New Nissan 370Z Spy Photos

Nissan was recently spied testing the upcoming 370Z prototype near the Nürburgring in Germany. The redesigned next-gen Z car will debut at Los Angeles auto show and is set to replace the outgoing 350Z by 2009-2010. With the Nissan Maxima like boomerang shaped headlights and rearlights, the new 370Z gets a 3.7-liter V-6 engine. To spice up the already hot coupe, Nissan is rumored to have used the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox from GT-R’s kitty.

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Photo Gallery: Spy Pictures of upcoming Nissan 370Z.

2009 Nissan Maxima Price Starting at $29,290

Nissan North America, Inc. announced pricing on the all-new, flagship 2009 Nissan Maxima, which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide. The seventh generation Maxima returns to its heritage as “The 4-Door Sports Car™,” combining thrilling performance with premium sedan comfort, quality and amenities. It features all-new sports styling, a driver-oriented interior and an enhanced 290-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine – offering 35 more horsepower than the previous generation Maxima and better fuel economy (EPA estimated 19 mpg City/26 mpg Highway versus 19/25 mpg for the 2008 Maxima).

The 2009 Maxima is offered in two well-equipped models, Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV, each equipped with standard 3.5-liter V6 and intelligent Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission). Prices start at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $29,290 for the Maxima 3.5 S and $31,990 for the Maxima 3.5 SV.

“The 2009 Maxima 3.5 S features an increase in standard equipment, horsepower and style, combined with better fuel economy, yet remains very competitively priced with nearly $400 more value than the 2008 Maxima 3.5 SE,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “As the flagship of Nissan’s exciting 2009 lineup, this new Maxima sets the standard in every category, including value.”

The 2009 Maxima is also available with several new option packages, including the Sport Package (3.5 SV), with sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, premium leather-appointed seats, paddle shifters and more; and the Premium Package (3.5 SV), with dual panel moonroof, 7-inch color monitor with RearView Monitor, Eucalyptus wood-tone trim and more.

About the 2009 Nissan Maxima
Designed as a commanding four-door sports car, Maxima is unique in both appearance and driving feel. High targets were established for the development of the new Maxima, including the goal of creating “the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world,” along with the goals of class-leading acceleration, braking, handling, craftsmanship and cockpit design.

The breakthrough exterior design of the new Maxima imparts a feeling of “liquid motion,” which combines an aggressive stance and powerful fender design – not unlike many exotic sports cars on the market today. Maxima’s new stance comes, in part, from a slight reduction in wheelbase and overall length, along with a wider front and rear track.

The new Maxima’s interior design team developed an interior concept of “Super Cockpit” – imparting the feeling of sports car with controls ergonomically close, yet with ample roominess and comfort for both driver and passengers. The interior includes a special driver’s sport seat, available leather-appointed seating, offset shifter lever that is closer to the driver, “Daylight Illumination” gauges and a wide range of available technology, including a Bose® audio system, RearView Monitor and Nissan Hard Drive Navigation system with XM NavTraffic® real-time traffic information (active XM® subscription required, sold separately), Voice Recognition and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.

The 2009 Maxima comes equipped with a standard 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve VQ-series V6 engine, rated at 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. The new Maxima’s standard intelligent Xtronic CVT™ is tuned specifically for the car’s sporty driving character. It includes a manual mode, new “Ds mode” (drive sport) and available paddle shifters.
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Dodge Hornet For Chrysler To Be Built By Nissan

An updated version of the Dodge Hornet for sale in North America and other markets is going to be assembled/built by Nissan for Chrysler and not the Chinese automaker Chery as was being reported earlier. Autonews states that the Dodge Hornet concept car, which caused a buzz at the 2006 Geneva auto show, is likely to go into production next year as a 2010 model. It is being expected that the general dimensions and squat looks of the concept will make it to the production verion.

"We are working intensely on the Hornet study," Thomas Hausch, Chrysler vice president of international sales, said last week. "I think we will announce something on this in the future." We'll be anxiously waiting to hear more Mr Hausch.
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Photo Gallery: Dodge Hornet Concept High-Res Pictures.

Arios Unveils Nissan GT-R Carbon Fibre Body Kit

Japanese Tuner Arios has come out with a new carbon-fibre body kit for 2009 model Nissan GTR R35. Body kit comprise of a front lip spoiler, nose and engine covers, sidestep side skits and NACA duct covers. The change in looks of GT-R wearing new clothes isn’t so obvious on a black car but on white cars the change is dramatic.

Arios also removed the R35’s front GT-R emblem and replaced it with an oldschool emblem from a Skyline GT-R KPCG10 a somewhat popular modification on legacy GT-Rs. According to Arios, it will come out with more carbon-fibre body parts for Nissan GT-R including a rear spoiler in the near future.
Source: Carnoise

Photos: Arios Prepared Nissan GT-R Carbon Fibre Body Kit

Nissan Debuts New 2008 Teana & Teana XV + Photos

Nissan and its Chinese partner Dongfeng unveiled the final production version of new redesigned Teana & Teana XV at the 2008 Auto China show in Beijing. This is the first new version of the Teana since its debut five years ago and is heavily influenced by the Intima concept seen last year at the Tokyo Motor Show. The new Teana goes on sale later this year in China, Japan and other Asian markets.

Teana holds the distinction of being Nissan's most expensive made in China model and its success is a very important for Nissan considering that China accounts for more than half of the model's worldwide sales. Nissan Teana will come with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 2.5-liter V-6 for buyers in China, while the other Asian markets will get the 2.5-liter and a 3.5-liter V-6.

The front-drive Teana is equipped with BOSE 5.1-channel surround sound system, panoramic sunroof in the XV version and Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that has an 8-step manual shift mode. Nissan has no plans to bring new Teana to US, and to compensate for this it launch a redesigned Maxima sedan later this year.

2008 Nissan Teana Photos & Pictures