Important Innovations Collection

Expected to be All-Electric Max Out                                                   Source:  Nissan From Virtual to a Physical Car Japanese automaker Nissan later this week will unveil a real physical version of a virtual concept car known as the Max Out, which it has been teasing for more than a year.  Here are the key facts: Nissan says their new EV concept is what happens when "virtual becomes physical" from the late 2021 renderings of Max Out New concept is expected to be a 2-seat possibly convertible sports car with ultra-lightweight construction All wheel-drive with 1electric motor at the front and rear of the car Unique ability to morph the passenger seat and flatten it to the floor for extra storage space A least 304 hp and 501 pd-ft of torque According to Nissan, the EV is "so responsive it feels like a part of you" EV is e...

Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier Concept Source:  Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier New Off-Roader With a Powerful Truck Powertrain The Nissan Nismo Off-Road Frontier concept is a hefty, midsize truck that takes off-road performance to a whole new level.  This V8 vehicle is so rugged, it doesn't need a road to drive on.  It has lots of power thanks to its 5.6-liter VE engine taken from the Titan full-size pickup truck.  The engine produces 400 hp and 413 pd-ft of torque in the Titan. In essence, the new concept offers Titan power in a mid-size truck. The Off-Road Frontier was built by Forsberg Racing.  It is a highly modified vehicle concept that will be showcased at the 2022 SEMA show coming up in Las Vegas. With a slew of new off-road accessories, it operates like a Baja-style, desert running machine.  Specially Equipped Off-Roader Nissan says the Frontier Off-Roader is meant to inspire Nissan Frontier truck owners with what they could do with t...

Big Electrification Push by 2030                                          Source:  Nissan New Concepts 4 New Electric Concept Cars Unveiled  Nissan is greatly accelerating its electrification program by 2030 with the launch of 23 new hybrid and electric models, including 15 fully electric vehicles.  As part of the electrification program, Nissan just unveiled 4 new, electric concept cars that are industry standouts.  They're called Chill-Out, Max-Out, Hang-Out and Surf-Out.  These concepts are decidedly different from current vehicles.  They are lifestyle vehicles, specifically designed to cater to the preferences and interests of specific customer and demographic groups. Breaking Conventional Automotive Modes The Hang-Out is a rugged crossover, specifically aimed at the needs and adventures of young families.  The Surf-Out is an...

Concept Car With 497 Mile Range on a Charge                                                  Source:  Renault Future of Sustainable Driving Hydrogen power is clearly a part of the future of sustainable driving.  French automaker Renault has just unveiled an awesome hydrogen powered concept car.  It's called the Scenic Vision and is powered by a hydrogen engine, electric motor and a battery fuel cell.  There is a 2.5-liter hydrogen tank on the front of the vehicle.  The tank takes only 5 minutes to fill. The car's 40-kilowatt battery is recyclable.  Renault, which is owned by Nissan, says that Scenic Vision represents part of the company's longer-term vision of the future of sustainable driving and will go into production in 2030. In the meantime, an all-electric version of Scenic Vision will go into ...

Electric Vehicle Generator Powers a Home                                             Source:  Ford EV Electricity Gives Back to the Grid Millions in the northeastern part of the US lost power for days in late October due to a severe "nor'easter" storm.  A year from now the no power nightmare could be reversed for some by EVs like the new F-150 Lightning that will hit the market in 2022.  The Lightning is capable of powering a home for 3 days.  The EV can act as a generator by using its battery to light up and heat the owner's home.  Other EVs like the Nissan Leaf have a similar capability.  And, VW and Hyundai are developing the same technology which is known as bidirectional charging. Bidirectional Charging With bidirectional charging, the EV battery can receive energy and also discharge it to supply power.  The battery is ...

Audi, BMW & Daimler Go Hydrogen Along With Asian Automakers                            Source: BMW & Other Hydrogen Vehicles Europe Joining Japan, South Korea & China in Development of Green Hydrogen Cars Big German automakers, including BMW and Audi, are betting that hydrogen fuel cell technology is extremely important to the future of driving, along with battery electric cars.  The current global consensus is that electric battery vehicles, your current and future EV, are the primary key to the near term, global automotive future.  But the new twist from top automotive executives is the growing support building around the upcoming emergence of hydrogen powered cars, which are clean, zero emissions and much quicker to re-fuel.  BMW and Audi, in particular, are ramping up their hydrogen vehicle development plans. They know that EV's remain a big part of the zero emissions future of...

 Sales Innovation in Face of Pandemic                                                       Source:  Nissan "Complete, End to End Digital Journey" to the Purchase COVID-19 has radically changed the world and global commerce.  Here's a new example.  Because of the pandemic, global auto customers are shying away from car showrooms.  Nissan is on to a new digital approach.  What the company is calling "a complete, end to end digital journey" to  buying your next Nissan car. Nissan COO Ashwari Gupta's Digital System The Chief Operating Officer of Nissan Ashwari Gupta was tasked by a senior Nissan Board member to determine how to sell cars to customers in a COVID weary world.  Gupta came up with a digital journey.  The journey starts with the customer researching cars on line. Car models co...

Nissan Leaf Drives Autonomously & Electric for 230 miles in UK Source:  Nissan Leaf Add Autonomous, Electric Vehicle Electric, Self-Drive Sets UK Record Nissan has made autonomous driving history.  An electric Nissan Leaf has just completed 230 miles autonomously across the UK.  That makes the record books for autonomous driving in the UK. The car encountered all types of road conditions.  The drive was far from a straight shot.  It safely drove on expressways, roundabouts and on poorly marked roads. It did so without any human intervention and emissions free. Loaded with Technology The test car is equipped with advanced autonomous technology. The electric Nissan Leaf was fitted with GPS, radar, LIDAR, laser scanners and laser cameras to perceive the vehicles and roadway around it and make safe decisions. Project "HumanDrive" The Nissan HumanDrive project was designed to show what autonomous vehicles can achieve, promote autonomous mobility an...

3 Global Automakers Tie-Up on Electric R&D Source:  Nissan electric vehicle LA Auto Show Showcases New EVs Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi just announced that they're intensifying their R&D alliance to develop advanced auto technology.  At the top of the list is a common platform for electric cars across the three brands.  Nissan's new CEO Makoto Uchida said today that the R&D alliance is the key to future growth.  They're setting up a separate company and will appoint a General Secretary to run the R&D innovation operation.  Nissan also announced that it's going to launch an all-electric SUV. LA Auto Show Electrified Meanwhile in Los Angeles, the annual LA Auto Show is underway and a number of new electric vehicles are being showcased. The big story is the number of high-end electric SUVs on display. Examples include the Audi E-Tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC.  There are also several electric hyper-cars including the BM...