Nissan
Blog: Why Platforms Do and Don’t Matter, But Mostly Don’t
When an automobile company rolls out a new car there can be, from time to time, intensive scrutiny of the platform used. Generally, this scrutiny has seemed foolish to me because it detracts from the enjoyment of driving, so I devote most of this blog to articulating the reasons that “platform analysis” mainly counts as an annoying distraction. But there is a situation—applicable to some car people—wherein all this attention to platforms makes sense. I’ll get to that too, in the interests of (semi) fairness.
The Winding Road Guide To Beating $4 Gas
For drivers, this escalation in fuel prices sucks big time. But let us not despair. Some of our favorite driver’s cars also happen to best the competition in fuel economy, whether sipping regular, premium, or diesel, and even sometimes with a chaser of electrons from a battery pack.
Blog: Is Toyota A Luxury Brand?
When we think of luxury SUVs, we commonly think of Lincoln, Lexus, Infiniti, Land Rover, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and the like. After all, these are the luxury brands, and when someone mentions luxury, the core brands such as Nissan, Ford, and Toyota aren’t the first to come to mind. When we wrote up our luxury three-row SUV comparison for the latest issue of Winding Road, we stuck with the names that people associate with luxury, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be found elsewhere. This is especially true when it comes to these larger vehicles, as we find they have the space and the available options to make them super comfortable.
Secondhand Gems: Tuner Cars For $20K
Remember the first car you ever owned? Perhaps it was a hand-me-down from another family member, or maybe you stockpiled some cash from the summer job at the local fast food joint to buy a rusty fixer-upper? Regardless of how it came to your possession, it was your first car, and if you’re a fan of this magazine then odds are you probably did something to it that—at least in your mind— made it better. Perhaps you went for a set of wheels or a loud stereo, or if you had delusions of mechanical ability as young car owners often do, you probably hacked up the exhaust in the name of less backpressure. And then there’s the favorite pastime of fabricating a cold air induction system from dryer ducting and zip ties procured from the local hardware store. You did that? Yeah, us too.
Secondhand Gems: Korea Vs. Japan: $25K Sport Coupe Battle
A few years back Hyundai unveiled a car called Genesis. The automotive world noticed, because it was arguably the car that took Hyundai to the next level as a primetime player in the automotive big leagues. Though it didn’t necessarily rewrite the rules of motoring nirvana, its four-door design, attractive accommodations, and robust V-8 engine were still plenty good enough to grab the attention of near-luxury sedan shoppers, even before the familiar, reasonable Hyundai sticker price was factored in.
Third Look: Turning The Corner With The Volvo S60
Frankly, we like the 2011 Volvo S60. It’s easily powerful, with its 300 horsepower and 325 pound feet of torque supplying ample amount of remarkably smooth thrust. We like the design, and the car’s interior is a particularly comfortable and aesthetically pleasing space for the driver and passengers. We appreciate all Volvo’s technology that keeps us, our loved ones, and nearby strangers safe. From a driver’s standpoint, this is a rewarding car. But from that same standpoint, one part of the driving dynamics of the S60 stands out as an area that could stand some improvement: turning. And with our most recent loan of the stylish Swede, we took the time to sort out the ways in which the act of steering falls short of perfect.
New York And Shanghai Auto Show Wrap-Up
With two major auto shows in the history books, we look back on all the new and improved models, as well as the concept cars, that debuted at the New York and Shanghai shows.
Winding Road Issue 69 Is Now Available!
In this issue of Winding Road, we test out the next generation of the wildly popular Honda Civic (including the enthusiast favorite Civic Si).
Quick Drive: 2011 Nissan Altima Coupe 2.5 S
Almost every comparable measure would make me opt for Honda’s Accord Coupe over this Altima, with the noticeable exception of exterior styling. The Honda competition has got better gearboxes, more characterful and tuneful engines, better throttle response, and nicer interior fitment. With that said, I think that looks count for a lot in the four-cylinder coupe category, and many buyers will simply be happy with something that looks this good. Styling is huge.
Driven: 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
According to convention, convertibles are coupe-based. That’s fine; we love a brisk drive in a sporty little thing, and being able to lose the top and enjoy the elements on a nice day is an adventure we seek out whenever possible. But what happens when we actually need to use the car? If we were to pack the bags for a summer weekend Up North, we’re usually stuck either leaving the top up to make room in the trunk, or we forego the convertible altogether. And that, friends, is a crying shame.
Quick Drive: 2011 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV
Generally speaking, continuously variable transmissions are pretty unloved in the Winding Road office, mainly because they are attached to buzzy, I-4’s that require a very heavy foot (and therefore high revs) to really get moving. One exception to this rule comes in the form of our Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV tester. Rather than the typical CVT/four-cylinder combo, the Maxima makes use of a beefy, sweet-sounding 3.5-liter V-6, that, in a slightly different tune, once sat under the hood of a Nissan 350Z.
Status Report: Japanese Automakers Cope In Aftermath Of Earthquake
Friday’s horrific earthquake and tsunami in Japan has taken a grim toll on that country over the weekend. (Please take a moment to support efforts by the Red Cross if you’re able.) News and updates about facilities and production damage to major Japanese automakers have been understandably sketchy, for the most part. Here’s a rundown, by manufacturer, of what’s been reported on that front as of this morning.
List: Geneva Motor Show Preview
The Geneva Motor Show—always a paradise for insane concept cars, design studies, important new production vehicle launches, and the goofiest of the Euro boutique companies—is just around the corner. Here are just a few of the many reasons to stay tuned to news from the show.
Quick Drive: 2011 Nissan Juke
Switching through the gears with the six-speed manual transmission was mostly enjoyable. It’s a bit of a long throw from gear to gear. While the lever feels tall, it can still be worked quite rapidly. It almost feels like it could be some sort of rally machine when you’re tossing the shifter into place. It was also easy to select the right gear with no ambiguity, and there’s a reassuring, solid feel when the shifter lands in place.
Driven: 2011 Year In Review(s)
2011 has been a busy year in the Winding Road offices, with auto shows, new model launches, and the usual comings and goings of the automotive industry filling the virtual pages of our website. Even with all the activity, there has been a near-constant stream of automobiles filtering in and out of our parking lot, giving us no shortage of vehicular material to write about.
Secondhand Gems: Hardcore Performance
As auto enthusiasts, we love to drive. Some of us like it more than others. And then there’s the third group, filled with fleeting thoughts of going pro, or at least semi-pro.
Quick Drive: 2011 Nissan Titan Crew Cab 4×4 SV
Despite this mid-sizer feeling, the Titan still has a truck’s V-8. The 5.6-liter powerplant produces a respectable 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, which puts it squarely in between V-8s from Chevrolet on the low end, and Dodge and Ford on the high end. More important than numbers, though, is how the Titan’s engine feels. The 5.6 handles the Nissan’s heft with moderate ease. It isn’t fast, but the power on offer certainly makes for adequate acceleration, thanks in large part to the mountain of torque on tap.
Quick Drive: 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
This is a 306-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive, Korean muscle car. I know, it’s crazy. But it’s also very good. The Genesis Coupe packs a 3.8-liter V-6 that, besides the aforementioned 306 ponies, produces 266 pound-feet of torque, which for those keeping track at home puts it squarely in the range of the V-6 derivatives of the Ford Mustang (305 horsepower, 280 pound-feet of torque) and Chevrolet Camaro (312 horsepower, 278 pound-feet of torque).
List: Ten Best Modern Day Bootlegging Vehicles
The illicit alcohol production and distribution industry of the 1930s and 1940s, coupled with the, let’s call it “irreverent,” spirit of some enterprising Southerners, helped to invent the concept of the moonshine-running car. Traditionally these vehicles were modified to offer the maximum amount of performance without changing the stock exterior appearance. A big trunk came in handy for loading in all the booze, too.
Finalists For North American Car And Truck Of The Year
The organizers of the North American Car And Truck Of The Year Awards have announced the three finalists for each category. The winners will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Winding Road Issue 65 Is Now Available!
In this issue of Winding Road, Audi hands us the keys to its Quattro Concept, and it has us looking toward the future.
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