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Nissan's London Black Cab postponed because it can't meet emissions targets

Emissions concerns in London are causing headaches for Nissan, as the company continues its efforts to bring its Black Cab to the city's streets. A proposed ultra-low emissions zone could lead to standards in the city center that are so strict the gas-powered taxi can't meet them, AutoExpress reports. It's unclear just how low the new emissions standards may be, although AE references London's mayor, Boris Johnson, and his drive to make every London taxi emissions-free by 2018 as a particular thorn for the Japanese automaker. It's worth noting that the NV200 taxi is both cleaner and more fuel efficient than London's current fleet of iconic black cabs. That alone makes it seem like reason enough to get the new cabs on the streets. But it's the strictness of the proposed standards and the apparently set-in-stone nature of the NV200's current engineering that is holding up the cab's future. While Nissan offers an emissions-free e-NV200, it would reportedly need to completely reengineer the NV200-based cab to meet the future standards if they're approved. Whether that will happen, though, remains an open question.

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi adopts Android infotainment in coup for Google

PARIS — The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi carmaking alliance said on Tuesday it will adopt Alphabet's Google Android operating system, handing a victory to the U.S. tech giant as it pushes for a bigger share of the infotainment market. Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi, with combined sales of 10.6 million vehicles last year, said future models will "integrate Google applications and services" including Maps and the voice-commanded Google Assistant. The move, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, leans more heavily on Big Tech than large or luxury rival carmakers have hitherto been willing to do. Many fear losing control of customer relationships, data and potentially significant future revenue from connected services. Some smaller manufacturers such as Volvo Cars have decided to embed Android Auto in their vehicles. But the scale of the shift by Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi may cause a broader rethink of costly standalone tech strategies. "Major carmakers earlier were reluctant to do business with Google, but this has now changed," said Jauke de Jong, a research analyst at AFS Group in Amsterdam. "More carmakers could follow suit and partner with Google." Until now, carmakers have largely chosen Linux, Microsoft or QNX software to power infotainment. That yields clunkier platforms they can control, but which offer little scope to add new apps or functionality. Far more than just hooking up a phone The news may spell trouble for certain existing auto-tech suppliers such as mapping specialist TomTom, which counts Renault among its customers. Shares in the Dutch group fell by more than quarter after the announcement. In return for handing Google the infotainment keys, the alliance will bring the full clout of Android's thousands of apps to its brands' lineups — which include a strong contingent of affordably priced, no-frills models for emerging markets. The partnership promises "rich user experiences that are currently available only outside the vehicle or, to a limited extent, by connecting an Android device to supported vehicles," alliance development chief Hadi Zablit said. While many volume carmakers offer infotainment "mirroring" to pair with Apple iPhones or Android smartphones, premium rivals such as BMW and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz are investing heavily in their own operating systems, vocal assistants and connected services.

On Location: 2015 Nissan Micra Cup racecar at Mont-Tremblant

Circuit Mont-Tremblant has an almost mythical aura for North American road racers, and it was the setting for our high speed test of the 2015 Nissan Micra Cup racecar. Nestled in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, the course hosted Formula One races in 1968 and 1970, Trans-Am and Can-Am competition in the 1960s and '70s, and more recently a Champ Car event in 2007. In its current configuration, Mont-Tremblant has 15 turns and covers 2.65 miles of rural Quebec about 90 minutes northwest of Montreal. Put simply: It's an excellent venue to test the Micra Cup racer, which is underpinning a spec series in Canada this summer and fall. The cars are outfitted with a Nismo suspension kit, FIA-approved racing seat with a five-point harness, safety cage, upgraded brakes, modified exhaust, and Pirelli low-profile performance tires. The stock 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 109 horsepower mated to a five-speed manual is unchanged. It's a cool, misty day when we get behind the wheel of the Micra Cup car. Though we're nervous, Nissan is billing the Micra Cup as a series for nearly anyone, calling it the bridge between karting and more serious racing. We believe that – the Cup car is fairly easy to drive – and our instructor is helpful with tips on the gearing and setting up corners. We finish our laps feeling excited, challenged, and wanting more. As the video above shows, the car is eager to please, and it's a lot of fun to toss around an iconic track.