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Chevy Volt 'acceptable,' Nissan Leaf 'poor' in new IIHS safety tests

Ford C-Max Hybrid also scored "acceptable" rating. With US Nissan Leaf sales up almost 30 percent during the first half of the year, the only thing that might be able to stop the battery-electric vehicle is a good, stiff barrier. Unfortunately, thing's aren't always pretty when that happens in the real world, according to new tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Things with the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in are a little bit rosier, though. The two plug-in vehicles were part of a batch of a dozen vehicles that just went through the IIHS's "small overlap" test, in which the driver's side front corner of the vehicle is crashed into a rigid barrier at 40 miles per hour. Out of the dozen, only the Mini Cooper Countryman was given a "good" rating. Five vehicles, including the Volt and the Ford C-Max Hybrid, were rated "acceptable," two were "marginal" and two, including the Leaf, were "poor." Plug-in vehicles are unique in the crash-test context because of their relatively large battery sizes. In the Volt's case, the driver had a "low risk" of injury, said the IIHS. But the Leaf's crash substantially pushed back the instrument panel and steering column, creating a scenario where the driver was "likely" to sustain leg injuries. The batteries in both the Leaf and the Volt passed safety tests specifically targeted at things like thermo and electrical properties and overall integrity. "Nissan is proud of the Leaf's 'Good' rating in all other IIHS tests, a 4-star NCAP rating from NHTSA and its IIHS Top Safety Pick rating in all previous years since the car's release," the company said in an e-mail sent to AutoblogGreen. "As for the performance of the 2014 Leaf in the 'small overlap frontal test,' Nissan will continue to review these and other results from the IIHS 'small overlap frontal test' as we seek opportunities for improvement." Check out the IIHS's press release and small car crash-test video footage below. Range of ratings: Small car ratings run the gamut in challenging small overlap front test The Mini Cooper Countryman is the only small car to earn a good rating among the latest group of 12 cars subjected to the Institute's small overlap front crash test. Two electric models and a hybrid also are in the mix, with varied results. The electric-powered Chevrolet Volt (with a gasoline engine "range extender") earns an acceptable rating, while its battery-electric rival, the Nissan Leaf, earns a poor rating.

2016 Nissan Maxima offers 300 hp and 30 mpg for $32,410* [w/video]

After a surprise debut during the 2015 Super Bowl, Nissan has finally divulged the details on its latest Maxima sedan at the 2015 New York Auto Show. Starting at $32,410 (*not including a $825 destination charge), the Maxima retains the current car's powertrain, featuring a 3.5-liter V6 and a continuously variable transmission. Unlike its predecessor, though, the new fullsizer boasts 300 ponies, up from 290. While the power figures and displacement of the new V6 are similar to last year's model, Nissan claims over 60 percent of the parts in the new 3.5 are new. That means not only more power, but a 15-percent improvement in highway fuel economy, with the Maxima estimated to hit 30 miles per gallon. The CVT is also new, with Nissan claiming it's now "performance oriented." Beyond the oily bits, the cabin is home to an eight-inch touchscreen, while drivers will enjoy a seven-inch display in the instrument cluster. In terms of safety tech, Nissan installed the standard alphabet soup of acronyms, offering up Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), adaptive cruise control, Forward Emergency Braking (FEB), and blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert. As we said, the Maxima will start at $32,410, and will be offered in four grades, with the Platinum trim remaining at the very top of the line. It's not clear, however, how those prices will break down, nor when the Maxima will arrive in dealers. 2016 Nissan Maxima "4-Door Sports Car" makes global debut at New York International Auto Show President and CEO Carlos Ghosn unveils Nissan's totally redesigned flagship Maxima "4 Door Sports Car" All-new Maxima features a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and new lighter, yet more rigid chassis, bringing sports car-like acceleration and handling to large sedan segment 2016 Maxima is set to arrive in U.S. Nissan showrooms with a starting M.S.R.P. of $32,410* NEW YORK – Nissan today unveiled the all-new Nissan Maxima during a press conference at the New York International Auto Show. Making the presentation was Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who addressed a range of topics including Nissan's $10.1 billion investment in the U.S. in the past three decades. The dramatically styled 2016 Maxima, created by driving enthusiasts for driving enthusiasts, looks like nothing else on the road today – and drives like nothing in the segment.

RC car drift video brings Fast and Furious style in 1:10 scale

Taking a cue from Lexus' 2015 Super Bowl ad Let's Play, Falken Tire is proving that RC cars can drift just as well, if not better, than their full-size counterparts. However, to make things four times as exciting, this clip eschews a single hopped-up model hanging its tail out in favor of a quartet of them sliding around together. Starring 1:10 RC versions of popular drift machines like the Nissan S15 Silvia, Mazda FD-chassis RX-7 and Initial D star Toyota Corolla AE86, these cars also get a suite of blinking LEDs to lend some extra color to all of the tire spinning. Plus, the use of well-positioned cameras and a scale model environment almost makes this group look like they're at work in the real world. News Source: Falken Tire via YouTube Motorsports Toys/Games Mazda Nissan Toyota Racing Vehicles Videos drifting drift rc car mazda rx-7 nissan silvia toyota ae86