Nissan Leaf NISMO RC: Purpose Built Track Racer Heads to New York Auto Show

There has been a lot of conversation lately about electric cars and racing, with some even talking about introducing the technology into the F1 stage. Nissan, on its part, has a lot to gain in terms of awareness given the brands focus on the development of dedicated electric vehicles like the Leaf.

With this in mind, the Japanese carmaker developed a purpose-built prototype racer loosely based on the production Leaf that will receive its first public outing at the 2011 New York International Auto Show on April 20th. Compared to the production model, the Lead NISMO RC (for Racing Competition), does away with the rear doors, rear seat, trunk, audio system, navigation, carpeting and other amenities, while gaining a mid-ship location for the battery pack, electric motor and inverter.

The dedicated racer also gets a full carbon fiber monocoque bodywork with removable front and rear sections, fixed windows, LED headlights and taillights and driver-adjustable rear wing.

It features a 3.9-inch shorter wheelbase, and is 0.8 inches longer and 6.7 inches wider than the production Leaf, with the most dramatic change concerning height as the RC sits more than a foot (13.8 inches) lower than the road-going model, and ground clearance is limited to 2.4 inches. More importantly, at 2,068 pounds (938 kg), the race version of the Leaf weighs in at about 40 percent less than the production vehicle.

Underneath the carbon fiber skin, the NISMO RC features a mid-mounted lithium-ion battery and a 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque, both sourced directly from the production model. However, power is transferred to the rear-wheels versus the production Leaf’s front-wheel drive.

The NISMO RC also makes us of a double-wishbone suspension design front and rear and driver-adjustable brake balance, while it rides on 18-inch 6-spoke wheels and P225/40R18 Bridgestone racing tires.

Nissan says that in preliminary testing, the NISMO RC returned 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration time of 6.85 seconds and a top speed of 93 miles per hour, adding that it is projected to have a running time of around 20 minutes under racing conditions.

The Lead NISMO RC isn’t just a pure study as Nissan said it will likely make a series of special demonstration appearances at various motorsports venues throughout the year, with the company exploring EV competition spec series in future years.

“Combining the talents of NISMO, Nissan’s world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company’s Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas.

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Sedan: China Edition

Another day, another photo of General Motors’ 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. This time, GM’s China site published a three-quarter view of the local market version of Chevy’s mid-size sedan finished in a blue hue. Blame the angle the picture was taken, but the new Malibu looks less dynamic, more plain here than it did on the previous image of the US-spec model. Of course, that’s our two cents worth, so feel free to express your thoughts in the comments section below.

The official unveiling of the 2013 Malibu is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 18 through a high-definition video streamed over the Internet, which coincides with the April 19 auto show debut of the mid-size sedan in Shanghai. It will also be shown at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday.

General Motors has revealed that the new Malibu will be sold in 100 countries worldwide with assembly taking place at numerous plants, including China and two factories in the States. It will be offered at launch with region-specific four-cylinder engines.

Source: GM via eGMcartech

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2012 Hyundai Accent: #Pointless Sneak Peek of N.A-Spec Hatch on @Twitter

Unless Hyundai’s sneak peek has something to do with the interior décor of the 2012 Accent shown at the annual Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival, there’s really not much to say about the South Korean firm’s cropped photo-posting on Twitter.

True, Hyundai will premiere its new sub-compact for the first time in the USA at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, but it won’t be a first per se as we’ve seen the new car in Beijing, in Moscow with a different name and face and more recently, at the 2011 Montreal Auto Show in January (see the video after the break).

The South Korean company’s redesigned entry in the competitive sub-compact segment features a more expressive design that borrows the lines of the latest Sonata and Elantra models, and will be offered with a new more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine said to reach 40mpg on the highway.

Volvo Teases Mysterious Concept Universe that Could Preview a Flagship Model

Volvo released a teaser video of its upcoming Concept Universe, without giving out any additional information other than that it's a new design study that will be launched shortly. This means it could debut at one of this month's international auto shows, either in New York (April 22 – May 1) or Shanghai (April 21 – 28). Taking into account the fact that Volvo is owned by China’s Geely, the Shanghai show could be the more probable venue of the two for the new Volvo.

The short video is not very revealing, simply showing the car under a cover and a few design sketches. However, we get a glimpse at a drawing showing a sharp front end a rear end that looks more fastback than sedan.

According to some reports, the Universe concept could preview a future S90 production model, a larger sedan than the company current largest, the S80. The new car could signal Volvo's involvement in the luxury vehicle segment, where it would compete against models like the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 or Jaguar XJ. A move like this would seem reasonable given Geely’s plans for Volvo to enter the large sedan segment. Expect more details about the Volvo Universe concept in the following days. Until then, take a look at the teaser video below.

By Dan Mihalascu

Nissan to Show New Versa and a Motorsports Concept in New York, Infiniti to Announce New Addition to Range

One by one, automakers are revealing their plans for the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show. This time we have news from Nissan and its luxury division Infiniti. Starting with Nissan, the Japanese firm will debut a “new compact sedan” and a “new, zero emission motorsports concept”. While we have don’t have any information yet on the concept study, from what we know, the compact sedan will be the next generation of the Versa that was teased in an official sketch back in late 2010.

As for Infiniti, Nissan’s premium brand said that its New York debuts will include an announcement of a new luxury addition to the lineup that will go on sale next Spring, the regional premiere of the IPL G Convertible Concept and the first North American showing of the Red Bull Racing Formula One Car, sponsored by Infiniti.

We’ll keep an eye out for any new information and pass it on as it comes.

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2013 Chevrolet Malibu Sedan: China Edition

Another day, another photo of General Motors’ 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. This time, GM’s China site published a three-quarter view of the local market version of Chevy’s mid-size sedan finished in a blue hue. Blame the angle the picture was taken, but the new Malibu looks less dynamic, more plain here than it did on the previous image of the US-spec model. Of course, that’s our two cents worth, so feel free to express your thoughts in the comments section below.

The official unveiling of the 2013 Malibu is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 18 through a high-definition video streamed over the Internet, which coincides with the April 19 auto show debut of the mid-size sedan in Shanghai. It will also be shown at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday.

General Motors has revealed that the new Malibu will be sold in 100 countries worldwide with assembly taking place at numerous plants, including China and two factories in the States. It will be offered at launch with region-specific four-cylinder engines.

Source: GM via eGMcartech

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2012 Hyundai Accent: #Pointless Sneak Peek of N.A-Spec Hatch on @Twitter

Unless Hyundai’s sneak peek has something to do with the interior décor of the 2012 Accent shown at the annual Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival, there’s really not much to say about the South Korean firm’s cropped photo-posting on Twitter.

True, Hyundai will premiere its new sub-compact for the first time in the USA at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, but it won’t be a first per se as we’ve seen the new car in Beijing, in Moscow with a different name and face and more recently, at the 2011 Montreal Auto Show in January (see the video after the break).

The South Korean company’s redesigned entry in the competitive sub-compact segment features a more expressive design that borrows the lines of the latest Sonata and Elantra models, and will be offered with a new more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine said to reach 40mpg on the highway.

Lexus LF-Gh Concept Hybrid Sports Sedan Unwrapped: 50 High-Res Photos

Today’s the day for Lexus to formally lift the wraps off its new LF-Gh hybrid concept ahead of its global debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, which runs for the public from April 22 to May 1. The Japanese firm’s latest concept is for a premium grand tourer that previews a new design direction for the next generation of Lexus models.

Even though Toyota’s luxury division won’t say it, the LF-Gh’s also hints at a replacement for the GS given the proximity in size between the two models as the concept measures 192.5-in. long, 73.6-in. wide, 57.1-in. tall while riding on a 112.2-in long wheelbase. In comparison, the current GS is 190.7-in long, 71.7-in. wide, 56.1-in tall and rides on the same 112.2-in long wheelbase.

Lexus says that through this exercise, it redefines its L-Finesse design philosophy, which debuted in 2001, adding that it represents a bolder styling that “unites hard and soft; and energetic and soothing elements”. Needless to say, the LF-Gh has borrowed many styling elements from Lexus’ first supercar, the LF-A, including the body surfaces as well as the shape of the tail lamps, headlights and front grille.

“Customers have been waiting for a bold concept like this from Lexus,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “We look forward to their feedback and integrating some of these exciting design features into future Lexus vehicles.”

We only get a glimpse of the interior in these photos, but from what we can tell, the LF-A also played a role in the styling of the cabin and dashboard. According to the Japanese automaker, “it is an interior designed to respond to the needs of customers who know true quality, and are particular about details”.

The only information we get about the powertrain setup is that the LF-Gh features a hybrid propulsion system.

More details will be released next week during the car’s world premiere at the New York Auto Show.

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