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BMW, Nissan eye Formula E entry

BMW has been involved with the all-electric Formula E racing series since the beginning. It provides the safety car in the form of the eye-catching i8, with the i3 performing medical car duties. BMW's i division even sponsored the 2016 Berlin ePrix. Nissan has also been involved with Formula E – though more tangentially so – as its French partner Renault has provided the car each team used for the first season, and sponsors its own team as well (which won the Teams' Championship both seasons so far). Now that more automakers are joining the field (notably including Jaguar's return to open-wheel racing), BMW and Nissan are reportedly considering getting in the mix to try to win some races, too. Multiple sources tell Autosport that both automakers are looking into being on the grid as early as the 2016/2017 season. Since the series already has its ten teams confirmed for the third season, Nissan and BMW would have to join an existing team for the time being, which is what Autosport's sources are saying is being discussed. Nissan refers to its consideration as a "fact-finding" mission. BMW had said earlier that it wouldn't compete as long as mid-race car swaps were part of the practice. Formula E is looking to move toward a single car format as early as the 2018/2019 season, which could make BMW's direct involvement more palatable to the automaker. As for Nissan, it would have to garner approval from the Renault-Nissan Alliance to compete against its sister company in the same racing category. Either way, it's unlikely that either manufacturer would be able to provide powertrain technology should they join teams for the upcoming season. Still, both Nissan and BMW have made strong commitments to consumer electric vehicles. To be directly involved in the competition would not only be a great way to showcase their prowess in the world of electric motoring, it could also help to bring more attention to Formula E. Related Video: Related Gallery Jaguar Formula E News Source: Autosport via Inside EVsImage Credit: Formula E Green Motorsports BMW Nissan Green Automakers Electric Racing Vehicles Formula E electric racing

Nismo smartwatch concept tracks both car and driver [w/videos]

Whether you agree or not, this writer believes that every supercar needs a wristwatch to go with it. Though the Nissan GT-R has been lacking in this one regard, Nissan is keen to correct that wrong. But while most of these automotive-inspired timepieces are decidedly mechanical, Nissan has gone a suitably different direction in creating its new Nismo watch concept.
The electronic smartwatch connects driver, car, watch and phone in a sleek design. The device allows drivers to monitor such parameters as the car's average speed and fuel consumption, access performance telematics on the track, monitor their own heart rate and interface with their smartphone via Bluetooth and a dedicated app. The watch can even tell the driver when it's time to bring his car in for scheduled maintenance, post lap times and such to popular social media platforms, and of course, you know - literally give you the time of day.
Though still in the concept phase, Nissan seems keen to bring this to market, has even gone so far as to design the packaging - made of tire rubber scraped off the track - and done it up in three colors: red, white or black. In the meantime Nismo will be showcasing the smartwatch concept at the Frankfurt show this week, where we hope to get a glimpse up close, but you can delve into the press release and the pair of videos below.

Thanks to a year of free charges, Nissan Leaf sees sales increase in Texas

Nissan is pretty certain that free charging offers in the two largest metropolitan areas in Texas are substantially boosting sales of the Leaf electric vehicle. Heck, one Houston car dealer says Leaf sales have tripled because of the plan, which is run by NRG through its batch of eVgo Freedom Stations. Each of these stations has a fast-charging outlet and a standard Level 2 cord where EV drivers can plug-in without breaking out the wallet. Here's how the plan works: NRG is offering a year of free charging for those who buy or lease a Leaf in either the Houston or Dallas-Fort Worth areas. NRG has 17 stations in Houston and another 23 in DFW. Nissan pays NRG a fee for employing the program, and it's apparently paying off, Nissan's Brendan Jones told Plug In Cars. The stations are located at retailers such as Walgreens and at gas-station chains. The "No Charge to Charge" program started October 1 and runs through the end of this month. The promotion may be driving sales, but let's remember that Nissan was touting a rise in Leaf sales numbers before the free charging deal went into effect. Of course, the fun does eventually end, and folks have to start paying for the juice after that first year. Two options NRG offers are a 12-month unlimited charging plan for $39.95 a month or a year of unlimited one-hour sessions at a Level 2 a cool $59.95. Californians, there's sadly no word on Nissan or NRG bringing a similar program to the Golden State. Because we know you were wondering that.