Nissan GT-R fanatics will also be pleased to know that the iconic blue paint option has been reintroduced into the range named Aurora Flare Blue Pearl along with a revised black called Nebula Opal Black. A new wheel option has also been made available in the form of Rays forged aluminium wheel which cut 3kg off the new GT-R’s unsprung weight at each corner for a total weight saving of 12kg – finished in either a Hyper Blue Black or Hyper Titanium colour
Perhaps you remember the original Nissan GT-R as easy to drive but uninvolving. Anyone who's still singing that tune, Mizuno thinks, hasn't driven this car. Because, in this case, there's nothing bland about the GT-R. You see, even in this business, where 500-hp cars come along every few weeks, the speed and control that accompany the 2012 Nissan GT-R driving experience are rare. Because control, friends, kicks ass. There's more than enough power here to balance the GT-R's chassis with the throttle, and understeer is noticeably reduced at lower speeds while stability remains high in triple-digit corners. There's the same heavyweight steering — even at low speed. By the Numbers According to our test equipment, 2012 Nissan GT-R is both quicker and faster than the car it replaces. We've tested multiple GT-Rs in the three years since the car's introduction and the best acceleration we've recorded to date came from our long-term test car with the VDC switched off. It hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds (3.3 seconds with a 1-foot rollout) and completed the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at 118.9 mph. Handling numbers are similarly improved. Porsche's GT3 and GT3 RS hold the record at 75.3 mph. Dunlop developed the GT-R's proprietary tire — the SP Sport Maxx GT600 (255/40ZRF20 front, 285/35ZRF20 rear) — with Nissan. Caster is increased from 5 to 6 degrees to improve high-speed stability. Even the stock wheels — now 10-spokers — are 20 percent stiffer and 6.6 pounds (per car, not per wheel) lighter. The Rays six-spoke wheels that come as part of the Black Edition scrub another 3.5 pounds (per car). R-Mode Start, or Nissan's name for launch control, remains functionally the same as in 2011 GT-Rs. Bump the transmission and VDC setup switches into the R position (the suspension switch can remain in the "normal" position), then pin the brake, wood the throttle and release the brake. There's another change, too: 2012 GT-Rs are limited to four launches in a row before the system requires a 1.5-mile cool-down drive. The Critical Test That the 2012 GT-R is insanely, stupidly fast is evident. City fuel economy jumps from 15 mpg to 16 mpg, while both highway and combined numbers see a 2-mpg increase (21 to 23 mpg and 17 to 19 mpg, respectively). A Premium GT-R (there is no base model) costs $90,950 — about $5,900 more than a 2011 Premium model.
Nissan announced pricing on Friday for the 2012 Altima sedan and coupe, which is on sale now.
Nissan Announces U.S. Pricing for 2012 Altima Sedan and Coupe Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) today announced U.S. pricing for the 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan and Coupe, which are on sale now at Nissan dealers nationwide. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan
include: Altima Sedan 2.5 CVT $20,410 USD Altima Sedan 2.5 S CVT $22,570 USD Altima Sedan 3.5 SR CVT $25,430 USD Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2012 Nissan Altima Coupe
include: Altima Coupe 2.5 S 6MT $23,600 USD Altima Coupe 2.5 S CVT $24,100 USD Altima Coupe 3.5 SR 6MT $30,760 USD Altima Coupe 3.5 SR CVT $28,430 USD About the 2012 Altima Sedan and Altima Coupe The 2012 Altima Sedan is available in three well-equipped models - the 2.5 CVT and 2.5 S CVT featuring a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder and the 3.5 SR CVT with a standard 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. The 2-door Nissan Altima Coupe, like its 4-door Altima Sedan stablemate, offers high quality and high value - while adding an extra touch of aggressive coupe styling for Altima customers seeking a more personal expression of individuality and sporty appearance. "The 2012 Altima" Coupe is available in 2.5 S and 3.5 SR trim levels, equipped with 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 engines, respectively. 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan and Coupe are manufactured in the United States.
Volvo has reshuffled its product plans and will launch a new Golf-size five-door hatchback for 2012 Volvo C30. The new model, based on the current Ford Focus-derived S40 sedan and C30coupe platform architecture, takes precedence over a replacement for the XC90 SUV and has been initiated by new CEO Stefan Jacoby. Although less important in the U.S., hatchbacks of this kind are the most popular vehicle body style in Europe, making this new model vital to Jacoby's aim of reversing Volvo's recent sales decline. Last year the company sold 335,000 cars globally — it has the capacity for 500,000 — but Jacoby says: "I believe a vision of 800,000 cars a year in 10 years' time is achievable. As a relatively small car company we can move quickly. Jacoby is also redefining Volvo's brand image, saying: "We need to focus on luxury.
2012 Volvo C30 has lost its distinguishing points as a product. In the Volkswagen Group [Jacoby previously headed up Volkswagen of America], everyone knew what each individual brand meant. Volvo at the moment is not sharp enough or in harmony with what the brand stands for. Jacoby would like to see the simple, elegant functionality of Apple products in Volvos. Also up for a rethink is Volvo's platform strategy. As far as engines are concerned, Jacoby considers them a "core competence." Next week, Jacoby and Volvo will be developing a new strategy for the U.S. market, where sales fell to 61,000 cars last year. It's a tough, competitive transparent market." First you need consistency and sustainability. Inside Line says: A Golf-rivaling 2012 Volvo C30 should help Volvo in Europe, but whether Jacoby's reconfiguring of the brand image will help the marque enough remains to be seen. Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. A system that you will soon see in a number of cars is the UniValve valve-lift system. Efficiency grows significantly, between 5.5 and 8.5 percent even if applied on the intake side only.
Even though Kolbenschmidt Pierburg’s core business is parts for internal-combustion engines, the company hugely profits from the trend towards electrification and increased efficiency. Fuel-saving technologies that the company peddled to carmakers for years with limited success now sell like hot cakes, according to CEO Gerd Kleinert. That includes variable pumps and low-friction products, lightweight components, etc. While many recent concept cars might be well-suited for cramped European cities, several manufacturers claim their revolutionary (now we have to pay ourselves $1.50) cars are headed to our shores as well. Among dedicated hybrid models, Toyota’s Prius has nothing you could even call a rival. General Motors is targeting 10,000 sales for the Chevrolet Volt this year—that breaks down to over 830 cars per month—but while this month’s 281 units isn’t so hot, the car still isn’t available in all 50 states. ach week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental. Is carbon fiber replacing aluminum as the “cool” material to have? Now the company is re-focusing on carbon fiber, and significant parts and panels could be used for series production vehicles as early as 2012. GM’s control of Opel is underscored by design executive Liz Wetzel’s upcoming move to Rüsselsheim. The car has not been clearly defined yet. Buick gets a compact SUV based on the small Gamma platform (Chevrolet Aveo, etc.), and there could be a Chevrolet version of this SUV as well. The R-Design is the sportiest member of the 2012 Volvo C30 lineup. The R-Design adds aesthetic differentiators like a full body kit with a monochromatic paint scheme, R-Design logos inside and out, matte-silver side-mirror housings, and 18-inch wheels. The company is currently testing a small number of electric C30s to determine the “viability of an entirely electric car.” Alongside the (mildly) freshened C70 droptop it is debuting at the Frankfurt auto show, Volvo will be unveiling a likewise face-lifted C30 hatchback. There’s a larger trapezoidal grille, bigger headlights, and an overall smoothing of edges.
Nissan GT-R fanatics will also be pleased to know that the iconic blue paint option has been reintroduced into the range named Aurora Flare Blue Pearl along with a revised black called Nebula Opal Black.
