1991 Nissan 300zx Turbo Coupe 2-door 3.0l on 2040-cars

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Renault-Nissan promises 10 autonomous models through 2020

Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn promised back in 2013 to have autonomous technology on the road by 2020, and now the automaker has pledged to have more than 10 models ready in that time with varying levels of autonomous capabilities. The company claims it will offer these systems to customers around the world at affordable prices in major markets like the US, Europe, Japan, and China. Renault-Nissan will introduce driverless tech in multiple phases over the next four years. The first step will come later this year with the introduction of a single-lane autonomous system that will be able to go down the highway and manage stop-and-go traffic automatically. The next innovation in 2018 will offer multi-lane capability, and the ability to automatically pass other vehicles on the road. Another big jump will come in 2020 with the ability for models to navigate intersections and urban areas without a driver's control. Renault and Nissan engineers will develop all of this together, and the results will be available in both of the company's brands. Ghosn explained this roadmap towards an autonomous future last year but cautioned that Renault-Nissan didn't plan to take complete control away from owners. Instead, the company sees these systems as a way to make people even safer behind the wheel by reducing the chance for driver error. The automaker's deliberate introduction strategy is prudent because it can potentially adapt to proposed regulations that could mandate rules on how piloted vehicles operate. RENAULT-NISSAN TO LAUNCH MORE THAN 10 VEHICLES WITH AUTONOMOUS DRIVE TECHNOLOGY OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS World's fourth largest car group confirms autonomous drive and connectivity timeline through 2020 Fatal and serious injuries have been significantly reduced; new technologies will help make cars even safer Car group hires new executive to oversee connectivity and connected car services globally SUNNYVALE, Calif. – The Renault-Nissan Alliance will launch more than 10 vehicles with autonomous drive technology in the next four years. The global car group confirmed today that it will launch a range of vehicles with autonomous capabilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and China through 2020. The technology will be installed on mainstream, mass-market cars at affordable prices. In addition, Renault-Nissan will launch a suite of new connectivity applications that will make it easier for people to stay connected to work, entertainment and social networks.

Tokyo court rejects Carlos Ghosn's bail request

TOKYO — A Tokyo court rejected former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn's latest request for bail on Tuesday, more than two months after his arrest. A statement from the Tokyo District Court announcing its decision gave no explanation for prolonging a detention of the 64-year-old executive, which has drawn international scrutiny of Japan's justice system. Ghosn had promised to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, give up his passport and pay for security guards approved by prosecutors in his latest attempt to gain release from a Tokyo detention center. His family said they will appeal. Ghosn has been in custody since Nov. 19. He had a bail hearing Monday. A Tokyo court rejected an earlier request for bail last week. Ghosn, who led Nissan Motor Co. for two decades, has been charged with falsifying financial reports in underreporting his compensation from Nissan over eight years, and with breach of trust, centering on allegations Ghosn had Nissan temporarily shoulder his personal investment losses and pay a Saudi businessman. Ghosn has said he is innocent, explaining that the alleged compensation was never decided, Nissan didn't suffer losses and the payment was for legitimate services. His wife, Carole Ghosn, appealed for his release through Human Rights Watch earlier this month, saying Ghosn's treatment has been harsh and unfair. Her views echo widespread criticism of Japan's criminal justice system both inside and outside Japan. Suspects who insist they are innocent get held longer. Suspects are held in a cell and routinely grilled daily by investigators without a lawyer present, although lawyers are allowed to visit. Ghosn's lawyer Motonari Ohtsuru has acknowledged Ghosn's release may not come until the trial, which may be six months away. A date for the trial has not been set. Nissan officials say an internal investigation has found that Ghosn had schemes to hide his income and that he used company money and assets for personal gain. A special committee Nissan set up after Ghosn's arrest to strengthen governance held its first meeting Sunday. Seiichiro Nishioka, a former judge and co-chair, told reporters after the meeting that Ghosn had shown questionable ethics, and too much power within the company had been focused in one person. The committee's findings are due by late March. Ghosn's pay was long a sticking point in Japan, where executives generally get paid far less than their American and other Western counterparts.

Infiniti QX60 Monograph previews a handsome next-gen three-row crossover

Infiniti has pulled the sheet off its QX60 Monograph — a styling exercise meant to preview the forthcoming production replacement for its three-row crossover. Infiniti insists that while this is not the production QX60 replacement, it is close enough to not merely be labeled a "concept." Whatever Infiniti wants to call it, it's impressive. This slick design blends elements of the original Infiniti FX line with some of the luxury brand's more recent artistic direction (see: the big, fat grille) and perhaps a little dose of European flavor; we'd be lying if we said there wasn't some Jaguar F-Pace evident in that profile.  "More than a design study or concept, a 'Monograph' provides a tangible insight into how Infiniti plans to transform a future model. The QX60 Monograph previews some of the proportions and design elements that will adorn the brandÂ’s future three-row SUV, " Infiniti said in the QX60's official announcement. "We commenced the design of the Monograph knowing this was an opportune time to start a discussion about where we are planning to take the QX60 in the future," said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president, Global Design, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.  "In crafting this Monograph, we wanted to change the tonality of the QX60 and transform the nameplate from a sculptural and architectural point of view. We raised the visual center of gravity, giving it a strong, straight shoulder line that carries through to the hood, with a higher, more prominent grille, and longer-looking cabin to deliver a sense of muscularity and a commanding presence," Albaisa said. Every element of the QX60 Monograph's exterior was designed deliberately to convey that image, from the heat-sink-inspired shape of the headlamps to the slick, well-integrated segments of the rear lighting signature, which blends into a single wrap-around element when not illuminated.  As close to production-ready as this QX60 Monograph might be, there are some obvious signs that there's still work yet to be done. As you'll note, there's not a single shot of this crossover's interior, and that's because it doesn't have one yet. Infiniti knows it can't afford to fumble a new launch, especially of a crossover, so we have fairly high expectations for its cabin, especially since Infiniti has been known to produce some top-notch interiors when it tries. Look for the real-deal next-generation QX60 to be shown sometime in 2021.