Autoblog

Shiro Nakamura, Nissan's global design chief, revealed that plans to expand the Infiniti lineup could include a small vehicle to slot in below the current G, a two-door high-powered flagship and some form of people mover that would fill the gap left by the EX and FX CUVs.

Since the GT-R will find its way to U.S. shores sporting a Nissan badge (and rightfully so), Nakamura maintains that a halo car, either a coupe or convertible, would fit well into the Infiniti lineup. Although details are scarce, the idea of installing a modified version of the GT-R's twin-turbo V6 into Infiniti's flagship shouldn't be out of the question.

On the other side of spectrum lies an entry-level model that would sport a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in favor of the 3.5-liter or 3.7-liter V6s that populate the majority of Infiniti's models. It stands to reason that the 200 HP QR25DE four-pot powering the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V would be a good fit, and if Infiniti decides to continue with a focus on RWD vehicles, we smell a sales sensation.

Nakamura is quick to point out that, "These are just ideas we are thinking about." But if Carlos Ghosn's optimism for the brand is matched with the right amount of R&D dollars, there's little doubt that good things could be on the horizon.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Wants some desktop wallpaper images of the 91-94 Sentra SE-R? Click above

Nissan has a history of giving BMWs a run for their money. Back when they were going by Datsun, the 510 was a capable facsimile of a BMW 1600/2002, but cheaper. Performance cred attained, Nissan continued to pump out various capable performers over the years. In 1991, the Sentra was due for a makeover, and Nissan managed to splice some 510 DNA into the SE-R. Car and Driver admonished 12-year olds to save the review so they'd know what to buy in 1998 for a screaming bargain and a hell of a good time. I saved the review, but failed to heed the stellar advice about picking one of these little screamers up in the late '90s. They're a lot more rare now, and finding one that's either inexpensive or unmolested is tough. It's the darndest thing – people know what these cars are.

Read on for more.

Click the image above for our full gallery of desktop wallpaper-sized pics

Nissan determined that Miami would serve as the East Coast launching ground for the next addition to its SE-R legacy. Why Miami? We don't know either, but ignoring the hard bodies, mojitos and other stereotypes of this great proboscis into the Atlantic, the question to be answered is this: does the new Sentra SE-R live up to its predecessors or is it simply an econobox with a red seatbelt? We were invited to the Homestead Speedway to find out.

Click image to enlarge

While everyone was lining up in orderly rows to watch the official unveiling of the Sentra SE-R and Altima coupe at Nissan's LA press conference, we snapped a few pics of a pre-production model of the 2007 350Z.

Although the exterior has gotten a few subtle tweaks that only those of us in the Z-car enthusiast camp would notice, they deserve a brief mention. While the headlamps and taillights have been revised with new housings, the most striking change was the addition of a power dome that eschews the two creases that formerly flanked both sides hood.

So what could possibly justify such a change? Why, more power, naturally. Nissan's venerable VQ35, 3.5-liter V6 is now producing 306 HP, which doesn't seem like a substantial increase over the last model's 300 HP, until you take into account that new output calculations have recently been adopted. As it turns out the same engine that's fitted to the new G35 and the 350Z is making between 15 and 20 HP more than the outgoing 2006 models, which should easily be felt by even the numbest backside.

The increase in power is mainly due to revisions made to the variable valve timing on the exhaust side of the valvetrain, allowing the new engine to rev past the 7k redline of former models, all the way up to a newly set 7,500 RPM.

This new engine will also find a home in the new Altima and Maxima, as well as the Altima coupe, which should make Nissan's new entry-level two-door one of the great performance bargains of 2007.

More pics of the 350Z's new exterior bits and interior are posted after the jump.

[Source: Nissan and Kicking Tires]

UPDATE: Sentra SE-R will be available in March of 2007


The Nissan Sentra SE-R, and its Spec-V sibling, is entering a market rife with performance bargains. On the turbocharged side of the fence lays the GTI and MazdaSpeed3, while the coupe and sedan versions of Honda's Si covers the naturally aspirated realm. Simply put, the SE-R has got serious competition from all sides.

The scooper of cars procured a shot of what looks to be the Nissan Sentra SE-R ahead of it's unveiling at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show. Bathed in "look-at-me" yellow and donning NISMO-grade 17-inch rollers, the SE-R looks the biz for its segment.

Power is expected to come from a 2.5-liter inline four, which should be producing something in the neighborhood of 190+ HP. No word yet on suspension, braking or transmission options, but we'd suspect that everything will get a through tweaking to justify its SE-R designation.

More info will be forthcoming on Wednesday. Stay tuned.

[Source: Car Scoop]

Nissan Motors has told dealers to stop selling some 2006 Altima and Sentra SE-R models due to a problem with excessive oil consumption. The affected vehicles, built during the first five months of this year, could eventually run low on oil which can result in catastrophic engine damage, or even fires. Up to 100,000 vehicles are thought to be affected, and so far there have been 215 complaints of oil consumption and 17 reports of fires. The majority of the reported problems are said to have occurred in rental fleets.

Nissan is recommending that owners check their oil on a regular basis, which is good advice for anybody, regardless of what brand they drive. Given the most vehicles don't consume any oil between changes, though, we can see how this problem can catch less-than-attentive owners by surprise.

[Source: Reuters]