Nissan 350Z Review

skyline gtr,nissan skyline,nissan gtr,skyline gt,gt r nissan,350z,gtr skyline,nissan 350z,nissan gt,gtr nissan...........................................

A proper sports car for the everyman. If we had just one sentence to describe the Nissan 350Z, that'd be it. While there have always been plenty of unobtainable sports cars out there to drool over, the 350Z's relatively compact dimensions, rear-wheel drive, two seats, muscular engine and sharp handling came at a price that real people could actually afford.






The Nissan 350Z represented the fifth generation of "Z" sports cars from this Japanese manufacturer. At its debut in 2003, the 350Z represented a key component of Nissan's rebirth in the North American market. For much of the late '90s and early new millennium, Nissan's lineup was full of lackluster cars. The Z brought back the company's spirit of fun and performance that had been missing ever since the discontinuation of the previous 300ZX.

The 350Z coupe was replaced by the 370Z coupe for 2009, while the 350Z roadster lived on before following suit the following year. In coupe or drop-top form, the 350Z was quite popular so finding a nice example on the used car market should be relatively easy. That said, keen shoppers will want to pay close attention to the car's changes and updates that were made through the years.
The 350Z sports car bowed in 2003 as an all-new model and was produced until 2008 (coupe) and 2009 (roadster). The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut until the following year. Initially, the coupe came in base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track versions, while the roadster was limited to Enthusiast and Touring trim levels. The Track trim came with lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes, but its suspension tuning was the same as all other coupes.





In these early years, the V6 produced 287 hp and 274 lb-ft of torque. Power was sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. The Track model had the manual only. Changes were minimal in the first few years, though Nissan did release a 350Z 35th-anniversary edition in '05. This manual-transmission model produced 300 hp (but less torque) and came in three exclusive colors.

For '06, Nissan included the Anniversary Edition's 300-hp V6 for all manual-equipped cars. There were a host of other changes as well, including mildly updated styling, speed-sensitive steering, larger brakes for non-Brembo-equipped models, a higher-quality interior, more standard features and a newly available navigation system. The Performance trim level was dropped. This was also the first year for the Grand Touring trim level, which was similar to the Touring but had the Track's Brembo brakes and wheels.



For '07, Nissan fully updated the V6 for all 350Zs and it made a potent 306 hp. The Track trim level was dropped, but in its place came the coupe-only Nismo 350Z model. The Nismo model dropped many luxuries in favor of performance-enhancing upgrades, such as a stiffened, seam-welded chassis, firmer springs and shock absorbers, special wheels and various aerodynamic upgrades. Inside, each Nismo 350Z had red and black cloth seats, a gray-faced tachometer and a number plaque indicating its build order in the production run. Nismo models were also produced for the coupe's last year in 2008; the following year brought the all-new 370Z coupe. For '09, the roadster carried the 350Z flag; the following year it was replaced by the all-new 370Z roadster.




In reviews, we found the Nissan 350Z to be an engaging sports car to drive hard. The V6 pulled strongly when revved past 3,000 rpm and generated one of the most distinctive engine and exhaust-note soundtracks available (something its successor lacks). The 350Z's ability to provide serious grip through corners made it a favorite of our enthusiast editors. At the limit, the car's handling could be a bit tricky, so steady hands were required.

When employed on a daily basis, the Nissan 350Z didn't make for such a compelling companion. Road and tire noise were considerable, and the car's stiff suspension transmitted plenty of shock to its occupants when driven on rough pavement. Inside, the Z's cabin was functional but decidedly stark. Some of the interior trim was of low quality, and the luggage capacity of the roadster was compromised, even for this class of car.



Considering the 350Z's gradual improvements in features and hardware over the years, consumers interested in a used Nissan 350Z should generally try to purchase the newest year possible. Notable options to look for would be side airbags (they were optional on the coupe and not always standard on the roadster) and stability control.
http://www.edmunds.com

Read more »

Nissan Serena 3rd Generation

The most popular version was the 2.3 diesel engine version and it was unusual in that it had eight seats instead of the expected seven.

In the early nineties, Nissan produced a version with the turbocharged SR20DET to carry people very rapidly.Nissan produced many different trim levels - FX, SX etc. The 2.3 non turbo diesel was never manufactured for the Japanese market and its seating arrangement and interior fittings are not the same as the 2.0 petrol (SR20DE), 2.0 Diesel CD20 and Turbo Diesel CD20T models manufactured in Japan for the local market.


The Nissan Vanette was a series of small vans manufactured in Spain by Nissan Motors.

Read more »

Car Nissan X Trail Comfort Review

Nissan's first vehicle in India is a sporty, new-age ‘soft-roader’, an SUV designed more for on-road comfort and style than serious off-roading, and it is a good-looking, upmarket vehicle for the well-heeled. Is the X-Trail good enough to be taken seriously, or is it just a status symbol? :


The X-Trail is a rather square, conventional shape, but there are plenty of interesting details, like the wrap-up headlamps and high-set taillights, and the flared wheel-arches.It is about the same size as a Honda CR-V, but with its flat surfaces and upright stance, it looks far larger in the flesh. God is in the details for the X-Trail, which includes well-defined wheel arches, fused roof rails like in the Chevy Forester and a mesh grille. The headlights also have an interesting blue hue.

Based on Nissan's mid-size platform, the X-Trail shares its innards with the stiff Primera saloon chassis. MacPherson struts are used in front and an independent multi-link suspension that does not foul the drive shafts is used at the rear. The X-Trail may not have a low range, but it has an advanced four-wheel-drive system called ‘All Mode’. It has a fair amount of safety equipment, including airbags and Brake Assist.
 
The quirky but practical interiors are a big plus, with a central instrument pod, vast number of cubbyholes and glove boxes, and plenty of standard equipment, including heated seats. There are chilled bottle-holders, a spring-loaded cigarette case-sized box and three glove boxes.
This is an unconventional design, eschewing accepted design trends, a trait Nissan has picked up from its parent company, Renault. There’s nothing wrong with this approach, however, as it looks good, and has great ergonomics and clarity. The quality of all the materials is exceptional and the airy cabin, with its full-length sunroof, is a very special place to be in. Sadly, the power-adjusted seats are not terribly supportive, especially at the back, and can be uncomfortable over long distances. The rear backrests can be inclined, and you sit nice and high, but legroom can be cramped with a tall passenger in front.

The boot is lined with hard plastic, which can be washed easily, and it can be increased by flipping the seats forward. It has a number of cubby-holes and hooks for bags.

 
One of the best bits on the X-Trail is the superb 2.2-litre common-rail diesel motor. It pumps out an impressive 31.4kgm of torque at only 2000rpm, and performs very strongly and quietly. Vibrations are well damped, and refinement at all speeds is highly impressive.
With a useful 136bhp on tap, performance is brisk, and the X-Trail simply swallows the miles, making for an excellent highway car. The six-speed gearbox has well-chosen ratios, but is rather notchy to use.
 

The X-Trail is useful in traffic as well — there is some turbo lag, which means you have to wait a bit before you feel the full punch of the engine, but with so much torque available at very low engine speeds, it scoots very easily past traffic. Despite the X-Trail's bulk, the frugal common-rail diesel returns 11.5kpl in the city and 15.1 on the highway, which is very impressive.

Nissan has opted for long-travel suspension but a monocoque chassis, to reconcile off-road prowess with on-road refinement. With this setup, the X-Trail doesn't have a great ride, tending to pitch about and get unsettled on poor roads. However, the stiff chassis makes it a great handler through corners, and despite the vague steering and lack of ABS, it inspires confidence, even being easy to drive in the city. Visibility is good, which helps in traffic. Body roll is well contained, and the X-Trail holds its line well around corners. The only problem is heavy steering feel at low speeds in the city. The best bit is the X-Trail's off-road talent: though it is primarily a road car, it can easily keep up with better-specced SUVs in the rough.

  
The X-Trail is a hugely impressive SUV, both on the road and off it, with plenty of luxury, a superb engine, a good chassis and lots of street cred. The only real drawbacks are the hefty price tag – Rs 19-23 lakh – far lower than some SUVs but still quite steep, and the almost single-stop dealer network. There’s also the fact that the X-Trail is a complex, high-tech car, and parts are likely to be enormously expensive. If you can swallow that, there are few cars as good.

Read more »

Car Nissan Teana Review

The Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan launched its second product in India in 2007. Nissan previously, in 2004, launched the most fuel-efficient SUV in India known as the X-TRAIL. Now in an attempt to expand its hold on the Indian market, Nissan brings out the completely imported Teana from Nissan's auto plant in Japan.

Teana pools amazingly advanced technology with a streamlined body design and a powerful engine. Teana is a luxury sedan that is designed to attract stares and awe its passengers.  It holds mechanisms and parts that have been imported from Japan and the difference in road performance is noticeable. It is currently available in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Nissan expects to expand its market to other parts of India as well.

The Teana is available in a single petrol variant that is powered by a V6 engine. It is available in Luna Blue, Sapphire Black, Champagne Gold, Brilliant Silver, and White Pearl colour options. This luxury sedan is out to give tough competition to the Skoda Laura and Toyota Camry.

Under the hood of the Teana’s bonnet lies a robust and smooth 2349cc VQ23DE V6 petrol engine that has been acclaimed as one of the “Ten Best Engines” by Ward’s Auto World magazine for 13 consecutive years. This engine produces a massive power of 167.5 bhp@6000 rpm and a torque of 224 Nm@4400 rpm giving you the lightning streak pick-up on highways and clearing the roads for you in cities.

This power is coupled with a smooth shifting 4-speed Automatic Transmission that you can govern with the touch of a single finger. A Multi-Point Fuel Injection system allows for the optimal power generation in the engine, thereby improving its fuel-economy. It rides on independent struts of ball-joint type suspension in the front and multi-link type suspension in the rear which absorb all kinds of road irregularities.

The Teana comes with 16-inch tyres and aluminium alloy wheels as standard fitment and it has a revolutionary multilink suspension that smoothens out the most stubborn of bumps. Extra legroom allows you to stretch and relax while enjoying a long drive.

Luxury is just one word that can define the Teana. Its leather upholstery and 8-way electronically powered front driver’s seat will have you enjoying a relaxing drive all day long. It has a turning radius of 5.3 meters that gives you absolute control over the car. The Teana is longer than most cars in its segment and it has a wide wheelbase that improves its interior space and stability. However, it has a lower ground clearance that may make it difficult to speed over large bumps.

The wooden interiors and the stylish dashboard caress you like you would be in the lap of luxury. The cockpit is not only visually appealing but also carefully designed to deliver ultimate convenience and ease of use to the driver and all passengers concerned. The information console provides you with complete visual confirmation of air conditioning settings, outside temperature, audio system and time, as well as it allows you to monitor the drive computer. A well designed visual instrumentation with high-contrast white illumination assures maximum visibility. The large speedometer is further enhanced by a silver-coloured ring that cannot escape your notice. A one-of-its-kind rear power sunshade keeps the sunlight and glare away from rear passengers without blocking the driver's rear vision while also maintaining the temperature you set within the cabin of the car. The boot consists of 476 litres of space that will not keep you wanting.
 

The Teana’s exterior is a balance of beauty and elegance. It has wheel arches that fit perfectly over the wheels and add to its aura of sophistication. It has high-projector headlamps, designed to light up the road, placed on either side of a stylish chrome grill. It also consists of high mounted LED rear stop lamps and LED rear lamps that will make sure that you catch everyone’s eye when you decide to break. All wheel disc brakes along with ABS and EBD make sure that you have control of the car even in unforeseeable circumstances.

Teana is designed to absorb impact. It features crushable zones and a safety restraint zone that work together with multiple Supplemental Restraint System airbags to avoid or reduce injuries, in case of an accident. Wearing seatbelts at all times is advisable. In a collision, active head restraints instantly move forward to support the head and reduce impact on the neck.

Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, drive computer, twin exhaust, 8-way electrically powered driver’s seat, 4-way electrically powered front passenger’s seat, powered rear sun shade, active head rests, and 6 CD changer with 6 audio speakers.

Read more »

Car Nissan Maxima Review

The  Nissan Maxima has a difficult task, as it's meant to be a premium luxury sedan at the same time that it offers affordable family-sedan utility. It's no wonder that this car is a good-news, not-much-bad-news proposition. First the good news. This is a very nice car with powerful, refined performance, a well-trimmed cabin and plenty of high-tech luxury features. Sporting nearly 300 horsepower, the Maxima can show its taillights to pricier, entry-level luxury cars while its well-developed chassis offers a nice balance between sporty handling and a nice ride. Within the cabin, you'll find a well-designed interior with excellent materials. The optional, easily mastered navigation system is virtually identical to what you'll find within various models offered by Nissan's upscale Infiniti division, and the iPod integration is one of the best ones out there. With pricing in the mid-$30,000 range for a fairly loaded example, the Maxima gets you a lot of car -- in some cases, more than you'd get from luxury sedans costing thousands more. The semi-bad news? You're not going to get the prestige that some people want when they're spending $30-40K on a car, even if it's just a base model of a premium brand nameplate. Other choices you might want to consider include the Acura TSX and TL, Hyundai Genesis and Volkswagen CC, which are all in the Maxima's price range. Like the Maxima, they have nice interiors and a good value proposition, yet they mostly lack the Maxima's fun-to-drive nature. And of course you could also look at base versions of models like the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37 and Lexus IS. They deliver the performance and prestige expected, yet lack the Maxima's long list of features.

The Nissan Maxima is a midsize entry-level luxury sedan available in S and SV trim levels. The base model S comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, cruise control, a sunroof, keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, along with eight-way driver and four-way passenger power front seats. Also standard in the S are a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a trip computer, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth and an in-dash six-disc CD-changer with an auxiliary audio jack. The Maxima SV adds integrated turn signals located in the exterior mirrors, foglamps, a driver-seat manual thigh-support extender, power lumbar support, leather upholstery and a nine-speaker Bose stereo upgrade with satellite radio. The SV can be optioned with either the Premium or Sport packages -- both of which add shift paddles on the steering wheel, xenon headlights, a driver-side auto-dimming outside mirror, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors, driver memory functions and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column. These packages also include a heated steering wheel, upgraded leather upholstery and rear bucket seats with a center trunk pass-through in lieu of the 60/40-split seats. The Premium package differs by adding a dual-panel sunroof, a rearview camera, a 7-inch LCD screen, a ventilated driver seat, rear-seat audio and HVAC controls, automatic up/down rear windows, a power rear sunshade, wood trim, an RCA auxiliary audio-video jack, a 2GB music server (replacing the six-disc CD changer) and an iPod interface. The Sport package features a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, smoked headlights, dark chrome grille, gray metallic stitching accents, a rear spoiler and metallic-look interior trim. High-performance summer tires are an added option with the Sport package. The Technology package adds a voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic, a 7-inch LCD screen with DVD playback, a single in-dash CD player (which replaces the six-disc version), streaming Bluetooth audio and 9.3GB of digital music storage. The Monitor package includes the color monitor, 2GB music server, auxiliary audio-video jack, rearview camera and USB port. Finally, the Cold package adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and heated outside mirrors.


Powering every  Nissan Maxima is a 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 hp and 261 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that can be overridden by six simulated "gear" ratios selected via shift paddles on the steering wheel (if optioned on SV models). In testing, the Maxima SV accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, which is in line with the acceleration times of many entry-level luxury cars. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined.

Standard safety equipment for every Nissan Maxima includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. A rearview camera is optional on SV models. In brake testing, Maximas with both the Premium and Sport packages came to a stop from 60 mph in 128 feet -- a bit longer than average for this price range. In government crash tests, the Maxima scored a perfect five out of five stars sweep for frontal- and side-impact protection for all occupants. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Maxima its highest score of "Good" for frontal-offset and side crash protection, but got the second-best rating of "Acceptable" in the roof strength test.

The Maxima's interior is as upscale as you'll find in the Nissan lineup. The cabin is understated and surrounds passengers with high-quality materials worthy of the sedan's luxury-car price tag. When combined with the Premium or Sport packages, the cabin is on even footing with its pricier Infiniti G37 cousin. We're especially fond of the Maxima's optional iPod interface, which is one of the best. Within the ample, adult-size cabin, the front seats blend support and soft cushioning. The executive-style rear bucket seats are comfortable and stylish just like those in the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Volkswagen CC, but the small center position is understandably all but unusable. The standard 60/40-split rear seats can fold down for bulkier items, but the optional bucket rear seats offer just a center pass-through for longer objects.

Nissan calls the Maxima a "four-door sports car," but no one is going to mistake this large sedan for a 370Z. Yet it's still a very good sport sedan and it should please the vast majority of drivers. The Maxima's steering is exceptionally nice, boasting light effort, plenty of communication and spot-on precision. For the money, though, we would forgo the optional Sport package, which stiffens the compliant ride without any appreciable performance gains. It used to be that when we'd encounter a vehicle fitted with a CVT, we were filled with a combination of dread and loathing. But that's not the case with the Nissan Maxima, as its CVT is well-suited to the strong V6.

Read more »

Car Nissan 370Z Review

The Nissan 370Z fits between more expensive sports cars like the Porsche Boxster/Cayman and less expensive, less powerful cars like the Mazda Miata. Available as a coupe or convertible, the Z also competes with the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, though it is sportier and only offers seating for two instead of four.

The coupe version of the Z was redesigned for 2009, getting a new name to reflect a larger engine. The redesigned version sports a shorter wheelbase and all-new styling inside and out. For 2010, the convertible version gets the same treatment. In both cases, the sixth generation of the Z is the best yet.

The wheelbase of this sixth-generation car is almost four inches shorter than the previous-generation 350Z, and all of the sheet metal is new. Although the styling has something plainly in common with the pre-2009 model, almost every plane and contour is subtly or distinctly different.

The previous 350Z was fun to drive, but the latest-generation 370Z is a revelation. With the shortened body came increased torsional rigidity, which results in a greater feeling of agreement from all parts of the chassis. It now feels agile rather than brutal, supple rather than rigid, and it is easier to drive as a result. Quick, responsive steering also helps.

The roadster is sturdier than most open-top competitors, but isn't as solid and controlled as the coupe.

The 370Z is fast. The 3.7-liter V6 can motivate the car from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 5.2 seconds. Power is readily available across all rev ranges, but the V6 can sound somewhat gruff during hard acceleration. We like the new SynchroRev feature available with the six-speed manual transmission. It blips the throttle during downshifts to match revs and keep the car from getting upset during performance driving. The responsive seven-speed automatic transmission also has a rev matching feature, and it comes with steering wheel shift paddles for those who want to exercise more control.

The new generation Z is much improved on the inside over the pre-2009 models. The materials are much richer looking and the design escapes the low-rent effect of the old 350Z. Along with the improved aesthetics comes rational layout and control function.

There's still ample space in the seats for two occupants to travel in comfort. The coupe has a modest but usable rear cargo area under the hatch, while the convertible has a small trunk sized for a couple of duffle bags at best.

We did find a couple of minor drawbacks. Rear visibility can be limited in both body styles, entry/exit is strictly for younger and more limber occupants, and engine and tire noise can intrude. The roadster suffers from wind noise when the top is down.

The Nismo model introduced for 2010 is best for track use. It has more performance features but has a very hard ride and is considerably louder than the standard versions.

Fast, agile and with a civilized interior, the 370Z is one of the best performance values on the market.

Read more »