First Teaser Shots of Nissan's Dedicated All-Electric Model, Plus Full Gallery of Tiida EV Prototype

We just discovered the first teaser photos of Nissan's dedicated electric vehicle that is scheduled to be officially unveiled at the firm's Japanese headquarters in Yokohama on Sunday 2 August 2009. Aside from the front quarter picture, we also found a second teaser shot of the yet to be named EV. Though the car is under cover, the photo suggests that the EV will be a five-door hatchback, most likely similar in dimensions to the Tiida.

On Monday, Nissan issued a teaser release that included a single photo of a Tiida prototype based on the EV's all-new platform. We've updated the photo album with new pictures of the test-mule and detailed images of the platform.

According to the Japanese automaker, the five-seater dedicated EV will make use of a fully electric drivetrain comprising of an electric motor that produces 107-horsepower (80kW) and 280Nm or 207 lb-ft of torque moving the front wheels. A 24kWh laminated compact lithium-ion battery pack positioned under the floor will power the electric motor.

Nissan said that along with the help of the regenerative brake system that charges the battery during deceleration and braking, the EV will have a cruising range of more than 160km or about 260 miles under a full charge. The EV is said to have a top speed in excess of 140 km/h or 90mph+.

The new Electric Vehicle is set to arrive in Japanese and North American showrooms in 2010, with Europe and other major international markets following the next year.

NISSAN EV TEASER SHOTS

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NISSAN TIIDA EV PROTOTYPE & PLATFORM

Nissan Demonstrates New Electric Vehicle Platform, Sales to Start in 2010

Nissan has released new details on its forthcoming dedicated all-electric vehicle that is slated to go on sale in the U.S. and Japan in 2010, with Europe following in 2011. Even though the Japanese firm demonstrated its all-new EV platform on a Tiida-based prototype, Nissan said that it plans to unveil the design of the production EV that will have 'a unique body and design' at its new Global Headquarters Opening in Yokohama next weekend on August 2nd.

According to Nissan, the dedicated EV platform is comprised of a highly rigid body and an fully-electric drivetrain that consists of an in-house developed electric motor that delivers 80kW (107.3 HP) and 280Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque, and a 24kWh laminated compact lithium-ion battery pack that is placed under the vehicle floor for more efficient packaging, without compromising cabin or cargo space.

Additionally, the EV will feature a regenerative brake system to recharge the battery during deceleration and braking. Nissan claims that the system can help extend the driving range to more than 160km or about 260 miles under a full charge.

The Japanese automaker also showcased a new EV-IT system that connects the vehicle's on-board transmitting unit to a global data centre to support EV driving 24 hours 7 days a week. The system informs the driver on the vehicle's maximum range and the closest charging stations through the navigation system while there's also a timer function that enables the air-conditioner or battery charging to begin at a specified time. Furthermore, The driver can monitor the state-of-charge of the EV via an online website and a cellular phone.

2011 Nissan Versa / Tiida Rendered, Gets New Turbo Engines

The Nissan Tiida, also known in the U.S. and Canada as the Versa, has been around in Japan since 2004. That is a long time in automobile-years so it comes to no surprise that Japanese magazines like “Best Car” have started publishing renderings of the Versa / Tiida’s replacement, expected in 2010. The artist’s rendering seen here, depicts a no-frills design proposal for the sedan variant that would also spawn a five-door hatchback version.

Best Car claims that, at least in what concerns the Japanese-market model, the 2010 Tiida / Verso will be offered with new range of turbocharged petrol engines. Since it is rumored that Nissan’s next-generation compact car will be based upon the Renault Megane architecture, the engine range could include Renault’s new 1.4-liter and 2.0-liter TCe turbocharged petrol units that deliver 130 and 180 HP respectively.

Expect to see the new Versa / Tiida hitting showrooms in the States and Europe sometime in 2011.

Rendering: Best Car

New Dodge Trazo: Nissan's Versa Sedan Gets Rebadged for South America

The new Dodge Trazesty Trazo is the fruit of Chrysler LLC and Nissan's OEM agreement that was signed in January 2008. Apparently we're not the only ones that think that there's nothing 'Dodge' about the Nissan Versa (Tiida in Europe and Japan) as the American automaker preferred to badge the sedan as the "Trazo by Dodge". As you can see in the image gallery after the jump, Dodge's signature ram logo is nowhere to be found. The Trazo will be offered for sale in select Latin American markets in sedan form only equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline and E100 ethanol-capable engine with both automatic and manual transmissions. -Continued

Nissan Tiida / Versa to go on sale in Europe

Afraid of loosing sales in the strong compact-hatch and sedan categories in several traditional European countries, Nissan decided to launch the Tiida in 5door hatch and sedan versions (known in the US as the Versa) initially in these markets: Baltics, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. Sales of the Mexican built Tiida will commence in Europe in June where they’ll be offered with three engines; a 1.6 litre petrol (110hp), a 1.8 litre petrol (126hp) and a 1.5dCi (105hp). -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release

PRESS RELEASE: NISSAN TO INTRODUCE TIIDA IN EUROPE

- Tiida will be launched in selected key markets across Europe
- On sale from June 2007
- Four and five door models, three engines (two petrol, one diesel)

Nissan Europe announced today that it will introduce the Tiida model to Europe from June 2007. The Tiida marks the latest addition to Nissan’s current model line-up following the recent launch of its latest C-segment, cross-over vehicle, the QASHQAI.

As part of the Tiida launch strategy, Nissan carefully studied the individual European markets to identify the countries where there was a concentration of loyal customers of Almera and Primera who would consider purchasing a similar model in the future.

Tiida will therefore be distributed in the markets where there is strong demand for such models. These markets include: Baltics, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. As part of the launch strategy, Nissan may, at a later stage, study the possibility of introducing the model to further markets in Europe.

The name Tiida is derived from a word in a Japanese dialect meaning ‘ever-changing tide’ and sits between NOTE and QASHQAI in terms of price. It will appeal to the customer looking for a more conventional type of car and places an emphasis on traditional values such as comfort, interior space and ease of use.

The Tiida will be launched in four and five door versions and will feature three engines; a 1.6 litre petrol (110hp), a 1.8 litre petrol (126hp) and a 1.5dCi (105hp).

This model is already enjoying sales success in Japan and the United States, where it is called Versa. Sales in Europe are expected to reach an average of 30,000 units per year over its lifecycle. Tiida will be built at Nissan’s Civac plant in Mexico.

“As part of our strategy for profitable growth in Europe, Nissan is focused upon winning conquest customers with new models which offer a real point of difference. However, it is also important that we retain our more traditional customer base in certain countries,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe.

“Our business approach is driven by customers and common sense. We decided to introduce Tiida in the markets where we identified clear needs and a sustainable demand for this type of product, which could not be satisfied by Note or QASHQAI,” Carolin added. More information will be announced in April.

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