2015 Nissan Altima on 2040-cars

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Nissan teases Sao Paolo CUV concept, production future likely

Back in 2012 at Brazil's São Paulo Motor Show, Nissan showed off an angular subcompact crossover concept, Extrem, that seemed to to portend the future of the Nissan Juke. Now, the Japanese automaker is teasing an as-yet-unnamed CUV concept for this year's show. The new showcar, set for an October 28 unveiling, is expected to be a closer-to-production version of the Extrem ethos.
Why should we care? Autoblog has reason to believe that this vehicle is under consideration for global distribution. The production Extrem - or whatever it ends up being called - is likely to be positioned size-wise in between the Juke and the recently upsized Rogue, offering more space and still-adventuresome styling, yet at a less expensive price. If accurate, that sounds like the production model will be a fair bit larger than the conceptual Xtrem, which was built atop a modified version of Nissan's V-platform, a model that underpins its March supermini (and speaking of the March, Nissan has also teased what looks to be a sporty concept version of it for the Brazilian show, too).
It's important to note that Nissan already has a bustling small CUV portfolio globally, what with its popular Qashqai / X-Trail models in markets beyond ours. There continues to be persistent rumors that Nissan is considering bringing over the Qashqai, as well, a model seemingly already quite close in size and execution to the Rogue. Despite this, Nissan has shown no hesitation in exploring every niche of the burgeoning CUV market, and while not every derivative has been a success, models like the Juke have rewarded the company's bravery with handsome sales.

Recharge Wrap-up: Saleen renames its Tesla, Nissan announces "No Charge To Charge" in Atlanta

Saleen has renamed its Tesla Model S the Saleen ST and has added a version the P85D to its modified lineup. Formerly called the Saleen FourSixteen, referencing the car's 416 horsepower, the ST stands for "Saleen Tesla." While the ST receives no increase in output, modifications include aerodynamic, suspension and brake tuning, as well as some aggressive looks to go along with it. Customers can also opt for Saleen drive ratios, making the 691-horsepower, dual-motor version accelerate from 0-60 in less than three seconds. The Saleen ST380 starts at $132,000, with the ST691 starting at $164,600. Read more at Motor Authority or in the press release below. After one month of operation in Brooklyn, Car2go has over 13,000 members in its new locale. Users in what is now the carsharing service's fastest-growing market have already logged 55,000 miles for the Brooklyn fleet, with the average trip taking 22.45 minutes. The most popular destinations for Brooklyn users are The Barclays Center, Prospect Park and Williamsburg. Car2go has also announced its Mobile Access feature, which allows users to begin their trips with the mobile app as an alternative to using the member card. Read more in the press release below. Nissan has announced its "No Charge To Charge" program for Atlanta. That means customers who buy or lease a Nissan Leaf at Atlanta dealerships will receive free charging at more than 12 fast-charging stations in the Atlanta area. Nissan is extending the program to customers who got their Leaf beginning November 1, 2014. Nissan offers "No Charge To Charge" in 12 other markets, with at least 12 more planned for the US. Read more in the press release below. Tesla has named Ricardo Reyes as its communications chief. Reyes led Tesla's communications department until 2012, when he left the company to work from Square. Returning to Tesla, Reyes will oversee Tesla's online presence and public relations. After looking for someone like Reyes to fill the position, Tesla CEO Elon Musk eventually was able to bring the man himself back to the company. Read more at Businessweek. Saleen Expands Electric Performance Vehicle Lineup Saleen delivers the 1st Saleen Tesla model, and provides additional drivetrain options. Saleen Automotive Inc. (OTCQB: SLNN) Corona, CA – (November 20, 2014) Saleen Automotive has begun deliveries of the Model S based Saleen FOURSIXTEEN, which comes only a short time after the successful new product launch in Pebble Beach, CA.

Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Murano Hybrid in China, FCA hearts E15

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has approved the use of E15 in its 2016 model year vehicles. The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased with the automaker's choice to cover the higher ethanol blend in its warranty statements, describing it as a positive signal for the future growth of E15. "FCA's decision to join GM and Ford provides clear evidence that the tide on E15 has turned," says RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. "The automaker's decision not to embrace E15 had been a major point of concern and tension for the last three years." Read more from the RFA. Skoda's head of purchasing, Dieter Seemann, discusses sourcing EV components in a new interview. He says the biggest challenge is seeking out future suppliers for electric motor and connected vehicle components. "We have to really understand what happens in this business to identify the right partners to have in five to eight years from now," says Seemann. "Many of these are suppliers completely new to us." He says Skoda purchases 50 to 55 percent of its parts directly, while chassis and powertrain parts are shared among other Volkswagen Group brands. Read the full interview at Automotive News Europe. Nissan is helping the European Commission develop a pedestrian alert system for electric vehicles. Called Electric Vehicle Alert for Detection and Emergency Response (eVADER), the project aims to develop technology that provides audible cues to alert pedestrians to oncoming vehicles without contributing to noise pollution. Nissan created a system for the Leaf that uses a camera to recognize pedestrians and cyclists and direct a sound in their direction. This work will help the EU shape its laws moving forward. Read more at Electric Cars Report. The Nissan Murano Hybrid has gone on sale in China. The Murano Hybrid is powered by a supercharged 2.5-liter engine and an electric motor with lithium-ion battery. The hybrid uses Nissan's All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel-drive system, and is equipped with a host of safety technology. The new Murano helps Nissan cater to China's growing demand for SUVs, and is also part of the "Young Nissan" strategy. Read more at Green Car Congress, or in the press release below. Nissan introduces the all-new Murano to China SHANGHAI, China(August 8, 2015) – Nissan today announced that the all-new Murano, including the hybrid version, is officially available for sale from its joint venture in China, Dongfeng Nissan Passenger vehicle company (DFL-PV).