Nissan presents Ellure Concept, 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet, 2011 Quest and 2012 GT-R at Los Angeles auto show
Nissan kept the new Ellure Concept heavily under wraps until its debut at the LA Auto Show today. Details on the concept vehicle were scant to non-existent - the only information that the Japanese carmaker has released is that it will be "a sedan notable for its innovation".
Representing a "dramatic new-value sedan exploration", Nissan claims the Ellure will bring a "higher level of progressive and distinctive expression to the segment" while offering "passion and emotion to traditional sedan efficiency".
Looks like the answer to a question that nobody was asking, but here it is: the world's very first all-wheel drive crossover convertible. Nissan first unveiled the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet on Facebook, but its official premiere is here in Los Angeles. Not intended as a volume seller, the CrossCabriolet, like the Cube and the Juke, is designed as an attention-getting niche vehicle for the Japanese car maker.
"Murano CrossCabriolet delivers the open-air exhilaration of a convertible while extending the versatility of the Murano in exciting new ways. With room for four adults, space for golf bags or luggage (even with the top down), and a premium-level interior, the Murano CrossCabriolet represents a breakthrough in concept and design."
Combining drop-top style with four-wheel-drive ability, the 2-door-only Murano CrossCabriolet will be available by early 2011, but not in Canada. Making its world premiere at the LA Auto Show, Nissan's people-mover now enters its fourth generation. The Quest boasts a more stylized, lower-riding form than its previous iteration. Based on the Asian luxury minivan, the Elgrand, the latest Quest is expected to feature the VQ37VHR powerplant, a 3.7-litre V6.
Styling is influenced by the Forum concept that appeared at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, with a long wheelbase and high beltline. The interior receives the familiar Nissan/Infiniti infotainment system. Wider by five inches than the Asian Elgrand (whose narrow track is better suited to the tight asian roads) the Quest's cabin appears Infiniti-like in levels of luxury and craftsmanship.
Godzilla returns – with a whole lot more attitude. Making its North-American debut at the LA Show, the 2012 Nissan GT-R now boasts 530 horsepower and 488 pound-feet of torque under that long hood.
Outwardly, there have been several aerodynamic improvements to increase downforce and reduce drag. The front fascia loses its gaping catfish grille and gains integrated LEDs.
Handling and stability have been tweaked by numerous refinements to the suspension. Shocks, springs and stabilizer bars have been retuned for better cornering. Strut towers have been stiffened with carbon fibre and aluminum. Forged, 10-spoke aluminum wheels not only look good, they're 13 kg lighter than the previous models. Behind them are larger, more substantial brakes.
Subtle changes to the cockpit include real carbon fiber trim, blue backlighting on instrumentation, and textured metal trim on paddle shifters and air vents.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R will go on sale in February of 2011.
Nissan kept the new Ellure Concept heavily under wraps until its debut at the LA Auto Show today. Details on the concept vehicle were scant to non-existent - the only information that the Japanese carmaker has released is that it will be "a sedan notable for its innovation".
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| Nissan Ellure Concept (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
Representing a "dramatic new-value sedan exploration", Nissan claims the Ellure will bring a "higher level of progressive and distinctive expression to the segment" while offering "passion and emotion to traditional sedan efficiency".
 |
| 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
Looks like the answer to a question that nobody was asking, but here it is: the world's very first all-wheel drive crossover convertible. Nissan first unveiled the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet on Facebook, but its official premiere is here in Los Angeles. Not intended as a volume seller, the CrossCabriolet, like the Cube and the Juke, is designed as an attention-getting niche vehicle for the Japanese car maker.
"Murano CrossCabriolet delivers the open-air exhilaration of a convertible while extending the versatility of the Murano in exciting new ways. With room for four adults, space for golf bags or luggage (even with the top down), and a premium-level interior, the Murano CrossCabriolet represents a breakthrough in concept and design."
Combining drop-top style with four-wheel-drive ability, the 2-door-only Murano CrossCabriolet will be available by early 2011, but not in Canada. Making its world premiere at the LA Auto Show, Nissan's people-mover now enters its fourth generation. The Quest boasts a more stylized, lower-riding form than its previous iteration. Based on the Asian luxury minivan, the Elgrand, the latest Quest is expected to feature the VQ37VHR powerplant, a 3.7-litre V6.
 |
| 2011 Nissan Quest (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
Styling is influenced by the Forum concept that appeared at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, with a long wheelbase and high beltline. The interior receives the familiar Nissan/Infiniti infotainment system. Wider by five inches than the Asian Elgrand (whose narrow track is better suited to the tight asian roads) the Quest's cabin appears Infiniti-like in levels of luxury and craftsmanship.
Godzilla returns – with a whole lot more attitude. Making its North-American debut at the LA Show, the 2012 Nissan GT-R now boasts 530 horsepower and 488 pound-feet of torque under that long hood.
Outwardly, there have been several aerodynamic improvements to increase downforce and reduce drag. The front fascia loses its gaping catfish grille and gains integrated LEDs.
 |
| 2012 Nissan GT-R (Photo: Lesley Wimbush/Auto123.com) |
Handling and stability have been tweaked by numerous refinements to the suspension. Shocks, springs and stabilizer bars have been retuned for better cornering. Strut towers have been stiffened with carbon fibre and aluminum. Forged, 10-spoke aluminum wheels not only look good, they're 13 kg lighter than the previous models. Behind them are larger, more substantial brakes.
Subtle changes to the cockpit include real carbon fiber trim, blue backlighting on instrumentation, and textured metal trim on paddle shifters and air vents.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R will go on sale in February of 2011.
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