Confirmed: Datsun making a comeback.

Perhaps in an effort to combat Toyota's Scion brand, Nissan has confirmed that the Datsun nameplate will join with Nissan and Infiniti in 2014. Currently, the U.S. has not been named as one of the countries where Datsun will make its comeback. Russia, India, and Indonesia are slated as the three launch countries. I won't count out the U.S. though. There would be a huge market for a Nissan sub brand to go after the youthful market. Can we see a possible Datsun 510 or 610 in the near future? I hope so!

Source: Nissan

Press Release: Nissan CEO expects strong growth in Indonesian auto market
- Carlos Ghosn details Indonesian investment and the launch of Datsun -

Production capacity to grow to 250,000 by 2014
33 billion Japanese yen investment
Nissan strongly supports Indonesia's green car program
Return of the Datsun brand

JAKARTA (20 March 2012) -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced measures to strengthen its production base and sales presence in Indonesia. Total capacity will increase to 250,000 annually by 2014, with the workforce expanding to 3,300, and sales outlets are planned to increase to 150 by 2015.

On March 19, CEO Carlos Ghosn met Indonesia president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and reiterated Nissan's commitment to the nation's motorization.

"Nissan is bringing new jobs and new vehicles to Indonesia," said Ghosn. "We are going to expand our production capability and offer a new and exciting product line here."

The new plan announced today will make Nissan's Cikampek site, located 80 kilometers outside of Jakarta, one of the largest production facilities in the ASEAN region for Nissan.

In 2011, 890,000 vehicles were sold in Indonesia, for the first time making the nation ASEAN's largest car market. Nissan is in line to achieve its sales objectives of 60,000 units for fiscal year 2011. Indonesia total industry volume is estimated to increase nearly double by 2017 compared to 2010, largely driven by the introduction of the Green Car program now being drafted by the Indonesian government. Nissan strongly supports the program and looks forward to its speedy ratification.

While talking to the media, Ghosn announced the return of the Datsun brand, Nissan's third global brand, alongside Nissan and Infiniti. Datsun will provide sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. Datsun represents 80 years of accumulated Japanese carmaking expertise and is a important part of Nissan's DNA. Datsun vehicles will start sales in India, Indonesia, and Russia from 2014.

Nissan GT-R R35 Convertible Concept

Check out these interesting and unofficial Nissan GT-R R35 Convertible Renderings which recently showed up on AutoJunk.nl and DeviantArt.com. With all the hype surrounding the recently released Nissan GT-R and the sold out level of demand it has endured, it’s hard to fathom that Nissan would contemplate a convertible version.

I know most purist or GT-R cult leaders would drop their jaws if a convertible version would ever make its way out of momma Godzilla’s womb. Either way what do you think of the renderings? I think they are pretty slick, however I wouldn’t be caught dead owning or driving one (unless it was the GF’s).

Source: Zimbio

Early Look on Convertible 2009 Infinit G37

Infiniti has released an initial image of its forthcoming G37 Convertible, which is expected to go on sale in the United States in early 2009. Based on the popular G37 Coupe, the drop-top model will feature a folding metal roof and unique interior treatment.

The G37 Convertible will feature a three-piece hardtop, to keep a coupe-like roofline, the automaker says. So far, the only image of the car shows it with the top down, so it remains to be seen how much of the coupe’s distinctive roofline gets carried over to the convertible.
The G37 convertible will mark the first Infiniti drop top since the M30 convertible – which was discontinued in 1992 and made famous by the movie Three Kings — and will inevitably lead to the question "Does Lexus make this model?"

As expected, the car will share the same 3.7L V6 used in the G37 coupe, delivering 328 horsepower. The upgrades for 2009 across the line will also include a new optional 7-speed automatic transmission, an optional sport brake package, new design 18-inch wheels and standard Scratch Shield paint.

2007 Infinit M45

The Infiniti M is a new mid-luxury sedan added early in 2005 as a 2006 model, built on the same FM rear-wheel-drive platform used for the G35. Described as the most technically advanced vehicle ever from Infiniti.

Engine : V8, supercharged DOHC

Horsepower : 335 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque : 340 lb-ft @ 4000rpm

Redline : 6600 rpm

Top speed : 143 mph

0-60 mph : 5.3 sec.

Fuel economy : city - 17 mpg

highway - 23 mpg

New 240sx/Silvia Appearance

This rendering, features the next generation 240SX/Silvia, which made its appearance on a video screen along with the first official picture of the 2010 370Z during the Nissan GT 2012 meeting a few weeks ago.

The scanned images from the Japanese magazine “Best Car” clearly depict an artist’s impression on the next gen 240SX/Silvia that will supposedly be powered a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot developing 225 PS. Best Car also speculates that Nissan’s affordable rear-wheel-drive coupe will be based on the Japanese carmaker’s FM platform measuring approximately 4,350 mm in length and 1,750 mm in width.

A Kids GT-R

With Nissan’s GT-R coming to North American shores any time now, it’s no surprise that lesser beings want to mimic the much hyped GT-R. What’s surprising though is that Infiniti G35 owners are the ones adding GT-R styling cues. Yes, that’s right: Infinitis that want to look like Nissans. Go figure.

What gets me is that the G35 is already as beautiful as cars come, so why add an ugly misfit GT-R front bumper? Not only does mock the driver, but it also looks terribly tacky. It’s definately not worth the $495 it costs.

Source: Japan Car Blog

Infiniti Announces Pricing on 2009 FX50 and FX35

The all-new second generation 2009 Infiniti FX crossover will go on sale June 24 at Infiniti dealers in the U.S. and Canada with prices set at $40,950 for the FX35 RWD, $42,350 for the FX35 AWD and at $56,700 for the FX50 AWD. Both FX35 variants are equipped with a 303 Hp 3.5- liter V6 while the top-end FX50 gets a new 390Hp 5.0-liter V8 unit. All FX models are paired with a new 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and available solid magnesium paddle shifters.

source: http://www.carscoop.blogspot.com/

Relentless Show Stopping FX35

When the Infiniti FX35 first made it's debut in 2003, it made quite an entrance. It was the fastest SUV in production. Like most Nissan's it inherits many of it's family generics from the 350z and G35. Which made it useless off road, whimpering SUV? Nope not really the FX35 is something else on the black top.

Viet Nguyen our boy from California, decided to make his FX35 a better than before SUV that packed a punch into the hot import nights. First of all he would put on some aftermarket rims, and later on the FX35 was supercharged by JWT. He went down to California to test his project at the local drag races. He landed 13.3 at 103 mph for the quarter mile. Many people would be satisfied with these results but no Viet, he went for more.

The first things to go were the S2 cams from JWT and in went C2 cams instead. The turbos were swapped out next, as a pair of GT28 turbos would be more capable of handling higher boost pressure. The new cams were working the valves with JWT springs and the valves themselves had just received a three-angle job. The rest of the head was ported and polished. The exhaust is routed through JWT 700BB manifolds into 2.5-inch test pipes from APS and exits through a GReddy Evo TT 70mm system. The engine internals were reinforced with forged Pauter rods and Arias pistons and rings. Fuel was brought from the stock tank with a Walbro 255lph pump and sent to Nismo 555cc/min injectors. HKS handled the ignition with their Twin Power DLI-II system. In the meantime, the internals of the auto transmission were upgraded to a Level 10 kit, the torque converter was swapped for one from Edge Racing and ATS Carbonetics handled the differential. Finally, a Rotora brake kit helps bring the vehicle to a stop, thanks in part to massive 15-inch front discs and 14-inch rears.

The car was now putting down over 500 hp to the wheels. It made a significant difference at the strip as well, with his best run now being a 12.7 at 110 mph-seriously fast for a vehicle like this.

With all this power you think he would keep this car in the garage right? Nope Viet uses this car as a daily commuter and drives up to 100 miles a day. This car is definitely a show stopper, head turner, rice eater for sure.

2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe

The new Infinit G37 Coupe made it's debut at the International Auto Show 2007 in New York City. It combines performance and luxury, making the ideal sports car. The style, performance, and modern interior is brought to new levels with the 2008 Inifiniti G37. Among the new features it has larger, stronger engine, a V6 that produces 330 break horsepower and 270 pound torque. Handling and ride performance increases for the new model. The G37 was tested in Nürburgring, Germany where it was called a "thoroughbred performance vehicle".

Engine

Power bhp: 330

Torque lb-ft: 270

Type: V6

Transmission: 6 Speed Manual

Performance

Acceleration 0-6o mph: 5.2 seconds

My Rating: *****/*****

European autos have resale edge over domestics

Recent surveys show that the Detroit Big Three are starting to lose footing on their vehicles resale values. Kelly Blue Book is saying that the top five brands with the best overall predicted resale value are Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, Acura, and Porsche. The rest of the Top Ten are Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Infiniti, and Audi. Of course, none of these are Big Three domestics. Many of those brands made up the 1o worst picks for resale value for 2008.

Why the big turn? Simple. Over production. The Big Three lean towards overproducing their vehicles. Then they slap on huge discounts and rebates. Those combined with the over abundant supply of Taurus, Impala, and Stratus fleet and rental cars. Helps to absolutely destroy the resale value of those cars.

Volkswagen is the surprise comeback kid on the survey list. They have steadily grown over the last 5 years. Thanks to big boosts in quality, fuel efficiency, European styling, and exceptional value.

Source: The Wall Street Journal