Nissan is taking their car technology to a new level.

Intel and Nissan are partnering up together to design a new innovative car infotainment system for future Nissan models. Though no details on exactly what models would be available to the new deal, it does appear Nissan’s luxury car division Infiniti will make use of the technology in their new LE concept vehicle.

Specifically, Intel will provide Nissan and Infiniti with their Atom chip, which (in the LE concept car) will be used to for a twin-screen system deliverying traffic and navigation on one side, and entertainment on its other side.

Intel also hopes to improve on mobile to vehicle communication, with cloud services and video surveillance via smartphone all expected in the near future.

Visit us at Kelly Nissan of Beverly today! We’re located at 420 Cabot St. (Route 1A) in Beverly, MA 01915. How’s that for Making it Easy!

Boston Globe Automotive Editor Clifford Atiyeh recently wrote about many upcoming vehicles to look out for in the coming months. Included in his list was the 2013 Nissan Altima, newly redesigned and as efficient as ever.

The 2013 Altima looks like a luxury vehicle, thanks in part to Nissan‘s collaboration with their luxury car division Infiniti, but the many of the great features of the top Nissan product have been carried over to the new model, but with added niceties that may make the 2013 Altima one of the best midsize vehicles on the road today, if not the best.

What can owners expect in terms of changes to the Altima?

Aside from it’s exterior revamp, the new Altima now sports a class-leading 38 MPG on the highway, to go with new “zero gravity” seats that are designed to relieve muscle fatigue and cramping. Nissan also added material to the interior cabin to keep exterior noise to a low minimum. Also added to the Altima is a larger LCD display in the instrument cluster and new optional safety features like “Moving Object Detection.”

All this adds up to what looks to be Nissan’s most innovative Altima yet.

“There is no argument – this is the biggest vehicle launch in the history of Nissan’s domestic operations,” said Nissan USA’s Vice President and General Manager Al Castignetti. “The Altima is our bread-and-butter vehicle. It will give us a good shot at being number one in its segment.”

Nissan slowly unveiled the redesigned Altima through a series of brief, albeit beautiful, shots of the new exterior on the Altima (see them here). Officially unveiled in the first week of April at the New York International Auto Show, the new vehicle has been well received thus far, and why not? The new Altima starts at $21,500 and is expected to go into production next month at Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Canton, Mississippi.

How well the new Nissan will do in today’s economy is completely up to consumers, but Atiyeh finished his piece on the new Altima saying, “I know one Camry owner who’s itching to trade when it arrives later this year.”

We’ll take a shot in the dark and say Clifford won’t be the only one trading in his Toyota Camry for the luxurious Altima.

Visit Kelly Nissan of Beverly today to check out the 2012 Nissan Altima, and be sure to ask about the all-new 2013 Nissan Altima!

From Business Insider – Automobile manufacturer Nissan has partnered with Habitat For Humanity in a fresh new campaign to help build a better future for communities affected by the downturn of the economy by launching an app to inspire hope for a better future.

Habitat For Humanity has been building affordable housing for struggling families for decades, and Nissan has been a Habitat sponsor for five years now, providing annual donations of $1 million to aid in building better communities where their customers and employees live.

The App is transparently called Charity Game, and serves interactive video. Users are able to enter commands for the volunteers to perform in the video immediately after that command is registered. Each time a command is entered, the user gets closer to being ranked in the top 100 scores. Those that reach the top 100 will get a personalized video from Nissan at the build site, and will feature volunteers pounding nails into the structure in the name of each winner, as well as a Nissan t-shirt. While the prizes may not motivate everyone to compete to win, the campaign overall is for a great cause.

Join in on the fun on Nissan and Habitat’s game page on Facebook.

Take a look at the Charity Game video below and be the judge for yourself.

From Automobilemag.com- The “Armada” name is rather appropriate for this big truck. Until the last century, navies relied upon huge armadas of battleships to rule the seas. Britain and Germany were locked in a cold war over who could build the biggest ship with the biggest guns. Then the airplane appeared, and by World War II, the big battleships became all but obsolete since they couldn’t defend themselves against swarms of relatively cheap airplanes. In much the same fashion, automakers battled each other a decade ago to build the largest, most powerful SUV–the Chevrolet Suburban, the Ford Excursion, the Toyota Sequoia.

They were automakers’ big battleships in the war over who could be the most excessive. Nowadays, gas is more expensive and better-driving crossovers have sucked up most of the SUV-buying market, leaving SUVs like the Armada to soldier on in relative obscurity. Having said all that, for those who actually need a full-size SUV – and I fully respect that some people do – the Armada remains very worthy of consideration. It has very nicely weighted steering, a better-appointed interior than many SUV competitors, and generally drives extraordinarily well for a vehicle that can tow 9000 pounds.

David Zenlea, Assistant Editor

Read more: http://bit.ly/GI3jFL

From The Weekly Driver’s Mary Ellen Ash - The 2012 Nissan Rogue is a new candidate in the ever popular small cross-over utility vehicle class, and the automaker hopes to attract buyers with a strong mix of attractive exterior styling, interior refinements and nimble road handling. Even though this is the kid-sister of the Nissan SUV family, the Rogue leaves a lasting impression.

The new Rogue is an excellent blend of space and functionality with its utility styling and versatility for passengers and cargo, and it incorporates the sharper handling dynamic found in similar sized sedans. Confident and calm looking, the Rogue has its own style without flamboyance.

The Rogue is a great choice for weekend warriors looking for a small SUV with more interior room than a hatchback and the furthest relation to a minivan. The Rogue is the second-smallest SUV model in the Nissan line-up, but it has a spacious aura with distinctive styling and sleek paneling. Upon closer inspection, potential buyers will also see the quality workmanship. It’s a very solid package — well-built with no flimsiness.
Performance and Handling:

Over the years, Nissan has put a lot of effort into the development of its Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission), and it’s now the industry benchmark. The Rogue SV drivetrain exemplifies the balance of keeping the 170 horsepower 2.5-liter engine in its power band with seamless gear transitions and optimizing fuel economy.

The Rogue is peppy on city streets, and on highways the acceleration is steady and controlled. Initial acceleration is quick and responsive without the clunkiness of more traditional 5-speed gear boxes. The engine quality and power are surprisingly good for a 4-cylinder engine.

Overall, the CVT is impressive because it keeps the Rogue in its optimal power band meaning acceleration is more responsive than many competitors. Up and down gear changes are instantaneous and smooth. Considering the importance of  fuel economy, the Rogue is efficient. My review car, the front-wheel drive Rogue in SV trim, is EPA estimated at 23 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg overall. During my week, I recorded slightly better mpg over the EPA estimates and got 26 mpg in mixed driving.

Interior Comfort and Ergonomics

Cablin quality is impressive. My test vehicle was spec’d with the upgraded SL package and the interior was upholstered with a leather steering wheel and black leather seats. The materials are of superior quality, the seats comfortable and styling modern. The driver seat is electronically adjustable in multiple directions, provided additional lumbar support, and optional heating buttons. It’s always nice to refine my driving position in small increments.

As a petite woman, I also enjoy a high vantage point when driving to ensure excellent visibility. It’s a confidence booster in traffic, although the high vantage view usually means having to climb into tall vehicles. Not so with the Rogue. It’s built on a car-like chassis meaning entering the Rogue is a lot like getting into a car (not a truck). That also equates to a vehicle that drives and handles like a smooth-driving car.

As with all Nissan vehicles, the 2012 Rogue is equipped with the latest safety equipment, including Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with traction control, anti-lock brakes and an advanced airbag system. Nissan emphasizes driver/passenger safety and the since the Rogue has the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) highest rating – 5 stars – for side-impact crash safety and 4-star ratings for front and rollover impacts. It’s a huge confidence boost on the road.

Nissan has always impressed me with the simplicity and functionality of the driver’s console. All necessary information is easy to find and use. The center console stack is well laid out and easy to navigate with the help of a 5-inch QVGA touch screen interface. It’s more than adequate for toggling between radio, CD, iPod & AUX media, GPS and other information.

Read the rest of the article here

Rarely do you see in the automotive world tricked out vehicles that are not meant to be tricked out.

It’s even rarer to see it work with an SUV recently introduced to the market.

We present to you the Nissan Juke-R. Only two of them exist in the world, but that’s more than enough for Car and Driver’s Sam Smith to get his hand on the Godzilla-inspired crossover in Dubai.

Perhaps it is Smith’s last line of his recent article of the Juke-R that rang most true: “It exists because it’s awesome, and that’s good enough for us.”

The Juke-R can go 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds, which is much quicker than Nissan’s mass-produced 2011 Juke that went 0-60 in just under 7.5 seconds. That can be credited to the Juke-R’s 485-hp twin-turbocharged engine.

On top of that, the engineers behind the Juke-R decided to put a rear spoiler on the back, and an FIA-compliant roll cage, typical of race car vehicles. Nissan says that the Juke-R’s suspension is street worthy, but not Smith, nor the sheiks inDubaiwho tried to buy the vehicles, can prove that with the Juke-R restricted to the race track.

Nissan’s Juke-R creation maxes out at 160 mph, only 31 mph lower than Nissan’s GT-R. We think that’s pretty good for an SUV—any SUV.

So with the birth of the Juke-R is born the idea of SUVs and sports cars coming together to co-exist as one.

Well, not really, but at least Nissan can say they’ve now brought something to the table no one else has. And that something is a monster drag-capable SUV.

From The Salem News’ Ethan Forman- DANVERS — Danvers-based Kelly Automotive Group is ramping up expansion plans along Route 114 in both Danvers and Peabody.

Kelly is mulling the creation of a two-story dealership out of the vacant former Borders Books and Music store on Andover Street in Peabody. The Danvers native and the company’s president, Brian Kelly, acquired the property in December.

Kelly’s plans also include the construction of a new Volkswagen dealership at 72 Andover St. in Danvers, where he presently operates a Fiat dealership. This plan is coming before the Danvers Planning Board on Tuesday.

It is possible Kelly may move his Fiat dealership either to his Jeep-Chrysler dealership on Route 1 in Lynnfield, Kelly said. It is also possible the former bookstore at 151 Andover St. could become the new home to the tiny, stylish Italian import.

In December, Kelly, as trustee of 151 Andover Street Realty Trust, bought the 1.57-acre Borders site, with its nearly 24,400 square-foot-building, for $1, according to the deed.

The property was conveyed to Kelly by Select Sites of the North Shore LLC, and is subject to the mortgage, which has a more than $5 million unpaid balance, along with assignments of certain leases and rents. The property is assessed at nearly $3.4 million, according to city records.

“I bought the note the from the bank,” said Kelly, who added he managed to acquire the property in an online auction.

The Borders building was built in 1994, according to city records. It closed last year after the nation’s second-largest bookstore company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Kelly is now doing exploratory work to see if the existing building can be turned into a car dealership. Kelly is trying to find out if the second floor can bear the weight of vehicles in what would become a glassed-in showroom. The building’s ground floor is set lower than the roadway, so the second floor commands a view of Route 114 and the Northshore Mall across the street.

“If I can do that, I will figure out if I will put a dealership there or not,” said Kelly, who has also fielded interest from retailers looking to set up shop there.

This is not Kelly’s first attempt at setting up a dealership in Tanner City along Route 114. In 2010, Kelly acquired the former North Shore Lincoln Mercury at 1 Cross St., which is adjacent to the Northshore Mall.

Kelly considers this a prime location for a dealership, but he has waited to open something there, in part because of the slow economy, and in part because of the site, which is on a slope and needs expensive work.

“I want to take my time and do something right,” Kelly said.

Kelly said he has not figured out where he might move his Danvers Fiat dealership, though he said it is doing well, and there are new models coming soon. The location at 72 Andover St. was always viewed as temporary.

Kelly plans to build a nearly 32,200-square-foot, single-story Volkswagen dealership, which will have a front wall made of glass and aluminum, according to plans by BKA Architects. The Fiat building will be demolished to make way for the new building. The 4.7-acre site has been the home of auto dealerships for many years. A back building on the site is partially located in Peabody.

The new dealership will have a showroom, a small mezzanine, a service department, a parts storage area and offices. It will meet all of the town’s zoning setback requirements, which are not being met by the present buildings, according to the application filed by Danvers attorney Nancy McCann.

The back building will get a face-lift and be used for vehicle storage. Danvers Senior Planner Kate Day said the Volkswagen project is one of the larger commercial projects to come before the town in recent years, next to the construction of a much larger indoor soccer facility farther west on 114.

The Volkswagen dealership will take a year to build, Kelly said. It operates now across the Lowe’s access road from his Infiniti dealership, also on 114.

When asked about what is driving the construction of the new dealership, Kelly said “factories are doing better, and they are pushing facility upgrades.”

Within the next three years, Kelly plans to upgrade his Infiniti dealership, as well.

Auto retailers have been increasing their presence in and around Route 114 in recent years, in addition to Kelly’s dealerships.

Ira Motor Group has Porsche, Lexus, Mazda, Audi, Scion, Subaru and Toyota dealerships at various locations along Andover Street in Danvers and Peabody. Ira bought the former Jimmy’s Allenhurst function facility in Danvers and had that building demolished as part of its expansion plans.

Herb Chambers is planning to enlarge its Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership and is mulling a stand-alone Cadillac dealership at its Chevrolet dealership across the street.

Acura of Peabody, which is part of the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group, has a new location along Route 114 in Peabody. Acura’s former home is now a Lyon-Waugh Mini Cooper dealership. Lyon-Waugh also operates a large BMW dealership in Peabody, next door to its Mini dealership.

Not far away but within sight of Route 114, Village Automotive Group operates Hyundai and Volvo dealerships on Commonwealth Avenue, across from the Liberty Tree Mall. Further down Sylvan Street in Danvers sits Danvers Motor Co.’s Ford dealership. Finally, a Michaud Mitsubishi dealership sits next door to where Kelly plans to build his new Volkswagen store.

Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by email at eforman@salemnews.com or on Twitter @DanverSalemNews.

From green.autoblog.com’s Danny King – Nissan is looking to sell as many as 2,000 DC quick-charging stations within the next two years, as the Japanese automaker looks to boost sales of its all-electric Leaf by providing owners an opportunity to almost completely recharge the car in a half hour, Green Car Reports reported, citing an interview with Nissan North America spokesman Brendan Jones.

Nissan is planning to distribute more than 800 “Level 3″ stations, which are based on the CHAdeMO protocol and operate at 480 volts, within the next couple of months, and is planning to sell more than 1,000 by year end, the website said, citing Jones. Nissan may work out an agreement in which its distribution partners would temporarily offer free charging. Many of the charging stations, which can recharge 80 percent of a Leaf’s battery in as little as 30 minutes, will likely be located in urban areas as well as along well-traveled highways like California’s Interstate 5, according to the website.

The automaker made news last fall by saying it would offer quick charging stations for as little as $9,900, or about half the price of the Leaf’s prior quick-charging station. Nissan, which developed its Level 3 charger with Sumitomo, said last September that it planned to sell 5,000 of the compact quick chargers by March 2016 as part of its efforts to accelerate Japan’s charging infrastructure.

Automotive and technology analysts view quick chargers as more likely to be acquired by public entities and businesses, as opposed to private residences, because of their high power requirements and price tag. Such devices can charge a Nissan Leaf from halfway “full” to almost completely charged in about the same time it takes to fill a tank of gas.

This weekend is the time to come into Kelly Nissan of Beverly and take advantage of our great Presidents’ Day offers!

Believe us when we say you do not want to miss these great savings this Presidents’ Day. With lease specials on our 2012 Altima 2.5 running at $69/mo. for 24 mos. or the 2012 Nissan Rogue S for $129/mo. for 39 mos., now is the best time for you to pick up a new Nissan vehicle!

If you want to really turn peoples heads as you drive, then you’ll want to drive in style with the 2012 Nissan Murano Crosscabriolet, which is available now through our Presidents’ Day lease special for only $499/mo for $39 mos. with $3,999 cash or trade down!

And if that isn’t enough, we’re going to give you a sneak peek of our Presidents’ Day SIGN & DRIVE specials by clicking here.

These deals are sizzling hot, and will only last until Monday at 8pm, so do not be the one to miss out on these specials! Visit us today at 420 Cabot St. (Route 1A) in Beverly, MA 01915.