2009 Nissan Versa 6 Speed Manual Transmission Gas Saver! on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Nissan considering 200-mile Leaf to take on Chevy Bolt?

With 30,200 units sold, the Nissan Leaf posted its best year ever in the US in 2014. However, Nissan needs to keep looking over its shoulder because the Chevrolet Bolt Concept from the 2015 Detroit Auto Show clearly has success EV in its sights. Chevy claims that for roughly the same price (after incentives) as a Leaf, the future Bolt could offer a 200-mile range. Although, evidence continues to mount that the Japanese brand is hard at work on its next-gen electric hatchback capable of significantly longer driving distances. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the next Leaf will reportedly debut in about two years and will be offered in a high-output version with 200 miles or more of range. It will all be possible thanks to new lithium-ion batteries with lower weight and higher power density. If accurate, the changes would more than double the model's current EPA-estimated 84-mile range and put the hatchback on sale at roughly the same time as the Bolt's debut, if it happens. "We want to be competitive," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn to TheDetroitBureau.com during the Detroit Auto Show. "It may have even more range." In another speech, he also predicted that the company's EVs would become even more affordable. The statements are hardly a surprise from the company boss. Ghosn is a big proponent of electric power over other zero-emissions alternatives because it is cheaper overall, among other reasons. The latest speculation about battery innovations from the next Leaf actually echoes earlier leaks about the car. Ghosn suggested during a Japanese TV interview that the range could double for the new generation, and an unnamed engineer believed that 250 miles of driving was at least possible. Featured Gallery 2013 Nissan Leaf View 55 Photos News Source: TheDetroitBureau.comImage Credit: Nissan Green Nissan Technology Hatchback Electric Chevy Bolt

Nissan Altima plows under Ram pulling trailer in bizarre accident

If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to wedge a Nissan Altima underneath both a Ram pickup and a camper trailer it was towing, well, here's your confirmation. The improbable accident happened earlier this month in Virginia Beach, Va., on westbound Interstate 264. Virginia State Police tell WAVY-TV the 2011 Ram and its four occupants was pulling a travel trailer when the trailer's brakes locked up, stranding them in the second lane of traffic. That reportedly caused traffic to back up on the freeway, with troopers called to the scene for help. But the call was soon updated to a crash situation, and when police arrived on the scene, they found the white 2013 Altima wedged underneath the truck and trailer, right underneath the hitch. Police say the woman driving the Altima was trying to slow down and merge right to avoid the traffic logjam caused by the trailer when she instead rear-ended it and drove underneath it like a wedge. Which is pretty impressive when you think about it — especially since no one was hurt in the crash. The woman was reportedly using a hands-free device on a cellphone call at the time of the crash, WVEC-TV reports. No charges were filed, and she was reportedly able to free herself from the pinned Altima. Roof strength FTW! Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Meet the Nissan GT-R test driver responsible for 'Ring tuning

Ever wonder what it's like to be a manufacturer's development driver at the Nürburgring? We imagine it's pretty cool. After all, you get to spend your days zooming about the greatest racetrack on the planet in a vehicle that is usually months or more away from consumers. For Hiroyoshi Kato, whose actual title is Technical Meister, life is even better than your typical development driver, because he spends his days wringing out the Nissan GT-R Nismo around the Green Hell.
Kato-san has a long history with both Nissan and the Ring. He had a major hand in the development of the R32, R33 and R34 Skyline GT-Rs, having first come to the Ring nearly three decades ago.
His experience with the Nismo, though, is different than the other vehicles he's contributed to. As he explains it, there are real racers on hand to test the car on the track, like Formula One reserve driver Sébastien Buemi. Instead, Kato focuses on the track-to-road balance. Still, he has some truly interesting insights on the car and the track, including his surprise at turning a sub-eight-minute lap in his first outing. That, along with a few other things (one of which is an R34 being hustled about), make this a must-watch video from Nissan.