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[Nissan takes fuel cell vehicle on run of the 'Ring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/nissan-takes-fuel-cell-vehicle-on-run-of-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/nissan-takes-fuel-cell-vehicle-on-run-of-the-ring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/23/nissan-takes-fuel-cell-vehicle-on-run-of-the-ring/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The undisputed champion of hydrogen fuel cell SUVs at the Nurburgring has been crowned: the Nissan X-Trail FCV. The winning time: 11:58. Of course, it's the winning time because it's the only time -- a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has never ran the 'Ring before.

After piloting the 120 bhp X-Trail around the world for two years, Nissan engineer Frank Eickholt, decide it was time to take it to the track. The €1.3 million X-Trail was apparently hampered by moist tarmac, so you can expect a redo at some point in the future. Just when you thought the 'Ring craze was as hot as it could get, here come the hydro-powered vehicles to... pour some water on it...

[Source: ZerCustoms]

Nissan takes fuel cell vehicle on run of the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel cell vehiclesFuelCellVehiclesgreen hellGreenHellhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCelllap timesLapTimesnissannissan x-trailnissan x-trail fcvNissanX-trailNissanX-trailFcvnurburgringthe ringTheRingx-trail fcvX-trailFcvWed, 23 Jul 2008 18:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan's diesel Maxima may be manual only]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/nissans-diesel-maxima-may-be-manual-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/nissans-diesel-maxima-may-be-manual-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/nissans-diesel-maxima-may-be-manual-only/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Nissan Maxima

Sales of Nissan's first clean diesel in America could be severely hampered before the car even gets a chance at life. According to Nissan, the diesel engine slated to power the Maxima could come equipped with a manual transmission as its only option. We honestly can't imagine Nissan going through with this idea. Diesels already have a mildly bad reputation in the states due to some of the not-so-great oil-burning products our market has been cursed with in the past, and Americans have a profound penchant for choosing an automatic transmission over a manual. Therefore, endowing the Maxima diesel with a stick as the only option seems like a death knell in terms of sale, although it's probably the gearbox that we'd choose as enthusiasts. Considering how well Nissan has done with its CVT transmission, we wonder if the company could find a way to pair it with the Renault-derived diesel slated for the Maxima.

For what it's worth, the Japanese market has not been properly introduced to the diesel engine, either. Nissan's first product with a new clean diesel for its home turf will be the X-Trail SUV. The assorted powers-that-be at the company have already decided that a manual tranny shall be the only option on that model due to the M9R engine's inherent turbo-lag.

Gallery: 2009 Nissan Maxima


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Nissan's diesel Maxima may be manual only originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 maxima2009Maximaclean dieselclean diesel maximaCleanDieselCleanDieselMaximadieseldiesel maximaDieselMaximanissannissan dieselnissan x-trailnissan x-trail dieselNissanDieselNissanX-trailNissanX-trailDieselx-trailMon, 16 Jun 2008 13:31:00 EST