Classic Cars Nissan

According to a statement by Shiro Nakamura, the design chief of Nissan and Infiniti, Nissan is embarking on a campaign to revolutionize their design strategies as they move into a new generation of buyers and rebrand themselves into the future..

In a statement made today, Nakamura says that the Infiniti brand is looking for a more consistent look than its cousin, the Nissan. “Consistency of design is very important for Infiniti… the range is relatively small and the geographical spread is getting much wider, so we need to be consistent.”

Conversely, he says that changes and difference works for Nissan. “I am often asked whether Nissan needs a more consistent design theme. But diversity is a strength of Nissan. We don’t feel the need for a common set of design elements.” He says that this diversity gives designers more freedom to borrow design elements of one vehicle without having to copy the whole car. Using the GTR supercar as an example, he says “we wouldn’t want to just copy that onto another model”.

At the same time, Nakamura explained the operating design principles of Nissan and Infiniti. The Nissan design values include “Provocative modernity”, “Energetic Agility” and “Playful Function”. The design values for the Infiniti series are “Seductive Lustre”, “Energetic Force” and “Spiritual Precision”.

This search for new design inspiration means that for the first time, Infiniti vehicles will be designed outside of Japan, starting in Paddington in London, England. Nakamura took the opportunity to present a new design model — not an exact prediction of what is to come, but a flavour of the theme Infiniti is looking to capture.

If you can’t wait for the new representation of Infiniti and Nissan, stop by Classic Nissan to take a look at the new inventory and specials on the Nissans in stock.

Soaring fuel prices are on everyone’s minds these days. May has brought a series of record high fuel prices, and the trend shows no real signs of abating. Although your Nissan truck gets decent gas mileage, that is small comfort when it comes to the reality of paying to fill up your tank. Therefore, today we will bring you some creative ways to maximize your fuel efficiency and slash your costs at the pump.

1. Check your tire pressure – Underinflated tires cause your truck to lose as much as six percent fuel efficiency for every pound of underinflation. Be careful not to overinflate, however, which can be dangerous.

2. Keep your speed steady – “Jackrabbiting,” or going back and forth between hard acceleration and hard braking, will drain your gas tank at an alarming rate. Use your cruise control to maintain a steady speed on highways, and keep passing to a minimum.

3. Brake gently – As above, hard braking is not only bad for your brakes, it is also bad for your fuel economy. Slow gently when approaching a red light or traffic jam.

4. Combine trips – Many of us are guilty of multiple trips in a single day, particularly for errands. Before you leave the house, take a moment to go through a list of your upcoming errands. Combine them into a single trip, and try to plot a route that minimizes backtracking.

5. Unload your truck – Your Nissan truck provides excellent storage. If you leave heavy items in the truck when they aren’t needed, however, you may be seriously undermining your fuel economy. Your truck takes significantly more gas when it is heavily loaded.

Above are just a few easy to implement ways to save significantly on fuel costs for your truck. If you would like to learn more about Nissan trucks , we invite you to visit our convenient local dealership.

As part of a global effort to reduce drunk driving fatalities, Nissan Japan has debuted a concept car that has built in measures to ensure drunks don’t get behind the wheel.

Numerous technologies are present in the conceptual Nissan Fuga sedan to detect behaviours that denote an overly high alcohol consumption. Firstly there’s an alcohol sensor in the knob of the stick shift. The sensor checks the perspiration in the driver’s hand to see if there is an alcohol content that goes above a certain predetermined level. If the alcohol content is too high, the transmission locks and a voice alert goes out to the passengers of the car, alerting them to the reason for the lock.

Not only that, but there are odor sensors built into the car as well — both on the driver and passenger side — that detect the scent of alcohol in the air of the vehicle.

The Fuga is also using computer technology to detect drunk style behaviour in the driver. The car comes with a facial recognition system that monitors awareness while driving — it reads blinking of the eyes in comparison to normal ocular behaviour. The vehicle can tell if it’s veering out of the lane it’s supposed to be in, and if symptoms of fatigued or inattentive actions arise, the car gives visual and audible alerts, as well as tightening the seatbelt to get the attention of the driver.

This is all a part of Nissan’s commitment to reducing the fatalities that come from drunk driving across the world. There’s no word yet on when the Fuga is likely to be available for purchase, but one thing’s for certain — make sure you don’t spill a bottle of mouthwash on the seat of your new Nissan car or you’ll be taking a taxi home.

Gas prices are on everyone’s minds these days. From local corner stores to British newspapers, it seems that everyone is discussing the historic May increase in American fuel prices. Hybrid vehicles seem like a quick and easy answer. After all, these vehicles are clean and environmentally friendly, and can save up to 40% at the gas pump.

However, if you have recently bought your Nissan truck, this might not be the best time to trade it in for a hybrid. The first three years of any vehicle’s lifespan are the most expensive due to rapid depreciation during this time. Your truck lost value immediately when you drove it off the lot, and it will continue to lose value over the first three years at a relatively hefty rate.

On top of this, if you financed your truck, most of your earlier monthly payment goes toward interest. This means that your debt load will not drop as quickly at the beginning of your loan term as it does at the end.

Therefore, trading in your Nissan truck could prove to be quite expensive. At best, you will not make much money on your trade-in. At worst, you could end up in a negative equity situation, in which you owe more than the trade in value.

Hybrid vehicles are typically more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. This means that it will take even longer to realize any actual savings from their superior gas mileage.

Experts now recommend that owners of late-model trucks avoid trading in at this time. Over the next few years, the markets will likely settle down. Combined with the lesser depreciation that you will face, and the lower existing loan you will have, trading in your truck in a few years may be a much better option.

Tomorrow we will bring you some tips on gaining maximum fuel economy in your Nissan truck .

Another relatively new entry to the Nissan line up is the Nissan Murano. Originally introduced to the American market in 2003, the Murano is a crossover vehicle and one of the largest in its class. It’s also available in Europe — one of the only Nissan’s with the same name across the ocean — but only in one version at this point.

Until 2007, the Nissan Murano was Nissan’s only entry into the crossover market. When the Nissan Rogue came about that year, the Murano had company in the class. Despite the luxury car feel, the Nissan Murano is officially considered to be a truck and was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award in 2003.

The newest generation of Murano is coming out in the 2009 models, as Nissan skipped the 2008 year completely to rev up for the release of the redesign. The new Murano bears a strong resemblance to the Rogue but maintains its unique Murano feel. Like any self respecting new Nissan, the Murano offers new features targeted to modern American buyers — Murano owners can have iPod integration, a touch screen navigation system, rain sensing windshield wipers, power fold-up rear seats and more.

Along with its siblings the Altima and the Maxima, the new Nissan Murano is based on the Nissan D platform. It comes in at 265 horse power and features Continuously Variable Transmission with Adaptive Shift Control. With an available back up camera and lush interior, the Murano is the crossover vehicle of choice for discerning consumers who want more get up and go than your average sedan can provide.

If you’d like to test drive the 2009 Nissan Murano, stop by Classic Nissan today or visit the Classic Nissan website for information on new inventory and specials.

Many of today’s SUVs have more in common with luxury cars than with their sturdy truck roots. After all, SUVs have become much more popular with suburban moms and wealthy city dwellers than with rural residents who might have reason to regularly travel off-road. However, the Nissan Armada is one of the few that manages to make a truly successful crossover.

Built on a truck chassis but loaded with luxury features, the Armada is equally home on the streets of Manhattan and in truly rugged off-road terrain. The Armada was introduced in 2004, and the 2008 redesign tweaked a number of features. Here is what Auto 123’s reviewer had to say.

Exterior
The vehicle’s hulking body is imposing, but the style and design elements keep it visually interesting. The 2008 changes are relatively minor, focusing primarily on the grille and front and rear fascias.

Under the Hood
The engine is a powerful 5.6 liter, 317 horsepower V8 that provides 385 pound feet of torque. The vehicle is sharply responsive, well controlled by a five speed automatic transmission with a gated shifter. The reviewer found this setup to be particularly easy to control. As is true with any SUV, this power does require a relatively high consumption of fuel.

Off Road Capability
It is the Armada’s off road capacity that truly sets it apart. A dashboard switch allows easy selection between 2WD, 4WD and low-range 4WD. The vehicle provides an Active Brake Limited Slip function in 4WD mode that helps detect slipping wheels and provide a better grip. Nissan also provides a system known as Vehicle Dynamic Control, which assists in both climbing and descent. Independent front and rear suspensions help to smooth out the ride dramatically.

The Bottom Line
The 2008 Nissan Armada manages to do what many SUVs cannot – provide equal measures of luxury and capability for a true go-anywhere vehicle. If you would like to learn more about the functionality of the Armada or any other Nissan truck, we invite you to visit our friendly Philadelphia area Nissan dealers.

The Nissan Xterra is one of the newest additions to the Nissan family and is rapidly becoming a popular choice among American car owners. Built in Smyrna, Tennessee and São José dos Pinhais, Brazil, the Xterra is also known as the Roniz in Iran and the Paladin in China. The Xterra was named after the XTERRA off road races — a series for which Nissan was the primary sponsor until 2006.

Unlike many Nissan cars, the Xterra is not offered in Japan or Europe — in those markets, the X-Trail and the new Qashqai are Nissan’s versions of the compact sport utility vehicle. Here in the United States, the Xterra was the only entry level SUV by Nissan until the 2008 arrival of the Nissan Rogue. While the Xterra is smaller than the rogue, it’s priced between the Rogue and the Pathfinder because of the additional features.

Originally introduced in the American market in 2000, the Xterra was branded as a simple sport utility vehicle with the tagline “Everything you need, nothing you don’t”. The vehicle was essentially the same for the first four years of its existence, and most of the changes throughout that time were cosmetic or gave additional options.

While the Xterra was popular among many demographics, Nissan targeted their marketing initiatives primarily to the young, outdoorsy set. Xterra commercials often featured young and rugged drivers with a roof rack full of mountain bikes or surf boards, and it was known as an SUV that was affordable but still powerful enough to meet the needs of off-roaders and city drivers alike.

In 2005, the Xterra entered its second generation and the new models were much larger than their predecessors. The new Nissan Xterras share a platform with the Nissan Titan and the Nissan Frontier, and the new version gives 265 horse power.

When you’re ready to meet your new Nissan car, stop by Classic Nissan for a test drive or visit the website for information.

Many Nissan truck owners choose to cover the truck bed in some way. A bed top can create secure storage, making it difficult or impossible for thieves to access the truck bed. It can also help to improve fuel efficiency by making your truck more aerodynamic. Finally, a sleek bed cover can be aesthetically pleasing, creating clean lines. Although the possibilities seem endless, bed covers can be divided into two basic types.

Camper Shells
A camper shell is a hard case that encloses the truck’s bed. It may be as tall as the truck’s cab, greatly increasing the available storage space. Camper shells may be made of fiberglass and customized to your particular truck’s make, model and year. These shells are painted to match your truck’s color and provide a contoured, exact fit.

The other option in camper shells is aluminum. These are significantly less expensive than fiberglass shells, but are available only in standard height, which may be taller or shorter than your truck’s cab. They are available in a range of standard colors.

A camper shell may be your best option if you plan to haul tall cargo and to leave the shell in place. They can be removed by two people, but are heavy and unwieldy.

Bed Covers
Unlike a camper shell, bed covers are designed to lie over the existing truck bed. Therefore, they do not provide vertical storage. They are a low-profile solution that will provide security and decrease drag, improving fuel economy.

Bed covers are also available in two basic styles. Hard covers are durable and will not blow off, providing the most protection. However, they are difficult to remove. Soft covers can be easily removed for the carrying of tall cargo, and some are strong enough to withstand up to a foot of snow.

There is no single best answer to the question of a bed cover for your Nissan truck. It is important to think through the ways in which you will use your truck to find the solution that works best for you.

The Nissan Sentra — an American version of the Japanese Sunny — is Nissan’s contribution to the country’s small car market. Originally a subcompact, the Sentra has grown over the years to become a compact car, although based on the interior space, the US EPA calls it a mid-sized. As far as Nissan is concerned, it’s the one bigger than the Versa, putting solidly into compact category.

The Nissan Sentra officially made its debut in 1982 as a replacement for the Datsun 210. While the Datsun was a rear wheel drive vehicle, the Sentra came out as a front wheel drive vehicle. Interestingly, the Sentra was the first vehicle in the United States to carry only the Nissan name, never having been released as an official Datsun.

Throughout its history, the Sentra has been released in many models, including a station wagon, a two door coupe, a two door hatchback and a three door hatchback. In 2000 the Sentra officially became a compact car — an upgrade from its subcompact status — and for a year the Sentra and the Altima shared the same size class.

In its current design manifestation, the new Nissan Sentra is larger in every capacity than its predecessors. Again upgraded in size — this time to mid size — the new Sentra is based on Renault architecture and is a four door sedan that rests on the Nissan C platform. It’s sold in numerous other countries under several different names. The Sunny is by far the most prevalent, but it’s also known as the Pulsar and the Tsuru throughout Europe, South America and New Zealand.

If you’re in the market for your own Nissan Sentra, feel free to stop by Classic Nissan, your local area Nissan dealership, for a test drive today or visit the website for more information.

A bed liner is a material that fits snugly into the bed of your Nissan truck. The bed liner helps to protect your truck’s bed from the scratches and spills that can result from carrying cargo. However, there are so many different bed liners on the market that it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Fortunately, all bed liners fall into two types – spray-on and drop-in. Here is a guide to the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Spray-On
A spray-on bed liner is, as the name implies, sprayed onto the truck’s bed. The installation is permanent, which means that a poor application can ruin the look of your truck. For this reason, it is very important that you have the liner professionally applied by a company that you trust.

A high quality spray-on liner provides a clean and sleek appearance. However, the liner is thinner than a drop-in liner, making it less protective against gouges and spills. Care should be taken when loading the bed to avoid soaking the liner in liquids such as paint, as well as to avoid dropping heavy items that could crack the liner.

Drop-In
Drop-in bed liners are easier to install than spray-on liners. They are also removable for cleaning or replacement. They tend to be thicker, which can lead to greater protection. You can find drop-in liners that are flexible or rigid, allowing you to make the decision that best meets your needs.

However, drop-in liners are not perfect. They can have a tendency to shift or slip, allowing dirt and debris to collect underneath. Some have a rough surface underneath, which can scratch or chip the paint of your truck bed.

Ultimately the type of bed liner that you select is a personal decision. Take the time to carefully research your options and select the liner that will best protect your Nissan truck.

For new or used Nissan trucks, please visit our New Jersey Nissan dealerships.