Nissan has announced some pretty lofty goals, including being the largest manufacturer in the US for electric cars.  The model to make it happen is the 2010 Nissan Leaf, an electric car marvel.  Nissan expects to receive 20,000 orders of the battery powered Leaf by the time it hits the show rooms next year.  I don't see how.

First of all, you are buying a very limited range vehicle, for around $30,000.  Personally, for that kind of money, I'd like to be able to drive wherever, whenever I want.  I don't want to wait around for a charge or risk not being able to find a suitable charging station while I'm out and about.  But of course, I'm not the target audience, those living in the big cities that don't have to worry about rural commutes.

Next, consider the Nissan dealership just might be pushing a $150 per month battery lease option.  Meaning, you buy the car, but lease the battery that powers the car.  This is done to help alleviate the concern of replacing a battery in the coming years, if there were a problem, or they don't have the shelf life they are counting on.

Too many if's and's or's and but's for me.  However, I wish them all the luck and the more competition Toyota has, the better it is for the consumers.  Check out the Nissan Leaf pics below.

US residents need not apply, the 2009 Nissan 370Z Nurburgring Special Edition will only be available in Europe.  Special consideration is being given to this 370Z because of the cars contribution to the 24 hour race last month.  Although there are no major engine overhauls on this special edition, there are a few tweeks that make it a worthwhile purchase.

Most notable difference between the Nurburgring Special Edition 370Z and regular 370Z is the exhaust.  This special edition will get a higher performance exhaust system to accompany the unchanged 3.7 liter V6.  Also, there will be an upgraded set of rims and tires, with 19" OZ racing rims.

The special edition 370Z will only be available in the color Yellow.  So, close your eyes and imagine the car picture below in bright racing Yellow with some fancy schmancy rims.  Basically, that's all it takes to pump out a special edition nowadays.  This comes with a price tag of over $71,000 and a limit of only 80 will be made.  Time to go stand in line.

370z Nurburgring Race Car

We've been speculating since May what the successor to the Nissan 350Z would offically be called and today we finally find out.  The 2009 Nissan 370Z is the offical name form Nissan and standard edition will be bearing the 3.7l V6 engine.  So no more speculation on names, it's done, and those that wanted 350Z^2 lose the bet.

Nissan is still working on a convertible version, but expect the coupe to be displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this year.  Check out the official Nissan pictures of the 09 370Z below.

Sydney, Austraila will be getting access to an all new Nissan GT-R super car and I just have to say it is AMAZING.  This all new GT-R is hot, drips of speed, handling, and everything that made the GT-R of the past legendary on the Nurburgring.

The new Nissan GT-R will be available in two different flavors, a GT-R and a GT-R Premium, $148,800 and $152,800 respectively.  Also, you won't be able to purchase the GT-R at just any Nissan dealership, there will only be 11 locations available to buy.  These special dealerships are Nissan approved High Performance Centers.

This new Nissan carries a hefty promise, to be the fastest mass-production car in the world.  After looking at what's under the hood and the transmission paired it's easy to see how it might actually be able to back it up.  The GT-R rocket will be pushed down the road by a hand built twin turbo 6 cylinder and paired to the first ever independent all wheel drive transmission.

The GT-R is powered by a hand-built twin-turbo VR38DETT 3.8-litre V6 engine delivering a mighty 353kW and 588Nm across a wide mid-range expanse from 3,200rpm to 5,200rpm.

It also introduces the world's first independent rear transaxle all-wheel drive system. The GR6 sequential six-speed has paddle shift control for the dual clutch rear transaxle, while drive to the wheels is via the electronically-controlled ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system.

Itching to get your hands on one, good luck, Nissan is only expecting to produce about 200 units in the first year.  No doubt the demand for one of the most accessible super cars in the world will be high, so start making friends at the limited number of dealerships early.

New Nissan GT-R

Looks like Japan is getting Nissan's first foray into clean diesel applications.  According to Nissan the all new X-Trail 20 GT SUV has increased fueleconomy over 30%, compared to the traditional 2.5l gasoline engine.  This is especially big news for those in Japan and Europe where actual Diesel engine sales account for more than 60% of all vehicles sold, compared to the US where it's actually less than 10%.

In it's early launch the early adopters will be the ones to pay the high price, much like all new technology.  The MSRP on the Nissan eco-friendly SUV will be about $27,000 USD.  Check out this Nissan currently only available in Japan.

Nissan X-Trail

If you are not aware, hybrid technology is extremely expensive to develop and implement, that's why some manufacturers are striking deals. A few years ago Nissan made a deal with Toyota to buy into their hybrid technology, which will allow them to produce their next hybrid vehicle, the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid.

The ability for Nissan to 'buy into' the hybrid technology Toyota has already developed will save them countless dollars to develop the technology in house. The engine lurking under this hood will be a little less potent that your normal internal combustion Nissan engine, but couple with the electric motor should produce up to 198 horsepower. The Nissan Altima hybrid will be running on the 2.5 liter QR25 engine.

As you can tell from the 08 Altima picture above, there are no different styling cues that will separate the hybrid from the normal Altima. There will be some hybrid badges, but everything else will remain the same, just like the 07 Altimas.

Nissan Altima altima 04 steering wheel black    US $20.00

Nissan Altima 25 S 2009 Nissan Altima 25 S Must sell Excellent condition    US $19,989.00

Nissan Altima NISSAN \08 Altima Coupe    US $19,588.00

Have you heard that Nissan is planning on beefing up their latest 350Z car?  If not then you need to jump on the Nissan rumor train, because the next evolution of the 350Z will be the 370Z.  The follow up to the 350Z is rumored to be lighter, nimbler, and more powerful to offer a more sporty over all experience.

Thanks to the boys over at Motor Trend it looks like we have found our first spy shot of the 370Z.

350Z on eBay

Nissan 350Z Nissan 350z Coupe Clean CarFax 14800 Miles 6sp xcellent    US $10.50

Nissan 350Z NISSAN \08 350z    US $23,958.00

Nissan 350Z Coupe 2004 Nissan 350Z Coupe 35L 6 spd Nav 18s 73K    US $11,900.00

Spy photos of the next 2009 Nissan Maxima during testing this week. A few things to notice about the 09 Maxima is that it will be slightly larger than previous years and a redesigned flat grill. There may be more lurking under the camo, but that's all we can see for now in this upcoming Maxima.

Thanks to Edmunds for the leg work on the spy photos.