Nissan Reveals Datsun Go Hatch for India, Other Emerging Markets

Datsun, the resurrected Nissan brand, has revealed its first new car that will launch in India next year. The Datsun Go is a simple, affordable four-door hatchback that will also be sold in Indonesia, Russia, and South Africa.

Nissan announced last March that it would resurrect the Datsun name for a line of low-cost cars for emerging markets. The new Datsun Go measures 149.0 inches long and 64.4 inches wide, putting it close in size to a Mazda2 hatchback. A 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission route power to the front wheels. There is no built-in radio, but Datsun says the new car features a smartphone dock for playing music. The Go will cost the equivalent of $6700.

“This is an historic day for Nissan Motor Company and for our customers,” Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said in a statement. “It’s also an exciting moment for many women and men here in India who — today — come one step closer to realizing the dream of purchasing a car.”

Although Datsun pitches the Go as a first car for many families, the company promises the Go is not a stripped-down car. It is said to be, “high-quality, stylish and modern, delivering an engaging driving experience.” Datsun will build the Go in Chennai, India, and also plans to launch a range of other new low-cost cars next year. Much of the engineering work for the car was also completed in India, although the styling was done by Nissan’s designers in Japan.

Nissan has no plans to sell Datsun cars in the U.S. or Europe. The company’s goal is to have a totally separate brand for selling low cost cars in emerging markets, so as not to tarnish the reputation of other Nissan and Infiniti cars.

Source: Nissan

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2014 Nissan GT-R Special Edition priced at $106,590

Nissan is introducing the GT-R Special Edition for 2014, slathered in Midnight opal black paint. Only 50 units will be available in the United States, 100 worldwide.

The Special Edition, which is based on the Premium model, gets the unique paint, dry carbon-fiber rear spoiler, and forged aluminum wheels with a “hyper-titanium” coating. A gold model-number plate will be attached in the engine compartment, noting the specialness of the vehicle.

The Midnight opal paint is applied by hand, with a sparkling finish that changes depending on light conditions.

Power continues from Nissan's 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 rated at 545 hp and 463 lb-ft of torque. It's routed through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels.

The 2014 Nissan GT-R Special Edition will cost $106,590, including destination. That's a $6,000 bump over the GT-R Premium model.

The Special Edition will join the Black Edition and two-seat Track Edition for 2014. The cars will ship in September.

Dry carbon fiber spoiler on GT-R. 

2014 Nissan GT-R Special Edition engine plaque. 

Lighweight forged wheels on 2014 Nissan GT-R. 

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Next-Gen Nissan GT-R May Go Hybrid

The 2014 Nissan GT-R represents the fifth revision of the R35 series GT-R since its launch. We hear that at least two more updates to the present Godzilla are in the works and that the R35 will live on until at least 2015, though our source says it could be around until as late as 2017. The extended timeframe could be good news, as we've heard that Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn only recently lit the green light to begin development of a new GT-R. So what's next? Let the speculation begin! 

The most significant changes to the new GT-R will most likely be to its exterior design and engine. As you can see from this artist's impression the next GT-R, the basic proportions should remain the same, while the headlights and aerodynamic package are likely to receive a big makeover in an effort to further maximize downforce and high-speed stability.

Like all automakers, Nissan is staring down the barrel of ever more stringent U.S. and European emissions regulations that will force it to continue to reduce CO2 output and improve fuel economy. According to our source, that means the next GT-R may have to employ "some electronic device" to help boost Godzilla's mpg numbers. 

Nissan reportedly is looking at two potential options. The first is some kind of hybrid system. One possible future hint was the hybridized (and downsized to 3.7 liters) VR38DETT fitted to the Infiniti Essence concept car first seen at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show that produced an estimated 600 combined horsepower, though our source stresses that the Essence is not the next GT-R. Engineers are also evaluating a hybrid system similar to that of the Infiniti M35h. However, adding a hybrid system means bulking up the GT-R's already substantial weight with motors and batteries, so unless designers can shave some 400 pounds off of the current car, a hybrid GT-R is likely to be problematic.

The second option is a "turbo compressor and generator setup" still in the testing stages. Seen as a mere "assist" device for the current powertrain, a newly fitted drive motor could be designed to slot right inside the car's rear transaxle. "The GT-R would also have to employ a start-stop device as well as cylinder deactivation technology to get CO2 down," says our insider.

Chief engineer Kazutoshi Mizuno hinted at a possible date for the next generation's debut when he said his team's entry in this year's Nurburgring 24-hour race was to ensure the car had the performance, reliability, and endurance capabilities to "take the car up to 2017, when you can expect significant revisions." As we left the circuit, Mizuno hinted that he and his team were already working on the next generation GT-R. But it was one of his talented younger cohorts who nodded a silent "yeah" when we suggested the next-generation coupe would be a hybrid. So, if nods are to be believed, then the all-important weight issue seems to have been solved. Now that's good news.





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