Nissan COTY Trophy for leaf 2011

Now, before someone adds a comment of the sort "in other related news, Audi unveiled the new A6", let us make it clear that we're not reporting on the actual Car of the Year (COTY) 2011 results, which were announced in late November 2010, but on the special ceremony that took place at the Pavillion Gabriel in Paris earlier this week to hand over the trophy to this year's winner, the new Nissan Leaf.
The trophy was received by Nissan Motor Co.'s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who of course, was extremely happy with the results.
"It is a great honor for Nissan LEAF to be recognized as the European Car of the Year - the first all-electric car to receive this distinction, " said Mr. Ghosn. "Like previous Car of the Year winners, Nissan LEAF is an appealing, competitive car, with no compromise on style, features, safety, performance or handling. Yet it stands apart as an innovative car that reflects a clear vision of the future of transportation - a vision of sustainable mobility."

Speaking at the ceremony Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury said: "I am convinced that we will see other electric cars named Car of the Year in the future. But when we do, we must always remember that only one can be the first. And that is why Nissan LEAF Car of the Year 2011 is - and will remain - so very special," said Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury, speaking at the ceremony.
You can view the results in detail here, but we'll remind you that the 58 jury members from 23 European countries placed the all-electric Nissan Leaf in first place with 257 points, followed by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta with 248 points and the Opel Meriva small MPV with 244 points. This is the second time Nissan has won the COTY, the first being in 1993 with the Micra, which became the first ever Japanese model to win the accolade. 

photos 

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Nissan Announces Nine Models for Tokyo Auto Salon

At the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon 2011 with NAPAC (Japan Car Parts and Aftermarket Promotion Association), to be held from January 14 to 16, Nissan, together with Autech Japan and its in-house NISMO performance division, will premiere a total of nine vehicles.
Highlights will include the zero-emission LEAF Aero Style Concept equipped with a futuristic looking bodykit and matching alloy wheel designs, and a special version of the Juke fitted with exterior accessories designed for the European and North American market models.
Autech Japan will showcase three vehicles, including the Elgrand Rider Premium Concept, which is the JDM version of the N.A. Quest minivan, the customized Serena Rider and the March-Based Bolero (Micra for those outside Japan).
Finally, NISMO will present its new production race car, the GT-R RC, alongside the tuned 355HP Fairlady Z (370Z) and the GT-R racecar that competed in the 2010 SUPER GT series.

 photos

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Nissan Leaf Car of the year 2011

The Nissan Leaf was named 2011 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show, taking the top spot ahead of the BMW 5-Series and the Audi A8. It is the second important award for the Japanese automaker’s all-electric car after being voted 2011 European Car of the Year.
Here's how the World Car Awards jurors justified their vote:
“The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan. This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world's first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car. It has a range of over 100 miles on a full charge claims Nissan, takes around 8 hours to recharge using 220-240V power supply and produces zero tailpipe emissions. Its low center of gravity produced sharp turn-in with almost no body roll and no understeer. The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter.”
Launched in 2004, the World Car of the Year competition assesses cars with the help of a panel of automotive journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.
“This accolade recognizes Nissan LEAF, a pioneer in zero-emission mobility, as comparable in its driving performance, quietness and superb handling to gas-powered cars,” said Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn. “And it validates Nissan’s clear vision and the values of sustainable mobility that we want to offer to customers around the world.”
Currently available in Japan, the United States and select European markets, the Leaf will be launched in other global markets in 2012. The EV is built at Nissan’s Oppama plant in Japan, with U.S. and UK manufacturing to follow in late 2012 and early 2013 respectively (in Smyrna, Tennessee and Sunderland).

GALLERY

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2012 Nissan Versa

It looks like the Chinese market Nissan Sunny, revealed in December 2010, to the North American 2012 Versa, was spot on, as these photos clearly prove. Nissan’s new entry in the affordable small sedan segment is a very awkward looking proposal (to say the least…), which probably stems from the fact the Versa / Sunny is based on the Micra’s V-platform architecture, hence the odd proportions of the body.
“The new Versa Sedan stands out as the only expensive looking car in the segment – with a lot of eye power,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America.
“Its sculpted, dynamic proportions are modern without being gimmicky, projecting a much higher sense of design value than you might expect in a vehicle with a $10,990 starting M.S.R.P."
We’ll disagree with Castignetti assessment on the Versa’s exterior, but feel free to express your own opinion in the comments section below. Now, moving on to the interior, the Versa’s dashboard appears to be lifted straight off the Micra supermini with only some minor changes to the instrument panel layout and the switchgear.
While retaining the same 102.4-inch wheelbase and 66.7-inch width as the previous generation Versa Sedan, Nissan’s newcomer is 1.2 inches lower in height (59.6 inches) and 0.6 inches shorter in overall length (175.4 inches). According to Nissan, the Versa has more legroom than some mid and large size sedans such as the Lexus LS460, BMW 5-series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class., while offering a trunk volume of 14.8 cubic feet.
Power for the new Versa comes via a second-generation 1.6-liter HR16DE 4-cylinder engine rated at 109 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Buyers can choose between a 5-speed manual transmission (1.6 S model only) and a next-generation Xtronic CVT transmission.
Nissan says fuel economy for the 2012 Versa Sedan is estimated at 30 mpg City, 37 mpg Highway and 33 mpg combined with the CVT transmission, and 27/36/30 mpg with the 5-speed manual gearbox.
As mentioned previously, the 2012 Versa Sedan will be priced from $10,990 (about €7,700 at the current exchange rates), with sales set to start in the summer.

GALLERY

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America's Top 10 Selling Vehicles in 2010

The U.S. auto sales numbers for 2010 are out and once again, Ford's F-Series pickup truck has been crowned the best-selling vehicle of the year, a title which it has held for 34 years in a row. According to Autodata Corp., the Dearborn-based brand moved 528,349 units of its F-150 light-duty and F-250, F-350 and F-450 heavy-duty trucks in 2010, recording an impressive increase of 27,7 per cent over 2009.

The Chevrolet Silverado took second place with 370,135 units, or some 158,000 less than the F-Series. Sales of GM's pickup truck were up 16,9 per cent from the previous year.
Despite Toyota's recall debacle, the Camry finished third overall earning the title of the best-selling passenger car in the States with 327,804 units, posting an 8.1 per cent drop from 2009. The Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla followed in fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Overall, U.S. automakers had four vehicles on the Top 10 list, while Japanese carmakers took six spots. For more details check out the complete list below that includes percentage changes from 2009. 

1. Ford F-Series------------- 528,349 (+27.7%)
2. Chevrolet Silverado ------370,135 (+16.9 %
3. Toyota Camry ------------327,804 (-8.1 %)
4. Honda Accord-------------282,530 (-1.7 %)
5. Toyota Corolla------------ 266,082 (-10.4 %)
6. Honda Civic---------------260,218 (+0.2 %)
7. Nissan Altima-------------229,263 (+12.6 %)
8. Ford Fusion---------------219,219 (+21.3 %)
9. Honda CR-V-------------- 203,714 (+6.5 %)
10. Dodge Ram-------------- 199,652 (+12.6 %)

 











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