Nissan has given the European market version of the Pathfinder SUV and its pickup truck sibling, the Navara (sold as the Frontier in the States), a mid-life facelift to keep them up to date with the competition.

The Japanese automaker made a number of enhancements to both models including the introduction of brand-new 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, some minor revisions to the 2.5-liter diesel, a refreshed exterior and improved interior with more standard equipment.

For the first time, the Pathfinder and Navara will be available with the Renault Nissan Alliance’s new direct injection 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel which will also be offered in the European market Infiniti EX30d, FX30d and M30d models.

In the Nissan models, the 3.0-liter V6 diesel is rated at 231-horsepower and 550Nm or 405lb-ft of peak torque available between 1,750 rpm and 2,500 rpm. According to Nissan, with this engine, the Pathfinder is capable of towing a 3,500kg (7,716 pounds) braked trailer with Navara having a 3,000kg (6,613 pounds) limit.

For the 2011 model year, the existing 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine has been subtly retuned delivering an 11 per cent rise in both power and torque figures. Power rises by 19HP to 190-horsepower while torque increases by a healthy 47 Nm to 450Nm or 332 lb-ft.

Along with the performance gains, Nissan says that the changes have seen improvements in fuel economy and lower emissions. Over the combined cycle manual versions return 8.5lt/100km (equal to 27.7 mpg US), an improvement of 1.3 lt/100km, while CO2 emissions dropped by 40g/km to 224 g/km.

The cosmetic changes on the outside include a new bonnet design, revised grille, updated headlamps with projector styling, restyled front bumper with softer corners that adds 80mm to the length of both models, a new rear bumper for the Pathfinder and new alloy wheel designs.

Inside, both models feature new switchgear in the center console, revised door trims, new seat fabrics, the addition of chrome highlights, revised dials and, depending on the model, the availability of Nissan Connect Premium with a new high resolution touch screen.

Other changes include the availability of the ESP system and a rear view camera on the Navara as well as various equipment upgrades on both models (depending on the market).

The new Nissan Pathfinder and Navara will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, with the four-cylinder models due to go on sale across Europe in April 2010. They will be followed two months later by the new 3.0-liter V6 diesel flagship models.

While Nissan did not mention the North American-spec Pathfinder and Frontier in its press release, chances are that, if not all, most of the upgrades will be applied to both trucks in the 2011 model year.

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Going green, or eco friendly with cars isn’t all that bad with your working with Cobb Tuning, who have modified this Nissan GT-R to run on E85 ethanol gas. Ethanol, or some would say corn oil, is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline which was originally developed as a bio-fuel or flex fuel. However, E85 has become an alternative fuel choice for car tuning enthusiasts seeking large performance gains from a relatively inexpensive modification. This new ethanol E85 mix carries a 105 octane rating, and we all know what that means, more octane more power. Cobb Tuning has done just that with this new Nissan GT-R, to see how much extra power they could pull on the dyno.

To handle the new fuel, Cobb Tuning replaced the stock injectors with 30% larger 800cc Deatchwerks injectors. Two Walbro 255 fuel pumps were also needed, and a couple extra parts include Cobb’s catless midpipe leading to the prototype catback exhaust. With all this custom work, the Nissan GT-R was able to put down 574 hp and 585 ft lbs of torque. Cobb believes that some extra tweaking and tuning will result in 600 horsepower to the wheels, but nothing guaranteed yet.

In the graph below you can see the blue lines represent the car as it sits completely stock, running 92 octane. The red lines include the exhaust parts mentioned above, but still running on 92 octane. Now the green lines shows what the addition of 105 octane ethanol, larger injectors, and more powerful fuel pumps will bring you. It’s a good bet to believe ethanol gas will be around for some time with these results, showing that improved efficiency can also yield big performance gains.

In: Cobb Tuning

Nissan, together with Autech Japan and NIMSO have announced that they will be displaying a total of nine models equipped with the latest custom and after-market parts at Japan’s equivalent of the U.S. SEMA Show and Europe’s Essen Motor Show in Germany, the Tokyo Auto Salon to be held from January 15-17, 2010 at the Makuhari Messe.

Nissan’s range of standard road cars stylized with the latest factory aero body-kits will include the Roox Highway Urban Selection and the 2010 Skyline Coupe and Sedan facelift equipped with the Japanese firm’s new Sporty Package.

Autech Japan will show its Rider Series comprising of the Nissan Serena, Cube and Note cars.

Last but certainly not least, NISMO plans to exhibit the Xanavi GT-R race car, the Fairlady Z Version NISMO (370Z) and the 2010 GT-R model with the Club Sport Package and the newly developed “NISMO Data Logger Kit”, which it says, makes it possible for the driver to download their driving data via USB and view it on a computer.

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The tuning company Amuse from Japan recently unveiled a new body kit for the Nissan 370Z called the Vestito, Italian for dress or suit. Upgrades include a new front bumper with carbon fiber integrated on the sides, front lip, side skirts, stretched fenders, and a new rear bumper with a large wing above. The whole kit features simple, yet clean lines that transform the Nissan 370Z to an even more aggressive looking sports car. Customers can choose any wheel package they’d like, but shown here are BBS LM-R wheels wrapped in high performance tires.

The Amuse Nissan 370Z Vestito body kit definitely has a unique look with the double air vents in the front bumper, as well as the rear bumper. Amuse did not customize the interior or add any performance options, and strictly stuck with the exterior look for those wanting extreme car styling. The 370Z body kit from Amuse will be available around February 2010, however they have not yet released a price. It shouldn’t be too expensive however, considering Nissan aftermarket body kits range around $5,000.

In: Fancy Tuning

Nissan has released pricing for its new 2010 Rogue S Krom Edition that’s on sale now with a starting MSRP (excluding tax, title and license fees) of $23,940 for the front-wheel drive model and $25,140 for the AWD version.

Nissan has released pricing for its new 2010 Rogue S Krom Edition that’s on sale now with a starting MSRP (excluding tax, title and license fees) of $23,940 for the front-wheel drive model and $25,140 for the AWD version.

Marketed as a ‘special sporty’ version of the Rogue, the Krom Edition is all about looks with Nissan’s definition of the term translating into blingy 17-inch alloy wheels, a center-exit sport-tuned exhaust, a specific two-bar chrome grille and a different treatment for the front and rear bumpers.

The package is finished off with a rear spoiler, rear privacy glass, body-colored exterior mirrors, a Krom emblem and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The Rogue S Krom Edition is offered in three exterior colors – Venom Red, Wicked Black and Gotham Gray.

There are no changes under the hood with Krom Edition featuring the standard 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled to Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission.

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Tommy Kaira, the Japanese tuning firm is creating a new aerodynamic body kit for the Nissan GT-R with exceptional style. Previously they announced their plans to make a new tuning kit for the Nissan Godzilla, and now we have pictures of the work. Tommy Kaira plans to unveil the new GT-R at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon that will be held January 15-17. Included in the kit is a new front bumper, front lip spoiler, side skirts, extended rear fenders, rear diffuser, and a rear wing. All parts will be made entirely of carbon fiber to ensure the highest performance quality, and they will even add an upgraded suspension to the kit.

Inside, the interior of the Nissan GT-R received a few upgrades such as Recaro bucket seats, hand stitched leather trim, and carbon fiber accents throughout. Performance improvements were not mentioned which leads us to believe this is strictly a styling kit, but the aftermarket suspension will definitely improve the handling.

In: Fancy Tuning

The 2010 model year brings new standard features and slightly higher prices for three out of four models in the Nissan Cube range. All models (Base, S, SL and Krom Edition), are powered by a 122HP 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that can be linked to either Nissan’s Xtronic CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission. The starting MSRP, which doesn’t include applicable tax, title and license fees, has remained unchanged from 2009 at $13,990 for the 1.8 Base model.

The ‘S’ trim level is now priced from $15,030 (+$340 over the 2009MY Cube) but gains Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Interface System for iPod, MP3 CD-ROM playback capacity, Radio Data System (RDS), speed-sensitive volume control (SSV) and two additional speakers (six total) as standard for 2010.

Next up is the ‘SL’ that is priced from $16,790 (+$340). For 2010, Nissan has added a Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheel audio controls on the SL’s standard equipment.

Finally, the top-of-the-line Krom Edition gets a new 4.3-inch color audio display with USB connectivity and RearView Monitor, along with Nissan’s Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition as standard equipment. The 1.8 S Krom Edition is priced at $20,120 which represents a $750 increase over the 2009MY version.

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Nissan officials confirmed today that the automaker is planning to add a new entry-level model based on the soon-to-be-revealed Micra in its U.S. market lineup. The next generation Micra (think Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta competitor), which was teased with a pair of renderings as well as a set of leaked design sketches, is based on Nissan’s so-called “V-platform” that is said to give birth to two additional models aside from the hatchback, including a four-door sedan and a multipurpose vehicle.

“V platform” manager Vincent Cobee said that the Nissan’s engineers spent four years to find ways to reduce production costs and weight out of a small car.

According to the company, the new platform will see a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy (we know, it sounds a bit too optimistic) over the current Micra while the firm’s engineers have reduced the total number of parts in the car by 18 percent. For example, while the current Micra’s cockpit has 56 parts, the new model will have 27.

According to Autonews that attended the press event at the Nissan’s headquarters today, the U.S. market will play a significant role in the firm’s plan to sell a million vehicles a year from all the derivatives of the newly created “V platform”.

However, Nissan did not reveal which of the three models will come to the States nor when they go on sale or if the U.S.-market vehicle(s) will be produced in the States.

Nissan said that the new global Micra, which is set to make its debut next year, will be made in five different plants around the world, including India, China, Thailand and two other unidentified locations.

In: Carscoop

After the SpecV, Nissan appears to be planning yet another limited edition version of its GT-R supercar called the SpecM that is said to make its world debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show at the end of October. Rendered here by the folks over at Japan’s Carmode magazine, the SpecM seems to be fitted with the same aero kit and forged alloy wheels (albeit in silver) as the SpecV. Then again, the lack of official photos could mean that the magazine’s artist simply color-chopped a GT-R to visualize the cover story…

Sorry to say, we have no idea what Carmode’s article says -any translation help from our readers would be more than welcome, but from what we’ve heard and read around the web, the GT-R SpecM is rumored to feature a “softer” suspension setup than the SpecV offering buyers more luxury and further personalization options.

In: Carscoop

German tuning firm Cobra Technology and Lifestyle (also known as Cobra N+) has released a new sport package for buyers of the Nissan 370Z Coupe. The carbon fiber aero kit for the Japanese coupe includes a front spoiler, exterior mirror covers and a rear diffuser insert with openings for the two 120-mm tailpipes of the Cobra N+ sport exhaust system. Interior upgrades are limited to carbon-fiber-look scuff plates.

To improve handling, the tuner developed a custom-tailored tire-wheel combination with lightweight 19-inch rims wrapped in 255/40 ZR 19 high-performance tires up front and 285/35 ZR 19 tires at the back. The kit also includes new sport springs that lower the 370Z’s ride height by around 30mm and a sport suspension with adjustable damper rates.

For a more sonorous experience from the 3.7-liter V6 engine, Cobra N+ offers a sport muffler with an electronically controlled flap which is said to allow the driver to select an exhaust note ranging from “discrete to pure racing sound” at the push of the button.

The kit does not include any sort of upgrades for the 370Z’s engine.

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In: Carscoop