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Nissan reveals Patrol Nismo in Dubai

Nissan's performance division has worked its magic on a variety of vehicles. But not all of them have been based on sports cars, and not all of them have been made available here in the United States. Its latest model is neither. In launching the Nismo sub-brand in the Dubai, Nissan has started with a decidedly different model in the Patrol Nismo. It's based on the SUV we'd know better as the Infiniti QX80, but instead of taking an off-road or luxury approach, the Patrol Nismo (as you might have guessed) goes for on-road performance. To that end, the performance division has given it a thorough workover. The 5.6-liter V8 engine, for starters, has been tuned by Nissan's Takumi craftsmen up from 400 horsepower to 428. The suspension has been firmed up with Bilstein shocks and mounted with 22-inch forged alloys from Rays. The power steering system has tuned by Nismo for sportier handling. The bodywork has been upgraded for an aggressive look and zero aerodynamic lift. And the interior has been refitted to make it a more suitable environment from which to command the added performance capabilities. The result may have potential as a junior version of SUVs like the Mercedes GL63 AMG or Range Rover Sport SVR, not to mention prospective upcoming performance versions of the Cadillac Escalade. But it's being launched exclusively in the United Arab Emirates for the time being, and given that we don't get the Patrol as such in North America, it looks highly unlikely the Patrol Nismo will ever reach these shores. Those looking for a high-riding Nismo model, then, will just have to content themselves with the Juke. Related Video: Nissan proves its passion for performance with launch of 'NISMO' brand in the Middle East Nissan debuts world premiere of Patrol NISMO showcasing ultimate essence of its 'Innovation that Excites' promise - Thrilling performance marque launches in Middle East - Stunning Patrol NISMO announced as world premiere model - GT-R NISMO and 370Z NISMO showcased to the media DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - October 7, 2015: Nissan's world famous motorsport and road car performance brand, NISMO, made its Middle East debut at a spectacular launch event in Dubai, heralding the next step in 'Innovation that Excites' for driving enthusiasts across the region. In addition to launching the performance marque, Nissan also confirmed the world premiere launch of the Patrol NISMO.

2015 Nissan Juke

I didn't always like the Nissan Juke. When it launched in 2010, I just couldn't get over the way it looked – it came across as super weird, and kind of hideous at first blush. But I slowly warmed up to the funky little crossover/hatchback/thing, and after spending some time behind the wheel, I really learned to love Nissan's small wonder. It's a genuine hoot to drive, offering hot hatch-like thrills in a package that doesn't look like anything else on the road. The Nismo and RS models that followed only increased my ardor for the turbocharged Juke, and now, I find myself smiling whenever I see one of these little guys bombing down the road. Going into 2015, Nissan hasn't really made major changes, but there are a host of smaller improvements on hand to make it a more well-rounded vehicle than ever before. And to up the funk factor for the new year, there are a slew of customization options now available to customers through the Juke Color Studio – for better or worse. Following my first drive of the third-generation Nissan Murano in Napa Valley, I took the refreshed Juke for a spin to see if the 2015 model year improvements still make for a car that's good to drive and easy to use, while bursting with the same personality that slowly won me over in the first place. Drive Notes Powering the Juke is the same turbocharged, 1.6-liter inline-four as last year, with 188 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque on tap. I've always liked this engine – it's punchy and feels good when being worked via the 2014 model's six-speed manual transmission. There's lots of power down low, with a nice bit of boost mid-range through each gear. Altering the drive modes between Normal and Sport heighten this, and honestly, the turbo/manual setup in this front-wheel-drive Juke was kind of hilarious – a real treat. Sadly, Nissan will no longer offer the manual transmission on non-Nismo Juke models for 2015, so you're stuck with the continuously variable transmission. Bummer. In sport mode, the usually good Xtronic CVT tends to rev high and hold itself there – a tendency of older such transmissions that's seriously off-putting, especially for enthusiasts. Still, the Juke is available with a choice of either front- or all-wheel drive. The FWD Juke is fun, offering decent amounts of grip with a hint of predictable understeer. But I've always liked the four-season factor of the AWD Juke.

Nissan itself will be indicted alongside Ghosn, report says

Prosecutors in Tokyo are expected to file charges against Nissan itself alongside an expected indictment against former Chairman Carlos Ghosn as part of the ongoing financial misconduct case. That's according to a report from Japan's Nikkei business daily, which does not identify its sources. Charges are also likely against Greg Kelly, a member of Nissan's board of directors who was taken into custody with Ghosn Nov. 19 after Japanese authorities questioned the former chairman aboard a corporate jet at the Tokyo Haneda airport. Monday is the deadline when prosecutors must either indict the two executives, release them or arrest them on new allegations. Both men are accused of under-reporting salaries in five annual reports that stretch through the fiscal year that ended in March 2015. The Nikkei says they'll also be arrested on new allegations of misstating financial information for the subsequent three business years. Nissan would be charged for not preventing the alleged crime. Both men have reportedly denied the allegations. In response to the Nikkei report, a spokesman for Nissan told Automotive News the company had "identified serious misconduct related to the reporting of Mr. Ghosn's compensation" and was cooperating with investors. The turmoil over Ghosn prompted the automaker to scrap plans to unveil a long-awaited longer-range Leaf electric car at the L.A. Auto Show last week. Ghosn is accused of conspiring to understate his income by about half the 10 billion yen (about $88 million) over the period. Reports say the issue relates to deferred compensation that Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa reportedly signed off on but may not have understood. The company didn't report the deferred compensation in Japanese securities filings as it is required, since the money is considered a future liability against the company. Automotive News cites an unnamed source who says Nissan has identified some $80 million in unreported deferred compensation promised to Ghosn. Nissan's board voted Nov. 22 to oust him as chairman, and Mitsubishi followed suit days later. Ghosn remains the CEO and chairman of Renault, however. Under Ghosn's guidance, Nissan and Renault joined forces in 1999 when Nissan was teetering toward bankruptcy. Mitsubishi joined on in 2016, with all three members able to jointly develop products and control costs. He had reportedly been pushing for deeper ties, including a possible merger between Nissan and Renault at the urging of the French government.