2013 Nissan Altima

Who else is excited to see the new 2013 Nissan Altima out on our lot?

2012 Nissan Cube

The innovative Nissan cube® enters its fourth year of availability in 2012 with its standout styling again giving it a unique place in the automotive world – with an asymmetrical rear window, refrigerator-style rear door, space for five in its lounge-like interior (or 58 cubic feet of cargo room with rear seats folded), and more than 40 accessories to help buyers customize cube to their precise tastes and needs.

Enhancement for 2012 include the addition of a new 1.8 S Indigo Limited Edition, which offers 15-inch split 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels, Black/Indigo cloth seat trim, Nissan Intelligent Key® with illuminated Push Button Ignition, Nissan Navigation System with 5-inch touch screen and XM NavTraffic® capability (XM® subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor, six upgraded speakers, Rockford Fosgate 8-inch subwoofer and amplifier, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately), and USB connection port for iPod® and other compatible devices.

Other 2012 changes include the addition of the Nissan Intelligent Key® as standard equipment on SL models and an attached front passenger seat armrest on S and SL models. Five new exterior colors will also be offered for 2012 – Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Cayenne Red and Bali Blue.

The front-wheel drive cube® is built on Nissan’s proven B-platform and is offered with a standard 122-horsepower 1.8-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine and a choice of Nissan’s advanced, smooth shifting Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission) or 6-speed manual transmission. The cube provides excellent fuel efficiency of 31 mpg Highway with the CVT transmission.

Cube’s roomy interior is designed as an inviting social space for up to five passengers, with comfortable front seating and a three-position sliding, reclining theater-style rear seat. Unique interior features include asymmetrical Fine Vision gauges, “Water Drop” interior accents and detachable multi-purpose hooks.

Available cube technology includes the Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, Rockford Fosgate subwoofer with six upgraded speakers, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor and Interface System for iPod®.

Among the individual accessories offered are a unique 20-color interior accent lighting kit, a shag dash topper, aerodynamic body kit and unique wheels.

The 2012 Nissan cube is available in three well-equipped models: cube 1.8, cube 1.8 S and cube 1.8 SL.

Highlights of the 2012 Nissan cube include:

Body

• 99.6-inch wheelbase, 156.7-inch length, 66.7-inch width, 65.0-inch height
• 58.1-inch front track/58.3-inch rear track
• Unique design with wheels pushed out to the corners, high-visibility near-vertical A-pillars, large window areas with “photo frame” front windows and iconic asymmetrical rear “wraparound” window
• Wide door openings, refrigerator-style left-hand hinged rear door
• Multi-reflector halogen headlights, fixed roof antenna
• Body-color bumpers and door handles
• Eight exterior colors: new-for-2012 colors Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Cayenne Red and Bali Blue, along with previously available colors Sapphire Black, Golden Ginger, and Bitter Chocolate

Engine and Driveline

• Front engine/front-wheel drive
• Nissan “B” platform
• 1.8-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine, rated at 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque (50-state emissions)
• Available Nissan Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission)
• Available 6-speed manual transmission

Suspension, Steering and Braking

• Independent front strut with coil springs and stabilizer bar
• Torsion-beam rear axle with integrated stabilizer bar
• Vehicle-speed-sensing electric power-assisted steering
• Power-assisted vented front disc/rear drum brakes
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
• Standard 15-inch steel wheels with covers, P195/60R15 all-season tires
• Available 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P195/55R16 tires

Interior Features

• A unique mix of fashion and functionality
• Roomy, comfortable “lounge” interior with wide front bucket seats
• Sliding and reclining 2nd row “sofa style” theater layout bench seat
• “Floating meter pod” instrument panel with large diameter Fine Vision gauges
• “Water Drop” interior accents (headliner, controls, cupholders, door speakers)
• Available “witty” details and accessories including “Front Door Bungees,” detachable multi-hook holder and console pockets
• Power door locks with auto-locking feature
• Power windows with one-touch up/down driver’s window
• Remote Keyless Entry system
• Adjustable front seat belt upper anchors
• Front door map pockets, six cupholders and five bottle holders
• Available Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition
• Available Interface System for iPod®
• Available Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
• Available Rockford Fosgate subwoofer and amplifier with six upgraded speakers
• Available RearView Monitor
• Available XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately)
• Wide range of available interior accessories, including 20-color interior accent lighting kit, shag dash topper, and body color-matching interior appliqués

Safety and Security

• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS)
• Seat-mounted driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags
• Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection
• Front-seat Active Head Restraints
• 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
• Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones
• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
• Child safety rear door locks
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Models and Manufacturing

• Offered in three well-equipped models: 1.8, 1.8 S and 1.8 SL
• Assembled by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., in Oppama, Japan

See more about the 2012 Cube at: http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/at-a-glance-2012-nissan-cube

GT Academy Winner to Race Valentino Rossi at Monza

Nissan's most recent GT Academy winner, Jann Mardenborough, starts his first full season as a professional racing driver this weekend at the temple of speed itself: Monza. The 20 year-old British racer will take on the dauntingly fast Monza track in the new Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3.
The No.35 GT Academy Team RJN car will be up against some stiff competition this weekend from brands such as Audi, Aston Martin, BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes and Porsche.

The extra twist is that one of the Ferrari 458s will be raced by none other than nine-time world motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi. This means that Jann has gone from entering GT Academy as a total beginner to racing Rossi in just one year.
"Il Doctore" won't be Jann's main focus at Monza though. He is there to do a job for his team and get the best possible result, along with his teammates Alex Buncombe and Chris Ward. First on his job list is to learn the Monza track.
"I've never even been to Monza before let alone raced there," said Jann. "I've driven it on the PlayStation so I know which way the corners go and I can't wait to get out there for real. Monza has incredible history and I really hope I can grab a moment to go and check out the old banking that the F1 cars raced on in years gone by."

"Qualifying will be important for us as the start of the race is going to be very hectic with over 55 GT3 cars thundering down into Turn One," he continued. "The GT-R has very good high speed stability and fantastic brakes so I hope we can go out there and get a great result. We want to do well in this championship so we need to do a good solid job and not take any big risks."
It's one year since Jann entered the Nissan PlayStation GT Academy and it has been a whirlwind of a year for him on Nissan's driver development program.

"It's the best feeling ever being a professional racing driver," said Jann. "Just hearing the GT-R start up at a race weekend makes me smile and chuckle to myself. I still can't believe it!"
Is he fazed by the great Rossi?
"I don't know too much about bikes but I know he is the guy to beat on them. Actually I need to get his autograph for a friend of mine."

Source: http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/channels/us-united-states-nissan-motorsports/releases/gt-academy-winner-to-race-valentino-rossi-at-monza

2013 Nissan Altima Debut Heralds Class-Leading 38 MPG

The all-new 2013 Nissan Altima made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show to a standing room only crowd of media during opening press day. Soon, headlines would feature news of Nissan's stylish, innovative new vehicle offering class-leading fuel efficiency as a stand-out among the crowded and competitive mid-size sedan segment.
"This new Altima builds on the fundamental reputation earned over four generations for quality and reliability -- and adds class-leading levels of value, innovation, dynamic performance and premium style," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.
Among the 2013 Altima's many attributes are a targeted best-in-segment fuel economy of 38 mpg highway (2.5-liter engine), new premium exterior styling with a strong presence and excellent aerodynamics, an upscale interior with premium materials, and an outstanding balance of ride comfort, stability and a fun-to-drive demeanor with projected best-level acceleration.
The 2011 calendar year was the sixth consecutive year of market share gains for Nissan in the U.S., with the Altima ranking as the second best-selling car in the U.S. The Altima goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in June at a starting MSRP of $21,500.

Watch the video! At: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLm1zDFgsRw&feature=youtu.be

Find the news at: http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/2013-nissan-altima-debut-heralds-class-leading-38-mpg

Nissan Envisions Cars Communicating With Cars To Eliminate Crashes

On the heels of the 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan being awarded a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Nissan’s Bob Yakushi spoke with the Media Center about the future of product safety.

Yakushi discusses a collaborative relationship with other OEMs that is studying a vehicle-to-vehicle, or vehicle-to-infrastructure, communication system – all with the goal of achieving a zero-accident vision for the future.


Q1: What is Nissan’s vision for the future of safety, with regard to vehicle development?

A1: Nissan has a vision of ultimately having no accidents and no fatalities. And so to accomplish that type of ultimate goal, we have Nissan’s Safety Shield. This concept addresses normal driving when a risk hasn’t appeared, a risk has appeared, a pre-collision risk, the collision itself, and then post-collision. And so, what we are doing is trying to individually address all of these areas with different types of technologies and features on our vehicles.

For example, we have forward collision warning, we have lane departure prevention and lane-departure warning, we have a blind spot intervention and also now back-up intervention on a vehicle. So, by applying these different technologies, we can form different layers around the vehicle to help mitigate the risk of crash and the risk to passengers and drivers.


Q2: Where’s the next breakthrough for vehicles and safety?

A2: For the last 25 years we’ve been focused on passive safety – our zone body construction, multiple airbags to help mitigate and reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Where are headed is how to try to avoid the risk of a crash. So, in that area we have looked at vehicle dynamic control, many of the advanced technologies, such as forward collision warning, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, rear collision intervention. But, ultimately what we want to do is be very predictive.

How can we do that? Well, how about cars talking to cars, vehicle-to-vehicle communications. As we move in that direction, ultimately this type of communication between vehicles can help mitigate and reduce the risk of injury. We are working pre-competitively with other OEMs to develop a vehicle-to-vehicle, or vehicle-to-infrastructure type communication system to help go toward that zero accident vision that NISSAN has.


Q3: We’ve heard a lot about back-up cameras – but, really, they aren’t a safety aid, can you explain?

A3: Rear-view monitors that we have equipped on our vehicles are not meant as a safety device. They are intended to be used as a parking aid to help you get into that tight parking space or to look for a fixed object you might run into. For dynamic situations such as people or animals moving in and out of the rear area around your vehicle, that environment changes very quickly. You shouldn’t just rely on that rear-view monitor but you should be checking to see what is around you so you can safely back up your vehicle.


Q4: Summer will be here soon, and people will be on the roads traveling, what are the top three things we can do to ensure safety for our passengers and other travelers?

A4: Spring is coming up, summer is coming up and one of the most important thing you can do when you go on vacation or a trip is wear your seat belt. And that is a primary restraint system in your vehicle and really, airbags are supplemental to help you in the event of a crash. So, wear your seat belt all the time, don’t text on your phone – that is a distraction and against the law now in a number of U.S. states.

When it comes to your most precious cargo, your children or other children, make sure they are properly restrained in a child-safety restraint system appropriate for their age, size and weight. Remember, wear your seat belt, don’t text when you are driving and the obvious one, don’t drink and drive.
Nissan USA

NISSAN VERSA SEDAN EARNS TOP SAFETY PICK FROM IIHS

Today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan a “Top Safety Pick” rating. The rating is given to vehicles that achieve the Institute’s highest rating of “Good” for front, rear and side impact protection, earn a “Good” rating in the roof strength test and are equipped with electronic stability control.

“Nissan remains committed to the highest levels of safety and innovation, as is reflected in the Nissan Versa Sedan receiving the Top Safety Pick from IIHS,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. “The 2012 Versa provides customers with a remarkable level of value, comfort and security for an MSRP starting under $11,000.”

Every 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan comes equipped with six standard air bags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution, Brake Assist and Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System.
Nissan USA

Nissan LEAF Blazes New Trail for Bluegrass Underground

“I just can’t be happy since you went away…”
Bluegrass legend Del McCoury is crooning one of his classic laments, as a video camera on a 20-foot jib swoops over the stage and across an enthusiastic audience.

“…I keep searching for happiness, though it seems I never win.”

McCoury has been performing since the 1960s and has sung this song countless times before. But, this time, it’s different.

He is more than 300 feet underground with a full TV production crew, a dozen other musical acts and 500 of his closest friends. They are taping a new season of “Bluegrass Underground,” sponsored on PBS by Nissan, on location in the Cumberland Caverns of Warren County, TN.

The video, lighting and sound gear required for this production can’t be hand carried into the cave. Vehicles are needed to traverse a long, constricted dirt passageway with steep inclines. But, off-road four-wheelers pollute the still air of this unique environment.

“Bluegrass Underground” producer Todd Mayo observed that it took 3 million years for nature to form the Cumberland Caverns, and now that it is being filled with music, it is important to be “in harmony” with the world down there.

“Bringing combustible engines into the cave to get the gear and our artists into the cave has been a problem,” said Mayo. “Now we have a solution.”

The 100% all-electric Nissan LEAF is an answer because it emits no emissions for the cave or the performers to absorb, and for the crew and audience to inhale. Carrying McCoury into the cave for his performance, the LEAF traverses the rock passageways with only inches of clearance on each side and, in spots, above. With an incredulous smile, McCoury describes his trip underground as the strangest ride of his life and praised the LEAF’s handling.

Sara Schaffer, a bassist for the David Mayfield Parade, had not ridden in an electric car before, not to mention underground.

“It makes it a lot easier for all of us to breath which is cool, and I like it better than the four wheelers because of the (lack of) noise,” said Schaffer. “You could be slipping in and out with people not even noticing. It’s really neat.”

Violet lights bathe the rock walls all around as the Del McCoury Band performs its American roots style of music.

“If you don’t want me,” sings McCoury, banjo and fiddle galloping in pace with his old guitar, “I’ll dry my tears and move on.”

Cumberland Caverns once stored civil war gunpowder. Moonshiners have used it, and now an electric car moves musicians and equipment in and out of this historic monument.

And, earlier, as McCoury stepped out of the LEAF and marveled at the ancient environment into which it brought him to perform, he had mused about this unexpected experience: “Guess only my music stays the same.”

Nissan USA