CAR News

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today unveiled the Nissan Note, a new global compact car at a world premiere held at the Osanbashi venue in Yokohama.

With a goal of becoming the most user-friendly car in its segment, the new Note will explore the full potential of compact cars when it goes on sale in Japan this fall.

The Note achieves class-leading fuel efficiency and emission levels, combining advanced engine technology, a lightweight platform and improved aerodynamics.

The new hatchback includes Nissan’s advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) which is included for the first time in a compact car, helping to take the stress out of reversing and parallel parking in tight spaces.

The Note’s eye-catching exterior features a striking character line, known as the ‘Squash Line’, and an aerodynamic body shape while its distinctive front grille, headlamps and rear combination lamps combine to create a sense of dynamism and sophistication.

The revamped body structure enabled the Note’s designers to deliver a spacious interior that is beyond expectations for a car in this class. An expansive and inviting cabin includes a flowing line above the instrument panel, which?is inspired by ripples in sand, helps express the Note’s practicality and modernity as well as contributing to its high-quality interior.

Two new engines will be available to customers in Japan, including the new supercharged HR12DDR (DIG-S) and the HR12DE, which has received acclaim in the Nissan March.

Combining the compact, lightweight next-generation XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) for all grades with an Idling Stop System for 2WD, the newly-developed three-cylinder supercharged, direct injection DIG-S engine provides an enjoyable driving experience and excellent fuel efficiency, achieving class-leading*?economy of 25.2 km/L (on JC08 mode)*?.

A global success since its launch in 2005, Nissan has sold 940,000 units of the current Note.

The new Japanese-market Note will be manufactured at Nissan Motor Kyushu. Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the U.K. will produce models for Europe, which are planned for release in 2013.

Since releasing its 1000+ whp R1KX performance PKG in 2010, Oberlin Ohio’s Switzer Performance has established itself as America’s “go-to” GTR tuning house Despite the temptation of over twelve-hundred raucous horsepower, though, Tym Switzer believes the all-out performance level of the R1KX GTRs and the recurring maintenance and support are not what the majority of their clients really want.

“Far too often,” explains Tym, “I talk to people who think that what they want is that last thousandth of a second, regardless of the cost. For the few that can really wrap their heads around what that means – that the car will shift abruptly, that it’ll run hot in traffic, and that they’ll have to run specialized racing fuels in order to get the most out of the car and keep it happy. For them, our R1KX or XXX GTRs will give them what they want: the baddest, fastest GTR that money can buy. For people who want a 1000+ horsepower car that they can drive comfortably every day, to the track or the office or the grocery store, on the highway or in bumper-to-bumper traffic, we’ve built this car.”

“Usable and practical is exactly what we wanted out of the USEs, and we’ve finally gotten these to the point we want them,” Explains Switzer, who is calling its latest new GTR performance variant the “Ultimate Street Edition” GTR, with a heavy emphasis on the “Street” part.

Tym sets the expectation bar pretty high with his introduction of the car, as well: “This car idles smoothly. It shifts smoothly. There’s no deafening exhaust or horrific gear whine. There is none of the harshness of most ‘tuner specials’, and we even managed to keep the highway mpg in the 20s.”

The Ultimate Street Edition GTRs start life as “standard” R35 GTR Nissans, but are re-engineered from the ground up to deliver on Tym’s vision of what the most enjoyable driving experience would be. “It’s not just my vision,” says Tym, “it’s our customers’ vision. For the most part, they’re professionals. They have clients. They have families. They’re busy every day. One thing they don’t have is the time required to keeping a highly-strung tuner car on the road, order highly toxic drums of race fuel – not to mention taking trips to the chiropractor to fix their neck from the constant harsh shifts and stiff, track-oriented suspensions. These guys want a pussycat of a car that will purr along in bumper-to-bumper traffic with a reliable A/C, a reasonably quiet exhaust, and no worries about where they’re going to gas up. When the road opens up, though, they want that pussycat to turn into a roaring lion. Right now. On demand. With no penalties, no compromises, and no excuses.”

The USE’s powertrain mods are incredibly comprehensive, and done to Switzer’s exacting specifications with components featured in the company’s proven engine program: Switzer-specific pistons, pins, rings, and connecting rods, as well as specially-ground camshafts chosen to optimize the drivability and idle characteristics while maintaining transitional throttle response for a broad, linear power curve.

Despite the extensive mods, Switzer keeps the VR38DETT’s 3.8L engine block alone. Why? Tym answers that “those guys at Nissan really know their stuff. This was an engine that was developed with the same kind of thinking that dominated the old IMSA and Group C series – it’s the same kind of thinking that leads them to build these engines in climate-controlled rooms, just like in F1. Then there’s the Area-51 type metallurgy in the crank that our guys took the time to measure, heat cycle, and understand slowly over the last hundred or so VR38s we’ve built since ’09. Once you start to ‘get’ what the engineers who designed this engine were thinking, you can start to work with what’s there, rather than against it. All of a sudden, it becomes very obvious that cutting it open and installing larger bore sleeves like you’re working on a Civic just isn’t right for the GTR’s reliability, in the long-term.”

Backing up the USE GTRs’ extensive engine program are a pair of liquid-cooled turbochargers featuring innovative billet compressor wheels that out-flow similar-spec. “off-the-shelf” turbos by over 30%, while still providing the response characteristics incredibly similar to stock from idle on up. Those turbos feed back into Switzer’s front-mounted MONSTER intercoolers at the front of the car, which work in concert with Switzer’s upgraded cooling package, which features a cleverly-packaged front-mounted radiator and transmission cooler. “It’s a great package,” offers Tym, “it’s been a totally reliable combination that we’ve proven around the globe in some of the most demanding climates. In the Middle East in hundred-plus degree weather, this cooling package and our intercoolers have made our reputation out there.”

When mated to Switzer’s stainless-steel performance exhaust, the USE’s engine and turbo combination is good for over 1000 crank hp on premium pump-gas, all day long.

That exhaust, by the way, is a critical part of Switzer’s USE experience, too. Tym says he “wanted to keep the overall sound levels during highway cruising and normal city driving as close to OEM as possible, but still provide an exhilarating exhaust note under full-throttle. It needed to sound like an ordinary Nissan in traffic, and a LeMans racer when it’s driven in anger.”

Ride and handling are managed by Switzer-specific lowering springs that allow the Ultimate Street Edition GTRs to maintain the electronically adjustable dampers the car ships with from the factory, ensuring factory-like smoothness. When combined with the ultra-lightweight Switzer Signature forged aluminum alloy wheels and “traditional” (as opposed to run-flat) performance tires, the USE GTRs actually ride better than stock. “The softer sidewalls help absorb a lot of road irregularities,” says Tym. “Softer tires, adjustable shocks, and serious reductions in unsprung weight all come together in these cars. Once you factor in our ‘nano-carbon’ brake pads that improve bite and reduce fade, you have a package that’s better than stock in every way, without punishing your kidneys from being super-stiff.”

Maintaining durability and drivability behind the engine necessitates a driveline that’s up to the task. For the Ultimate Street Edition, Switzer worked in conjunction with Shepherd Transmissions to build an application-specific transmission that can stand up to the car’s massive torque, and still handle the bumper-to-bumper grind home, without grinding gears (yours or the car’s).

Engine. Brakes. Suspension. Transmisison. Getting all these systems to work together and getting the maximum benefit from each one is a daunting task – and the fact that the standard R35 GTR is a heavily computerized and digitized piece doesn’t make things easier. To keep the car’s myriad systems happy, the Ultimate Street Edition gets a new ECU tuning solution that allows the USE GTRs to deliver smooth, linear power while maintaining excellent transient response throughout the rpm range. Even the much-vaunted GTR launch control is still available, albeit massaged to adjust for the Switzer’s massive power levels.

“It’s like everything else with this car,” Tym says. “Under the hood, fit and finish is at least as good as any OEM component. You will not find anything installed that doesn’t increase either performance or reliability. The whole idea of this Ultimate Street Edition is that it’s just that: a street edition. It’s maximum experience, minimal hassle. A true street car in every sense of the word.”

Nissan’s compact city car has been refreshed in time to keep it looking cool for the summer. The new Pixo features fresh exterior colours, an improved interior and, crucially for tax and toll savings – a drop in CO2 emissions to 99g/km.

And while the Pixo is choc full of features, it’s certainly not flakey. The urban-friendly vehicle combines an efficient three-cylinder engine and compact dimensions to create a small car that’s perfect for avoiding those (traffic) cones in the city.

Changes to the engine tune and aerodynamic improvements have combined to reduce CO2 levels by 4g/km to 99g/km, allowing Pixo to enjoy tax benefits, congestion charge exemption and reduced emissions.

The Pixo will also benefit from enhancements to the car’s interior. The door trims around the glovebox and centre console are now black rather than grey to add a touch of class.

Nissan Pixo 2012

Every Pixo is also now fitted with an electronic auto-dimming rear view mirror – a feature usually reserved for luxury cars!

The perfect topping for any Pixo could be one of the two new metallic colours, Glistening Grey and Midnight Purple. Six other shades are available.

Despite all these features the Pixo’s prices can’t be licked, starting from £7,250 for the Visia and rising to £8,250 for the range-topping n-tec five-door model.
mpg PIXO
URBAN m/t (a/t) 54.3 (43.5)
EXTRA-URBAN m/t (a/t) 74.3 (65.7)
COMBINED m/t (a/t) 65.7 (55.4)

Doorplan Grade Engine Transmission Basic Price VAT Total Retail Price On The Road Price
5 door VISIA 1.0l 68PS 5 manual 5,995.83 1,199.17 7,195 7,250
n-tec 1.0l 68PS 5 manual 6,829.17 1,365.83 8,195 8,250
4 auto 7,579.17 1,515.83 9,095 9,150

PIXO Grade Specifications
VISIA n-tec

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
• Power steering • Front power windows
• Tilt-adjustable steering wheel
• 12v socket (front)
• Front cabin light
• Vanity mirror
• Manual air conditioning
• Pollen filter
HEATING, VENTILATION AND VISIBILITY
• 2-speed front wiper with intermittent setting
• Rear wiper
• Manually adjustable door mirrors
• Auto dimming rear view mirror
INSTRUMENTATION
• Headlamp leveller • 50:50 split folding rear seats
SEATING, TRIM AND STORAGE
• 2 front cup holders
• 2 rear door storage pockets
• 2 Rear headrests
• Parcel shelf
SAFETY
• Front airbags • Side airbags
• ABS with EBD and Brake assist
• ISOfix childseat anchorage points
• Child proof door locks
• Front fog lamps
SECURITY
• Immobiliser • Central door locking
• Remote keyless entry
• Boot door opening lever
STYLING
• 14» Steel wheels with wheel covers • 14? alloy wheels
• Body coloured door mirrors
• Body coloured door handles
IN-CAR ENTERTAINMENT
• CD player with MP3 playback
• 2 Speakers
OPTIONS AT EXTRA COST
• Metallic or Pearlescent paint • Metallic or Pearlescent paint
• Safety Pack (Curtain Airbags & ESP)

Nissan’s 22 High Performance Centres are braced for the first deliveries of the most focussed GT-R.

GT-R owners are among the most demanding in the world. In response to demand Nissan has replied with the GT-R Track Pack – a new version of the Nissan supercar for those drivers who require a faster, lighter, harder GT-R and one that has that extra edge at the race track.

The new car is called the Track Pack and offers GT-R drivers a more focussed driving experience while still remaining fully road legal. Unlike aftermarket modifications, this GT-R has the full blessing of the car’s creator Kazutoshi Mizuno.

On the outside, the new car features special six-spoke RAYS alloy wheels with gloss black centres. In addition to looking good these wheels give a total weight saving over the standard 2012 GT-R of 10kg.

Additional brake cooling ducts built into the carbon front splitter reduce the operating temperature by as much 100 degrees during track use, whilst similar ducts hidden behind the rear wheels channel cooling air over the rear discs.

Track Pack also features special, stiffer suspension designed to optimise track performance. It comprises a harder set-up and increased body rigidity and has been jointly developed with the GT-R development driver Toshio Suzuki during extensive testing at the Nurburgring. It will allow GT-R customers to achieve the perfect set-up at the track but, thanks to the special dampers, customers will be able to change the suspension for road-use at a flick of a switch, making the GT-R Track Pack suitable for all environments.

The changes that make up the Track Pack are not just under the shell, though. Inside the car loses rear seats but gains two track-ready front sports seats covered in what is affectionately referred to as ‘magic cloth’ by the father of GT-R, Kazutoshi Mizuno. The Track Pack also boasts special blue-on-grey sports seats made from fabric and leather. The high friction fabric is a special material that allows occupants to ‘stick’ to the seats during hard cornering and braking.

A Track Pack emblem also sits on the dashboard helping to identify this special GT-R model, whilst more comfortable seat belts, an enhanced Bose audio system, and a rear-view camera as fitted to the standard MY2012 GT-R also feature.

Performance statistics remain unchanged to the ‘standard’ 2012 GT-R. That means Track Pack customers will still be able to enjoy the GT-R’s 550PS power output, and a 0-62 time of just 2.8 seconds.

The Track Pack is only available in the UK and Japan, and is priced at £10,000 more than the standard £74,450 GT-R.