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Before Nissan released the final version of the NV200 Van last month, there was the NV200 concept car that came out in 2007. Heres a few pictures and some information on the theme of the design from Nissan.

Images courtesy of Nissan

A typical small van is little more than an empty box on wheels: functional, certainly, but seldom innovative or smart. But designers from Nissan Design Center (NDC) in Japan and Nissan Design Europe in the UK had other ideas. In creating NV200, the joint team have devised a concept that could revolutionise the small van market.

Nissan NV200 Concept

Congratulations to the Nissan X-Trail for becoming the number 1 selling SUV in domestic Japan for the second consecutive year!

[Nissan Press Release]

TOKYO (April 8, 2009)– Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (NML) today announced the sales of the X-TRAIL in FY2008 has reached to 27,001 units and achieved No.1 selling SUV for the second consecutive year. Since the full redesigning in August, 2007, X-TRAIL has received accolades for its powerful traction and stability through Nissan’s advanced four-wheel drive system, called ALL MODE 4×4i, and highly functional interior including an amply large luggage area and heated front and rear seats, applied first in its class, with water-repellent materials. Furthermore, a new clean diesel X-TRAIL “20GT”, the first vehicle in the world which meets Japan’s stringent “Post New Long-term Regulations”, was released in September, 2008 and its sales target has been greatly exceeded. In addition, in Japan’s new preferential tax scheme for environment-friendly vehicles, effective April 2009, a clean diesel X-TRAIL “20GT” qualifies for maximum tax break at zero tax for automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax. Nissan will continuously expand the sales with the lineup of eco-friendly vehicles qualified for the new preferential tax scheme.

This looks more like a repalcement for the Philippine’s Serena van rather than the aging Vanette. But if they do bring it down to the Philippines, they’ll surely need to introduce a diesel version to interest the FX, Shuttle Service and Schoolbus owners apart from the regular consumer who is looking for good fuel economy in a new van.

[Nissan Press Release]

TOKYO (April 2, 2009)– Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd.(NML) today announced the start of the pre-launch sales for the all-new NV200 van in Japan. Following its global debut at the 79th International Geneva Motor Show in March, Japan will be the first market to launch this next generation global van starting mid-May.

The compact NV200 Vanette will be offered in two configurations – the Van DX light commercial van and the Wagon 16S people carrier.

Van GX

Wagon 16S

The NV200 Vanette* has been designed to meet the demands of a wide-range of customers for a functional and versatile vehicle that delivers great value-for-money.

The compact van combines intelligent layout and packaging to deliver a class-leading 4.1 cubic of loading space. The wagon is a seven-seater people carrier offering a more spacious interior with car-like comfort and features.

Powered by the 1.6L HR16DE petrol engine, the van also offers excellent driving performance without compromising fuel efficiency, for a low total cost of ownership.

*:The name NV200 is derived from New generation for N, Vehicle for V, and 200 for its Van classification.
Inheriting the current Vannete heritage, the name expresses the concept of the car which is a new-generation LCV that is designed for the needs of modern business.

[Nissan Press Release]

TOKYO (July 13, 2009) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the all-new Skyline Crossover, which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide.

The new Nissan Skyline Crossover represents a fusion of luxury coupe and luxury SUV, a union beautifully expressed in its dynamic design, sophisticated performance and unmatched driving pleasure. Along with its flowing silhouette and modern interior, the Skyline Crossover offers an optimal balance of smooth handling, supple ride comfort and responsive acceleration provided by its powerful 3.7-liter VQ37VHR engine and 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. It also features a number of advanced technologies and safety systems, highlighted by an Around View Monitor with Parking Guide and Lane Departure Prevention system.

Innovative Design – The Fusion of Coupe and SUV
The exterior of the Skyline Crossover evokes the image of solidity and lightness. Its long front nose, with hood bulge extending from the grille to the front door mirrors, combines with the coupe-like arched cabin to provide classic front-engine/rear-wheel drive proportions. The elegantly curved waistline flows from the front of the vehicle through the dramatic rear fenders and dynamic rear design. Other exterior features include xenon headlights and Active AFS (Adaptive Front lighting System), high-mounted LED stop lamps, bright LED rear combination taillights, heated door mirrors and flat-blade windshield wipers.

The Skyline Crossover is available in a choice of seven exterior paint colors, including a new Sparkling Rose Silver – created for customers seeking a high level of richness and exclusivity.

Inside, the modern, high-quality interior’s embracing design offers smooth soft-to-the-touch materials and real wood trim with a gradational surface effect. Comfort and utility are enhanced by long, raised armrests and a high-utility center console. The interior also offers an automatic folding rear seat (the seatback can be raised automatically and also folded from a button in the luggage space), a retractable coat hanger located on the back of the driver’s seat (standard on Type P models), and a new Welcome Lighting system – the first for Nissan vehicles. When the driver with an Intelligent Key approaches the Skyline Crossover, lamps in the door mirrors illuminate the ground below and interior lighting activates for more convenient entry at night or in dark parking garages.

Also available are a Bose® audio system (standard on all models) and a HDD CARWINGS navigation system with built-in terrestrial digital TV receiver. The system’s mapping can be updated by downloading from a computer or mobile communications device. As the latest in vehicle navigation system design, it offers enhanced entertainment features including iPod connections and digital TV receiver.

Two interior “environments” are offered. The Brown interior expresses luxury, with the use of crafted curly maple wood and other fine materials. The Black interior provides a sporty elegance with a unique aluminum trim finish.

Balanced Driving Performance
The new Skyline Crossover achieves an exceptional balance of acceleration, handling and comfort through the use of a number of advanced systems and technologies, starting with its 243kW (330PS) 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V6 engine, the most powerful in its class. Generating 90% of maximum torque between 2,400 and 7,000 rpm, the engine power is light, smooth and easy to handle right up to the 7,500 rpm redline.

The 3.7L engine utilizes the Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) system to simultaneously achieve quick acceleration response, high power, high torque, improved fuel efficiency and SU-LEV certification, emitting 75% fewer emissions than the levels mandated by Japan’s 2005 exhaust emission regulations.

The new powerplant is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Seamless, continuous acceleration and improved fuel efficiency and quietness during high-speed driving are realized due to the wider gear ratio coverage range. In addition, a neutral idle control*, which lowers excessive fuel consumption while idling, is newly employed.

Along with the responsive drivetrain, the Skyline Crossover features a highly rigid body and advanced suspension design. The transmission of road vibrations to the passenger compartment is minimized by a reinforced body with the highest level of torsional rigidity in its segment. Smooth maneuverability and improved stability is achieved by double-wishbone suspension in the front and multi-link suspension in the rear, while dual-flow path shock absorbers are employed to optimally balance stable handling and high-quality ride comfort.

Braking is provided by an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic force Distribution (EBD) and Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA).

Advanced Safety and Security Systems
The Skyline Crossover features a range of advanced technologies designed to promote safe, pleasurable driving, including Around View Monitor (AVM), LDP/LDW (Lane Departure Prevention/Lane Departure Warning systems), FCW (Forward Collision Warning), Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range) and a Safety Drive Guide.

The Around View Monitor system (standard on 370GT Type P/370GT FOUR Type P) includes a new Parking Guide function, which assists the driver when parking by providing a “birds-eye view” of the vehicle to help the driver see the vehicle, parking lines and obstacles. The Parking Guide can tell the driver where to begin backing in and steering with a birds-eye view and audio cues.
In addition, the Front/Rear Wide View Function allows 180-degree visibility in the both front and the rear providing a sense of safety in blind intersections. The Front Wide View Function Linked to the Car Navigation System automatically shows the front wide view when the car is stationary (at the map point entered on the navigation system).

The Skyline Crossover’s LDP (Lane Departure Prevention) system builds on LDW (Lane Departure Warning) system that warns the driver to pay attention to driving with a visual display and audible buzzer in case of unintended lane departure. LDP, a factory installed option, assists the driver in returning the vehicle in the direction of center of the travel lane by generating part of necessary yaw moment and controlling the brake pressure of each individual wheel.

FCW (Forward Collision Warning) warns the driver with a visual display and audible buzzer if the vehicle approaches too close to the vehicle ahead when driving at speeds of over 15 kilometers per hour, while the new Intelligent Cruise Control (with full-speed range following capability) functions across the full-speed range. Both FCW and Intelligent Cruise Control are factory-installed options.

The Safety Drive Guide system provides real-time vehicle information (speed and accelerator/brake conditions) around elementary schools. In school zones, the system warns the driver by display and voice guidance, if needed, to remind the driver of safe driving.

Additional Safety and Environment Technologies
The new Skyline Crossover is also equipped with a number of advanced safety and environmental technologies, including Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Emergency Brake Operated Pre-crash Front Seat Belts (offered in a set with Intelligent Brake Assist as a factory installed option), low-friction seatbelts, three-point seat belts with Emergency Locking Retractors (ELRs) for rear seats, and high-strength Zone Body construction.

Also offered are SRS air bag systems for the driver and front passenger, SRS side air bag systems for the driver and front passenger, SRS curtain air bag systems and front-seat Active Head Restraints.

The Skyline Crossover includes a fuel economy indication function. SU-LEV certification is achieved for all models by emitting 75% fewer exhaust emissions than Japan’s 2005 exhaust emission standards and a recyclability rate of more than 95% by weight (as calculated according to the guideline adopted by Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. in 1998 concerning the definition and calculation method of the recyclability rate of new cars).

Clean interior environment features were developed from the three perspectives of clean air, human skin friendly and sanitary/cleanliness. There is a reduction of interior volatile organic compounds (VOC).

[Nissan Press Release]

TOKYO (May 14, 2009) – The NISSAN GT-R, winner of the 2009 World Performance Car of the Year, has improved its lap time at the renowned Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany to 7min 26 seconds 70 on April 23.

This new time underlines Nissan engineering team’s commitment to constantly challenge the GT-R’s performance. Previous recorded lap times at the ‘Ring’ were:

• 7 minutes 27 seconds 56 on April 15, 2009
• 7 minutes 29 in April 2008
• 7 minutes 38 in September 2007

“This record demonstrates our commitment to the continuous evolution of the Nissan GT-R,” says Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer and Chief Vehicle Specialist. “We would like to continue delivering the passion and pride of ownership to our customers by improving its performance every year.”

The Nissan GT-R has won more than a dozen awards globally including Car of the Year from CAR Magazine in the UK, and Car of the Year by both Motor Trend and Autombile Magazine in the US.

While the Nissan GT-R benefits from a strong image and heritage amongst performance car aficionados, its updated 2010 version will be the first to be sold globally. It was launched:

• in Japan in December 2008,
in the US in March 2009
• in Europe, GCC, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan in April 2009

Europe is currently in the process of delivering the first GT-Rs to more than 2,200 pre-order customers.

The model R35 GT-R was first launched in Japan in December 2007, selling 5,900 units until March 2009. It went on sale in the US in July 2008, where 2,100 have been sold so far.

[Nissan Press Release]

A world premiere of a futuristic concept car and of an all-new production car, as well as a heavily revised version of an existing model will be the stars of Nissan’s 2008 Paris Motor Show.

All the stars of the show share a philosophy of tackling the reality of mobility in and around the city, today, tomorrow and in the more distant future.
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