Nissan announces the price list for its Leaf EV. For as low as US$25,280 (US$32,780 MSRP minus up to US$7,500 federal tax credit, for which the car is eligible), buyers can have a zero-emissions vehicle in their garages come December 2010.

That price includes personal charging docks which work with normal 220-volt sockets. A charging dock should cost about US$2,200 but both the equipment and installation are eligible for a 50% federal tax credit of up to $2,000.

The basic SV Leaf will be fitted with an advanced navigation system, Internet/smart phone connectivity for pre-heat/pre-cool and charging control, Bluetooth and push-button start as standard.

“Imagine the possibility of never needing to go to…

Nissan and Daimler are in talks of swapping engines and electric vehicle technology, recent reports said.

While both companies have yet to fully disclose their agreement, Japan’s Nikkei business daily had already said that Nissan wants “larger” engines from Daimler. In exchange, Nissan would provide Daimler with electric vehicles, batteries, and/or equity. The paper added Daimler is already in talks with Renault, so discussions would likely be expanded into three-way negotiations.

By the end of the week, Carlos Ghosn, Renault-Nissan CEO, will meet executives on the details of the proposed partnership talks. And if all goes according to plan, Renault will be joining the Daimler-Nissan talks shortly.

The report also adds that Daimler…

Pricing details for Nissan’s latest electric vehicle, the Leaf, has already been released.

According to JDM, Japanese pricing for the Leaf is said to be in the Y3.5 million-Y4 million range, which converts to between $38,800 and $44,300.

The Leaf is powered by a 24 kWh lithium ion battery pack which is mounted under the car’s floor. Leaf is based on a new pure-electric platform developed around the Tiida/Versa chassis. For reference, Leaf’s battery pack has roughly 40% the capacity of the one used in Tesla’s $100,000 Roadster. The vehicle’s motor is said to produce 107-horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque.

Leaf can be charged up to 80 percent of its full capacity…

Nissan launched its 2011 Nissan NV, a set of three CV vans for the commercial vehicle market in North America.

The rage features three NV variants –the NV1500, the NV2500 HD and the NV3500 HD. The NV2500 HD and the NV3500 HD will also be available in a High Roof configuration which allows for more cargo space and a more comfortable work environment as it allows for a person to stand up inside rear of the van. Only the NV1500 comes solely in the Standard Roof body style.

The cargo area of the NV will be 120.7 inches long (306 cm) and 70.3 inches (179 cm) wide. The Standard Roof variant will…

Nissan’s Micra has long been popular with European since its late 2002 debut, it was time for a redesign. And now, in all those years and after just one facelift since then, the 2011 Micra, debuts at the Geneva Motor Show. The 2011 Micra also is the first car to ride on Nissan’s all-new V-platform.

Aimed mainly at urban drivers, the Micra will offer a so-called “parking space measurement” system that combines with the parking sensors to help drivers navigate their way into parallel slots.

The 2011 Micra is powered with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder, the 79-horsepower engine. That may not sound as powerful, but its agile packaging and low-displacement engine combine to…

In anticipation of its next week debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Nissan has unveiled its updated Pathfinder SUV. The new rugged vehicle is then expected to make its US debut on March at the New York Auto Show.

The European Pathfinder, which mostly shows what the US version would be, features a revised front fascia complete with a new hood, redesigned grille, updated headlights and new bumper. V6-powered models receive new badging as well as side molding. Newly designed 16, 17 and 18-inch wheels are also part of the Pathfinder revision.

Inside, the Euro-spec Pathfinder comes with all-new door trims, revised switchgear and dials, chrome accents and new seat fabrics. Other…

Nissan has released details for its new global compact car which is set to replace the Micra model. The new vehicle is set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next month.

The car, which is based on an all-new V Platform, features an all-new powertrain set-up. This includes a new 1.2 liter, 3-cylinder engine and a newly developed CVT (continuously variable transmission) that provides for a lot of flexibility for such a small power plant. The new CVT features a sub-gear that allows for a very wide gear ratio of 7.3.

Friction between parts throughout the vehicle has also been reduced to maximize efficiency. The company claims that this new powertrain…

Hertz will be the first major rental fleet that will be offering a fully electric vehicle when it adds the Nissan Leaf as part of its regular fleet. Hertz will start offering the vehicle in certain markets in the US and Europe beginning early next year.

Nissan and the car rental agency has signed a memorandum of understanding that will have Hertz design a roll-out program for the Leaf shortly after its fall 2010 public on sale date.

“The partnership with Nissan seals Hertz’s commitment to green-car rentals and firmly demonstrates our mission to advancing zero-emission mobility on a global scale,” said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and CEO. “With unique solutions…

Nissan introduces its Cube Krom Edition. This new boxy-shaped vehicle is designed to appeal to customers regardless of age.

The Nissan Cube is equipped with the1.8liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 127 pound feet of torque. The engine is paired to Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission.

The EPA says the Cube Krom checks in with a mileage rating of 28 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway

The Cube features a refrigerator-like rear door, waterdrop roof liner, roundish windows and an expressive front end. The Krom edition also adds in chrome grilles and bumper trim, ground and aero effect body parts, 16-inch alloy wheels, a premium audio…

Nissan is planning to release two new small cars for the US markets. The new cars will be based on the new global V platform of the Japanese automaker. And there’s more, both models will be tagged below $10,000 and slot beneath the Nissan Versa.

The new V platform that Nissan is still developing will replace the current Nissan Micra—a vehicle sold outside of the United States. Three vehicles will be built under the V platform, and two of those vehicles will be bound to the US market.

Both models is targeted to be priced below $10,000, which could make them as two of the most affordable cars on the market. A…

Orders for Nissan’s ultimate version of its GT-R supercar, the SpecV, has already been taken as the sale of the 40 limited models of it nears closing on January 22, 2010. The number 40 signifies the number of years since the first Nissan wore the GT-R badge. And as to pay respect to the Nordschleife circuit in Germany, the SpecV will only be displayed in Europe at the Nissan Sports showroom in the Nürburgring complex.

The SpecV is a two-seater with bespoke Recaro carbon fiber bucket seats trimmed in black leather. The Bose speakers are trimmed with carbon fiber, as well as the instrument panels and other trim areas. Outside, the…

The United Arab Emirate’s capital city has just purchased a Nissan GT-R for the Abu Dhabi police department. The unveiling took place at the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Under the hood of the civilian-issue GT-R is the same 3.8 Liter V6 engine that can come up with 485 horsepower. The GT-R can sprint from zero to sixty kilometers in just under four seconds. However, as this is still a police car, the roof-mounted light bar may unfavorably affect the GT-R’s top speed of 193 mph.

The $ 83, 000 Nissan GT-R will surely give criminals at Abu Dhabi second thoughts of breaking, or running, from the law. Or maybe not, as…