Strictly by the numbers, the Nissan Altima is doing great. As Nissan’s best-selling car in the U.S., the Altima ranks third in sales in the hugely competitive midsize sedan segment, right behind sales leaders like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

But even these popular models had better watch their backs, considering that outlying competitors –such as the Mazda6, Chrysler 200, Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata –are itching for a fight to the top.

Cars are more than numbers, however, and our initial impression of our Nissan test car’s 182-horsepower, 2.5-Liter 4-cylinder engine left something to be desired.  Our front-wheel-drive Altima SL seemed awfully noisy, especially if a long drive lay ahead. That initial impression faded away, thankfully, as the Altima showed off its sensible side (mixed with a touch of sportiness).

Our car came with Nissan’s upgraded continuously variable transmission (CVT) that delivers better fuel economy and less friction than before. The shift transitions are quiet, smooth, and barely noticeable.  With Nissan’s engineering improvements to the CVT, fuel economy is a workable 31-mpg city/38-mpg highway, or 27-mpg combined.  The Camry and Accord haven’t announced 2015 fuel economy, but our guess is the Altima will be best in class.

All SV and SL models are eligible for a Technology package that includes a seven-inch touch-screen with color display, navigation system, voice recognition and mobile apps.  Apps include Online Search powered by Google(navigation equipped vehicles only), Pandora(Android only – iOS coming soon), Facebook and iHeart Radio for Auto. The touch-screen produced clear images and functioned well during our test.

The Technology package also includes important passive safety features like blind-spot detection, lane departure warning and moving object detection –the latter shows moving objects at the rear when your car is in reverse.

During safety tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Altima recorded a frontal crash rating of 5-stars for the driver, 4-stars for the passenger, and 4-stars during the rollover test. As of this review, there were no published results for side impact tests.

Those who demand swifter acceleration can look at the Altima with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, which delivers 270-horsepower and 25-mpg in a mix of city and highway driving.

Nissan has paid the extra pennies to ensure the interior feels solid and comes with plenty of features.  The SL trim enjoys leather seating with power seats contoured to reduce pressure on the spine and fatigue on long drives. The latest Altima is also one of the roomiest cars in its class—enough so that a six-foot relative sat in the back seat very comfortably.

Bose audio is standard on the SL, as is Sirius/XM satellite radio (a separate subscription is required) and a USB connection for your iPod.  Keyless entry with remote start, push-button ignition, power door locks and power one-touch windows, dual-zone automatic climate control, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors and 60/40 fold down rear seats add extra convenience.

A rear view camera also contributes to the Altima’s safety profile. Standard safety features include traction control, vehicle dynamic control, tire pressure monitoring system, electronic brake force distribution, a vehicle security system and Nissan vehicle immobilizer system

All Nissan vehicles are backed by an unremarkable 36-month/36,000-mile limited vehicle coverage and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain coverage.  The Altima’s residual value is around the segment average.

All of the midsize sedan segment's top sellers have received stylish updates, and the Nissan Altima is no exception.  The trapezoidal grille and projector headlights and fog lights give the front end a touch of excitement. The SL trim gets handsome alloy wheels, LED taillights, and a chrome tail pipe. All in all, the sloping roof line and raised trunk give the Altima a pleasing fluidity – even if the car’s omnipresence on the road means it’ll never turn any heads.

First impressions aren’t always spot-on accurate, as we discovered here. After spending more time with this Altima sedan, it proved to be a practical choice wrapped in a stylish, economical, and comfortable package.

Credit:

http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/latest-reviews/driven-2015-nissan-altima-grows-midsize-sedan-segment-article-1.1936706

So, we wondered what it would look like if we attached a GoPro to a GT-R wheel and drove alongside another GT-R. The results are, well, interesting – and a bit trippy. Warning: May cause some form of hypnosis or irrationally strong GT-R love.

Credit: http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/what-happens-when-you-attach-a-gopro-to-a-gt-r-wheel-warning-not-for-epileptics

LONDON – Nissan is highlighting London's battle with air quality in the UK by using the 100% electric Nissan LEAF – the world's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) – to power a striking piece of street art in Waterloo, London that depicts the capital's iconic skyline.

Nissan commissioned Reverse Graffiti artist Moose – the founder of his field – to create the mass-scale mural, which was unveiled today.

Unlike traditional graffiti, Moose creates his art by cleaning dirt off surfaces using a jet washer or wire brush, leaving a striking design in negative on the wall. Much of the dirt is caused by particulate matter from vehicle exhausts, levels of which often exceed guidelines and limits in busy areas of London and other European cities.

The artwork – which is on show in the subway on Station's Approach, Waterloo – includes a host of London's most famous landmarks: Buckingham Palace, The Shard, Battersea Power Station and The London Eye, to name just a few. Produced to highlight the growing issue of poor air quality across Europe's biggest cities, it aims to showcase how much cleaner they could be if more people adopted electric vehicles. The jet washer used to clean the wall was powered by the Nissan LEAF via a portable device that converts electricity from the car's battery to provide as much as two days of power to a household on a single charge.

Before the artwork made its way onto the wall, Moose sketched the skyline by hand and then created stencils that pieced together to produce the finished artwork, standing some 2.5 meters tall and 10 meters wide.

The campaign places Nissan at the center of leading the call for clean air and smarter cities around the world.

"I've been using reverse graffiti for fifteen years now – in fact I named it," said explained Moose, who originates from Leeds. "My whole ethos is about highlighting the amount of pollution we endure daily using a very positive harmless method that never fails to ask questions about what we accept and what we shouldn't accept in our environment. For these reasons I was keen to be involved in this project. Electric cars and alternative fuelling systems provide the brightest future we've ever known in the history of the automotive industry in terms of protecting our environment. It's a pleasure to be given the opportunity to create public art in this way, and I'm very pleased with the iconic simplicity of the mural and its message."

Moose's artwork is on show in London Waterloo, and Nissan is encouraging the public to come out and see it for themselves.

"This piece of art is a striking call to action that air quality is one of the biggest issues facing the citizens and visitors of Europe's largest cities today," said Jean-Pierre Diernaz, EV Director of Nissan Europe. "It is a reminder that electric vehicles don't have an exhaust to emit the kind of air pollution which has stained the wall Moose has created his piece on. Working with Moose to highlight the effect of air quality on our cities through a piece of art powered by the Nissan LEAF is an exciting and powerful way of reminding people about the benefits of zero emission vehicles."

Here’s Sparky, a converted Nissan Leaf. Engineers Roland Schellenberg and Arnold Moulinet, eager to do a little team-building and create a cool way of moving stuff around Nissan’s Stanfield, Arizona testing facility, led the project.  Some of you may be wondering, “Why not just get a Frontier and be done with it.” Well, what’s the fun in that? Besides—there is a long and awesome tradition of automakers doing crazy things like building a BMW M3 pickup and Porsche-powered Volkswagen Vanagon.

Now, the Leaf is a highly capable, thoroughly funky EV that we love. And it makes a surprisingly attractive, if somewhat stunted, pickup truck. The team kept the drivetrain as-is, chopped off the roof and added the top from a Titan pickup and the (shortened) bed from a Frontier. Cool details include wood bed slats, sharp wheels and the Leaf’s rounded rear. It all comes together in a thoroughly futuristic riff on the venerable pickup.

Sparky is tooling around the 3,050-acre test facility, which includes a 5.7-mile high-speed oval that the little electric p’up probably won’t ever see. We don’t expect to see a contractor rocking one of these anytime soon, but we wouldn’t rule out seeing something like this in the future. After all, Nissan’s already stuffed the GT-R’s drivetrain into the Juke, sent a Leaf clambering up Pikes Peak and built a race-ready Leaf that looks utterly insane. (We drove it. It was fun.) This is definitely a company that isn’t afraid to get a little weird.

credit:

http://www.wired.com/2014/09/nissan-builds-funky-electric-pickup-cant/?mbid=social_twitter

Interior Car Detailing Tips from the Pros!

#1: Get the right products!

There are many types and brands of interior cleaning products. Depending on the material you are cleaning, you may need several products. For the leather portions, make sure to use leather cleaner.

#2: Soft cloth - or socks!

Spray your cleaner directly on interior surfaces, like steering wheel, dashboard or onto a clean, soft terry cloth. An old cotton sock works well too!

#3 Toothbrushes & cotton swabs!

Use a toothbrush to remove stubborn stains and keep a bag of cotton swabs handy for interior crevices, steering wheel dashboard and center console! You'll be amazed at how much better the car looks when you clean all the detail spots.

#4: Glass cleaner makes it shine!

Glass cleaner puts a nice shine on interior plastic (dashboard, center consoles, etc) as well as the windows!

 

credit:

http://www.mossynissan.com/blog/2013/may/28/interior-car-detailing-tips.htm

KBB names Nissan Altima one of the 10 most comfortable cars under $30,000. Must be those NASA inspired seats!

KBB REVIEW REPRINT:

The midsize sedan market is about the toughest segment in the industry – led by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord – so if you're coming to play, you'd best bring your A-game. With the 2014 Altima, Nissan has done just that, earning it our praise as one of the 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000 for 2014. Not only has the automaker maintained the cool look and sports-car-like handling that made the original Altima such a success, they've done so while thoroughly modernizing the Altima in ways crucial to younger buyers. A new Apps-based music and navigation system spearheads the effort, as do a 38-mpg fuel economy rating (2.5 model) and premium materials throughout the handsome cabin. Nissan has done a masterful job making complex audio and navigation systems easy to operate and understand – something both old and young will appreciate.

credit:

http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/most-comfortable-cars-under-30000-2014/2000011042-6/

NISMO celebrates 30 years of maverick engineering

• Nissan invites the fans to join NISMO's birthday party across the world

• #30YearsOfMaverick used to bring the 30th celebrations to the digital word

YOKOHAMA, Japan – To mark NISMO's 30th anniversary, Nissan is celebrating 30 years of maverick engineering with a week of events around the world including activity at major motorsport events in the U.S. and Europe.

Since 1984, NISMO's engineers have been creating Nissan's unique Japanese performance DNA through a series of maverick performance projects. In its 30th year, the company is embarking on its biggest project yet: the creation of the Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, Nissan's LM P1 challenger.

#30YearsOfMaverick begins today on NISMO's 30th birthday in Yokohama, Japan, where the anniversary will be marked by the people who have played a role in the NISMO story. It will then take in world-class motorsport events at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas and the Nürburgring in Germany.

Nissan is inviting the fans of moatorsport to celebrate NISMO's birthday by giving away tickets, via local car clubs and social media, to the events in the U.S. and Germany this weekend: the FIA World Endurance Championship round at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas and the Blancpain Endurance Series season finale at the Nürburgring in Germany.

"Starting from the company's first president, Yasuharu Namba, today's NISMO owes its success to the hard work and sacrifice of our many predecessors," said NISMO president, Shoichi Miyatani. "It also could not have grown to this extent had it not been for the support of all our fans, sponsors and collaborating companies. I would like to thank everyone for all their support throughout the years."

"Since the company's founding 30 years ago, everyone has diligently worked together to build up our success and performance on the race track. As a result of the passion and achievements that come about from this success, 'NISMO' has now become a symbol of Nissan performance.

"We will continue to enhance our technical capabilities, retain our commitment to winning, preserve our pioneering spirit and further enhance the admiration of the Nissan brand. Next year we will be participating in the top category at the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time in 17 years. I want us, as well as our fans, to head into this new challenge with everything we've got."

• Wednesday Sept. 17 - Official NISMO 30th Anniversary Party in Yokohama, Japan

• Thursday Sept. 18 - Press Conference, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

• Saturday Sept. 20 - FIA WEC race, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, USA

• Sunday Sept. 21 - Nürburgring 1000kms, Blancpain Endurance Series in Germany

• Monday Sept. 22 - Customer preview of new NISMO roadcar in Nürburgring, Germany

• Tuesday Sept. 23 - NISMO Nürburgring Experience in Nürburgring, Germany

The celebrations kick off in Japan today with an event at NISMO HQ in Yokohama and a look back at some of the projects that have really caught the attention of the public over the last 30 years.

On Thursday the focus moves to the U.S. where Nissan will hold a press conference at the Circuit of the Americas.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all about racing, with the on-track action centered on Nissan-powered LM P2 cars competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Nissan's first two U.S. GT Academy winners, Bryan Heitkotter and Steve Doherty, will also be in action in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

Meanwhile in Germany, the NISMO Athletes will be fighting for glory at the Nürburgring in the final 1000km round of the Blancpain Endurance Series. They will be looking to wrap up the season with a top result in the Pro-Am class, ending their first season of racing on a high.

On September 22 and 23, Nissan will stage the "NISMO Nürburgring Experience" a special track event at the Nürburgring for its loyal customers who, after learning how to master the Nordschleife, will get a sneak peak into the future of NISMO road cars.

"For 30 years NISMO has committed to projects that people said couldn't be done," said Darren Cox, Global Head of Brand, Marketing & Sales, NISMO. "Nissan and NISMO take risks to drive innovation on and off track. Most of the time these maverick projects come off to great acclaim, but we are also not afraid of failing. That is a real innovation attitude – not just a company strapline. NISMO has always been prepared to push the boundaries over the past 30 years, and we will continue with the same mindset in the future. We have some big challenges on the horizon, including the expansion of the NISMO road car range, the wildly successful Nissan GT Academy program opening in more markets, and of course the challenge of taking on Audi, Porsche and Toyota at Le Mans next year."

Credit:

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/nismo-celebrates-30-years-of-maverick-engineering?linkId=9656567

The 2014 Nissan Titan has more than enough muscle to get the job done. See why you'll love it for the long haul in Kelley Blue Book's review:

Keeping truck-buying simple.

The Nissan Titan isn't the sales leader in the full-size truck segment, but where the Titan does excel is in simplicity. You can choose extended (King) cab or Crew Cab, short or long bed and two- or four-wheel drive, but there is one engine, one transmission and one axle ratio, making this the easiest half-ton to order on the market. And changes are coming that may make the Titan a genuine contender against the likes of the F-150, Ram 1500 and Silverado.

Driving It

Some impressions from our full review: "The 2014 Nissan Titan's engine isn't the most powerful V8 in its class, but it's far from tepid, with good punch off the line and more than enough muscle to get the job done, whether that's passing slower traffic or hauling a heavy trailer (9,500 pounds is the max towing capacity) up a long grade."

A New Titan Is Coming

After more than 10 years on the market in essentially the same form as when it debuted, Nissan is finally introducing a new Titan, likely to be unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. While we don't know how different the new truck will look, Nissan has officially announced that the new Titan will be available with a V8 turbodiesel under the hood.

Build and Price

The Nissan Titan starts out at just above $30,000 for a two-wheel-drive King Cab. Choose the Crew Cab with four-wheel drive and all the bells and whistles, and that price climbs to nearly $48,000.

The Nissan Titan is available at all 7 Mossy Nissan locations in San Diego. Find yours today!

CREDIT:

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/editors-page-2014-nissan-titan/2000011041/

Nissan donates $1 million to enrich people's lives with Habitat for Humanity

Grant will fund new home builds and revitalization projects using sustainable construction practices, vehicle donations to Habitat affiliates and support for disaster recovery efforts

Nashville, Tenn. – Moving into a new home is a life-changing experience, according to Nashville homeowner Keisha Crump, who moved into her Nissan-sponsored Habitat for Humanity home in April 2014.

"Maybe once in a lifetime miracles happen, or maybe never," said Crump. "I can truly say that a miracle has happened for me and my family. For that I say thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Dozens of homeowners across the United States and Canada will share an experience similar to Crump's in the coming year, thanks to a $1 million donation from Nissan to Habitat for Humanity International. Today Nissan announced the continuation of a longstanding partnership with Habitat to build affordable, sustainable homes in partnership with families in need of decent housing.

Including its current donation, Nissan's total support for Habitat for Humanity amounts to $11.6 million over the past nine years. Nissan's partnership with Habitat began in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Nissan donated 50 Nissan Titan trucks to assist Habitat's response efforts in the Gulf Coast and mobilized employees to assist in-home building. Since 2006, Nissan employees have helped to build 60 homes across the United States. Nissan's employees have logged more than 70,000 volunteer hours building homes with Habitat for Humanity.

"With Habitat, Nissan has a broader platform through which we can support the communities where our customers, dealers and employees live, carrying out our corporate vision to enrich people's lives," said Nissan senior vice president Scott Becker. "And as Habitat volunteers, our employees can engage directly in addressing local needs for affordable housing by making personal commitments of their time and effort on Habitat home builds."

In addition to working coast to coast with Habitat affiliates in Canada, Nissan employees will volunteer to support construction or revitalization projects in the following U.S. cities:

• Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona in Phoenix, Ariz.

• Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley in Sunnyvale, Calif.

• Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity in Atlanta, Ga.

• Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County in Detroit, Mich.  

• Habitat for Humanity of Metropolitan Jackson in Canton, Miss.

• Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County in New Jersey

• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville in Nashville, Tenn.

• Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County in Franklin, Tenn.

• Habitat for Humanity of Rutherford County in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

• Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity in Dallas, Texas

• Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2014: Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity in Dallas and Trinity Habitat for Humanity in Fort Worth, Texas

The company will donate four Nissan NV commercial vehicles or Nissan Frontier trucks to Habitat affiliates that make commitments to sustainable construction practices. A portion of Nissan's donation will also be used to support Habitat for Humanity disaster recovery efforts and its Global Impact Fund.

Next month, five Nissan employees from the U.S. and Canada were selected to join more than 4,000 Carter Work Project volunteers who will help build or repair more than 100 homes in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, during the seven-day project. The 31st Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will be conducted Oct. 5-11.

"We are grateful to Nissan for the continuous support through the years," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. "Together, we have made a difference in the lives of so many families in need of affordable housing. We look forward to continuing our work together to help families build a better future."   

Nissan, recognized as a U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year, is committed to sustainability. Nissan-sponsored Habitat homes are equipped with many "green-living" features, including low-flowing plumbing fixtures, programmable thermostats, energy-efficient fluorescent lighting, high-performance windows and ENERGY STAR® appliances.

Credit:

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/nissan-donates-1-million-to-enrich-people-s-lives-with-habitat-for-humanity

The Nissan 370Z  - one of the top cars that dominates both road and track according to AutoTrader

Almost as soon as cars were invented, people were racing them -- the same way they raced horses, and the same way they raced on foot. The Encyclopedia Britannica states that the first organized motor race in the United States was on Thanksgiving Day, 1895, running from Chicago to Evanston, IL, and back. Not only are motorsports a whole lot of fun, they also improve automotive technology and drum up sales. AutoTrader lists the Nissan 370Z  as one of the cars that owes at least part of their fine reputations to the laudable human trait of wanting to do better than the next guy.

“Most drivers try not to move their cars sideways. But in the sport of drifting, sideways is the only way to go. Big, tire-smoking power slides from one end of the course to the other -- it's a fabulous spectacle. Formula Drift is an import from Japan, and perhaps unsurprisingly, many of the participating cars are also Japanese imports. The current 2014 Formula Drift leader is American Chris Forsberg, driving a Nissan 370Z. It's perfect for drifting, because it has a front-engine/rear-drive layout resulting in a fine balance of weight between the front and back. A carbon fiber drive shaft transmits engine power to the rear wheels, meaning it gets lighter weight and quicker responses than it would with a regular metal shaft.”

Do you have a need for speed? The Nissan 370Z is available at all 7 Mossy Nissan locations.

Find yours today!

Credit:

http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/best-cars/227332/9-cars-that-dominate-both-street-and-track.jsp

"Entry level" doesn't have to mean bare-bones basic. The 2014 Nissan Versa Note was named one of the 10 tech-savviest cars under $20,000 by Kelley Blue Book!

KBB goes on to explain that, “The new-for-2014 hatchback version of the Versa subcompact car is notable for its affordability, flexibility and surprising roominess, but also for an impressive tech offering that includes Nissan's Around View Monitor. Using cameras on all four sides of the car, the system generates a bird's-eye view of the car that makes parking a breeze.”

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note is available at all 7 Mossy Nissan locations in San Diego.

Find yours today!

Credit:

http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/tech-savvy-cars-under-20000-2014/2000010966-5/