends production in 2010. A boon for the local economy, the Sunderland facility employs 4,700 Brits who helped produce 374,000 vehicles in 2007. Nearly 80-percent of those were exported, making Nissan the largest vehicle exporter in the United Kingdom.

Gallery: Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR

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Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Nissan

Click the image above for a hi-res gallery of the Micra 160 SR

If there's one thing this blogger hates, it's begging. But Nissan, please bring this car to America. (Was that good enough, Nissan?) If Dr. Evil drove this car, his would declare the same thing I did: "friggin fantastic." Along with the Cube I've already committed to buy, I promise I'll get one of these as well.

This 1.6-liter, five-speed, 110-HP gas-powered version is a volcanic blast to drive. So much so that I ditched the road guide book for the first snaking mountain road I saw, and after going up and down once I spun the little red robin around and did it again. It's more fun than a MINI -- and I really like the MINI. But the Micra 160 SR is hootin' hollerin' hands up hallelujah fun. No wonder it's the best selling Nissan in Europe.

Inside, it's all you need in a spicy little hatch, which is to say not much, but what's there is just right. It's roomy, there's plenty of cargo space -- including a bin under the front passenger seat and a cavernous glove box -- but the cupholders will only do tiny cups. Although it's not like you'll have time to drink, with all the hooning you'll be doing. And the car is so adorable it teaches buttons how to be cute. I'm a fan. Nissan, the phrase you're looking for is: US regulatory approval.

Gallery: Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR

You can check out the Nissan 360 event site for more details on all the vehicles in Nissan's lineup and company stats. In the mean time, be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res photos below.

Travel and lodging for this media event were provided by the manufacturer.

Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan: Nissan March gets facelifted

Alex Nunez — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:26:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Nissan

Click image for gallery of the updated Nissan march

On Tuesday, Nissan released a facelifted version of its Japanese-market March. One can only assume that these changes will ultimately be seen in Europe as well in the form of an updated Micra, but we'll just have to wait and see how that pans out. Anyway, the freshened March gets new headlamps, revised grilles, and an available front bumper treatment that'll see wider use as standard equipment across the line. Other changes include the implementation of Nissan's I-Key, some new paint colors, a new HDD Navi model and a Cacao-colored interior option.

Also updated are the odd-looking March Bolero and the MINI-aping (look at the grille) March Rafeet. The kitted, more aggressive-looking SR models are pretty cool, too. In addition to the March facelift, Nissan's introducing the Micra C+C in Japan for the first time. For whatever reason, it retains its Euro-market name after making the trip to Japan.

More info can be found in the press releases after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan March (JDM)

Gallery: Nissan Micra C+C

Continue reading Japan: Nissan March gets facelifted

Japan: Nissan March gets facelifted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Micra C+C+Conran gets designer makeover

Alex Nunez — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Etc., Europe, Misc. Auto Shows

Nissan's relationship with London-based designer Sebastian Conran continues with the the latest product of their collaboration: the Nissan Micra C+C+Conran concept. Based on the 1.6 Essenza version of the neat little Micra C+C, the C+C+Conran is a design exercise that will be floated at this week's British International Motor Show to gauge potential interest in a production version. No mechanical changes have been made -- this one's all about style.

Conran's goal with the exterior was to emulate the finish of Japanese lacquer. The paint color used is called Blushing Black, named for the deep wine-red reflections it casts off. The lights and wheels are said to incorporate fleeting hints of red in their dark grey finishes, but in the photos that nuance is not immediately apparent. The trunklid paintwork also incorporates a subtle leaf pattern, which ties directly to the car's interior styling.

(More after the jump! Remainder of the post, photo gallery, and press materials follow)

[Source: Nissan UK]

Continue reading Nissan Micra C+C+Conran gets designer makeover

Nissan Micra C+C+Conran gets designer makeover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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