CAR News

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.

Nissan has released a fifth and final video clip and image offering a look into the future of the all-new 2013 Altima sedan in advance of its world premiere at the New York Auto Show next week. Altima’s focus is on the driver and its new Advanced Drive-AssistTM Display is designed to keep the driver focused on the road. The 2013 Altima is available with advanced features including lane departure warning, rear moving object detection and blind spot warning, all of which operate through use of an innovative single rear camera.

If it’s February in Chicago, it’s time for one thing – sports cars. Bringing a taste of hot performance to the Windy City winter, Nissan today debuted the revised 2013 Nissan 370Z on the floor of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The new Z®, which is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide next June, features a number of enhancements designed to keep the legendary sports car fresh and exciting. For 2013, the Nissan 370Z will once again be available in Coupe, Roadster and NISMO Z configurations.
The updates for the new model year include:
Refreshed front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights
Red reflector added to rear fascia (replaces previous black center cover)
Revised 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (Sport Package equipped models)
New 18-inch wheels for 370Z Coupe
Red-finished brake calipers (Sport Package equipped models)
Dark-finish fuel gauge trim
Euro-tuned shock absorbers (Sport Package equipped models)
And two new exterior colors – Magma Red and Midnight Blue
The NISMO 370Z also adds a new Bose® Premium Audio Package with two additional speakers and two subwoofers, premium gun metallic dark-finish 19-inch wheels, and Nissan GT-R style high-rigidity brake hoses and performance brake fluid. The NISMO 370Z does not adopt the new front fascia/rear reflector, Euro-tuned shocks or Midnight Blue exterior color.
“Since the original 1970 Z® was first introduced our goal has always been to keep the design moving forward. The changes for 2013, though subtle, go a long way in enhancing its dynamic appearance inside and out,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.
As in 2012, the 2013 370Z Coupe and 370Z Coupe Touring will each be available with a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine and choice of 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 2013 370Z Roadster and 370Z Roadster Touring will be offered with the same engine but with the 6-speed manual offered only with the Touring model (the 7-speed automatic transmission is available with both).
The Nissan NISMO 370Z, a tuner-Z® enthusiast’s dream, will once again cap off the lineup – offering racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and unique super-lightweight forged alloy wheels. Its 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine is matched with an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control – creating 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. Only one transmission is available, a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with standard SynchroRev Match®, which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting.
Additional details on the 2013 Nissan 370Z will be available closer to the June on-sale date.

Launched at the Brussels Motor Show, Juke Shiro is aptly named. Shiro means white in Japanese, and the interior of the new version is dominated by a number of white flashes. The centre console, inspired by the shape of a motorcycle fuel tank, has until now only been available in red or grey; in Shiro, it’s white. It’s the same story when it comes to the door armrests which have white cappings.

The leather wrapped steering wheel, gear lever knob and the edges of the leather seats all feature white stitching while the seats themselves have a double layer feature on the squab and backrest with a white background colour that shows through the perforated leather facing.

Against a predominantly black and dark grey interior, the white elements provide a chic contrast and give customers even more opportunity to personalise their Juke.

Externally, Juke Shiro can be identified by its stylish dark grey 17-inch alloy wheels, the satin silver finish to the door handles and mirror caps and the glossy B-pillar. Although Juke Shiro is available in any of the colours available to all Juke models, it does have one unique hue in its palette: Nightshade, a sophisticated deep aubergine colour.

“Juke is all about individual choice. It’s different to other cars in the class and that individuality has appealed to buyers right across Europe. Juke Shiro, with its distinctive white accented interior, gives those buyers another opportunity to create a Juke that suits their own personal style and taste,” said Gareth Dunsmore, Juke Product Manager for Europe.

Juke Shiro builds on the top Tekna grade and is available with all three engine choices – 81kW (110PS) 1.5-litre dCi; 86kW (117PS) normally aspirated 1.6-litre petrol; and the turbocharged direct injection petrol 1.6-litre DIG-T which develops 140kW (190PS). All are front-wheel drive and are coupled to a five- or six-speed manual transmission depending on the engine.

The Juke Shiro 1.6-litre DIG-T version is also available with Nissan’s advanced All-Mode 4×4-i four-wheel drive system which incorporates torque-vectoring technology and which is coupled to the latest generation CVT transmission. The Torque Vectoring System (TVS) – unique to Juke in this class – is designed to limit understeer giving Juke class-leading handling in spite of its higher ground clearance, while still preserving ride comfort.

Comprehensive standard technology includes Nissan Connect – Nissan’s advanced media, communication and navigation centre – a colour reversing camera, Intelligent Key with engine start button, heated front seats, Climate Control, automatic wipers and lights, folding door mirrors and rear privacy glass.

Also standard is the Nissan Dynamic Control System which gives the driver the chance to optimise the car’s dynamic functions. Safety equipment includes ESP, six airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist and three head restraints in the rear.

Juke Shiro also benefits from a carefully selected accessory package which adds a number of useful features all designed to harmonise with Shiro’s white interior features. It includes a centre armrest, complete with white stitching, which also provides additional storage; chrome plated sill protectors for the front door, illuminated in white; and Juke-branded velour floor mats for the front and rear.

Depending on the market, this package is either available as an option or as an integral part of the
special Shiro version.

Since its launch in 2010, Juke has redefined the highly competitive B-Segment. Its combination of SUV toughness and sporting style sets it apart from class rivals with its unique design appealing to individual thinkers looking for something different – and the arrival of Juke Shiro increases the opportunity for them to make a real statement.

Built at Nissan’s manufacturing plant in the UK, Juke has inspired customers across Europe and helped the Sunderland manufacturing plant reach an all-time production record during 2011 of 480,485 vehicles. Following in the hugely successful footsteps of its big crossover brother, Qashqai, Juke exceeded all expectations to sell over 136,282 units last year, a number that is expected to be beaten in 2012.

In line with Nissan’s philosophy of constant development, a significant engineering change was made to Juke during 2011. Revisions to the final drive ratio of the normally aspirated petrol and diesel models reduced emissions and enhanced refinement by lowering noise levels without affecting the lively acceleration of either car. Emissions from the manual version of the 117PS petrol 1.6 Juke are now 139g/km, while the 1.5 diesel produces just 129g/km allowing it to wear Nissan’s PURE DRIVE badge, which signifies a model producing less than 130g/km.