The brand new 2013 Nissan 370Z Roadster is an absolute treat of a car. Powered by a 3.7-liter V6, this car produces 332hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The model we were given to review was the 370Z Touring with the Sport package, which comes has a starting price of $47,000. While that is a steep price for a Nissan, you get every bit of your dollar's worth of of this car.

Inside the car, you are greeted with two roomy seats and an inviting feeling. Both the steering wheel and center console were free of clutter and only had the buttons that are necessary. The media center and navigation system were simple to use after the brief learning curve. As far as space goes, the 2013 370z has plenty of room. Our 6'4" colleague had plenty of legroom and headroom in cockpit, which is quite a feat for such a small looking car. However, if you happen to be a 7" being, you may have to put the top down, which takes about 20 seconds.

From the outside this car screams 'sports car'. It has a tight little body and and front fascia that is simple yet powerful. My favorite part of the front end were the LEDs on the sides that are reminiscent of Master Chief's helmet from the video game Halo. The styling all around the 2013 370z Touring Roadster is fantastic. It has a short wheelbase, low ground clearance and the car itself is quite short. All of this allows for a low center of gravity, which allows for a fun and exciting drive.

The 3.7-liter V6 that powers this car provides plenty of power off of the line and even through higher speeds. You can choose either the 6-speed manual transmission or the 7-speed automatic transmission. Both come with Downshift rev matching which does exactly what you think it does. While this system may help those who are unfamiliar with a manual transmission, I felt like I was cheating the manual transmission. My daily driver is a manual, and part of the fun is rev matching, because when you get that perfect downshift, you feel like a racecar driver for a split second. But then that feeling is gone within seconds because you realize you are stuck in traffic in an old Mustang.

If you are looking for a top-of-the-line sports car without the $100k price tag, I highly suggest you take one for a test drive at your local Nissan dealer. I had a blast with this car and was very surprised with how well it performed. While the MSRP is near $50k, if will give you every dollars worth.

Compact SUVs are all the rage in the automotive market and it is a tough market to crack. Some companies have done it right, while others have faltered. Does Nissan have what it takes to make a winner out of the 2013 Rogue?

From the outside, the Rogue is a great looking compact SUV. Really, if someone were to ask me for an example of how a compact SUV should look, I would gladly point them towards a Nissan Rogue. It has very sport appearance that crossovers are so fond of. One thing I loved about its exterior is that it didn’t scream, “I’m just a small SUV.”

Once inside, you are greeted with an interior that is a tad… boring. Don’t get me wrong, it is a very functional interior, but a bit of sprucing up would be nice. This dulled down interior may be because of the Rogue’s low starting price of just $24,000. So, for a crossover at that price, I really can’t complain. It is a reasonably priced compact SUV, but you get your moneys worth, trust me. The roomy interior was a surprise, considering the Rogue’s small stature. All passengers are given plenty of leg and head room in the Rogue. And the trunk gives you room for all of your groceries and then some.

On the road the Rogue feels very much like a car, which is a good thing. These type of SUVs aren’t meant to drive like Range Rovers or Hummers, they are supposed to give you the space of an SUV and the drive of a coupe and the Rogue does just that. However, like I always say, there could be a tad more power under the hood, but with 23/28 mpg, sometimes using less fuel is better than being able to zip down the roads. And what do you really expect from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine?

I enjoyed by stay with the 2013 Nissan Rogue. There were a few marks for it, but overall I was impressed. Nissan has done great with this model and I look for them to improve on it. Its low price and attractive styling will draw the crowd, while its power may have some second guessing.

The Wall Street Journal recently sat down with the CEO and Chair of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, and talk to him about his plans for reviving Datsun.  The most striking topic that was brought up was his plan to create a $3,000 car.  Many are speculating that there is no way to profit off of such a cheap car, by Ghosn is sticking to his guns.  Here is the interview:

WSJ: Why Datsun, and why now?

Mr. Ghosn: The responsibility of every CEO is to make sure that you have enough waves for growth for the future…The most obvious one is geographical extension…But all car manufacturers are already practically everywhere. So in a certain way the growth [era] coming from geographical extension is ending because we are all global. We have, in our midterm plan, three [new] accelerators of growth that we have identified. The first one is [Nissan’s luxury brand] Infiniti….The second accelerator, obviously, [is] the [Leaf] electric car…And the third is low-cost cars.

When I say ‘low-cost car,’ I’m talking about the one that we mentioned, $3,000-$5,000, engineered and produced in India first and probably expanded after that to other markets for which we are building platforms and we’re working with partners…The third wave is very important because this is the one which is going to accelerate the move in emerging markets from people who are buying used cars, or people who are driving motorcycles today, or people who have nothing for transportation, to [enabling] people who would like a car. The only reason which is blocking them is the price.

WSJ: Can you make any money on a $3,000 car?

Mr. Ghosn: Oh yeah.

WSJ: How?

Mr. Ghosn: If you engineer well, and if you [don’t] build a car, but build a system around a car, then yes, it’s profitable.

WSJ: No other global auto maker has succeeded in the low end of emerging markets…

Mr. Ghosn: Good! Exactly! Good! So what? We’re going to be the one.

WSJ: But aren’t the risks incredibly high?

Mr. Ghosn: For the [cheap car] concept that [Tata Motors Ltd. Chairman] Ratan Tata launched [with its Nano model], I was the first one to say: ‘He’s right.’ I was the first one. Everyone criticized it, but I was the first one to say he’s right, we’re going to emulate this, and we’re going to do a good job on it…When you take a look [at] the global market, that’s the biggest next wave of growth…moving people who dream to have a car and cannot afford it because the cars are too expensive. That’s the biggest wave and it’s our duty to make sure that we can stimulate this wave and bring a product [to market] in order to do it.

WSJ: How long before a $3,000 car makes its way to the U.S.?

Mr. Ghosn: Our priority is not the United States, frankly. We were talking about India, we’re talking about countries surrounding India, we’re talking about the Middle East, Africa, Russia…If you go to the U.S., it’s not going to end up being $3,000. Because you’re going to have to reinforce the car, you’re going to have to face this test, and this other one, and etc. It’s going to be much more expensive. But you know, every time you create a concept like this, [then] yes, this concept can turn out being developed for new markets. But in a different shape and [with] more reinforcement.

 

[Source: The Wall Street Journal]

The Nissan Z has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1969 but even in 2012 the 370Z Roadster Touring has not lost the Z feel. In order to pick up this year’s 370Z Roadster, you may have to pay anywhere from $43,500 to $48,000, a much greater price compared to the 1969 240Z that had an MSRP of $3,526. When going to pick up your 370Z convertible (Roadster), you have a choice between the base model and the ‘Touring’ edition which has many upgraded features: 19” RAYS aluminum allow wheels, viscous limited slip differential and Nissan sport brakes. The Touring edition adds an extra $2,830 to the MSRP.

The initial feeling of the 2012 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring is amazing. “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken” must be a popular term around Nissan because this year’s Z still has that distinct Z body style that has become so popular. The interior also maintains the “Z feeling” with the unique triple gauges and cluster. Of course the Z offers a comfy cab, with heated and cooling ventilated seats that hug you around those sharp corners. Looking behind the Z may prove to be a bit of a problem however, as the rear-view mirror seems to be obstructed by the roll-cages of the head rests and the head rests themselves. If this problem irks you, there is no need to fret as the 370Z Roadster has a $785 option for a rear-view backup camera which is displayed on the rear-view mirror. Nissan implemented this feature very well as the screen on the mirror is seemingly invisible when not in use but when in reverse it is very crisp and clear.

Driving the 370Z Roadster Touring is a treat as well. From the unique exhaust note to the handling, the 370Z is sure to keep its driver white-knuckled. With added weight, width and improved rigidity, the 2012 370Z Roadster Touring handles very well for a convertible offering very little body roll around the corner. Of course if you would like to slide around those corners, it’s just a push of a button right next to the steering wheel. Not only is the handling exceptional, but what’s under the hood is surprising as well. Powered by a 332 HP V-6 that pumps out 270 lb-ft of torque, the 2012 370Z Roadster Touring packs a mean punch.

This year’s 370Z convertible offers only a few minor changes compared to last year with an additional 139lbs and the wheelbase being 4 inches shorter. Also the 2012 370Z Roadster is .2 inches wider.

Driving this car may be a treat but the interior may seem a bit cramped to some people as the cluster is very close to the steering wheel and is hard to read at times when driving. Some of the buttons in the car were hard to find, while others were neatly placed. It seems as though the pro’s of this car outweigh the con’s, making this car a very nice iteration of the Z model.

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Forget about Disney World! If we won the Super Bowl, we would splurge on a highly tuned Nissan GT-R, too. And, that is just what New York Giants Running Back Brandon Jacobs did. With Super Bowl XLVI now over, Jacobs is ready to get behind the wheel of his 900-hp AMS-modified GT-R. As you may have already guessed, Jacobs is more into gut-wrenching performance than snazzy rims or a matte-black wrap.

That is why he headed to the extreme tuners out of Chicago, Illinois, last summer with the intention of making his already modified 850-hp GT-R even faster.



AMS Performance upgraded nearly every component of Jacobs’s GT-R, which features an Alpha 3.8-liter race engine, Alpha induction system, AMS intercooler, new exhaust, and a more-powerful fuel delivery system. It also upgraded the transmission and turbos. The result is 900 hp on 93-octane pump gas and an outrageous 1,000 hp on 105-octane race fuel!



Jacobs took delivery of his AMS Alpha 9+ R35 Nissan GT-R a week prior to the New York Giants and the New England Patriots faceoff on Sunday, February 5, 2012, in Super Bowl XLVI. Now, he has a Super Bowl championship ring and a crazy-fast GT-R as his rewards for an outstanding season; we can’t think of anything better!

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While it is not the hardcore Track Pack we were hoping to get (that goes to Japan to replace the SpecV), Nissan has released some changes to the GT-R for the 2013 model year. Like the upgrades made for 2012, the 2013 model will benefit from a number of engine and suspension refinements to increase its already stellar performance.

Some reworked intake and exhaust tubing results in 15 more hp than the 2012 model for a total of 545. Torque is also up to 463 lb-ft, also an increase of 15. In addition, the suspension has been retuned. Other enhancements include the addition of a new blue lighting treatment inside the tachometer and a rear-view camera as standard. A carbon spoiler has also been added to the Nissan GT-R Black Edition model.

The 2013 Nissan GT-R is offered in Premium and Black Edition submodels and is scheduled to go on sale in January 2012.

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Ditching last year’s Nissan GT-R, Jon Olsson has acquired a Lamborghini Gallardo as a temporary replacement to transport his winter skis as he waits for delivery of its bigger brother, the Aventador (as you may have guessed, Olsson has a little love affair with Lamborghini products). Dressed in winter camouflage and a ski box, the Gallardo will be driven more than 30,000 miles this winter season says Olsson.

[via Jon-Olsson.com]

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You would think Nissan would take a break from meddling with its GT-R after enhancements to the 2012 Nissan GT-R resulted in more power and even faster acceleration times (which prompted duPont Publishing’s editors to award the GT-R its Best Bang for your Buck award in the 2012 duPont REGISTRY Exotic Car Buyers Guide).

Now we see multiple reports that the Nissan GT-R will be available with a Track Pack for 2012. The SpecV-like Track Pack will include racing seats with high-friction fabric; uprated brakes, exhaust, and suspension and dampers; different wheels; increased cooling and aerodynamics; and no rear chairs. Expect the full announcement on the 2012 Track Pack in the upcoming weeks.

We reached out to Nissan, which would neither confirm nor deny these reports.

[via PistonHeads]

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duPont REGISTRY has the named the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 its Car of the Year, its most prestigious award, in its 2012 Exotic Car Buyers Guide, which is set to hit newsstands and other retail outlets in early October. With production of the Murcielago concluding in 2010 after nine years and a run of 4,099 cars, Lamborghini released its most potent and technologically advanced V-12 flagship of all time: the Aventador LP700-4. duPont REGISTRY chose the LP700-4 as the king of the 2012 exotics because of its advanced carbon-fiber construction, powerful V-12 engine, sophisticated transmission, and mesmerizing styling.

In addition to its Car of the Year award, duPont REGISTRY also acknowledged five other automobiles for their contributions to the exotic and luxury car marketplace for 2012 and beyond:

• Best Design — 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Spider
• Best Luxury Sedan — 2012 Bentley Mulsanne
• Best Bang for the Buck — 2012 Nissan GT-R
• Best Eco-Exotic — 2014 BMW i8
• Best New Concept — Jaguar C-X75

duPont Publishing, Inc. will release its annual Exotic Car Buyers Guide to over 25,000 upscale newsstands, bookstores, and international airports on October 4, 2011. The 10th-anniversary issue includes nearly 150 pages of detailed reviews and specs of exotic, luxury, and aftermarket automobiles as well as accessory and wheel guides.

“The duPont REGISTRY Exotic Car Buyers Guide is the only annual guide that focuses on only exotic automobiles,” says Publisher Thomas L. duPont. “There are no factory epistles… just pictures and a few comments from our editors that are designed to pique the reader’s interest and take them to the next level—ownership!”

duPont REGISTRY Awards Ferrari 458 Spider for its Design

duPont REGISTRY bestows the 2012 Best Design award on the new Ferrari 458 Spider in the latest edition of its Exotic Car Buyers Guide. The car stood out among its peers because of its revolutionary hardtop convertible mechanism, which allowed for the retention of many of the coupe’s lines with the roof closed while establishing a distinguishing new look with the top open. In addition, not only does this innovative top weigh less than a comparable soft-top mechanism, it also allows room for an uncompromised cargo area behind the two passenger chairs.

duPont REGISTRY's Exotic Car Buyers Guide Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene marvels, “With the 458 Spider, Ferrari has surpassed most people’s expectations while raising the bar on other exotic-car manufacturers.”

duPont REGISTRY Names Bentley Mulsanne as Best Luxury Sedan for 2012

Bigger yet lighter and redesigned from the chassis up, the Bentley Mulsanne carries its predecessor’s timeless elegance, hulking posture, and immense power into the new decade with the latest technologies and luxury appointments. This is why duPont REGISTRY named the Bentley Mulsanne its 2012 Best Luxury Sedan in the 10th-anniversary issue of its Exotic Car Buyers Guide. This is Bentley’s second award from duPont REGISTRY in as many years, following last year’s recognition of the Bentley Continental GT as its Best Luxury Coupe.

“The Continental Supersports models weren’t a strong move for Bentley, but it made up for this setback by quickly selling a year’s worth of Mulsannes, which is no easy task for a car at that price point,” said Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene. “The Mulsanne will help Bentley move to the next level for the new decade.”

2012 Nissan GT-R Earns Nod for Best Bang for your Buck from duPont Publishing, Inc.

Just when you thought the Nissan GT-R couldn’t get any better, new modifications to its 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 result in even more power and faster acceleration times, prompting duPont Publishing, Inc.’s editors to award the GT-R with the Best Bang for your Buck award in the 2012 duPont REGISTRY Exotic Car Buyers Guide.

“Small improvements have made a huge impact on the GT-R, making this already affordably priced dream car an even better value at only $90,000,” mentions Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene.

BMW’s i8 Concept Captures duPont REGISTRY’s Best Eco-Exotic Award Despite its Pre-Production Status

The i8, which is the first in BMW’s future line of i vehicles, has captured international attention with its futuristic shape and incredible fuel efficiency.

“Part of the concept car’s physical allure also helps it achieve its goal of low fuel consumption through well-developed aerodynamics,” said Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene.

The car, which should appear in 2013 as a 2014 model, includes both gasoline and electric drives and has an incredible range of 435 miles.

duPont REGISTRY’s 10th-Anniversary Exotic Car Buyers Guide Awards the 2012 Jaguar C-X75 the Best New Concept

The C-X75 is Jaguar’s first supercar in 20 years and will be the brand's most advanced model to date. The C-X75 is poised to compete in the new competitive hybrid exotic market. Its sleek exterior combines with its 300-mile range, drawing power from both gasoline and electric sources to solidify the popularity of this futuristic concept.

Background: The 2012 Exotic Car Buyers Guide is published by duPont Publishing, Inc. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, the company publishes duPont REGISTRY A Buyers Gallery of Fine Automobiles, duPont REGISTRY A Buyers Gallery of Fine Homes, and duPont REGISTRY A Buyers Gallery of Fine Boats classified magazines and other lifestyle publications that continue to be the leading periodicals in their respective high-end marketplaces. Visit http://www.dupontregistry.com/ for more information.

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With its Alpha 12 package, AMS Performance has become the first tuner to break the eight-second quarter-mile barrier in a Nissan GT-R. On July 26, 2011, AMS took its in-the-works and already record-breaking Alpha 12 package back to the track for a few more quarter-mile runs in optimum weather. The result was an 8.95-second quarter-mile blast with a trap speed of 169.49 mph. That’s 0.1 of a second quicker and 2.83 mph faster than its previous record-setting sprint.

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