Nissan updates Qashqai crossover - and no, we’re still not gonna get it

The Nissan Qashqai has a silly name. Though not as silly as the Qashqai+2, the seven-seat version of the British built small CUV. But silly name not withstanding, the slightly smaller than a Nissan Rogue compact crossover has been something of a sales phenom for Nissan, selling more than 500,000 copies around the world since 2007 despite not being offered in the North American market.

For the 2010 model year, some things are changing, and some aren’t. The biggest and most obvious difference is the front end, which is all-new and quite handsome looking. We especially like the sculpted lower fascia and intake. And while it is slightly smaller than the Rogue we do have in America, the Qashqai (named after a nomadic Iranian tribe) looks tougher. In the rear, the song remains largely the same, though the taillights have been slightly revised. The colors you see here are both new — Magnetic Red and Mineral Gray.

Inside, functionality is up with a new dash computer, gauges, lighting and “oddments” storage. Refinement is also up, with more baffling in place to reduce NVH, along with a revised windscreen and A-pillars to cut wind noise. The suspension has also been redesigned to improve both ride comfort and handling. All in all, the Qashqai looks to be a pretty tasty package. But you can almost set your watch to the fact that Nissan will not be bringing it to our red, white and blue shores, and while we like the Rogue just fine, we’d just assume that Nissan give us this one instead. What do you think? Check out the ress release after the jump and the high-res gallery below, and then let us know which one you’d prefer to see on sale in America.

[Source: Nissan]

GT-R-powered Infiniti flagship officially canned

Any hope of a Nissan GT-R-powered flagship from Infiniti have been officially dashed. According to Brian Carolin, Nissan's Senior Veep of Sales and Marketing, "It's fair to say that there's nothing in the product plan for a flagship right now. It's just not a priority in today's climate."

Rumors of a new sedan packing the GT-R's twin-turbocharged V6 and all-wheel drive system have been circulating for over a year, and when the Infiniti Essence concept debuted at theGeneva Motor Show this year, speculation began anew. The initial thought was Infiniti would bring a flagship coupe to market in favor of a sedan, but now, both plans have been shelved due to the current economic crisis and the subsequent downward spiral of luxury vehicle sales.

Carolin told Inside Line that dealers would have fallen all over each other for a new flagship last year, but "now it's way down on their wish list."

[Source: InsideLine | Image: Holiday Auto]

Nissan GT-R beats the Germans in residual value as well

It’s been well documented that the Nissan GT-R has what it takes to beat its German rivals when it comes to speed, be it in a straight line or at the track. Cars like the BMW M3, Audi RS4 and Porsche 911 Turbo all fall by the wayside time and time again whenever Nissan’s new supercar is thrown into a comparison.

However, there is another important factor that sits in the mind of most car buyers that the GT-R is also a star at – residual value. Any prospective buyers of the GT-R now have another reason to brag over, with Britain’s CAP Monitor car valuation data provider predicting that the Nissan will be worth 84% of its new list price after 12 months or 10,000 miles.

In contrast, the same data agency predicts that the Porsche 911 Carrera will retain just 68% of its original value, while a BMW M3 or M5 will retain just 60%. Even the stunning Audi R8 is only expected to retain about 73% of its original sticker price, reports CAR.

It’s important to remember that these values are only a prediction and the actual results may vary significantly in different markets. Throw in factors like the GT-R gearbox being particular prone to failure after too many hard launches, and the introduction of a new Series II GT-R that does away with the original launch control system that was necessary for the blistering 3.3 second 0-60mph times, and it is easy to see that the 84% residual prediction may be a little generous.

Nissan GT-R Wallpaper

Nissan GT-R by Cobra

Cobra Technology is ready for the release of the Nissan GT-R on the European market. Although no cars have hit the street there (officially), it allocation for 2009 is already sold out. So the modified Cobra N+ GT-R may already be on a few European wish lists.

Cobra reprogrammed the ECU, boost pressure is increased by 0.15 bar, and the air intake is modified with sport air filters. It claims this increases the standard 485 hp to 550 hp (but also remember that GT-Rs will usually appear more powerful than they actually are on a dyno.)

Other upgrades to the GT-R include three-piece lightweight 21-inch Cobra N+ light-alloy wheels, eight-piston brake calipers, and adjustable coil-over suspension. There is also a body kit with Cobra N+ front apron with large air dams, rocker panels, and rear apron.

It’s a tough thing to mess with Godzilla. The engineers at Nissan spent about seven years getting everything right, so even a body kit may seriously mess with the aerodynamics from the factory. But if nothing else, Europe will love the black and gold paint scheme that should remind many of the John Player Special F1 racers of the 1970s.

Hennessey Godzilla 700 based on the Nissan GT-R

Hennessey Performance is known mostly for modifying American muscle, especially the dodge Viper. But there are also foreign cars in the book of tricks, including the Nissan GT-R.

There are two packages: Godzilla 600 and Godzilla 700 costing $11,500 to $18,500 respectively. The package’s names explain all the important information. Hennessey takes the (claimed) 480 hp and upgrades the airflow to get 600 hp in the Godzilla 600, and adds new turbochargers and intercoolers to get 700 hp in the Godzilla 700.

Replacing the the turbochargers and intercoolers will not only probably make Nissan and its warranty devision not too happy, but also could be a little tricky considering Nissan spent about seven years developing the car and the individually-built engine. Let’s hope Hennessey knows what it’s doing.

New Car Nissan GT-R exhaust by Willall Racing

Okay, really its hard to tell the difference between the stock pipes for the Nissan GT-R and the WR35MP Willall Racing Mid-Pipes that are being revved in the video. We probably wouldn’t even be posting this if we we’re addicted to the exhaust notes of great supercars.