2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 S on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Murano Hybrid in China, FCA hearts E15

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has approved the use of E15 in its 2016 model year vehicles. The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased with the automaker's choice to cover the higher ethanol blend in its warranty statements, describing it as a positive signal for the future growth of E15. "FCA's decision to join GM and Ford provides clear evidence that the tide on E15 has turned," says RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. "The automaker's decision not to embrace E15 had been a major point of concern and tension for the last three years." Read more from the RFA. Skoda's head of purchasing, Dieter Seemann, discusses sourcing EV components in a new interview. He says the biggest challenge is seeking out future suppliers for electric motor and connected vehicle components. "We have to really understand what happens in this business to identify the right partners to have in five to eight years from now," says Seemann. "Many of these are suppliers completely new to us." He says Skoda purchases 50 to 55 percent of its parts directly, while chassis and powertrain parts are shared among other Volkswagen Group brands. Read the full interview at Automotive News Europe. Nissan is helping the European Commission develop a pedestrian alert system for electric vehicles. Called Electric Vehicle Alert for Detection and Emergency Response (eVADER), the project aims to develop technology that provides audible cues to alert pedestrians to oncoming vehicles without contributing to noise pollution. Nissan created a system for the Leaf that uses a camera to recognize pedestrians and cyclists and direct a sound in their direction. This work will help the EU shape its laws moving forward. Read more at Electric Cars Report. The Nissan Murano Hybrid has gone on sale in China. The Murano Hybrid is powered by a supercharged 2.5-liter engine and an electric motor with lithium-ion battery. The hybrid uses Nissan's All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel-drive system, and is equipped with a host of safety technology. The new Murano helps Nissan cater to China's growing demand for SUVs, and is also part of the "Young Nissan" strategy. Read more at Green Car Congress, or in the press release below. Nissan introduces the all-new Murano to China SHANGHAI, China(August 8, 2015) – Nissan today announced that the all-new Murano, including the hybrid version, is officially available for sale from its joint venture in China, Dongfeng Nissan Passenger vehicle company (DFL-PV).

Nissan's Kelly examined at Japanese hospital after securing bail

TOKYO — Nissan director Greg Kelly was being examined in a hospital on Wednesday, a source said, a day after he was released on bail from a Tokyo jail where his former boss Carlos Ghosn is still being detained. Kelly, an American who was released late on Christmas Day after more than a month in detention, has been charged with conspiring to under-report Ghosn's income. He posted bail of 70 million yen ($640,000). Their Nov. 19 arrests jolted the global car industry and has strained Nissan's alliance with French car maker Renault SA. Nissan's board last month fired Ghosn as chairman and Kelly as representative director, although both men technically still remain board members who can only be removed by shareholders. Kelly suffers from spinal stenosis, causing numbness, tingling and shooting pain in his extremities, according to a video message last week from his wife, Dee Kelly, appealing for his release. The condition compresses or pinches the spinal cord. Those symptoms worsened during his five weeks in the Tokyo Detention Center, his wife said, citing Kelly's lawyer. Kelly was scheduled to have surgery on Dec. 7 in Nashville, Tennessee, but flew to Japan last month after being told that he was needed in person at a board meeting, Dee Kelly said in the video. Kelly was arrested soon after his arrival. Under the conditions of his bail, Kelly is barred from traveling overseas and his residence must be restricted to a designated place, the Tokyo District Court said. Lawyers say that travel exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. Kelly walked out of the detention center around 10:45 pm (1345 GMT) Thursday night wearing a light-colored jacket and was whisked away in a black taxi. Japanese media showed footage of Kelly entering a hospital around midnight. After his release from detention, Kelly issued a statement through his lawyer saying he had not falsified any documents and looked forward to restoring his honor in court. "I believe my innocence will be revealed in the trial," he said. Kelly also said in the statement he wanted to see a doctor immediately and get the appropriate treatment or operation originally scheduled for early December. The office of his lawyer, Yoichi Kitamura, did not respond to requests for comment. Ghosn was re-arrested on Friday based on suspicions that around October 2008 he shifted personal trades to Nissan to make it responsible for 1.85 billion yen ($16.6 million) in appraisal losses, prosecutors said.

2016 Nissan GT-R gets 45th Anniversary Gold Edition

The Nissan GT-R is going for the gold again in 2016 after 2012's special Usain Bolt one-off. This time the precious metal paint job is going on just a few more cars to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the original Skyline GT-R. The 45th Anniversary Gold Edition of the GT-R paints the Premium trim of the twin-turbocharged sports coupe a somewhat subdued golden shade called Silica Brass. The VIN plates are in a similar hue, and there's a commemorative plaque on the center console. Nissan spokesperson Dan Passe tells Autoblog that based on projections, the company plans to sell 30 or fewer anniversary editions in the US. The special models carry an extra $1,000 on top of the Premium's starting $101,770, plus a destination charge of $1,595 on all vehicles. Because of the limited numbers, Passe recommends interested customers place an order through dealers soon. The anniversary edition isn't the only thing new to the lineup, though. The Premium and Black Edition models both get an extra five horsepower to push output to 550 hp, but the the Nismo remains unchanged with 600 hp and 481 lb-ft. The Premium trim also now wears 20-spoke forged aluminum wheels from Rays to replace the earlier 10-spoke design. One thing not changing for the GT-R is the pricing, after going north of $100,000 for the 2015 model year. The Black Edition still retails for $111,510 and $149,990 for the Nismo. Related Video: NISSAN ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR 2016 GT-R 16/03/15 from Nissan Pricing remains unchanged for 2016; GT-R Premium and GT-R Black Edition receive five additional horsepower; GT-R Premium adds new 20-spoke wheels NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan today announced pricing for the 2016 Nissan GT-R supercar, which is on sale now at select Nissan dealers in the United States. Prices* for the three 2016 GT-R models remains unchanged from last year, despite several significant enhancements, including: Additional five horsepower for the GT-R Premium and GT-R Black Edition All-new 20-spoke wheels for the GT-R Premium New 45th Anniversary Gold Edition, featuring a special exterior paint color The 45th Anniversary Gold Edition, built off of the GT-R Premium model, commemorates the GT-R's long heritage of world-class high performance. Featuring a special gold paint color, the limited edition model also includes a special gold-tone VIN plate located inside the engine compartment and a special commemorative plaque on the interior center console.