Nissan trademarks ‘R-Hybrid’ – for next-gen GT-R?

Nissan has filed a trademark application for the ‘R-Hybrid’ badge, and it could be used for the next-gen Nissan GT-R, says Car and Driver. The US publication noticed that the standalone letter ‘R’ is in exactly the same typeface as that used on the legendary rear-wheel drive sports car’s boot lid badge.

C&D adds that the SE-R badge, seen on hot versions of the Sentra and Altima in the US, uses a different font for its ‘R,’ ruling out a new Sentra SE-R or Altima SE-R as possible recipients of this new emblem. Indeed, we can’t think of any other Nissan model that uses the same typeface as the ‘R’ in ‘GT-R.’



Therefore, unless Nissan is planning a new hybrid model (a wheeled reply to the recently-revealed Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R concept, or a future production version of that concept, perhaps?), this suggests that the next-gen Nissan GT-R – due in 2016 – could be a hybrid, which is neither shocking, impossible nor unlikely.

After all, reports have speculated that the future successor to the Toyota Supra – the Nissan GT-R’s old adversary – is set to be a hybrid. So if a new Supra concept is slated to appear at this year’s Tokyo motor show, will we see the ‘R-Hybrid’ badge on a new Nissan GT-R concept there?
Sigh, if only we had Holmes’ powers of deduction.

Star Wars-themed Nissan Juke Personalized Package

The Star Wars-themed Juke teased last week has been shown in full in Japan, where it’s named the Nissan Juke Personalized Package. It’s a rather underwhelming reveal, as there’s not much Star Wars in it at all, other than the Stormtroopers used in the marketing campaign.

Only in Japan, there’s now a new customisation programme available on the Juke. Check out the online configurator here, which includes interactive 3D models of the vehicle and a Stormtrooper. The latter changes colour according to the former’s colour and detail options, so it’s worth a look.

Built to commemorate the new campaign, the Juke 15RX Personalized Package boasts contrasting sport stripes, wing mirror covers, foglamp surrounds and rear deck wing. The special edition is available exclusively in Passion Red or Night Veil Purple, along with a colour-coded interior.

The TV commercial above shows a red Nissan Juke Personalize Package driving through a sea of plain white Stormtroopers, and ends with a bunch of the soldiers painting their armour red with white stripes, as ‘inspired’ by the crossover. Amusing.

Nissan appoints new dealership partner in Indonesia, gears up for Datsun brand introduction in 2014

Over in Indonesia, Nissan Motor Indonesia has announced the appointment of PT. Mitra Pinasthika Mustika Tbk (MPM) as its dealership partner – the brand states that expansion of its dealer network is to accommodate the increasing demand for its products as well as in preparation for the launch of the Datsun brand in Indonesia in 2014.

Nissan Indonesia is aiming to significantly increase the number of outlets from the 96 outlets currently operated by Indomobil and its partners. The expansion plan will see outlets operated by Indomobil and its partners covering approximately 80% (130-160 outlets) of the total Nissan/Datsun network nationwide, with MPM making up the remaining 20%.

A member of the Saratoga Group, one of the most successful investment companies in Indonesia, MPM is one of the country’s growing automotive players – the company has recorded double-digit financial growth over the past three years and has expanded its nationwide footprint to over 435 service points.

Nissan Motor Indonesia also stated that its manufacturing capacity will expand to 180,000 units per year by the end of 2013 with the completion of its new assembly plant in Purwakarta, West Java. Indonesia is one of the slated initial markets for the Datsun brand, of which the GO hatchback is the first product – India and Russia are the others.

Nissan opens R&D test track facility in Bangkok

Nissan Motor Asia Pacific has expanded the Nissan Technical Centre South East Asia (NTCSEA) in Bangkok to include a new test track and a new office building. The test track is Nissan’s third R&D vehicle testing facility outside Japan, and the first in the ASEAN region.

Taking up an area of 60,000 square metres in the province of Samutprakarn, (next to the company’s manufacturing plants), the track features a total of 14 global road conditions and surfaces. It can accommodate a maximum speed of 120 km/h in a straight line, while various tests can be performed at the multi-purpose pad, which measures 100 metres in diameter.

The new office building will be the new home for the region’s Monozukuri team – the people responsible for creative design and manufacturing – and was designed with eco-friendly functions that cut CO2 emissions by more than 40%. This in turn reduces the carmaker’s overall corporate carbon footprint.



With a total investment of ¥3.4 billion (RM114 million), the expansion of NTCSEA will allow it to serve the specific preferences of ASEAN customers better by enabling quicker alignment with market requirements.

“Strengthening the regional R&D function will enhance product attractiveness, competitiveness and quality,” said Nissan executive VP Mitsuhiko Yamashita. “As Nissan’s footprint continues to expand in the region, it is even more important to strengthen our local R&D capabilities to better serve the growing customer base.”

By 2015, NTCSEA will take care of all R&D processes for ASEAN market models following the vehicle engineering design stage (currently handled by the global R&D function in Japan). NTCSEA is responsible for 10 countries and six production sites across the ASEAN region.

New Nissan X-Trail/Rogue teased for a Frankfurt debut

This single picture is a teaser of what will be the new Nissan X-Trail, or Rogue in the US, which will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. It shows a much curvier design than X-Trails of old, with a stylish strip of LED DRLs. Nissan says it “push the envelope of CUV (crossover utility vehicle) design.”

Thankfully this isn’t the only picture we have of the new vehicle, as we’ve spotted a disguised test car in the USA’s Death Valley earlier this year. Ahead of that, patent drawings filed by Nissan gave us clear view of the new X-Trail, which was already officially previewed by the Hi-Cross Concept shown in Geneva 2012.

We’ll have to wait till the official reveal to find out the new model’s choice of powertrains, but a guess of either a 2.0 or 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine paired to Nissan’s own CVT transmission would be a fairly safe bet. Also, expect it to be bigger yet lighter than before, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

This new model has big shoes to fill, as it’s set to replace the current X-Trail, the Rogue in the US, as well as the Qashqai+2 in Europe (the five-seat Qashqai will get its own replacement). It’s also the first model to benefit from Renault-Nissan Alliance’s new Common Module Family (CMF) shared-vehicle architecture.

2013 Nissan Terrano unveiled – rebadged Dacia Duster

The wraps have officially come off the new Nissan Terrano in Mumbai. The SUV is essentially a rebadged Renault/Dacia Duster with more upmarket appointments, for the Indian market.

The most obvious change is the Nissan front end, which incorporates a new grille, reworked headlamps, new fog lamp surrounds and bonnet creases that run to the grille. There’re also new 16-inch alloys, darkened pillars, larger tail lamps and a restyled number plate holder.


Inside, you’ll find more luxurious trim materials and brighter colours throughout, a steering wheel with silver inserts and cubbyholes on the dashboard. Buttons and knobs on the centre stack are mostly new and have been re-positioned. The central air vents are no longer circular, and there’s a new audio system as well.

Reports say some of these changes may make their way on to the facelifted Duster, which is set to make its first appearance at the upcoming Frankfurt show.



Set to be built in the Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai (the fourth Nissan to be built in India after the Micra, Sunny and Evalia – that’s the NV200), the Nissan Terrano’s powerplant menu will include a 104 PS/145 Nm 1.6 litre petrol and a 1.5 litre diesel in 85 PS/200 Nm and 110 PS/248 Nm states of tune.

The more powerful diesel engine is coupled to a six-speed manual; the rest make do with a five-speed manual. The Duster’s optional 4WD system may be offered, too.

Reuters reports that the Ford EcoSport-rivalling SUV will start at a price below Rs 10 lakh (RM51,400). The Duster (sold in India as a Renault) sells for around Rs 8 lakh, ex-showroom (RM36,000). Order books will open next month, with sales scheduled to begin in October.

We reported back in November that Malaysia is one of the Duster’s potential markets – if it does come here, it’s expected to sport a Renault badge on its nose.

Nissan, Honda and Lexus entrants for the 2014 Super GT series pictured together at the Suzuka circuit

Just in case you missed them, here are pics of the super trio that were recently announced for the 2014 Super GT series’ top GT500 class.

The Nissan GT-R Nismo GT500 , Honda NSX Concept-GT and Lexus LF-CC racer were photographed side-by-side on location at the Suzuka circuit over the weekend, where they underwent shakedown tests amidst Round 5 of this year’s Super GT season.

From next year, cars taking part in the GT500 class will adhere to the same new technical regulations as the DTM (German Touring Car Championship), with the exception of engine-related regulations. Turbocharged 2.0 litre four-cylinder engines are to be used, with hybrid help allowed. The limit is 500 hp.



So far, only Honda has officially revealed that its HSV-010 GT replacement packs a mid-mounted 2.0 litre direct-injected four-cylinder turbo engine and a racing hybrid system. It’s based on the NSX Concept, which in turn previews the production 2015 Honda NSX.

In a strikingly similar vein, the Lexus LF-CC racer is based on the LF-CC Concept, which in turn previews a coupe-bodied Lexus IS (which we now know to be called the Lexus RC) that’s also due in 2015. The racer will succeed the Lexus SC 430 next year.

The Nissan GT-R Nismo GT500 is the only racer here to be based on a production car. It’s set to replace the 3.4 litre VRH34B-engined GT-R, and points towards the upcoming production Nissan GT-R Nismo, which could surface at the Tokyo show in November.

Orange, white or black – which is your favourite?