Ready to go green? If you have a short commute and tend to stick around your local area then take a look at the Nissan Leaf. There’s been lots of buzz about this little EV and rightfully so; it’s the first mass produced EV available to the public. Mileage range is around 100 miles before it needs to be charged. Consumers can opt to have a charger installed in their private residence. Some states also have public charging stations available.  Standard features include a trip computer and advanced navigation system. buyers will also save lots of money thanks to generous rebates offered by the government.

If you tend to drive more and have a longer commute, why not check out Nissan’s Altima? This is a handsome vehicle with a sleek and contemporary exterior. Many sedans can be a bit boring but the Altima offers an engaging drive that makes getting behind the wheel a joy. One of the most attractive features of the Altima is its relatively low cost for the base model; around twenty thousand dollars. Let’s take a look at some of the available features; a navigation system with turn by turn directions and even directions to nearby restaurants. The touring model comes with sweet features such as Bluetooth compatibility and temperature controlled seats. Pricing starts at around the mid thirty thousand dollar range. If you tow on a frequent basis and looking for a powerful truck that can get the job done take a look at the Nissan Titan truck; a large full sized truck that comes with an eight cylinder engine for tough towing jobs. The engine is a 5.6 Liter with 317 hp and 385 lb feet of torque, which should be enough for most towing jobs. Nissan Brooklyn Park offers Car Service Minneapolis and Car Repair Minneapolis.

Looking for something a bit faster? The 370Z is a car that definitely takes speed and power to a whole new level. The V6 engine puts out 332 hp; more than enough power to burn the road with.  For even more of a kick, you can opt for the Nismo edition which offers even more power. This handsome sports ride is fully equipped with a stereo system, AC and an air bag system. The 370Z is priced at $30k. Minneapolis New Cars offers the Nissan Cube Minneapolis.

Sports cars are all about fun, speed, performance and enjoying the thrill of the ride.

There are definitely few things that are more exciting that being behind the wheel of a super fast top-of-the line car.  Mini vans and SUV’s are practical and all but they aren’t exactly thrilling to drive. Let’s take a look at two amazing sports autos which are hot enough to rock your world! Today we’ll take a look at the powerful GT-R super car from Nissan and the more attainable F-86 from Toyota.

Most people don’t think of Nissan cars are super fast; I mean how fast does the Sentra or Maxima really go? However, Nissan’s sports oriented GT-R is a completely different story.  This car can compete with the  most expensive exotic cars that money can buy! Do you know how fast this car is? She can go from standstill to sixty in just 3.3 seconds! That makes the GT-R one of the fastest cars on the market.

Not only is this ride fast; it’s also athletic looking with a bold demeanor and an aggressive style. It is well equipped with a super powerful 3.8 Liter six cylinder engine which outputs an intense 434 horsepower; this beast of a car can reach intense speeds of up to 193 miles per hour. For the most part Nissan is a brand that produces cars that are attainable for most people. However, the GT-R is another story. Estimated price for the price is around $63k model. However, that’s a lot cheaper than some comparable exotic cars, some which aren’t even as fast!

Nissan is normally known as an affordable brand but the GT-R is on another level; this car can compete with exotic and exciting but very expensive rides like Ferrari and other exotics. It can go from zero to sixty mph in just 3.3 seconds! That’s faster than a lot of exotic cars that cost a small fortune. Gas mileage isn’t too great at 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the freeway but that is to be expected of a vehicle with an emphasis on speed, power and supreme performance. New Nissan Los Angeles got lots of cars in stock.

The seats are covered in leather and very comfortable. Sweet amenities include the ability to listen to your Ipod via speakers, a sweet stereo system and a navigation system with turn by turn directions.  Trunk space is a bit on the small ride with 8.8 cubic feet but that’s the norm in such a high performance vehicle.

Another sports car to keep an eye on is the F-86 from Toyota. This vehicle will actually use a Subaru engine but it will be produced by Toyota.  The engine is expected to put out anywhere between 200 and 250 HP although definite numbers have not been officially released yet. In contrast with the luxury GT-R sports car, the FT-86 will be much more affordable and a more realistic purchase for the majority of shoppers with a modest price tag of around twenty three thousand dollars. Boston Toyota has excellent deals on cool cars.

As of the moment Toyota does not have a hot rod sports car in its lineup and it hopes that the F-86 can appeal to the sports car market. We are not certain when this auto will available for sale but we can’t wait for it’s release. The GT-R is suggested if you want the ultimate in performance and luxury while the F-86 also offers a sporty ride but a more affordable price. Nissan 370z Los Angeles offers a large selection.

Nissan has impressed us quite a bit with its offerings which include the high performance Nismo sports rod, the fun 370Z roadster and the distinct looking Cube which immediately stands out due to its odd shape. Let’s take a closer look at all these cars in depth.

A very fun and good looking car is the 370Z Roadster. It’s based on the regular 370Z base but also includes a convertible top, just perfect for when those sunny days. This auto features a top that you can put down in just twenty seconds. The engine that powers this vehicle is a capable 3.7 liter six cylinder engine with a total output of 332 hp and 270 lb-ft. of torque; a lot more powerful than the older model.

Hot rods are so much fun and exciting; especially ones with a customized and a racing kit such as the rare Nismo.  This auto has been quite in demand in Japan for many years.  But, Nismo has seldom offered special edition vehicles; at least not for the American market.   This ride offers an aggressive and bold look due to its boy racer body kit which includes unique bumpers and an athletic spoiler which accentuates its racer appearance. This auto is priced in the $37k range which is around six thousand dollars costlier than the regular 370Z, but the list of extras is huge.  Nissan tuners have extracted 18 more horsepower via a high flow exhaust and a remapped ECU.  Tires are high performance Yokohama Advan Sport Tires which are accentuated by nineteen inch Rays rims. The cabin features Nismo logos and customized seats. The engine puts 350hp and can travel from 0-60 in a quick 5.5 seconds.

The Cube is another vehicle that has gained quite a following; it’s cute, quirky, fun and instantly grabs your attention due to its shape. It’s equipped with a 1.8 Liter with 122 horsepower and is available with a front wheel drive. This is a vehicle suitable for fun folks who don’t mind standing out from the rest of the crowd.

It looks like Nissan’s lineup is getting better every day.  The sporty Nismo  is perfect for those who like to race while the 370Z Roadster  is perfect for cruising to the beach. The Cube is also a unique newcomer which is quickly gaining a fan base.  It will be interesting to see what Nissan comes up with next.

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It looks as if Americans are finally ready for an electric car. And it makes sense; after all electric autos are better for the environment and should save us a substantial amount of money when it comes to filling up at the pump. Nissan’s Leaf has struck a chord with American shoppers and managed to sell out before its public launch.  The Leaf was even chosen to lead the New York Marathon, an ultra popular event broadcasted all over the world. Over thirteen thousand people have placed ninety nine dollar deposits down to reserve this revolutionary car.

Nissan is working hard to meet the demand and has been diligently installing public charging stations in dealerships across the States. The first stations will be installed in TN, CA, WA, OR and AZ. The Leaf will be released initially in these states because they are part of the EV project; a joint project conducted by the government and Ecotality with the intent of constructing charging stations for the public. Charging the Leaf at a public station will only take 30 minutes while it may take up to eight hours at a residential station.

Oregon appears to be a competitive and viable market for electric automobiles. Oregon is actually one of the major testing markets for electric cars and public charging stations. Nissan planned a well attended event in Hillsboro, OR which allowed prospective shoppers to inspect the vehicle in person and even take her out on a fun test drive. A large number of shoppers waited in line for their turn.

The Leaf is powered by an eighty kilowatts electric motor which is backed up by a lithium battery pack. The engine is capable of 107 hp and 207 lb feet of torque. When it comes to distance, the car has the ability to travel up to one hundred miles before it needs to be recharged. Numerous factors such as acceleration, driving style and the flow of all traffic, all determine how far the vehicle can go before it needs a recharge. If you have a long drive to work then this car would probably not be suitable.

As you would expect, the interior is ultra modern and slick with a white interior which is set off by the soothing cool blue lighting from the dashboard screens and LCD. The battery is situated on the floor under the seats and as a result the Leaf is extremely spacious and roomy. Standard features include a navigation system and compatibility with Bluetooth devices. Extra features for your convenience include keyless ignition, alloy sixteen inch wheels, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, cruise control and an audio system with six speakers. If you decide to purchase the SL model you get a solar panel and an optional rearview camera. The Leaf has been filled with a plethora of advanced safety mechanisms including an airbag system, an Anti Lock Brake System and Traction Control.

The Leaf is arriving in December so be on the lookout ; you might see one soon on the roadways or at your local Los Angeles Nissan dealer.  Judging from the pre-order numbers, it appears that Americans are ready and eager to own a zero-emissions vehicle. The Leaf is competitively priced at $32,780 and the price is lowered further with a tax credit of $7,000.

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2011 Nissan Leaf

We’d all like to reduce or eliminate our reliance on gasoline for a variety of reasons. In spite of great strides in emissions reductions, gasoline engines are still a major factor in air pollution. America’s appetite for oil from distant countries plays a large role in our economic and foreign relations policies. Switching to a form of energy that could be created in the United States could only improve the situation. These are laudable goals, and it’s good to see Americans thinking of long-term goals that will be good for the country as a whole. Many people are even willing to pay a little more than necessary to help achieve these goals, but there is a limit. Alternative forms of energy won’t really gather long-lasting momentum until they become cost effective for the majority of consumers.

We’ve seen the number of hybrids on the road increase, partially due to government incentives and spikes in gasoline prices. But the price of hybrids remains stubbornly higher than the price of comparable gasoline-only cars. For example the new 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid starts at $23,800, while the regular Honda Civic sedan starts at $15,655. The majority of consumers are only going to spend the extra $8,000 if they think they can recoup that cost. Is the better gas mileage going to help you save $8,000 over the life of your car?

The regular Civic gets about 29 mpg, which is pretty good. Compare that to 42 mpg for the Civic Hybrid. Using an average of 15,000 miles per year and a price of $3 per gallon, we see that the owner of a regular Honda Civic would pay about $1,551 in a year, compared to $1071 for the owner of the hybrid. That’s a savings of only $480 a year. It would take more than 16 years to break even. Most people don’t keep their cars nearly that long.

The culprit is the price of the batteries. Like most other car manufacturers, Honda uses a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery in its hybrids. Price is not the only drawback to these batteries. They tend to lose capacity over time if they are not fully depleted before being recharged. As their capacity decreases, so does your gas mileage.

There’s a newer type of battery called the lithium-ion battery. It’s being used to power all-electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. They have a longer range and they hold a charge better than NiMH batteries. Unfortunately they also cost more. A price tag of about $10,000 makes it expensive to go green. The other cost that no one seems to mention in regards to all-electric vehicles is the cost of the electricity itself. Unlike hybrids, where the engine recharges the battery when you drive, batteries on all-electric cars are recharged by plugging in to an electrical outlet in your garage. The power company is going to charge you for the electricity.

Rechargeable car batteries are relatively new. As consumer interest in cleaner cars with low operational costs increases, so will research and development of these batteries. Until they get significantly less expensive, hybrid and electric vehicles will not be economically viable choices.

The Mustang GT has had a 5.0 liter engine in its bay for almost 30 years.  It was only in 1996 that Ford went with the 4.6L engine.  Well now the 2011 Mustang GT will get an increase in displacement to meet the 5.0 liters of days gone by.  Since the Mustang was redesigned in 2010, not much has changed on the outside; but a lot has changed under the hood.
In order to deal with the Chevy Camaro and its 426 horsepower, Ford need to add some more muscle for the 2011 model year.  So a bump in displacement and a reworked engine will net 416 horsepower; enough to contend with the Camaro SS 426HP and the Challenger SRT8 425HP.  The Mustang already is the best handling car of the bunch, and with the added horsepower, the GT should establish itself once again at the top of the muscle car heap.

Chevrolet struck a heart string with buyers when the 2010 Camaro came stock with a V-6 engine that produced 300 hp while getting 30 MPG on the highway.  Ford has decided to follow suit and will introduce a 3.7 liter, V-6 engine in the stock Mustang that will generate 305 Hp, which is more than the Camaro V-6.  Fuel Economy numbers for this engine is right at the 30 MPG mark on the highway.

Starting with the exterior enhancements, the New  Nissan Rogue Krom gets a new front bumper with fog lights and a sweet chrome grill that adds a sporty look to the front of the SUV.  The outside mirrors are color matched.  And speaking of Paint, the Rogue Krom comes in 3 limited edition colors: Gotham Gray, Venom Red, and Wicked Black.  Out back the 2010 Nissan Rogue Krom get a new rear bumper with a cool exhaust that exits out the center, and a color matched rear spoiler.  Rounding out the modifications are a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.

While these changes may not seem like much on the surface, they go a long way in the looks department when you compare the stock Rogue with the Krom version.  MSRP for the Krom is $23,940.

Source: Nissan News

There are several reasons that electric cars have not already replaced the gas engine, and they’re challenging to overcome, especially in the short run. The first is range. How far away from home can you get, and will there be a place to recharge along the way? How much does the car cost to buy and operate? Does it have guts?

The new Nissan Leaf can drive up to 100 miles on a full charge. That’s a lot further than most people drive in a day. Drivers would plug it in at home to charge overnight. It only takes 4 to 8 hours to fully charge the battery. You can even program the car to charge late at night when demand for electricity is low. For those occasions when you need to go further than 100 miles in a day, Nissan is working with various cities to install quick charge stations that can charge the battery 80% in about half an hour. You could find these quick charge stations with the Leaf’s navigation system and charge your battery while you stop for a meal.

Before you invest in one, check for quick charge stations in places you might travel. Over time they’ll become more available. If coverage is weak in the places you drive, you might not want your new Leaf to be your only car. Still, in a two car family, an electric car would be an ideal day-to-day commuter car.

Because of the expense of an electric battery, electric cars haven’t historically been able to compete with gas engine cars on price. The Nissan Leaf hasn’t yet announced its retail price, but some experts anticipate a price of around $25,000, including the $7,500 tax rebate. That puts it within reach of the average family. The battery lasts about 5 years, so you’d have to figure in the price of a battery every five years against the gas savings.

What about power? We’ve all driven electric golf carts. Is that how an electric car feels?  Not this one. The Nissan Leaf accelerates like a V-6 gas powered car. Nissan’s U.S. tour will show these electric cars in Los Angeles in November. Mass production will start in the U.S. in 2012. The new 2011 Nissan Leaf will be available on a limited basis in selected U.S. cities in 2010. You should be able to buy one at many Southern California locations, since this is one of the areas where Nissan is working to offer quick charge stations. Soon you’ll be able to test drive a Nissan Leaf in Redlands, San Diego, or Los Angeles. Only time will tell if electric cars will become the norm, but the Leaf seems to have a good chance at breaking through that barrier.

The goal of the new design would be something that exudes environmentally conscious yet differentiates itself from the average “wedge-shaped silhouette” that is too often seen as a hybrid. Nissan wants the car to be so unique that when people see the car they realize it is an EV and not a hybrid.

Because EVs lack an outsized engine and gasoline tank, they open up new design possibilities.  The new EV is rumored to be comparable in size to the Cube or Versa.  Nissan has not released pictures of the car but is stating that the EV has no grille, a low hood (by lack of engine), a visible recharging plug in the front, and a profile that is flowing instead of triangular, but this spy shot is circulating the web.  The new EV from Nissan is scheduled to go on sale next year.

The Nismo 370Z gets an eye catching aerodynamic body kit. The suspension is sport tuned.  It’s equipped with a standard 3.7Liter DOHC V6 engine that includes a close-ratio six speed transmission with a SynchroRev-Match System. The Variable Valves and Lift Control in the engine produce 18 more horsepower for a total of 350 HP and 276lb.-ft. of torque.  The new Z also has a dual exhaust system.

To optimize a true performance machine, the 37OZ is offered with only one transmission and is the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission.  The high performance car also features a four wheel independent suspension, a reinforced strut tower brace (for enhanced body rigidity), and a pair of performance body dampers to manage vibrations from the road. The tuned suspension includes special tuned springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars.

The 2010 Nissan Nismo 370Z also has wider five spoke 19inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels that are mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires, and new Nissan Sport Brakes including a Limited-Slip Differential.

Besides its outstanding performance to draw enthusiasts in, the Nismo stands out from the crowd with its dramatic exterior and interior styling. Body modifications include extended front nose and an integrated spoiler that increases downforce.

On the inside, the Z includes Nismo emblems, black and red fabric with red stitching, a special tachometer, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals. Nissan announced pricing for the new Nismo 37OZ to be around $39,130.