[Youtube]

When it comes to straight-line acceleration, there are a few (if any...) street-legal cars in this world that can compete with the VW Group's 1,100-horsepower-strong Bugatti Veyron 16.4 supercar.
As you can see in this video that was most likely shot in Russia, even a pair of heavily-modified Nissan GT-Rs tuned to churn out some 730HP (or so it is claimed) are having a hard time keeping up with the Veyron. Of course, the Bugatti costs as much as two-dozen or so Nissan GT-Rs, but that's another tale for another time... For now, follow the jump to watch the clip.

[autonews]

[Autoblog]

There's only so much that can be said about a drag race between a Nissan GT-R and the Lexus LFA. It's a traditional competition pitting Japan's two Euro-fighting high-tech supercars against each other in an attempt to figure out which one is faster in the quarter mile.

No matter who's faster, the better buy should be clear. At a $300,000+ price gap, it won't be hard to figure it out; on the other hand, exclusivity has no price.

Thankfully, Motor Trend showed us how the duel would play out. While informative, it ain't Top Gear with the Jezza. To watch it through Motor Trend's eyes, check it out after the break.

[Scoop]

Nissan said on Tuesday it will recall close to 135,000 Infiniti G35 sedans and coupes to address a glitch with a wiring harness connecting the belt tension sensor (BTS) and the occupant detection sensor (ODS) control unit under the front passenger seat that may prevent the passenger airbag from deploying in a crash.

The affected models are G35 sedans manufactured from March 29, 2004 through August 25, 2006, and G35 Coupes built between April 1, 2004 and May 30, 2007.

Even though the Japanese automaker initiated the voluntary recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website that Infiniti's parent company Nissan has yet to provide the agency with a fix or a notification schedule.

For more information, Infiniti owners can contact the company directly at 1-800-662-6200.

[Autonews]

Automobile sales in the U.S. market bounced back resoundingly last month with Ford, Nissan and Chrysler posting the biggest gains.

Vehicle retail sales were up 20 % in the United States for the month of April. Industry sales totaled 982,302 units for the month, up from 819,692 for April of last year. That figure means a seasonally adjusted rate of 11.5 million unit sales for the year - an encouraging indicator but still well below the more than 16 million unit highs seen in the middle of the last decade.

Ford saw its sales rise 25%, with a sharp increase (42%t) in its F-Series pickup truck range and a 41% jump for its Escape SUV. Chrysler also had a 25% increase in sales, the first time it has seen a double-digit gain in five years. Nissan had one of the highest gains in the industry with a 35% jump.

But the benefits of higher sales were had by almost all automakers - with Subaru boosting sales by a whopping 48% and VW Group (including Audi) experiencing a much needed bump of 39%.

Even Toyota, plagued recently by recall problems and a federal fine for not reporting them on time, saw a rise in sales of 24% - driven by incentives the automaker has had to provide customers in order to maintain its market share.

[WCF]

It started when a Nissan R35 GTR owner in New England wanted to make the 1725 kg (3800 lbs) car more track-friendly.

To reduce weight Switzer fitted the R35 GTR with AP carbon rotors, a lighter ceramic-coated titanium exhaust system, a dry-carbon deck-lid, and lightweight Bride sports seats - lightening the car by 90 kg (200 lbs).Switzer said the client wanted a car that both he and his wife could drive on public roads and go out to dinner with while still making excellent times on the track.

So the car was sent to Ohio tuner Switzer Performance who had decided to take on the challenge.Also added for improved performance were an adjustable JRZ suspension system, tighter adjustable sway-bars, a diffuser for the undercarriage and an active wing provided by Aeromotions.Tym Switzer and his team took the Super Silver 2010 GTR and added their own components, which included new intercoolers, intakes and turbochargers and boosted the car's power rating to 800 hp (597 kW) and 948 Nm (700 lb-ft) of torque.Switzer's P800 upgrading package is now available for everyone via its network of dealers. 

[CS]

Nissan may have dropped the Quest from its 2010 lineup, but the minivan is set to get a second chance in life with the release of an all-new model that is set to go on sale in early 2011. The Japanese firm teased the next-generation model with a somewhat cryptic photo and a 'Spartan' press release that you can check out after the jump.


From Nissan Press Release:


"The next-generation Nissan Quest presents a new paradigm in family mobility.
Along with top levels of quality and reliability, the all-new design is a fusion of sophistication, security and thoughtful utility for both families and empty-nesters alike.
The new Quest, which will be available in early 2011, is the perfect vehicle for buyers needing the size, safety, functionality and comfort that a minivan has to offer, without sacrificing style or driving pleasure."

[Nissan]

The almighty Nissan GT-R will be the official safety car for the 2010 and 2011 seasons of the British Superbike Championship (BSB).

The two-year-long agreement between BSB series commercial rights holder MSVR and Nissan Motor GB will see a total of fleet of twelve Nissan vehicles comprising seven different models deployed in various roles in the championship.

Aside from the two GT-R safety cars, Nissan will also provide two Qashqai+2 as medical cars, a 370Z Coupe and a 3.5 Murano as course cars for the Race Director and other track officials whilst the winners will be paraded in a Navara.

Nissan's LCV fleet will provide trackside and logistics support utilizing the NV200 and Interstar models.

[SC]

Nissan today released pricing for its U.S. market 2011 GT-R sports cars that is on sale now at selected certified retailers. For the 2011 model year, Nissan has eliminated the base model leaving the GT-R Premium as the only available version of the all-wheel drive sports car.

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Premium model is US$84,060 not including taxes, title and license fees. That's about $1,000 more than the outgoing 2010 model year GT-R Premium.

Changes for the GT-R's second update since its launch in late 2007 include a retuned suspension and strengthened rear bushes for enhanced ride comfort

Other improvement include slightly darker wheel center caps, double clear coat on the front and rear fascias and the addition of rear cooling ducts to improve cooling performance around the rear floor area.

In addition, auto on/off headlights and speed-sensitive windshield wipers, along with a USB iPod interface, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth and DVD playback, now come as standard while the navigation system now includes XM NavTraffic and NavWeather capability.

There's nothing new under the hood with the 2011 GT-R featuring the same 485-horsepower 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine hooked up to 6-speed, dual-clutch transmission, as the 2010MY.

[Autonews]

Sumo Power GT and Swiss Racing Team displayed their FIA GT1-spec Nissan GT-R race cars in final livery for the first time at a press conference that was held at the Automobile Club de France in Paris for the launch of the new-for-2010 FIA GT1 World Championship.

Both racing teams have participated in pre-season testing with Sumo Power GT attending the FIA official test at France's Paul Ricard and also conducting a private test in Spain while Swiss Racing Team have been to two FIA official tests, at the Algarve Circuit and at Paul Ricard.

The first race of the 2010 season will take place at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on April 17th. The inaugural FIA GT1 World Championship then visits another nine countries.

Nissan has released new information about the 2011 Juke crossover.
Set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the crossover will "inject some much-needed dynamism into the small car segment." While that's a bold statement, the Juke's styling seems to be fairly unique as our previous spy photos have shown.
According to Nissan's European Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Simon Thomas, "The Nissan Juke has been designed and developed to give customers an alternative to the traditional small hatchback in Europe. We know that there are a lot of customers that are looking for a car which combines striking design, agile handling and driving pleasure, user friendly technology but not at the expense of practicality and convenience. These unique attributes will allow Juke to occupy a unique corner of the European market."
Bound to slot between the Note and the Qashqai, the Juke will go on sale in Europe this fall.
Look for more information to be released on February 10th, when Nissan presents the crossover to the automotive press.
[Via:Nissan]

Following in the footsteps of Infiniti and its facelifted 2010MY G37 Sedan and Coupe models, Nissan has updated the Japanese market versions of the car that is sold under the Skyline nameplate. Both the Skyline Sedan and Coupe models receive a number of changes including an updated exterior for the Sedan and a refined interior, enhanced navigation system and new air conditioning for both body configurations.

In particular, the Skyline Sedan models receive a new grille, bumper, headlamps and fog lights up front as well as a redesigned bumper at the back and new 17-inch alloy wheel designs.

Furthermore, the sport trim levels of the Skyline Sedan (370GT Type SP, 370GT Type SP, 250GT Type S) get a new unique grille, front bumper, headlights, rear bumper and use of black trim for the inner headlamp panels.

Mechanical refinements for the sedan are limited to the introduction of the 7-speed automatic transmission with the 2-wheel drive models equipped with the 2.5-liter V6 engine. Previously, this transmission was offered only with the larger and more powerful 3.7-liter V6 engine.

Nissan has made improvements to the interiors of both the Sedan and Coupe models that benefit from a new center console trim (only automatic versions) with a reshaped armrest. Other upgrades include the use of softer materials for the for the console sides and cupholder lid, new decorative trim and minor enhancements to the instrument panel.

All 2010 Skylines receive an updated navigation system, which now offers enhanced entertainment features such as a built-in digital terrestrial broadcast tuner and USB connections for iPod and other music playback devices, as well as new air-conditioning system.

Prices for the 2010 Skyline Sedan in Japan range from 2,892,000 yen to 4,410,000 yen and for the Skyline Coupe, from 3,864,000 yen to 5,019,000 yen.
[Source:Scoop]

The 2010 model year Maxima is on sale now at Nissan dealerships across the States with prices (excluding applicable tax, title and license fees) set at $30,460 for the 3.5 S and $33,180 for the better equipped 3.5 SV. Both models are powered by a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 coupled to a CVT with available paddle shifters. Changes for the 2010MY Maxima include new wheel finishes, a standard Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System on all models and new or revised option packages that include features such as a new 7-inch color monitor and a 2GB Music Server.
Furthermore, Nissan said that the available Hard Drive Navigation System has been upgraded and now includes DVD playback capability, streaming audio via Bluetooth technology, XM NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information and XM NavWeather.

 

Shortly after releasing MSRPs on the 2010 Rogue S Krom Edition, Nissan announced pricing for another special edition model, the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition, which is scheduled to go on sale in early spring 2010. Created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the original Datsun 240Z, the special 370Z will be produced in a limited run of 1,000 units for the States with prices, including destination and handling, starting from $39,580 (that's about €26,800 for our Euro readers).

Based on the 370Z Touring model equipped with the Sport Package and six-speed manual transmission, the 40th Anniversary Edition adds a unique "40th Quartz" exterior color, special red leather-appointed interior along with red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and kneepads, smooth leather steering wheel with red stitching and a plaque of authenticity.

The smoke finished alloy wheels, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and front shock tower brace complete the package.

Like the other 370Zs, the special edition model is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 powerplant producing 332-horsepower.

Via Autoscoop