Nissan to Unveil Townpod EV Concept at Paris Show

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, which opens on 30 September, Nissan will lift the wraps off a new electric car concept called the Townpod. The Japanese automaker will release full details at the show but for now, all we have about the concept model is this cropped photo of the front headlamp and Nissan's claims that "it combines eye-catching design with a spacious and practical interior," and that " it heralds a new-era of flexible, stylish vehicles that will bring electric-vehicle mobility to the masses."

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Nissan Europe Refreshes X-Trail SUV, Sales Start in September

We already took our first look at the updated for 2011 X-Trail SUV with the introduction of the Japanese market model in the beginning of July, but now, Nissan has released details on the European market version that will arrive in showrooms in September (October for the UK).

The revised X-Trail benefits from some modest updates to the exterior styling, improved interior quality and functionality, as well as from mechanical and aerodynamic changes.

As you may (or may not...) notice from the pictures, the 2011 X-Trail has undergone very minor cosmetic surgery. Highlight include the redesigned grille, headlights and bumper assembly at the front, along with revised tail lamps that now incorporate LED light technology for the running lights and braking, restyled rear bumper and new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in beefier tires.

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2011 Nissan X-Trail SUV Facelift Breaks Cover in Japan

You're looking at the refreshed Japanese domestic market [JDM] version of the Nissan X-Trail, a compact SUV model sold in Europe, Japan and other parts of the world but not in the States. For the 2011MY, there's the subtlest of design tweaks, mainly to the front end and the interior, plus a new diesel version and equipment upgrades.

On the outside, the JDM 2011 X-Trail gains a redesigned front grille, front bumper and headlights, along with a reworked rear bumper and new LED tail lamps. There's also a new model called 'X-Tremer' boasting unique bumpers and alloy wheels.

In the interior, the X-Trail is spruced up with a redesigned instrument panel featuring larger dials and a new information display system, fresh colors and additional standard features.

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Nissan X-Trail Clean Diesel Released in Japan

With the market launch of the new clean diesel X-Trail "20GT" on September 18, Nissan will become the second automaker to sell a diesel-powered vehicle in Japan. Up until now, the only brand offering a diesel car in Japan is Mercedes-Benz with its E320 CDI. The X-Trail is powered by the 2.0-liter M9R diesel equipped with a particulate filter and lean NOx trap catalysts delivering an output of 173 PS and maximum torque of 360Nm or 265-lbs/ft. Nissan says that the ‘20GT’ achieves a fuel-efficiency 35.7mpg US or 6.5 lt/100km representing an increase of about 30% in fuel economy over a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with the same output. -Continued

Moreover buyers in Japan will benefit from the lower price of diesel versus standard gasoline. The new clean diesel X-TRAIL 20GT is offered in Japan with standard ALL MODE 4x4i and 5-speed manual transmission with prices (including consumption tax) starting from 2,999,850 yen which is about $27,730 or €19,100.

Nissan X-Trail FCV Sets Fastest Lap for Fuel-Cell Vehicle at the ‘Ring

Ever since Nissan first announced the lap time of the all-new GT-R at the Nurburgring circuit, carmakers are going berserk with ‘Ring times; Porsche did it with the new 911 Carrera; GM did it with the Corvette ZR1 and the CTS-V and so did Renault with the Megane R26.R. Now Nissan has made a comeback by announcing the lap time of the X-Trail FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) that managed to turn the 20.8 km-long course in 11:58 minutes. Since Nissan is the first automaker to record an FCV lap on the famous circuit, the X-Track FCV is of course the fastest vehicle of its type… -Continued

“I was very surprised at just how comfortable it is to drive a fuel cell car. You get in, turn the key and off you go, just like with a normal car,” said Frank Eickholt, member of the Nissan 24 Hours Nürburgring race team and Nordschleife aficionado. “Although some of the uphill sections were challenging, the speed was still very impressive. If the course hadn’t been so wet, I could have gotten more momentum out of the curves. Thirty to 40 seconds could have been shaved off for sure,” he added.

The X-Trail FCV that is powered by electricity produced on board the vehicle, in a hydrogen fuel cell stack, has an official top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and a range of 500 km (310 miles). Maximum output is 120PS while maximum torque is 280Nm.