Automobile
A senior Nissan source has confirmed the company is studying the possibility of producing a high-performance four-door sedan based on the exotic Nissan GT-R hardware.
The source suggested the car may be sold as an Infiniti.
A senior Nissan source has confirmed the company is studying the possibility of producing a high-performance four-door sedan based on the exotic Nissan GT-R hardware. The source suggested the car may be sold as an Infiniti.Producing a four-door GT-R is certainly feasible, though it wouldn’t be cheap. Although the GT-R coupe is based on Nissan’s flexible FM (front midship) platform, it is what one analyst calls “a major deviation” from that platform’s architecture, to the point where it’s known internally as PM (premium midship).The PM platform could be stretched to allow an extra set of doors and useable rear passenger space, while keeping the existing suspension pickup points, powertrain mountings, and other sheetmetal.
This would enable the four-door to share a lot of the GT-R’s mechanical hardware, including the 480-horsepower twin-turbo 3.8-liter VR38 V-6 engine, all wheel drive, and the rear-mounted six-speed DSG-style auto-clutch transmission.However a sedan version would require a new bodyside, plus expensive revisions to the carbon fiber intensive front structure, so while Nissan could save some money through component sharing with the GT-R, it’s likely that a sedan variant would cost $3000 to $5000 more. One alternative would be to make the car with a conventional steel body (it would add weight, but Nissan would want the GT-R coupe to remain its performance flagship anyway).The drawings here are purely illustrative; it’s unlikely Nissan would retain too many GT-R cues on an Infiniti-badged car. Nissan knows a four-door GT-R would have about as much credibility in Japan as a four-door Corvette would here in the U.S.
Furthermore, American and European buyers likely would balk at the idea of paying $85,000 for a sedan with Nissan badges. Making the car an Infiniti could help solve both problems, and it would give the brand the halo vehicle it lacks.A high-tech, high-performance Infiniti sedan also could serve as a halo car for the expansion of Nissan’s luxury brand into Europe, China, Japan, and other world markets. After dithering for a decade or more, Toyota has finally made Lexus a global brand, and its new IS-F sedan signals an entry into the premium high-performance segment dominated by Mercedes-Benz’s AMG and BMW’s M cars.The significance of both moves won’t have been lost on Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.
Introduction It’s fairly well known—unless you’re a hermit, in which case, how are you on the Internet?—that Chrysler invented the modern minivan. The 1984 original was the Plymouth Voyager/
, and the Chrysler-branded
joined the lineup at the tail end of the first generation in 1990. Model year 2009 is the second year of production for the fifth-generation minivan, which also forms the basis for Volkswagen’s badge-engineered
.
An optional AC power outlet and up to two rear-seat video screens should help keep the kids quiet. There are three trim levels and, appropriately, three V-6 engines. LX models come with a 3.3-liter making 175 horsepower. Touring models jump up to 3.8 liters and 197 horsepower, and the top-of-the-line Limited is equipped with a 251-hp 4.0-liter. The base engine comes with a regrettable four-speed automatic; the two bigger engines get a proper six-speed auto.
Verdict The cheap-looking plastics of the new van’s interior are disappointing, and we prefer the
’s ride, handling, and refinement—indeed, we prefer the Honda overall. The T&C’s corporate sibling, the Dodge Grand Caravan, finished smack in the middle of a five-vehicle comparison test, lagging behind the second-place
and first-place Odyssey in categories such as fit and finish, second- and third-row space, overall cargo room, and price. The Dodge beat out the
and on the strength of its performance in the areas of features and amenities (this van can certainly be tricked out), third-row comfort, and second-row functionality (thanks to Stow ’n Go).
Overall, the Town & Country is a versatile, practical vehicle that isn’t a terrible choice, but there are simply better minivans to be found.
What’s New for 2009 The rear-seat video screens are bigger, and when you get two screens and Swivel ’n Go seats, the rearmost screen twists so that second-row passengers can see it while facing backward. A blind-spot warning system is new: amber warning markers in the side mirrors light up when a vehicle is close, and a warning chime sounds if you activate the turn signal when someone is in your way. The same system works while backing out of a parking space to warn you of cross traffic.
Highlights and Recommendations Stow ’n Go has its merits, even though it requires thinner, less comfortable seats than the regular setup. Swivel ’n Go is little more than a gimmick—swing the seats around, and you’ll find legroom fit only for two-dimensional paper cutouts.
Beyond that, what you want in your Town & Country depends on how much you want to spend. The price jump for the loaded Limited is high, so if you can make do with less power, you can put plenty of options on a Touring and save money.
You could also swing by the local VW dealership and get the same mechanicals wrapped in slightly more stylish sheetmetal, and with nicer interior materials, for about $500 more than a comparable T&C. The VW, however, doesn’t offer any of the trick seats.
Safety Front airbags, curtain airbags for all three rows, and driver and front passenger knee airbags are standard, as are ABS and stability control. As mentioned, a combination blind-spot and reverse side-warning system is new.
Article source: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/08q3/2009_chrysler_town_country-review