Big Model News Out of Nissan Today!!

Wow!!! For not being a full participant at the Detroit Auto Show (North American International Auto Show) Nissan sure made a lot of news today.

Between Nissan and Infiniti they will be releasing eight new/substantially remodeled vehicles in under twelve months. You read that right...EIGHT new or vastly changed models in under a year. And we are not talking about a new paint package on the Versa here...we are talking major new undertakings. While all the details are not yet out (such as which plants will be building these vehicles) they are coming...

Here is what we learned:

1—The new "Juke" will go on SALE here in the U.S. in 9/09. The Juke is a small crossover taking many ques from the Qazana concept vehicle that was only began being shown last fall. If this is an indication of the speed with which Nissan is now moving from concept to full design to production vehicle, it bodes well for the future. The Juke will be slotted below the Rogue and will be built off the Versa platform. I would imagine that it will come in both AWD and 2WD versions and wouldn't be at all surprised to see it powered by the ubiquitous 2.5 liter 4-cyl. engine found in so many of Nissan's vehicles already. The taillights are to be modeled after the sweeping versions found on the 370Z along with huge round foglights on the front a supposedly a motorcycle inspired center console and huge wheel well arches. Full details on the Juke are to be released on 2/10. The Nissan plant in Sunderland, England has already been announced as one that will build the Juke for Europe but I doubt that they will export vehicles from there to here...I would look for a display version of the Juke at the New York Auto Show, which Nissan and Infiniti have both announced to be their only significant North American Auto show appearance in '10.

2—Which brings us to the brand new Infiniti QX56. The Titan based luxury SUV will be getting a complete remodel and be introduced at the New York Auto Show. Kind of an odd time to be introducing a new luxury SUV though I suppose those in the market for such a vehicle are less affected by economic fluctuations than most of us. Nissan also hinted that a number of the upgrades to be seen in the QX56 may also be incorporated into the 2nd Generation of the Titan...but that's a whole other story...

3—A 40th anniversary edition of the 370Z to be available this spring. Hopefully offering something more than just a little spiffy "40th Anniversary" badge...

4—Nissan Leaf. Duh?!?! Like anyone not living under a rock didn't know this was coming. Nissan's all electric compact runabout. It will arrive in select markets in the U.S. in December. If Nissan can beat GM to the punch, keep the Leaf in the low to mid $20,000 range and can get the U.S. government to NOT subsidize the Chevy Volt by more than $10K (Volt pricing confirmed at $40K without any subsidies—Hello Mr. and Mrs. U.S. Taxpayer?? We'd like you to pony up some money to buy some cars for people other than yourselves...) Nissan could change the game of the hybrid/electric race...

5—Nissan NV2500, the first ever comercial vehicle from Nissan. To be built in the Mississppi plant that formerly built the Quest and designed to compete with the Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit vans. The concept version had lots of innovative ideas that are perfect for contractors, if it can keep these and house an adquate drivetrain, Nissan is sure to grab some market share here.

6—Infiniti M37, 6-cyl., coming this Spring

7—Infiniti M56, V-8, also coming this Spring

8—Lastly and the one we know the least about (though before today we knew virtually nothing of the Juke and thought even the Euro version was a full year away, let alone production of an American version arriving here by late Summer). An unspecified Infiniti model...No name, no details, only that it will be a new version of an existing model with a completely new drivetrain, options and features. Methinks I smell a electric/hybrid/alternative drivetrain Infiniti here...

Now as a truck, off-road, performance enthusiast, I cannot say that these leave me completely satisfied though the Juke (sans the name) could interest me if it could be kitted out to be some kind of small cross-over rally style vehicle...But...there was other info out of Nissan in the past couple days that gives me a great deal of hope for the future...nothing definate where there is smoke there is fire...I'll detail more in a bit....