2 Nissan to debute at NAIAS: Urge & Versa

[Joey D]

Well for all you Nissan buffs out there, I figured I'd step out of the GM rehelm and give you a look at some new Nissan's slated to be in Detroit. I'll get photos of them when I go do to the show in a few weeks, but here are the ones on the net right now.

Nissan Urge Concept
Taken from the 12.28.2005 issue of Autoweek

Riding a wave of strong vehicle introductions, Nissan unveils at Detroit a semi-frivolous three-seater dubbed Urge. This bare-bones car has a “motorcycle-inspired” design and scissors-style doors with cutaway panels. It remains to be seen whether an urge will strike sufficiently to justify its creation. A see-through glass hood reveals a small-displacement engine tied to a six-speed sequential gearbox. The front-engine, rear-drive car carries 19-inch wheels up front with 20-inchers out back, all stopped by Brembo brakes.

The interior boasts mesh-and-leather bucket seats, a billet-aluminum center console, and docking stations for an MP3 player and cell phone; the phone acts as an Intelligent Key to start the car. Targeted at those who can’t afford a car on their own, Urge has an integrated Xbox 360 gaming system to further distract its owner.

Urge, by the numbers:
Engine: Quick, high-revving, small-displacement engine
Transmission: Six-speed sequential manual gearbox
Drive configuration: Front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Wheels/tires/brakes: 19-inch front, 20-inch rear nine-spoke spun-aluminum-alloy/
195/45R front, 225/35R rear Michelins/350Z-style Brembo four-wheel discs
Wheelbase: 104.3 inches
Length: 156.6 inches
Width: 71.8 inches
Height: 49.6 inches
Target weight: 2400 pounds
Seating capacity: Three passengers

Select exterior features: Motorcycle-inspired styling, see-through glass hood, cutaway door panels, aluminum center structure, aluminum and carbon fiber construction, four-bar-hinge scissors-style doors, spun- aluminum roof cage structure, collapsible quick-close, manual (storable) canvas top, “Mirror Crystal” exterior color

Select interior features: Driver-oriented interior with compact, responsive F1-style steering wheel, racing-style lightweight mesh-and-leather bucket seats, billet- aluminum center console, cellphone and MP3 player docking stations (cellphone acts as Intelligent Key to start vehicle), customizable driver info screens (including HVAC, navigation, audio and suspension/performance tuning), integrated gaming system powered by Xbox 360

Nissan Urge Photos
From www.autoweek.com

Nissan Verse
From www.autoweek.com

This is Nissan’s answer for those who think its Sentra small car is too fancy for an entry-level buyer. Arriving in the United States next summer as a hatch-back, followed by a sedan by late 2006, the Mexican-built Versa boasts six feet of interior space despite its diminutive size. Power comes from a 1.8-liter, 120-hp, 125-lb-ft four-cylinder mated to a choice of a four- speed automatic, a six-speed manual or a continuously variable trans. Prices will range from $12,000 to $15,500, with the typical Versa priced around $13,500.

 

[Z32]

i like t tops. urge's design might be a bit too progressive for some people. but hey its fr. foria was fr too. hopefully theyll intorduce a cheap entry level fr model below the z soon!

 

[CodeRedR51]

Don't forget the new Sentra is supposed to debut at the NAIAS too. No pics of it though, believe me, everyone on the b15sentra forums has been on top of this for awhile, and nobody has found any pics. 👎 We'll find out what it looks like soon enough...

 

[a6m5]

Don't forget the new Sentra is supposed to debut at the NAIAS too. No pics of it though, believe me, everyone on the b15sentra forums has been on top of this for awhile, and nobody has found any pics. 👎 We'll find out what it looks like soon enough...

I couldn't find a photo, but I did find an article regarding the vehicle. The article's in Japanese, but it basically said that it will be built by Samsung(Part of Renault connection) in South Korea. Now way I understood it, Samsung is the one that wasn't good enough to be exported to the U.S., which in theory makes Samsung worse than Kias and Daewoos. Samsung Motors has no relations to the electronics company by the same name, as far as I know.

Nissan Verse is built in Mexico, right? Sounds like new Sentra's gonna be built by a Korean company that's on par with Kias and Daewoos(Hyundai's an exception). If I'm buying a Japanese compact car, I think I'll start looking at Toyotas, Hondas and Mazdas.

 

[240Z]

The Urge seems to be a good start for Nissan in a field that's been touched on by other manufacturers recently (the Dodge Razor(?) is one example). However, I don't like the "frivilous" touches such as the glass hood and Xbox, as well as all the electronic control systems. They seem unneccesary and add weight. I would expect to see at least the hood and Xbox changed if this car was to become a production reality (which I strongly doubt, although it'd be nice).

The Verse is just meh. Another bland car. It reminds me of recent Renaults.

 

[Sage]

Nissan has already had info about the Versa on its website (links directly to the Versa page) for several months now. You can even build one to see how much everything costs.

Sounds like new Sentra's gonna be built by a Korean company that's on par with Kias and Daewoos(Hyundai's an exception).

Err, Hyundai owns Kia. They do a lot of platform-sharing these days – e.g., the Kia Spectra rides on the same platform as the Hyundai Elantra, and the Kia Optima is mechanically identical to the Hyundai Sonata. (Well, at least the 2001–2005 models… not sure about ’06.)

 

[VIPFREAK]

no and... definitely no...

 

[a6m5]

Err, Hyundai owns Kia. They do a lot of platform-sharing these days – e.g., the Kia Spectra rides on the same platform as the Hyundai Elantra, and the Kia Optima is mechanically identical to the Hyundai Sonata. (Well, at least the 2001–2005 models… not sure about ’06.)

I know, I'm well aware of that. 👍 It's just that I haven't seen any media or organizations noting on any improvements in Kia car's quality. I do admit, I've never been near a Kia. Also, I now that Hyundai and Kia share engines, etc., but isn't Kia just using Hyundai components and cars are still being put together in Kia factories?

 

[Jay]

We (Australia) are getting the Nissan Verse but named Nissan Tiida next month in february, we have some on display already, which is replacing the Nissan Pulsar.

 

[niky]

Samsung has been making rebadged Nissans for decades. I don't think quality is going to be a big problem.

Kia's new Picanto has been praised for its durability and low cost of ownership/maintenance. But it remains to be seen how other new Kias fare over time.

Lose the frivolous XBox, datascreens and the clunky steering wheel and I might like the Urge... actually, I think it'd be killer.

Will the new US Sentra be related to the Bluebird Sylphy? Word is, it's launching pretty soon.

 

[a6m5]

Samsung has been making rebadged Nissans for decades. I don't think quality is going to be a big problem.

Nissan's quality has gone downhill, since last decade or two. In another decade or so, maybe Samsung built cars will be an upgrade.

Seriously though. I've been a Nissan fan for very long time and drive a Nissan now, but with their declining build quality and dissapointing service(Worst dealer in my town is a Nissan Dealer, which has bit to do with the manufacturer), my next car probably won't be a Nissan.

 

[Joey D]

Samsung builds cars? Wow I had a computer monitor made by them

 

[a6m5]

Samsung builds cars? Wow I had a computer monitor made by them

Actually, Japanese magazine I read while back said that Samsung Motors is not the same company Samsung Electronics company is........... yeah, I'm pretty sure.

 

[Jay]

dissapointing service(Worst dealer in my town is a Nissan Dealer, which has bit to do with the manufacturer), my next car probably won't be a Nissan.

Wow thats too bad, our Nissan dealers are quite good, they are even giving 1 cent oil changes, no catches. Take your car in (any car) and ask for a 1 cent oil change and they will do it.

BTW we dont actually have 1 cent coins in circulation anymore so Nissan specially ordered lots of 1 cent coins and they just give you one for you to pay with, so that makes the oil change free .

 

[a6m5]

Wow thats too bad, our Nissan dealers are quite good, they are even giving 1 cent oil changes, no catches. Take your car in (any car) and ask for a 1 cent oil change and they will do it.

I bought my Altima from them. They were nice to deal with when I was buying it(big surprise). As far as their service dept. goes, 👎👎

I wasn't highly satisfied with my Honda dealer, when I used to drive a Accord, but now I miss them like you would not belive.

BTW we dont actually have 1 cent coins in circulation anymore so Nissan specially ordered lots of 1 cent coins and they just give you one for you to pay with, so that makes the oil change free .

That's too good. I think it's costing dealer more than just giving away service. I mean, isn't it cheaper for them, if they just made it a "free" oil change?

 

[Joey D]

Actually, Japanese magazine I read while back said that Samsung Motors is not the same company Samsung Electronics company is........... yeah, I'm pretty sure.

Ah, so are they like Hyundai or Mitsubishi? Like they have an automotive section of their company?

 

[a6m5]

Ah, so are they like Hyundai or Mitsubishi? Like they have an automotive section of their company?

No, dude! I'm trying to say that they are not related at all!(except that they are both from S. Korea).

 

[Joey D]

No, dude! I'm trying to say that they are not related at all!(except that they are both from S. Korea).

Gotcha gotcha 👍.

 

[Jay]

I bought my Altima from them. They were nice to deal with when I was buying it(big surprise). As far as their service dept. goes, 👎👎

My friend is a head mechanic at our local Nissan dealer, he makes sure Nissan service in the service dept is good. If you was here you would be getting great service.

That's too good. I think it's costing dealer more than just giving away service. I mean, isn't it cheaper for them, if they just made it a "free" oil change?

The 1 cent part adds abit of a gimmic to it, When they do the oil change they will always recomend a filter (so they should) and all sorts of other service things (that many people do), but you can just be straight out and say no while driving away with your free oil .

 

[a6m5]

Gotcha gotcha 👍.

Actually, I take that back. I just checked wikipedia.com and it says that Samsung Motors and the electronics company is both part of Samsung Group. Sorry!

My friend is a head mechanic at our local Nissan dealer, he makes sure Nissan service in the service dept is good. If you was here you would be getting great service.

That's cool. Dealer is like the face for the manufacturers, so customer service is very important. Most manufacturers keep tabs on the dealerships for good reason.

The 1 cent part adds abit of a gimmic to it, When they do the oil change they will always recomend a filter (so they should) and all sorts of other service things (that many people do), but you can just be straight out and say no while driving away with your free oil .

I'm familiar with this. We have a notorious one here in the States, it's called "Jiffy Lube".

Sorry for going off-topic. No more from me!