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Nissan Note
The award winning Nissan Note receives some major changes from 9 January 2009
- First fitment of ‘Nissan Connect’ – featuring touch screen audio, satellite navigation and Bluetooth®
- Exterior changes to bonnet, bumpers and headlights
- New alloy wheel designs
- New interior trims and exterior colour choice
- 1.5dCi engine CO2 level reduced to 119g/km
- All prices reduced - Visia now £9,795
Nissan Note
Note is the first vehicle in the Nissan range to introduce ‘Nissan Connect’ - a 2DIN fully integrated audio and satellite navigation system. It uses a touch screen display for ease of use and a full digital music connectivity package with built in CD/radio, iPod gateway, aux-in (3.5mm jack), USB connection and Bluetooth® using A2DP streaming audio profile. A2DP allows music to be played through your car audio taken from your Bluetooth®-enabled MP3 player or phone without the need for external cables.
The satellite navigation system can display the road map in either 2D or 3D formats and includes both a gyro sensor and speed sensor. These help to quickly identify the direction of travel, which speeds up any re-directions if a turning is missed and adjusts the estimated time of arrival.
Nissan Connect will be fitted as standard on Tekna and as a £400 option on the Acenta but this is not the only change taking place in the interior.
The combi-meter has been redesigned for improved visibility and the interior trims have been changed to give each grade a different feel. The useful flexi-board boot storage system, enabling taller items to be fitted in the boot or allowing items to be stored away out of sight, now has a vertical position to help prevent items moving out of place whilst driving.
Outside the front gets a new nose with a reshaped bonnet, bumper, streamlined headlights and a shiny black finish to the grille. Both 15 and 16 inch alloys are all new designs for the Acenta and Tekna respectively. Move to the rear and the tail lights have been darkened for a more refined look plus the Tekna gets reversing sensors incorporated into the bumper. Completing the new exterior look is an additional colour choice of Safari Gold.
The engine line-up continues with the proven reliability of the 1.4, 1.6 petrol and 1.5dCi power units. However, improvements to the emission levels have enabled the 1.5dCi to emit a CO2 level of just 119g/km and a pump friendly 62.8mpg. The 1.4 petrol unit produces 139g/km of CO2 with a more than respectable 47.9mpg. And by having a CO2 level of below 140g/km means they join an elite group of Nissan vehicles wearing ‘Pure Drive’ badges*. The 1.6 petrol remains available with the choice of both manual and automatic gearboxes.
Revised models with additional equipment normally means a hike in price but not this time, in fact they have been reduced, with the entry level Visia coming in at £450 less than the outgoing model. A 2009 Note can now be yours for as little as £9,795 on the road. It’s not short on equipment either as it comes with CD player, MP3 jack, 15 inch wheels, rear sliding seat, front electric windows, four airbags and three rear headrests. Manual air conditioning is available as a £500 option.
Acenta models starts at £11,345 (OTR) for the 1.6 engine and feature 15 inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, leather covered steering wheel, speed limiter, flexi-board storage system, front and rear electric windows, remote audio controls, six airbags, Bluetooth® and electric heated mirrors. Nissan Connect, with all the satellite navigation touch screen features, can be added for an additional £400.
Top of the range Tekna comes in at £13,695 (OTR) for the 1.6 power unit and the extra luxury provides Nissan Connect, rear parking sensors, 16 inch alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, part leather seats, electric folding door mirrors, ESP, rear privacy glass, rain sensing wipers and interior chrome detailing.
The equipment list does not end there as there are a range of accessories that can be used to personalise your vehicle. These include trunk finisher and mirror caps finished in chrome, bonnet deflector, bumper protection kits and tailor made floor mats.
Running costs, security and safety are always a strong consideration for vehicles in this price bracket and Note does not fall short with low insurance groups starting from 4E, or 10E if using the 50 point set, with E standing for ‘exceeding’ the security standard set by Thatcham. Plus with a 4 star NCAP rating for adult occupancy you are assured of some of the best protection, should it be required.
NISSAN GT-R
UPDATED NISSAN GT-R FOR EUROPE
- Engine power increase – up to 485PS (+5PS)
- Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tyres confirmed as standard fit
- ‘Storm White’ (Pearl) replaces original pearl white exterior colour
- Gun Metal RAYS Alloy wheels now fitted to GT-R and Premium editions
- Black RAYS alloy wheels for Black Edition
- Price now increased for all new orders (from 8 December 2008)
Nissan GT-R
The GT-R’s hand-built 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo engine has gained 5PS thanks to some fine tuning of its electronics, taking power output to 485PS, while torque remains unchanged at 588Nm. Additionally, Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tyres will be fitted as standard. The tyre was developed specifically for the GT-R and it combines grip and durability, as demonstrated during its ‘time-attack’ lap of the Nurburgring, which yielded a time of 7 minutes 29 seconds. And, just to improve the ride performance even further a modification has been carried out to the suspension spring rate settings.
Another update sees the introduction of the Gun Metal grey coloured Rays seven-spoke alloy wheel design for the standard and Premium Edition GT-Rs, while the Black Edition will be fitted with the same design but, appropriately, in black. Additionally, customers can now choose a new pearl white called ‘Storm’ as an exterior colour – an eye-catching, deep white replacing the original pearl white which had a slightly darker shade.
For customers ordering now, the price of the GT-R will increase by £1995 and start from £56,795 on the road with a further £1300 for the Premium Edition (£58,095) and another £1300 for the Black Edition (£59,395). This represents an overall increase of 3.8 percent.
Deliveries of the GT-R will begin in April through a network of Nissan High Performance Centres, where customers will have contact with highly-trained staff who share their enthusiasm for the GT-R’s unique blend of accessible performance, striking design and state-of-the-art technology.
To date, Nissan has taken in excess of 2500 customer orders in Europe with 1200 coming from the UK. Any new customer orders should expect delivery in mid 2010.
Nissan 370Z
Nissan 370Z: More Agile, More Compact, More Enjoyable
Nissan 370Z
In the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since its re-introduction in 2003, the new 370Z now sports a shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, new engine with more horsepower and a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, as well as the world’s first synchronised down/up shift rev control system for the manual transmission.
But to get the full measure of the new model, now designated the Nissan 370Z, one need look no farther than the subtle upswept line of the new rear quarter window. Quintessentially Z, the window is reminiscent of the original 1970 240Z – a car that revolutionised the sports car world with its unique combination of performance, style and, especially, value. The new 370Z continues this philosophy, offering accessible performance, true sports car handling and athletic, agile design.
“The fresh character of the Nissan 370Z is immediately apparent in the crisp new exterior design, which is sportier yet still immensely identifiable as a Z,” said Pierre
Loing, Nissan’s European Vice President for Product Planning. “The new 370Z builds on the best features of both the first and last generation’s Z–cars – respectful but not retro, simple yet sophisticated, and unmistakeably Z.”
The New Exterior: More athletic, more muscular, 100% Z
The 2009 370Z’s dynamic new styling offers dual benefits – a more aggressive appearance and a lighter, tighter structure for enhanced performance. The new Z’s wheelbase is nearly 100mm shorter than the previous generation Z (2550mm versus 2650mm), accomplished by moving the rear wheels forward in the 2nd generation FM platform, while overall length is reduced by 70mm (4250mm versus 4320mm). At the same time, the overall width has been increased by 33mm and the rear track by 55mm.
The more compact exterior dimensions and expanded use of lightweight materials help reduce weight, while at the same time the body structure has been extensively reinforced, improving rigidity.
Along with its new structure and stance, the 370Z has a taut new skin – one that looks completely new, yet completely Z. The exterior design incorporates intentional 240Z styling cues, a sleek aerodynamic shape, a ‘dynamic motion’ feel with a dramatic cantilevered roof (with Nissan GT-R styling cues) and a ‘low visual gravity’.
The 370Z’s sleek silhouette is defined by its upswept quarter window design that is echoed by the dynamic upward curvature in the lower rocker panel and the sense of the taut sheet metal moulding itself around the wheels and frame. Attention to detail and functionality is evident throughout the exterior design, including the addition of a turn indicator integrated into the Z logo mounted between the front wheel and door.
370Z Interior: putting the driver at the heart of the action
The interior design of the new 370Z continues the Z tradition of enhancing driving pleasure, no matter what the road or traffic conditions offer. Additionally, particular attention has been paid to the quality of the material, as well as the fit and finish.
The traditional 2-seat layout is built around a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length centre console separating the driver and passenger’s seat. In the rear is an open luggage area with enhanced storage and accessibility.
The information layer provides enhanced visibility with easy access to all key data. The gauges are once again attached to the steering column, so the driver doesn’t have to choose between the perfect steering wheel position and visibility of the gauges.
Interior packaging is also enhanced from the previous generation, including the removal of the rear strut brace (replaced with less intrusive structural reinforcements) and by adding a new ‘shelf’ area behind the seats, creating an ideal area for storing briefcases. A retractable cover is standard on the 370Z and a locking glove compartment has been added.
Life on board has been improved thanks to the addition of an engine start and stop button, larger diameter dials and thanks to the use of premium-feel material on seats, armrest and door trims (depending on grade).
3.7-litre engine: the Z’s heart and soul
As its new moniker suggests, the new 370Z is now powered by a 3.7-litre VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift). Along with its larger displacement, the new engine gives better power delivery all the way to the 7,000rpm redline, improved low-end power and more high-end torque, creating an entirely new driving experience. Approximately 35 percent of the engine’s parts are new, versus the previous design. Power is rated at 331PS, while torque is 366Nm. Engine output figures for Europe are subject to homologation.
The new engine is backed by a choice of two new advanced transmissions, both designed to improve driver performance. The newly improved close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox includes the world’s first synchronised down/up shift rev control system, which allows drivers of any skill level to experience perfectly smooth gear shifts every time. The ‘Synchro Rev Control’ function automatically adjusts engine speed when changing gear to the exact speed of the next gear position, essentially ‘blipping’ the throttle to smooth out any down/up shifts.
“This exciting new Z represents the essence of the Nissan brand, just as the original 240Z did nearly 40 years before,” said Loing. “It provides passionate performance at an excellent value – just what was needed then and just what sports car enthusiasts are looking for today.”