The New 2005 Nissan Tiida Is Now on Sale in Japan

Nissan will also be introducing its new navigation service, dubbed CARWINGS, which

The Tiida is a key part of Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn's three-year 180 'turnaround' plan. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

has the unique ability to find the fastest-route available by using real-time traffic information. Using similar technology to GM's OnStar system, a live operator, available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year provides live voice assistance in order to help drivers get to their destinations more quickly. It's also a safety issue, allowing trained operators to calm overwhelmed motorists who may have just experienced an accident, for example. The information is displayed on the optional LCD screen, which also has the ability to communicate with Bluetooth devices such as PDAs and cellular phones. All CARWINGS services are available for three years, free of charge from the date of sign up. Whether or not Nissan will offer a similar

Its nicely equipped interior isn't really that luxurious, but it's clean, quiet, modern and straightforward. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

system on European and American models is unknown, but it would be a step forward from current read-only DVD navigation discs.

At its launch, the Tiida will be offered with only one engine. Nissan will be showcasing its new HR15DE motor, an all-alloy 1.5-liter twin-cam design with four valves per cylinder. While popular performance increasing technologies such as variable valve timing and variable intake and exhaust manifolds are absent from this motor, it still manages to create 109 horsepower and 109 lb-ft of torque. While it may not be Nissan's most powerful motor, this compact inline-four should serve the needs of most Tiida drivers. Nissan will offer a larger, more powerful 1.8-liter inline four as of 2005.