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'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<![CDATA[Aztek flashback: Nissan UK offering custom fit tent for SUVs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/21/aztek-flashback-nissan-uk-offering-custom-fit-tent-for-suvs/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/21/aztek-flashback-nissan-uk-offering-custom-fit-tent-for-suvs/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/21/aztek-flashback-nissan-uk-offering-custom-fit-tent-for-suvs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

While the Pontiac Aztek was a sales failure, it did have the ability to quickly turn into a camping appliance with a rear end that could be converted into a tent. Nissan must love the idea since it has developed a dome-shaped tent attachment for its UK utility vehicles. The tent attaches to the back, where the rear liftgate can be left ajar to provide a more open area for additional sleepers. Four adults can sleep in the 9x9 enclosure, with a couple more campers bunking in the car. The vehicle can also be easily detached from the tent if errands need to be run.

While tent accessory is handy, it does come at a price tag well beyond most stand-alone portable living quarters. The Navara tent costs £260, and the tent for the Pathfinder, X-TRAIL, Murano or QASHQAI will run you £460. Here in the States you can get a gently-used pop-up camper for a little more than $1,000 USD. The safety of the tent may also be a question mark, as it isn't hard to imagine a Darwin candidate turning on the car to get some heat (and carbon monoxide) into the shelter. Lets hope that doesn't happen. The Nissan press release is pasted after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan Tent UK

Continue reading Aztek flashback: Nissan UK offering custom fit tent for SUVs

Aztek flashback: Nissan UK offering custom fit tent for SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>campingMuranoNissanPathfinderQASHQAITentX-TrailWed, 21 Nov 2007 10:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Clean diesel heading to the JDM Nissan X-Trail]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/06/clean-diesel-heading-to-the-jdm-nissan-x-trail/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/06/clean-diesel-heading-to-the-jdm-nissan-x-trail/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/06/clean-diesel-heading-to-the-jdm-nissan-x-trail/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click image for gallery of the Nissan X-Trail

Nissan has announced that a clean diesel engine will be offered on its Japan-market X-Trail SUV. Based on the M9R engine co-developed with Renault (it's marketed as the 2.0dCi in the French automaker's vehicles), the Nissan version will use new catalysts and engine management developed in-house. No specifications on Nissan's version of the engine have been made public yet, but in Renault guise it's good for over 40 US mpg in the combined cycle. Nissan also issued a separate release that focused specifically on its development of a SULEV-standard clean diesel (more on that at AutoblogGreen). It's pasted in full after the jump in addition to the brief release about the diesel X-Trail. Along with bolstering its diesel offerings in Japan, Nissan is paving the way for diesel powerplants in the US, as well, with a clean-diesel Maxima slated for 2010.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: Nissan X-Trail

Continue reading Clean diesel heading to the JDM Nissan X-Trail

Clean diesel heading to the JDM Nissan X-Trail originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clean dieselCleanDieselM9RSULEVx-trailMon, 06 Aug 2007 18:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan's X-Trail highlights hydrogen fuel cell development]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/nissan-s-x-trail-highlights-hydrogen-fuel-cell-development/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/nissan-s-x-trail-highlights-hydrogen-fuel-cell-development/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/nissan-s-x-trail-highlights-hydrogen-fuel-cell-development/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Nissan's hydrogen fuel cell laboratory-on-wheels is the FCV X-Trail, and the vehicle's latest iteration highlights the company's 10-year-long commitment to the hail mary pass of automotive emissions technology. Nissan developed the fuel stack for the newest X-Trail inhouse. It's smaller, lighter and develops 120 hp, which is a significant 35 hp more than the 2003 FCV X-Trail.

AutoWeek had the opportunity to drive the new X-Trail and notes that it passes itself off as a capable commuter better than ever. The extra oomph allows the 4,100 lb. SUV to merge with adequate authority and a tougher carbon fiber tank that allows an increase in gas pressure bumps the vehicle's range to 312 miles. Nissan has the Japanese government's approval to test the FCV X-Trail on public roads and begin leasing it. The automaker's made no commitment to when hydrogen fuel cell technology might make it into its lineup, but this latest showcase of technology reveals how close we are to the day when tailpipes emit nothing but water vapor. Now if only there were a BP around with a hydrogen pump...

[Source: AutoWeek]

Nissan's X-Trail highlights hydrogen fuel cell development originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>emissionsfuel cellFuelCellgreenhydrogenhydrogen fuel cellHydrogenFuelCellwater vaporWaterVaporX-TrailWed, 19 Apr 2006 17:58:00 EST