Motor Authority - blog Category: Sentra

There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is.

Or at least that's the story Nissan is pitching. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100mi (160km) on a charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle. Nissan says that 100mi range is enough to satisfy the daily needs of 70% of the drivers in the world.

"Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size,... There's the Tesla Roadster and several three-wheeled electric vehicles for sale, but so far getting a purely electric-powered car to production with a standard car's features at a price the general public can afford has eluded the industry. Until the Nissan LEAF, that is. Or at least that's the story Nissan is pitching. Due for launch in the U.S., Japan and Europe by late 2010, the LEAF guarantees a range of over 100mi (160km) on a charge in a practical mid-size hatchback bodystyle. Nissan says that 100mi range is enough to satisfy the daily needs of 70% of the drivers in the world. "Our car had to be the world's first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that's what we've created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility," said Masato Inoue, Product Chief Designer. Powered by a lithium-ion battery back, the LEAF should also provide reasonable performance, on par with other cars in the economy hatchback class. The electric battery pack can generate output of up to 120hp (90kW), while the electric motor delivers 107hp (80kW) of output and 206lb-ft (280Nm) of torque, figures typical of many smaller and medium-sized cars. And with the ability to regain up to 80% of its full charge in just 30 minutes, it can get back on the road again in a hurry. A full charge takes about 8 hours, a typical overnight duration. But the real story is how Nissan optimized almost every aspect of the LEAF's design to maximize efficiency. The LED headlights themselves tax the electrical system minimally, but the headlight covers also split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, cutting wind noise and drag. Inside, the materials are all styled in a 'blue earth' color scheme, reflecting the car's efficient nature and complementing the introductory model's exterior color. Finally, the LEAF employs an advanced IT system that connects it to a global data center to provide support, information and entertainment around the clock. The dash-mounted monitor uses this information to show a 'reachable area' display, letting the driver know exactly how far they can go on the remaining charge. It also shows the nearest charging stations to make juicing back up easier. Production of the LEAF will begin at Nissan's Oppama, Japan plant with the Smyrna, Tennessee plant to handle additional capacity down the road. The lithium-ion batteries that power the car are produced in Zama, Japan, though once demand outstrips that supply, sources in the U.S., Portugal and the UK are also ready to go. When sales begin late next year, Nissan sees the LEAF taking its place as both a primary car for some drivers and for others, a secondary car that's used primarily for commuting or other daily duties, while the family vehicle remains in service for times when more space is needed. Pricing details will be announced closer to start of sales, however, Nissan is expecting the car to be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment vehicle. Additionally, the LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets around the world. As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, it will also cost significantly less to service and run.Nissan LEAF electric vehicleNissan LEAF Electric Vehicle Read More

Nissan is getting ready to release its first electric vehicle for the U.S. and Japanese markets in 2010, and to help butter up potential customers the automaker has provided us with some details on its new electric vehicle platform. Additionally, Nissan has developed a new for the upcoming electric vehicle that will show off the new model in all its glory on August 2nd when it goes live.

The creation of a new electric vehicle platform will allow Nissan to develop future models on the same basic design, and help create electric vehicles to match certain market segments. The new dedicated electric vehicle platform consists of an electric... Nissan is getting ready to release its first electric vehicle for the U.S. and Japanese markets in 2010, and to help butter up potential customers the automaker has provided us with some details on its new electric vehicle platform. Additionally, Nissan has developed a new for the upcoming electric vehicle that will show off the new model in all its glory on August 2nd when it goes live. The creation of a new electric vehicle platform will allow Nissan to develop future models on the same basic design, and help create electric vehicles to match certain market segments. The new dedicated electric vehicle platform consists of an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery and, from the preview seen on the microsite, it appears as though Nissan's designers have taken full advantage of the different styling possibilities afforded by electric vehicle platforms and developed a uniquely 'electric-looking' vehicle for its first offering. The motor powering the platform is a 109hp (80kW) unit, but with torque figures of 206lb-ft (280Nm) the car should be no slouch off the line. The 24kWh battery powering the motor is placed under the vehicle's floor, and a new regenerative braking system helps to keep it charged when braking and slowing down. Along with showing off its new EV platform, Nissan also gave us a sneak peek at its new EV-IT support system, which it claims will give EV drivers round-the-clock support by connecting to their vehicle through an on-board transmission unit. The EV-IT system will have a 'maximum range' display so drivers can see exactly how far the juice in the battery will take them, as well as a navigation system that can point drivers to the nearest charging stations within the current driving range. There will also be a tool to help control electric functions in the car such as air-conditioning or battery charging. Additionally, this system will also be able to act as a remote control and monitoring device for drivers when they are away from the vehicle - according to Nissan, drivers can check how charged their EV is via a website or mobile phone, and users will be able to control a number of functions from their computers such as air-conditioning timers. Meanwhile, the sneak peek of the production EV will be fully unveiled at Nissan's new global headquarters opening in Yokohama on August 2nd. Currently, only the front of the car can be seen on the new microsite (http://www2.nissan-zeroemission.com/EN/), and so far it appears the snub-nosed production model will feature a central charging socket on the bonnet. Read More

Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. Nissan has so far promised to deliver its first electric vehicle by 2010, although initially it will be available only to commercial fleet customers, and now the company has revealed that mass production of the zero-emission vehicles could start by 2012.

Nissan will unveil its first electric vehicle on August 2nd, CEO Carlos Ghosn confirmed today at the company’s shareholder meeting. The car will then go on sale in limited numbers in both the U.S. and Japan in April of next... Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. Nissan has so far promised to deliver its first electric vehicle by 2010, although initially it will be available only to commercial fleet customers, and now the company has revealed that mass production of the zero-emission vehicles could start by 2012. Nissan will unveil its first electric vehicle on August 2nd, CEO Carlos Ghosn confirmed today at the company’s shareholder meeting. The car will then go on sale in limited numbers in both the U.S. and Japan in April of next year before entering mass production for global sale by 2012, Ghosn also revealed. Production sites for the vehicle will include an unnamed plant in Japan as well as Nissan’s Smyrna facility in Tennessee where up to 100,000 units could be built annually. Ghosn gave few details, but told the Associated Press that Nissan's zero-emission cars will come with a very reasonable price. "If it's not affordable, it's not going to work," he explained. Nissan hasn't released any official details on the car, but piecing together claims made over the last several years, we expect it to feature a leased 35kWh battery pack to help keep initial prices down and make replacement easier. This battery will power a small electric motor driving the front wheels through a single gear, delivering approximately 367mpg equivalent, or mpg-e, as measured by the U.S. government's CAFE regulations. For more details about the upcoming electric vehicle, including powertrains and pricing, check out our previous story by clicking here.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes Read More

Nissan may be releasing a new all-electric vehicle next year, but the styling of the car has yet to be finalized, which makes speculation about its appearance rather difficult. To help us out, Nissan's chief designer Shiro Nakamura has come out and provided some clues about the new EV's styling.

The new Nissan EV will shock viewers with its appearance, Nakamura explained to Automotive News, adding that this is a tactic designed on purpose to make sure the public knows that this is an all-electric car and not just a hybrid. In this vein, the car will be avoiding the wedge-shape adopted by the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight like the plague,... Nissan may be releasing a new all-electric vehicle next year, but the styling of the car has yet to be finalized, which makes speculation about its appearance rather difficult. To help us out, Nissan's chief designer Shiro Nakamura has come out and provided some clues about the new EV's styling. The new Nissan EV will shock viewers with its appearance, Nakamura explained to Automotive News, adding that this is a tactic designed on purpose to make sure the public knows that this is an all-electric car and not just a hybrid. In this vein, the car will be avoiding the wedge-shape adopted by the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight like the plague, and instead will be drawing on specific EV features distinguish it. Perhaps the most striking of these features will be the car's lack of a grille - after all, the electric drivetrain doesn't really need one. Since there is no bulky engine up front, the car will also have a very low hood to help improve aerodynamics and give it a bold appearance. Even if pedestrians ignore all those 'subtle' clues to car's electric status, a recharging plug will be visible on its nose, leaving no doubt about the power source. Nakamura also revealed that the design has a drag coefficient of 0.30. The third-generation Prius has 0.25 and the Insight 0.28, but Nissan hopes to make further improvements by tweaking the design and adding underbody fittings to smooth air flow. While the car won't be as constrained in its design as conventional vehicles, its designers were not exactly given free reign considering that it will sit on an existing Nissan platform. Because of this, the designers couldn't fully exploit the design possibilities presented by the electric car, but this has also helped them keep costs of development down. This fact will change in the future as Nissan develops specific platforms for electric vehicles and lets its designers work from scratch. In the mean time, Nissan is hoping that its new design will be bold enough to stand out in the upcoming crowd of electric vehicles. For more details about the upcoming car, including powertrains and pricing, click here. The carmaker has also given us a preview of the car in the form of the Nuvu concept, which was revealed last year at the Paris Motor Show.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes2008 Nissan Nuvu concept hatchback Read More

Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. That didn't stop Nissan's product planning director Mark Perry from confirming a 2010 U.S. launch for a five-seat electric car back in February, and this week more details on the upcoming car have emerged, including what appears to be a leaked drawing.

Not even the terrible economy has put a damper on the company's plans - in part because Nissan is pitching the EV as a way to save cash. Between maintenance costs that Perry told the Chattanooga Free Times Press will be $1,350 lower... Promises about electric vehicles are a dime a dozen, and so far no one - not even Tesla - has managed to deliver a real daily-driving production car in volume. That didn't stop Nissan's product planning director Mark Perry from confirming a 2010 U.S. launch for a five-seat electric car back in February, and this week more details on the upcoming car have emerged, including what appears to be a leaked drawing. Not even the terrible economy has put a damper on the company's plans - in part because Nissan is pitching the EV as a way to save cash. Between maintenance costs that Perry told the Chattanooga Free Times Press will be $1,350 lower annually and a $7,500 tax credit that the car will be eligible for, the $28,000-$30,000 EV could be a way to stretch budgets. It will be available to commercial fleets first, going to retail sales after a couple years, around the 2012 mark. To get the cars on the road Nissan is working with its several planned launch locations to help build a charging network. That network is there to help combat what Perry calls "range anxiety", though with the 100mi (160km) range expected of the car, city drivers shouldn't be too worried about not making it home on a charge. Nissan hasn't released any official details on the car, but piecing together claims made over the last several years, we expect the car to feature a leased 35kWh battery pack to help keep initial prices down and make replacement easier. Fragments of the plan were revealed last November when launch markets in Sonoma, CA and Portland, WA revealed their involvement. Chattanooga, TN is also one of the launch locations since it's the company's U.S. HQ. The photo above, sourced from Motor Trend, shows a car that looks sort of like a half-Mixim, half-Versa five-seat hatchback, though early reports say the car will be larger than the Versa, and smaller than the Sentra. The photo also hints at the layout of the car, with a front-mounted motor and a longitudinal, sub-floor battery pack. The motor will drive the front wheels through a single gear, delivering approximately 367mpg equivalent, or mpg-e, as measured by the U.S. government's CAFE regulations. The Mixim electric concept was shown at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, and could preview the general design direction of the EV. Styling cues that at the time looked somewhat out of place in Nissan's line now echo the 370Z and GT-R as well as the [url=http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1024765_nissan-denki-cube-ev-concept-official-details Cube concept EV, though the tiny size of the Mixim is a bit smaller than the expected production EV's footprint. The Denki Cube itself isn't expected to be the basis for the production vehicle, in part since the conventional gasoline-powered Cube has now been introduced to the U.S. market. A technology platform called the EV-02, also based around the Cube platform, is the likely mule for the parts that will underpin the new hybrid hatch, but it is most likely just a convenient and modern way to wrap up the development package. The NuVu concept is another mobile testbed for the EV's underlying technology. For more details on that car, read our original story here.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypesNissan Denki Cube EV Concept Read More

Nissan will be selling new versions of its Sentra starting from March next year in SE-R and the more powerful SE-R Spec V trims. The original SE-R launched in 1991 helped establish the concept of a "sport compact" car, and now the new model will help lift the bar further for cars with sports car-like performance that’s also affordable. The target price for the Spec V is around the $20K bracket.

Both the new SE-R and SE-R Spec V are powered by Nissan's advanced 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and are equipped with standard 17-inch wheels, and an upgraded brake package. For the 2007 model Nissan called on Motohiro Matsumura, the man behind... Nissan will be selling new versions of its Sentra starting from March next year in SE-R and the more powerful SE-R Spec V trims. The original SE-R launched in 1991 helped establish the concept of a "sport compact" car, and now the new model will help lift the bar further for cars with sports car-like performance that’s also affordable. The target price for the Spec V is around the $20K bracket. Both the new SE-R and SE-R Spec V are powered by Nissan's advanced 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and are equipped with standard 17-inch wheels, and an upgraded brake package. For the 2007 model Nissan called on Motohiro Matsumura, the man behind the awesome "VQ" series V6 engine. Chassis performance and vehicle dynamics tests were tuned on Germany’s Nurburgring by Nissan’s Yukio Kamiyama, who was also responsible for Nissan's legendary Skyline R32 and R33 models. Unique features of the Spec V engine includes a resin intake manifold and dual branch exhaust manifold; revised piston crown shape to support a higher compression ratio (10.5:1); iridium tipped spark plugs for improved combustion characteristics; and a revised cam shaft profile, reinforced connecting rods and 8-counterweight crankshaft to achieve a higher redline limit of 6,800 rpm. With these modifications, the power achieved is 200 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. Output from the SE-R is 177hp at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 2,800rpm. Follow the jump for more images and the full press release. PRESS RELEASE 200-Horsepower SE-R Model Joins 2007 Sentra Lineup, Offers Serious Performance at an Affordable Price – Sentra SE-R, SE-R Spec V Set to Join Sentra Lineup in March 2007 – When Nissan first launched the Sentra SE-R in 1991, it helped establish the concept of a "sport compact" car. With a high performance 4-cylinder engine stuffed into a compact body, the original SE-R offered sports car-like performance for buyers on a budget. Enthusiasts and the media recognized this unique combination of performance and value and the Sentra SE-R became an instant hit – and has maintained a loyal following through two successive generations of SE-R. The latest incarnation of the SE-R joins the Nissan lineup in March 2007 with two exciting versions, the Sentra SE-R and the higher horsepower Sentra SE-R Spec V. Both the new SE-R and SE-R Spec V are powered by Nissan's advanced 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (QR25DE) and are equipped with a range of unique performance-oriented equipment and features, including standard 17-inch wheels and tires, 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and specially tuned electric power steering (EPS) – as well as unique exterior and interior appearance modifications. "The new SE-R takes full advantage of the redesigned 2007 Sentra and adds a level of power and performance that is usually available only through aftermarket modifications," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "With the 2007 model, Nissan has undertaken its most in-depth development effort yet for the SE-R." Development of the SE-R engine was guided by Motohiro Matsumura, Chief Vehicle Engineer, who previously led the development of Nissan's highly acclaimed "VQ" series V6 engine. Special emphasis was placed on the SE-R Spec V's new high output version of the QR25DE 4-cylinder engine, with extensive modifications to the top end of the engine developed exclusively for the SE-R Spec V. Among the unique Spec V engine features are use of a unique resin intake manifold and dual branch exhaust manifold; revised piston crown shape to support a higher compression ratio (10.5:1); iridium tipped spark plugs for improved combustion characteristics; and a revised cam shaft profile, reinforced connecting rods and 8-counterweight crankshaft to achieve a higher redline limit of 6,800 rpm. With these modifications, the power achieved is 200 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm (when using premium unleaded fuel). Helping to put all this power to the ground is an optional Helical Limited-Slip Differential (available with Spec V only). The Spec V model is available only with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. It also has unique suspension, brakes, tires and body structure changes (versus the base SE-R). In the area of chassis, handling and braking performance, the SE-R Spec V is equipped with higher rate springs, shocks and bushings; 225/45WR17 uni-directional high performance tires; high capacity front disc brakes with 12.6-inch rotors; and a revised cowl top structure and a unique trunk mounted "V" brace, both utilized for increased body rigidity. Chassis performance and vehicle dynamics tests were conducted on the grueling Nurburgring Nordschleife closed circuit outside of Cologne, Germany. Behind the wheel of the SE-R Spec V on the Nordschleife circuit was Nissan's chief development driver, Yukio Kamiyama, who was also responsible for Nissan's legendary Skyline R32 and R33 models. "With Nissan's top development staff working on Sentra SE-R, it has achieved unprecedented levels of power and performance," said Bosley. The SE-R model offers fun-to-drive performance and aggressive, sporty appearance to those who want the convenience of an automatic transmission. The Sentra SE-R, equipped exclusively with Nissan's Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission), is a unique offering in the sport compact market. Enhancing the driving experience of the SE-R model are steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Designed to be fun and engaging, the paddle shifters allow for quick and responsive up shifts and down shifts while driving on mountain roads or just negotiating through daily traffic. "As we've shown with the Xtronic CVT-equipped Altima and Maxima, CVTs are not just for smoothness and fuel economy – they can be tuned for performance also" said Bosley. Performance in the SE-R is delivered by the QR25DE engine tuned for 177 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 172 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm (on regular unleaded fuel). The new SE-R's independent strut front / torsion beam rear suspension design, shared with the standard 2007 Sentra, has been tuned for sporty handling, while not being overly firm during everyday use. Stopping power for the SE-R is provided by 4-wheel disc brakes with 11.7-inch front rotors. Contact with the road is handled through 225/45VR17 all-season performance tires. Inside the Sentra SE-R cabin are a number of unique SE-R features, including an exclusive black interior color, sport bucket front seats with SE-R stitching, unique seat fabrics, red seat belts (Spec V only), aluminum foot pedal pads, leather-appointed steering wheel and shift knob, and an additional two-gauge meter pack. These two additional gauges, canted towards the driver, provide information on oil pressure and acceleration/deceleration g-force. Like all 2007 Sentra models, the new SE-R also offers an array of comfort and convenience features including standard power windows and door locks, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD 6-speaker audio, and an integrated overhead compact disc holder. Optional features include a 340-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system, factory installed satellite radio and Nissan's Intelligent Key keyless entry system (SE-R only). Standard safety features for the Sentra SE-R include an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage front air bags and occupant classification system for the front passenger seat, front seat side air bags, side curtain air bags (for front and rear outboard occupant head protection), front seat Active Head Restraints and Zone Body construction. "The last great component of the new 2007 Sentra SE-R is price. We're targeting a price of around $20,000 for the Sentra SE-R Spec V – which means 200 horsepower for $20K – which we believe makes SE-R Spec V one of the best values in the sport compact segment," said Bosley. "This new Sentra SE-R has a lot to offer even the most demanding enthusiasts. It'll be a thrill to drive, right out of the box." Read More