A U.S. government initiative that would see low-interest loans granted to automakers who build environmentally-friendly cars in the U.S. appears to have one taker - Nissan. The Japanese automaker will spend anywhere from $500 million to $1 billion to update its Smyrna, Tennessee plant to build a green car and produce lithium-ion batteries.
While no specifics have been given the environmentally-friendly car is expected to be an electric vehicle based on an existing Nissan small-car platform. That leaves either the Versa or the new third-generation Cube. Nissan is currently testing an electric powertrain in a second generation Cube.
The Smyrna, Tennessee plant will be able to produce anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 of the electric vehicles annually by 2012. Nissan will begin electric car production in Japan in late 2010, with an expected annual production of 50,000 units.
Nissan is launching a limited Europe-only Nürburgring Edition of its 370Z. But don't worry if you don't live in Europe … it's not as exciting as it sounds.
The cars are inspired by the bright yellow racers that competed at this year's Nürburgring 24 Hour race and will share the same Premium Ultimate Yellow paint. They will also get special decals, a Cobra exhaust system, a numbered plaque and 19-inch OZ wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT tires, that measure 255/40/19 up front and 285/35/19 out back.
And … well … that's it.
According to CarScoop, Nissan's press release doesn't say anything about suspension modifications and the Z will continue to be powered by the standard 331hp 3.7-liter V6.
Pricing is set at $50,400 Euros ($71,700) and buyerswill also get a $215 gift card for the Nürburgring - which should buy at least a few laps.
Just 80 of the Nissan 370Z Nürburgring Edition models will be produced.
NOTE: Nissan has yet to release any photos of the 370Z Nürburgring Edition. The picture above is purely for illustrative purposes.
B15sentra.net - Nissan Sentra Forum
